Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

In a humid mid-week matchup, a short handed Philadelphia Union defeated the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field to stay atop the MLS standings. An early penalty kick was converted by Bruno Damiani. Jakob Glesnes, who was just named to his third All-Star selection, made a trio of key defensive plays to keep Chicago off the board. 

First Half

After a few back and forth instances in the opening stages, the Union were able to win an early penalty to open the scoring.

Alejandro Bedoya – who was deputizing at Right Back – started a counter attack with a perfect tackle on Jonathan Bamba in the 8th minute. The Union quickly marched up the field and worked the ball into the box. Ben Bender’s cross fell to Chris Donovan who lined up a first-time cross that clearly hit Jonathan Gutman’s arm – winning a penalty for Philly. Amid a chorus of boos from the home crowd, Bruno Damiani buried the kick to the bottom left of the net, giving the Union the lead.

Seemingly invigorated by conceding, the Fire immediately tried to get themselves back into the game. They thought they deserved a penalty of their own – after Olwethu Makhanya potentially handled the ball – but Head Referee Greg Dopka was unmoved by the players’ pleading.

Philip Zinckernagel nearly got his 15th goal contribution of the year in the 15th minute. He entered the Union’s box and picked out Hugo Cuypers with a pinpoint cross from the endline. However, the Belgian’s volley whistled wide of Andrew Rick’s net. 

The game settled into a noticeable pattern. Philadelphia’s press appeared to be working just as intended. The Union forced Chicago into turnovers by winning battles in the midfield. Occasionally, the Fire would break through, but were largely unable to trouble the Union’s defense. What’s more, the Union were often able to counter after any prolonged Fire attacks. Chicago had to almost completely rely on the wide areas – the middle of the pitch was entirely locked down by the Union’s defense. 

On a rare breakaway in the 31st minute, Brian Guitiérez drove forward from the midfield line, resisting a couple of Union tackle attempts. His through pass found Cuypers, and while the DP Striker’s shot beat Rick, it was the wrong side of the near post.

In the 39th minute Chicago came agonizingly close to an equalizer. Lukić was dispossessed, and after winning a scramble for possession, Bamba laid off a pass for Zinckernagel. The Dane’s dipping shot clanged off the crossbar, denying the first time All-Star a highlight-reel worthy goal.

In added time of the first half, Lukiċ nearly scored a lovely solo goal following a nimble run, but the Serbian’s strike was high and wide of the Fire net. The half-time whistle would sound shortly thereafter.

Second Half

Chicago opened the second frame of action with aggressive intent, and kept the pressure on Philly in search of a goal.  Although they came close a number of times, the Union were content to sit back and absorb pressure, before killing clock in possession once they won it.

In the 50th minute, a line splitting pass from Gutiérrez should have put Bamba in behind. Bedoya was somehow able to keep even with the pacey forward, before laying a thumping slide tackle that left him and Bamba on the ground. The Fire weren’t finished yet though, as Bamba flipped a pass to an onrushing Gutiérrez, who was promptly hammered to the turf by Glesnes. While the Union dealt with the ensuing free kick easily enough, Glesnes was booked for the foul, and will miss this Sunday’s big away day at Columbus through suspension.

The Fire looked certain to score in the 52nd minute through Jonathan Bamba. Gutiérrez drew in and then froze the Union defenders with a slick turn, before feeding the Ivorian international. Bamba had an open shot, but skied it into the stands, sparing the Union. 

In the 60th minute, an uncharacteristic mistake caused a dangerous moment for Philly. Wagner attempted to go back to Rick, but was under pressure, and his pass favored Cuypers. Rick had to come charging out of the box and blast the errant ball away.

2025 All-Star Jakob Glesnes made a big block in the 69th minute that probably saved a goal. A long ball was chested down by Cuypers in the Union’s box, and Gutiérrez fired a powerful shot, only for the Norwegian to put his body on the line to prevent it.

The Union’s defense was called on again in the 77th minute. Zinckernagel received a pass outside the 18 and quickly fired a shot, only to be blocked by Glesnes. The deflected ball fell to Haile-Selassie, but the second-half sub was quickly smothered by Bedoya and his Norwegian counterpart.

Lukić again tried his luck from long range in the 83rd minute, forcing Gal to leave his feet, but once more his shot was too high.

Glesnes made another incredible defensive play in the 3rd minute of stoppage time. A free kick delivery snuck past Rick, but the Norwegian was well positioned and cleared the ball off the line.

The final whistle would blow just two minutes later, securing the win for the Union and keeping Philadelphia atop the Eastern Conference and the Supporter’s Shield standings.

3 Points

• Old Man Ale: How many people had “Alejandro Bedoya playing Right Back” on their 2025 Bingo Cards? While Bedoya has shifted into that position during games – most notably during the 2019 season – prior to tonight he had never logged a start there. Regardless, the captain volunteered to fill in and his performance was a big reason why the Union can walk out with a win. 

• Beasts of the East: Not only did Philadelphia’s win keep them in first place, it opened a 4 point gap between them and Cincinnatti. The Union have now earned back-to-back wins despite significant absences. The sky appears to be the limit, just over halfway through the MLS season.

• Chris Donovan’s Special Skill: Say what you want about the former Drexel Dragon’s finishing this year, there is one thing he has done really well – winning fouls. Donovan’s cross won the penalty, which was the deciding goal on the night. Also this year he has: drawn a 2nd yellow against Dallas, and won another penalty against Nashville. Foul merchant or good positioning? You be the judge.

Lineups

Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2): 

Andrew Rick, Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender (Jesus Bueno 65’), Jovan Lukić, Indiana Vassilev, Chris Donovan (Markus Anderson 70’), Bruno Damiani (Eddy Davis III 88’)

Unused Subs: Isaiah LeFlore, CJ Olney Jr, David Vazquez, Neil Pierre, Nick Pariano, Oliver Semmle

Chicago Fire (4-3-3):

Jeffrey Gal, Andrew Gutman, Jack Elliot, Omar González, Leonardo Barroso (Jonathan Dean 80’), Sergio Oregel (Kellyn Acosta 90’), Mauricio Pineda, Brian Gutiérrez, Jonathan Bamba (Maren Haile-Selassie 70’), Hugo Cypers (Tom Barlow 73’), Philip Zinckernagel

Unused Subs: Omari Glasgow, Sam Rogers, Bryan Dowd, Sam Williams, Dje D’Avilla

Scoring Summary:

PHI: Bruno Damiani (PK) – 10’

Disciplinary Summary:

PHI: Jovan Lukić (Yellow – Unsporting Behavior) – 35’

PHI: Jakob Glesnes (Yellow – Unsporting Behavior) – 50’

PHI: Jesus Bueno (Yellow- Delaying Restart) – 72’

CHI: Omar González (Yellow – Unsporting Behavior) – 81’

PHI: Olwethu Makhanya (Yellow- Delaying Restart) – 90’

PHI: Alejandro Bedoya (Yellow- Unsporting Behavior) – 90 + 2’