Game Thread: Philadelphia Union 3 Chicago Fire 1 final

Dockal Closes It Out

Cory Burke did well to draw a penalty, and Boreck Dockal converts from the spot to make it 3-1 Union in the 89th minute.

Third Sub

CJ Sapong subs in for David Accam, which seems a bit of an odd sub with the Union up 2-1. Kind of thought Warren Creavalle or Anthony Fontana would make more sense to preserve the lead.

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Second Sub

Marcus Epps comes into the match in the 69th minute to replace Ilsinho, who had himself a decent game capped by a pretty run and goal that put the Union up late in the first half.

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First Sub

An injury to Mark McKenzie forced Jim Curtin into his first sub with Jack Elliott coming on in the 61st minute.

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Alan Freaking Gordon

The guy with just about the worst case to be playing in a Pride Night game just cut the lead in half after some less than stellar defending by pretty much everyone on the Union back line.

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Two Starts, Two Goals for Burke

Borek Docksal was set up with a nice (if risky) ball from Ray Gaddis and his cross found the head of Cory Burke who buried his second goal of the season in his second start. It’s 2-0 to the good guys with 40 minutes still to play.

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ILSINHO!

Just as I was about to write that the Union have created very little from open play, Ilsinho beats a couple defenders and blasted his third goal of the season and 11th of his career just before the half ends. 1-0 to the blue and gold at halftime.

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Another

Mark McKenzie was so close to scoring his first MLS goal with a strong header off a corner kick from Dockal, but Patrick McClain was there to make the stop with an outstretched hand and keep the game scoreless.

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So Close

Borek Dockal connected with Alejandro Bedoya in the 19th minute on a well taken free kick but Bedoya’s glancing header hit the far post. Auston Trusty was there for the rebound but his shot was blocked and Bedoya couldn’t get anything on the rebound from Trusty’s shot. The Union need to turn these chances into a goal.

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15 Minutes

A third of the way through the first half and there hasn’t been much to talk about for either team. Cory Burke had a shot attempt in the box after Ilsinho picked off a pass. Ilsinho probably would have been better off shooting the ball since he had a better angle. Keegan Rosenberry also had a cross to the back post that was too heavy for Alejandro Bedoya to trouble the keeper. On the other side of the ball, Mark McKenzie has given the ball away a couple times but Chicago hasn’t had any clear chances.

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Fafa

According to the broadcast, Fafa Picault was originally slated to be in the starting XI tonight but was dropped from the 18 because of an undisclosed injury, clearing the way for David Accam to return to the starting lineup.

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It’s Pride Night at Talen Energy Stadium as the streaking Union welcome the Chicago Fire in a game featuring head coaches facing their former teams and David Accam’s first game against the club that traded him in the off-season.

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin made 151 regular season appearances for the Fire from 2001-2007 while the Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic made 17 appearances for the Union in 2011.

Mo Adams, who played at Reading United last summer and trained with the Union and Bethlehem Steel FC, is on the bench after having his red card appeal accepted.

Check out the starting lineups below and share your score predictions and thoughts about the game in the comments. We’ll also be sharing in-game updates as well.

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Starting Lineups

Cory Burke returns to the starting lineup after serving a one-game suspension in for the slumping CJ Sapong up top, Ilsinho replaces Marcus Epps on the right wing opposite David Accam, who makes his first start since May 9. Anthony Fontana returns to the 18 after missing the Red Bulls game with a knock. Fafa Picault is not in the 18.

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How to Watch

Location: Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, Pa.

Date/Time: Wednesday, May 30, 7:30 p.m. ET

TV: PHL17

Stream: ESPN+ (out of market)

Radio: Union Radio