Chicago Drop 3-1 Road Match Philadelphia
CHESTER, Pa. – The Chicago Fire (4-7-2, 14 points) fell 3-1 to the Philadelphia Union (5-5-3, 18 points) at Talen Energy Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Union got on the board just before halftime courtesy of a right-footed strike from Ilsinho. The hosts doubled their lead in the 51st minute when Cory Burke got free in the box and powered his header past Patrick McLain into goal.
Five minutes later the Fire cut the deficit in half. Aleksandar Katai played a quick ball forward for an on-rushing Brandt Bronico. Making his first career MLS start, Bronico raced into the 18-yard box, played the ball forward and found Alan Gordon in front of the Union goal. Gordon quickly redirected it with one touch past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake for his second goal in as many games.
The Union scored their final goal in the closing minutes of the match after they were awarded a penalty kick in the 87th minute. Borek Dockal stepped up and sent the ensuing penalty past McLain to give the hosts the 3-1 victory.
The Men in Red return home to host the San Jose Earthquakes at Toyota Park on June 2 at 7:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+/Univision Deportes Chicago 1200AM). Coverage begins at 7:15 p.m. CT with a live pregame show on ESPN+ presented by CIBC.
Tickets for Saturday’s match, which will serve as Gaming Night Presented by AT&T, are available by calling 888-MLS-FIRE or visiting www.chicago-fire.com/tickets.
Quotes:
Veljko Paunović – Head Coach, Chicago Fire
Overall thoughts on the match:
“We always learn from games like this. Whenever you lose, win or tie, there are always positives and negatives to take away from each match. I think the team did well, our defensive shape was good in the first half. We started well in the second half. We had a good chance to create an opportunity on their end and then they strike back. At first, we were a little bit knocked down by that but then I think we had a good comeback with the goal. It was a great team play and finish by Alan that gave us more energy. We showed character, we fought a good comeback which we’ve done in the past, showing that the team is capable of doing that. If we didn’t concede the third goal, we would have had more options by the end of the game to tie the game. That was unfortunate but that’s the way the game goes sometimes.”
On the absence of Nemanja Nikolić:
“We never give excuses. It’s always an opportunity for the next guy and we had a great converter today with Alan Gordon. Of course, Nemanja is important like all other guys that are injured or out, but for us, it is always who is ready and who is available. We always give support and never give excuses.”
On the contributions of Alan Gordon:
“He’s playing and handling his role very well and he is giving us everything that we expected. We are very happy with his performance on the field, but also the guidance he gives to the young players. A lot of the young players that we have in our locker room and on the field, so he is playing his role fantastically.”
On what the team needs to work on in the upcoming stretch of games:
“There are always mistakes in a game where we can have a little more awareness. Sometimes we need to rest our defense and sometimes being a little bit sharper especially when we create more opportunities, having more clarity. Just always improving every detail of the game. The players go home after a game like this, get the experience and they get better. You just have to emphasize all together as a big game as a whole.”
Mo Adams – Midfielder, Chicago Fire
On what the team needs to do to bounce back from the loss:
“These next few, you are going to have to win now. Where Philadelphia is in the table, you want to just top them, but it was not meant to be tonight. You just got to focus on the next one. Just try to get back to work this week. The one thing I have realized as a rookie especially in this league is that things change really quickly and that anybody can beat anybody, so there is no reason we can’t win these stretch of games.”
Overall thoughts on his rookie season:
“I think from me personally I knew it was going to be tough to get minutes right away. I have to compete against the likes of Dax McCarty and Bastian Schweinsteiger at my position. I think bringing more quality to the team especially with my stuff bringing the athleticism and energy, but at the same time just about being patient and just eventually waiting for the right time. Eventually, my time would come. Once I made my debut against Red Bull I knew if I gave a good performance I could maintain my position in the team for sure.”
On playing with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Dax McCarty:
“I learn something new every day. They are very good teammates and leaders, they are always talking to me about things that I am doing well. I have been having a great relationship with both of those guys.”
Brandon Vincent – Defender, Chicago Fire
Thoughts on the game:
“We had some good chances, Philly had some good saves, so those fine lines make a difference.”
On what the team needs to work on:
“We just have to take this game, learn from the mistakes we made, and look forward to a home game. We’ll analyze it, see what we did wrong and be better for it.”
On the upcoming game against the San Jose Earthquakes:
“We just need to win. It’s plain and simple. It doesn’t matter, pretty or ugly, whatever. We need three points at home.”
—
Chicago Fire 1:3 Philadelphia Union
May 30, 2018 – Talen Energy Stadium
Attendance: 14,805
Scoring Summary:
PHI – Ilsinho (Borek Dockal) 44′
PHI – Cory Burke (Borek Dockal, Raymond Gaddis) 51′
CHI – Alan Gordon (Brandt Bronico, Aleksandar Katai) 56′
PHI – Borek Dockal (penalty kick) 87′
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Jorge Corrales (caution) 32′
Chicago Fire: Patrick McLain; Daniel Johnson (Luis Solignac 64′), Kevin Ellis, Bastian Schweinsteiger © (Drew Conner 88′), Johan Kappelhof, Brandon Vincent, Jorge Corrales; Tony Tchani, Brandt Bronico; Aleksandar Katai, Alan Gordon (Mo Adams 88′)
Subs not used: Richard Sánchez; Jonathan Campbell, Grant Lillard, Rafael Ramos
Shots: 10; Shots On-Goal: 8; Fouls: 11; Saves: 2; Offsides: 1; Corners: 2.
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie (Jack Elliot 61′), Keegan Rosenberry, Raymon Gaddis, Borek Dockal, Alejandro Bedoya ©, Haris Medunjanin, Ilsinho (Marcus Epps 69′), David Accam (C.J. Sapong 81′), Cory Burke
Subs not used: John McCarthy, Fabinho, Warren Creavalle, Anthony Fontana
Shots: 17; Shots On-Goal: 6; Fouls: 12; Saves: 7; Offsides: 0; Corners: 5.
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