Who: Philadelphia Union (2nd place, 51 points, record 15-6-6) vs. Chicago Fire FC (9th place, 39 points, record  11-6-9)
What: 2025 regular-season game
Where: Subaru Park
When: Saturday, August 23, 7:30 PM
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, Listen in on 97.5 FM
Whistle: Ref: Rubiel Vazquez, AR1: Corey Rockwell, AR2: Justin Howard, 4th: Servando Berna, VAR: Kevin Stott, AVAR: Alicia Messer

Photo by Kevin Barrett

Long-time Union center back Jack Elliott will return to Subaru Park for the first time since his transfer to Chicago Fire FC in a must-win match for both sides. The Union looks to reclaim first place in the Supporters’ Shield race, while Chicago hopes to hold on to a playoff position. 

Scouting Report: Chicago Fire FC

Gregg Berhalter’s side is 3W, 2D, 0L in its last five matches, but has gone through many lows and highs so far this season; the six matches before those five were 1W and 5L, including a 1-0 loss at home to Philadelphia. They have been road warriors this season, with seven of their eleven wins coming from away matches, and tend to allow the hosts to impose their own style of play, then attack on the counter. 

Chicago added three players at the end of the secondary transfer window. Portuguese attacking midfielder Andre Franco joined on loan from Porto last week and anticipates making his MLS debut at Subaru Park, but is not at 100% fitness due to joining the squad during his preseason. He will be available for selection, but we assume that defenders Joel Waterman and Viktor Radojevic, both signed on deadline day, will not have had time to acclimate and travel. The Fire has the most goals conceded among Eastern Conference teams currently in a playoff position, and is in the process of strengthening its backline, but without the new defenders, it isn’t likely that they will stop the flood of goals against Philadelphia.

Last week at home against Saint Louis City FC, Chicago came from 2-1 down to pull off a 3-2 victory with goals from attacking leaders Hugo Cuypers, Phillip Zinkernagel, and Brian Gutierrez. 

Player Availability: Rominigue Kouamé – Lower Body (Out), Chris Mueller – Not Due to Injury (Out), David Poreba – Lower Body (Out)

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

Following the 1-0 loss on the road to Red Bull, Bradley Carnell’s side is hungry to get back to winning ways and will look to do so in front of a home crowd. With only one more match until the September international break, there is no reason for the squad to be rotated beyond the necessary changes due to injury.

With Andre Blake’s hamstring injury last Saturday, it is anticipated that Andrew Rick will make his 11th start of the season. Bradley Carnell confirmed in pregame media availability that the captain will be out for “the next couple of weeks”. Following the departure of Oliver Semmle on loan to North Carolina FC of the USL Championship, the Union does not have a healthy backup to fill the bench behind Rick, meaning that short-term loan agreements from Union II keepers Pierce Holbrook or Mike Sheridan will be necessary. 

In June, Philadelphia was able to pull off the road win against Chicago using a depleted squad during the international window and a bench composed of Union II products and Alejandro Bedoya starting and going 90 at right back. With a full squad, a win should be more than achievable.

• Player Availability: Andre Blake – Hamstring (Out), Indiana Vassilev – Head (Out)

Key Matchup: Tai Baribo vs Jack Elliott

The Israeli forward was unavailable against Chicago in June, but is now back in the squad and eager to begin another scoring streak as his team pushes to reclaim its Supporters’ Shield lead. The former Union man, now captain of the Fire, will have an important task in leading the back line against one of the top scorers in MLS.

Player to Watch: Andrew Rick

The homegrown keeper needs to begin a streak of good form with this match. The U20 World Cup takes place at the end of September, and while Rick is not an ‘05, he could make an argument for himself to be included as the third keeper on the roster. The opportunity to play first-team minutes leading up to the decision will be crucial, and he is going to take full advantage. 

Prediction: 2-0 Union

It may be a bit of wishful thinking after a lackluster performance in New Jersey, but the Union have the attacking power to take advantage of the stumbling Chicago defense before their reinforcements arrive.