Photo by Kyle Grantham/Philly Soccer Page
PRESS RELEASE BY THE PHILADELPHIA UNION
CHESTER, Pa. (August 23, 2025) – The Philadelphia Union defeated Chicago Fire FC 4-0 on Saturday night at Subaru Park. Forward Tai Baribo opened the scoring in the 34th minute, and defender Kai Wagner doubled the lead in the 64th minute with a goal from a set piece. Midfielder Danley Jean Jacques added a third in the 73rd minute before forward Milan Iloski sealed the win in the 80th minute. Goalkeeper Andrew Rick recorded his fifth clean sheet of the season.
The Union travel to TQL Stadium to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday, August 30th (7:30 p.m. ET/ Apple TV).
PSP’s Three Points:
- Milan Iloski’s two goals in three appearances for the Union has him off to a roaring start. One of Ernst Tanner’s finer additions had himself man of the match performance, showing up all over the pitch. His well placed goal low and hard off the volley is exactly the type of goal that will help the Union en route to hardware this season.
- Tai Baribo’s sixteenth goal of the campaign has him tied for third in the golden boot race with Evander, just behind Sam Surridge (20) and Lionel Messi (19). His goal tonight was his twenty-fifth all time for the Union, tying him with Alejandro Bedoya for sixth most goals scored for the franchise all-time.
- Back in first of the Supporters’ Shield race, the Union leapfrogged FC Cincinnati who fell at home to NYCFC. Now in pole position, more performances like the one the Union put on tonight and the team will be a tough out against any opponent they face down the road – including Cincinnati who they face next week.
GOALS/ASSISTS
PHI – Tai Baribo (Wagner, Sullivan) 34’
PHI – Kai Wagner (Iloski ) 64’
PHI – Danley Jean Jacques (unassisted) 73’
PHI – Milan Iloski (unassisted) 80’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Jovan Lukic (caution) 37’
CHI – Leonardo Barroso (caution) 38’
CHI – Sergio Oregal Jr. (caution) 57’
PHI – Tai Baribo (caution) 59’
PHI – Olwethu Makhanya (caution) 66’
Lineups
Philadelphia Union: Andrew Rick; Jakob Glesnes, Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Frankie Westfield, Jovan Lukic (Jeremy Rafanello 84’) , Danley Jean Jacques, Milan Iloski (Alejandro Bedoya 84’), Quinn Sullivan (Cavan Sullivan 74’), Tai Baribo (Chris Donovan 81’), Bruno Damiani (Mikael Uhre 74’).
Substitutes not used: Pierce Holbrook; Nathan Harriel, Olivier Mbaizo, Jesus Bueno.
Chicago Fire FC: Chris Brady; Leonardo Barroso ( Jonathan Dean 45’), Christopher Cupps, Jack Elliott, Andrew Gutman, Sergio Oregal Jr. (Kellyn Acosta 75’) , Dje D’Avilla (André Franco 69’), Brian Gutierrez, Philip Zinckernagel ( Maren Haile-Selassie 69’), Hugo Cuypers (Tom Barlow 75’) , Jonathan Bamba.
Substitutes not used: Jeff Gal; Sam Rogers, Omar González, Mauricio Pineda.
On a sour note for UII Pierce Holbrook had to be helped off the field after picking up an injury in warmups. Rumor had it that Ale was going to be the backup keeper if Rick had to come off!
Overall great atmosphere at the Soob and the team played well. The lay off to Kai on the free kick fooled them and froze the keeper. Round of applause for Jack Elliot. Tai was unlucky not to have a goal in the first couple of minutes after some great pressing.
Ironically enough, Joe Bendik is the GK coach for the Chicago Fire. The Union had a former backup in the house if they could have gotten a contract prepped fast enough.
Greg Berhalter & The Looks of Dismay.
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Union Stadium. August 23 2025.
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Union haven’t had a player like Milan Iloski before. He is the scalpel to so many blunt instruments we have and gave had..
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He and Quinn.
Quinn & Him.
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I also really like Danley…. the timing on his runs forward is great. At 2 separate times his presence getting forward caused defenders to step out of shape or be just tentative on Baribo’s tasty build up gol.
I remember that first angled run as well and thinking “will they find each other? Yes they can”. It was frenetic at times. At times, they really invite counters that scare the heck out of me, but that was A+ fun soccer.
We absolutely dominated a pretty decent team. Total command from start to finish. And I know his goal was gravy, but Iloski is a brilliant signing.
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Consider this: everyone in the league thought the team would be hurting without Curtin as a coach. Some of us knew better and have been proven right.
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Also consider this: some people were up in arms when we sold Jack McGlynn. Some of us knew that he didn’t really fit our system. That deal was a win for both clubs.
