Photo by Ron Soliman
Who: Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire
What: MLS Regular Season, Matchday 5
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, PA
When: Saturday, March 21st, 4:30 PM
Watch: MLS on Apple TV, Radio Call on 97.5 The Fanatic
Whistle: REF: Nabil Bensalah, AR1: Jeremy Kieso, AR2: Ian McKay, 4TH: Ricardo Montero Araya, VAR: David Barrie, AVAR: Tom Supple
The Philadelphia Union (0-0-4) will aim to end a winless start to the MLS season as they host Gregg Berhalter’s Chicago Fire (1-1-2). The Union had Chicago’s number last season, outscoring the Fire by ten goals to two across four victories (albeit one in penalties) and eliminating the team from the MLS Cup playoffs. For their part, the Fire will be looking to avenge last year’s playoff loss and find some stability after an inconsistent start to the year.
Scouting Report: Chicago Fire (L-D-W-L)
Gregg Berhalter took charge in Chicago last year and led the team to its first playoff appearance since 2017 before being eliminated by the Supporters’ Shield winning Union in Round One. Last year’s Fire were the second-highest-scoring team in the league, behind only Miami, but were let down by a shaky defense and some unfortunate backup goalkeeping errors when it mattered most (as we will all well remember).
The Fire are looking to build on last year’s turnaround with several notable offseason additions. Longtime Minnesota United stalwart Robin Lod brings versatility and experience to the midfield, while young South African center-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi (who may be competing with Olwethu Makhanya for a World Cup spot) has stepped into a starting role in their defense.
One absence to note is that of Chicago captain and Union legend Jack Elliott, who revealed on Thursday that he has spent the last week in the hospital battling sepsis. We wish Jack well on his recovery.
Injury Report: TBD
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union (L-L-L-L)
Although the Philadelphia Union were eliminated from CONCACAF Champions Cup this week after a 2-1 aggregate loss to Club América, the team at least showed some signs of life in battling to a 1-1 draw in Mexico City. Bradley Carnell will have to use that as a starting point as he attempts to turn the Union’s floundering season around.
To do that, he will have to address Philly’s attack, where (outside of the Defense Force games) the Union have scored just one non-penalty goal all year. None of the strikers have shown much through the first few months of the season, but club-record signing Ezekiel Alladoh should probably be given a consistent run for a few games to see what he can do.
Injury Report: TBD
Key Matchup: Union Defensive Midfielders vs. Philip Zinckernagel
Jovan Lukic and Danley Jean Jacques were among the Union’s standout performers last year, but this season, the Union midfield has been a weakness both in defense and attack. They will have a tall task containing Zinckernagel, who posted 15 goals and 15 assists last season in MLS.
Player to Watch: Hugo Cuypers
The big Belgian has picked up where he left off last year, scoring three of Chicago’s five goals so far this season.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2 – 1 Chicago Fire
The Union’s press has proven effective against Chicago in the past, and should give Philly a good chance at their first MLS points of the year.
I hesitate to get excited… What is the definition of insanity again?
It’s time to start Cavan Sullivan and keep Vassilev for late game running.
+1
So… IF we lose…. fire Carnell?
Could also end Tanner involvement finally, officially… and start over with a new GM and coach by mid April, ready vs DCU on April 18th.
Gio Savarece available as coach…. and sounds like they are operating already with a Tanner replacement.
I would suggest it is unlikely one would hear anything else about Ernst until his rehab is completed in June.
After that……
Some trends out of the America game:
– The offense in the 2nd half ended when Westfield switched sides. He plays better on the Left. So let’s say that LB is solved, for now.
– I don’t know what is wrong with Iloski, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he is really a small Forward, I guess.
– Bueno has mostly been used as a DMF but in the America game, next to Sullivan, he was doing the best at connecting passes and looking for through passes.
So let’s mix things up, and give this line up a try:
Goal: Blake
LB: Westfield
CB: Makhanya
CB: Sery
RB: Mbaizo
DMF: Danley
DMF: Lukic
MF: Bueno
AMF: Sullivan
FWD: Iloski
FWD: Korzeniowski
I like your line up. It risks an occasional defensive nap on the flank. Even so, if it means Union can connect passes through the midfield and be more creative in the final third (I’m not even asking for finishing at this point)… I’d take it.
The Union Cliff of Despair is looming.