Photo Courtesy of Kevin Barrett

Who: Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire
What: MLS Matchday 29
When: Saturday, October 10th, 8:30 PM EST
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Watch: Apple TV
Whistle: Ricardo Fierro (REF), Brian Dunn (AR1), Walt Heatherly (AR2), Igor Bych (4TH), Daniel Radford (VAR), Brian Marshall (AVAR)

It’s a rematch of the 2025 Round of 16 on Wednesday night, as the Union travel to the banks of Lake Michigan to take on Chicago. Philly emerged victorious in that playoff series, winning 2-2 (4-2 on pens) in the first match, in Philly, before hammering the Fire 3-0 in Chicago a week later. The Fire got revenge in the first match between these two sides this season, winning 2-1 in Philly on March 21.

A lot has changed for the Union since then, though, as they’ve won seven straight and look like a formidable force, similar to the one that won the Shield last year. Philly’s also won both of the last two matchups at Soldier Field, 3-0 and 1-0, respectively. Bruno Damiani scored in both, while now-DC United player Tai Baribo netted a brace in the 3-0 win. There’s playoff seeding on the line this time, and it’s a Wednesday night marquee.

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union
It’s just getting ridiculous now. Only one interim head coach has ever won the MLS Coach of the Year award: Steve Nicol in 2002, when he guided the New England Revolution to the MLS Cup Final, and was subsequently promoted to full-time manager. The Union’s own interim, Ryan Richter, is making a strong case to become the second-ever interim manager to win the award.

Richter’s team has gone 13 games unbeaten since the World Cup, moving up from dead last in the Eastern Conference to now firmly in a playoff spot. The Union’s 42 points are good for 6th place, and they are just six points and three spots behind the Fire.

A really good international break for a lot of the Union’s stars, namely Cavan Sullivan, Niel Pierre, and Frankie Westfield, stopped the team’s momentum for a few weeks. Their first game back, though, a 2-1 win at home over Real Salt Lake, showed that this team can’t be stopped.

The starting XI is now firmly established, with a huge step up from Nathna Harriel and great play from the strike partnership helping to make Richter’s decision easy. Cavan Sullivan continues to play like one of the best players in the league, and his brother, Quinn, is nearly back to full match fitness.

Milan Iloski is up to 17 goals on the year, and is partnered by Bruno Damiani, who has nine himself. Cavan is up to seven goals, which he has paired with six assists. The 4-2-4, or 4-4-2, however you want to look at it, has been the formula for Richter, whose side now faces a tough task in a 3rd-placed Chicago team.

Injury Report: OUT: Agustin Anello (Abductor), OUT: Danley Jean Jacques (foot)
Disciplinary Report: N/A

Scouting Report: Chicago Fire
After sputtering after a good run in the Leagues Cup, the Chicago Fire have gotten back on track. Led by new-ish signing Robert Lewandowski, the Fire have won three in a row. Last time out, at Soldier Field, the Fire overcame a one-goal and one-man deficit to win 2-1 over NYCFC.

Their top scorer this season, Hugo Cuypers, is now at Monterrey, but Lewnadowski has stepped up. In 13 matches, 10 of which he started, the Pole has six goals and three assists, with a goal contribution coming every 100 minutes. The overall star of the team this year, though, has been Maren Haile-Selassie, who’s bagged 10 goals and dished out six assists in about 2000 minutes of action.

Former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, who led the Stars and Stripes at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America tournaments, has his side up into third in the East, with 48 points in 28 games. They’ve scored 51 goals in those games and are fourth in penalties won.

Goalkeeper Chris Brady, who has also featured for the USMNT, has been the main stalwart in net for a team that’s 24th in saves per match, with 2.8.

Chicago has lost only four of its 14 home matches this season, but the Boys in Blue have dominated the last two meetings in Chicago.

Injury Report: OUT: André Franco (lower body), OUT: Robin Lod (lower body), OUT: Anzor Mekvabishvili (lower body), OUT: Sam Rogers (lower body)
Disciplinary Report: SUSPENDED: Dje D’Avilla

Matchup to Watch: Robert Lewandowski vs Neil Pierre
One of the all-time greatest strikers squares off against one of the best center-back prospects in the world in this one. Lewandowski has six goals this year and has put up over half an expected goal per game in his time in Chicago. Pierre, meanwhile, is physically massive and has taken a massive leap this year. He’s ridiculously good in both air and ground duels, while rarely being dribbled past and even adding four goals of his own. This matchup could make or break the game for either side.

Player to Watch: Bruno Damiani
Damiani has found form as of late but has also had good form against Chicago in the last two matchups. He’s scored in each of the last two times these two played each other, and has six goals in his last five MLS matches. He’ll be going up against Jack Elliot, the longtime Union center back who didn’t overlap with Damiani, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who made four appearances at the World Cup this past summer. Damiani is in great form, and I expect it to continue.

Score Prediction: Philadelphia Union 3-2 Chicago Fire
One thing the Philly Union have been doing recently is scoring. They’ve scored 25 goals in this seven-game win streak, while only conceding seven. Chicago’s offense is strong, but it’s still finding its full form, even with a three-game heater. This match will definitely feature goals, but the Union is absolutely the more in-form side.