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.