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Also consider this: some people were up in arms when we sold Gazdag. He has yet to score from open play with Columbus. We did just fine without him, and have now effectively swapped him out for Iloski, who fits our system much better.
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In Ernst I trust.
So far, this is panning out on Ernst.
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What’s not in control is ownership. There’s only so much a good talent scout of local prospects and undervalued talent abroad can do, including availability of such along with the usual precent of correct guesses versus busts.
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Sugerman & Co aren’t running a soup kitchen, but we fans have filled his tills and drive club value. All many of us want is what Jeff Lurie finally delivered after a half century for the Birds. Like Lurie, that’ll make him richer indeed too.
Recently Ernst showed a group I was part of around the new indoor practice facility. Besides the fields the ownership group invested in some high tech stuff to improve how the players strike the ball and another machine that improves their reactions. Was very impressed!
A 4-nil win at home speaks for itself. Sometimes I need to remind myself that this isn’t the Premier League when I have issues with certain tech errors. For MLS, this was . Big pickup, even on goal difference. Well done lads…they made the most of it tonight.
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Many times, it’s just the lack of any championship silverware in anything that’s upsetting. You have to win silverware at least on rare occasions.
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Hopefully, the team will earn its first championship in the USOC along with a cash prize and a CCC spot. CCC is also important for reguonal experience, thrill, and chances at more money and chance at the CWC.
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A first place East finish will secure CCC again. Leagues Cup under the current qualifying format seems easily certain by now. Hopefully, we will earn top seed for the MLS playoffs. There’s much to capitalize upon now.
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Anyway. Well done Union today.
Great game as the intensity in the first half was off the charts. Evidently Baribo is the fastest player to 25 goals in Union history as the did it in 50 games beating Carranza who did it in 54 games.
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The youth on the field tonight playing important minutes is impressive. Lukic & Damiani being just 23 had five teammates in the game that were younger than them. Three being teenagers is crazy. Tonight were very meaningful minutes for the youngsters as Chicago was pushing for the playoffs.
Does anyone else find that Iloski reminds them of a more well rounded version of the last player the Union had whose name began with IL? Maybe he can’t take players in a 1 on 3 situation the way Ilsinho could but he seems to have mad passing skills and an excellent shot.
Had that same conversation with one of the regulars in my section.
I didn’t think of that specific comparison but I was really impressed by him last night. His dribbling and movement was purposeful as opposed to Vasilev who always looks like he’s just playing a game of keep-away.
Definitely an upgrade on Vasilev!
Here is the view from Section 105:
1) This was the nicest night I can remember this season, temp in the 70s and nearly a full house against a team that was supposed to be in contention for a playoff position. I saw very few Fire supporters.
2) It was nice to see Jack Elliott again–too bad he is going to finish his MLS career on a crappy team.
3) I have now seen enough of this team to tell you the pattern: The Union come out pressing from the start (4 attempts on goal in the first 6 minutes), and it did cause Chicago to play poorly on the ball. Keep pressing and getting set pieces, then score the first goal. That’s the good part. Then for whatever reason, the team takes the pedal off the gas a bit and allows the opponent into the offensive end to create chances. Last night, Chicago could not convert. Hopefully withstand the pressure for a 1-0 lead at the half. Withstand the first 8 minutes of the second half, then reassert themselves and press up. This team is best when it presses. So long as Makhanya and Danley are on the field, they have enough pace to get back to defend.
4) I enjoy the “run and gun” style, and the players that Tanner has assembled and the system Carnell employs are a perfect fit.
5) It took Iloski three games, but he is a great fit for this system.
6) I still cringe when the Union defend the low block–they give up way too many good chances. I would rather see them press offensively and give up an occasional counter than watch them in the low block. I noted that Harriel (who at times has been a ball-watcher on defense) stayed on the bench the entire match. Keep in mind that Harriel was on the USMNT this summer, and he did not play one minute–that demonstrates that the personnel on this team are talented.
7) If Chicago makes the playoffs, it would demonstrate the weakness at the bottom of the Eastern conference, not the competence of its team. Chicago and Berhalter deserve each other, a marriage of mediocrity.
8) Referee Vasquez was not horrible, but he was not great either, particularly in his decisions about yellow cards. Deep into the first half, he called a foul on a late challenge by Chicago with studs up, but no caution. That was followed by cautions that in my judgment, did not rise to that level. I did like the caution that he gave to Chicago’s Oregal for interfering with a throw-in.
“Chicago and Berhalter deserve each other, a marriage of mediocrity.”
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Wonderfully said. Had Berhalter ever made any team better than its parts? Has he ever improved any team?