Game Thread: Chicago Fire 2, Philadelphia Union 0

Updates

FT: That’s all from Bridgeview. The ten-man Fire shutout a Union side that never really looked like scoring, despite all their chances. Poor result to take before an incredibly tough stretch run.

90’ The Union have taken 16 shots, but only two have been on target. Not good!

89’ Wooten totally fluffed a clear chance. Great ball from Monteiro. Still not sure how the Union haven’t scored.

86’ The Union just missed like four straight open looks. Just not happening.

85’ Jack Elliott fouled for a push in Chicago’s 18’. This one feels over.

80’ Collin is off for Brenden Aaronson, and the Union are playing with one natural center back in Jack Elliott. Medunjanin will probably step back and help out.

68’ Blake gets down quickly to prevent Frankowski from making it 3-0. Nikolić the set-up man once again.

67’ Though this is the most attacking XI the Union can put together, keep in mind that a few of these guys haven’t played together too much. Wooten is of course the newest addition, but Monteiro and Fabián have rarely been healthy and on the field at the same time this season.

60’ Bedoya with a clear chance from six yards out, but he sends it wide. Ilsinho found him in plenty of space after a great cutback. Combination play atop the box from Medunjanin and the Brazilian created that opportunity.

57’ Andrew Wooten is on for Ray Gaddis.

56’ Fabián scuffs a great chance. He had a reasonable angle but hit it a good six feet wide.

47’ Sapong hits the crossbar. Great ball from Nikolić again.

46’ Ilsinho on for Creavalle. Let’s get some goals.

HT: Brutal scoreline to end the first half. The Union had the better of the chances, but Chicago converted theirs. Collin’s poor set-piece defending resulted in a goal for the second time in three games. Gaitán’s late red is the only thing giving the Union hope at this point. Expect Wooten and Ilsinho on early in the second half, if not at halftime.

45+7’ The lengthy video review of that Gaitán red card confirms the call on the field.

45+3’ Straight red card to Nico Gaitán! The midfielder came in studs up and way late on Monteiro.

44’ And Nikolić converts with ease, sending Blake the wrong way. That’s his fifth goal in four games.

43’ Joe Dickerson points to the spot and shows Aurélien Collin a yellow card for pulling down Sapong on that corner. Nikolić to take...

38’ Chicago takes the lead. Frankowski’s low, deflected cross found Nikolić at the near post. The Hungarian national teamer lifted the ball over Blake to put his side ahead.

31’ Wagner comes so close to hitting Przybyłko with an early cross. The big man has looked really lively in the final third tonight.

27’ Blake is good to keep going.

25’ Blake is down favoring his left leg again. Joe Bendik is warming up on the touchline.

23’ Man, Medunjanin and Monteiro are really good.

15’ Free kick for Chicago after a bad Union giveaway forces Medunjanin to foul.

13’ Przybyłko picks off Schweinsteiger! His cutback to Fabián is collected by Kenneth Kronholm.

11’ Przybyłko nearly played in Fabián there. Beautiful-looking through ball.

9’ Andre Blake is down and holding his leg after a collision with Nemanja Nikolić.

8’ CJ Sapong comes close! Nemanja Nikolić put one on a platter for the striker. He really should have scored there.

2’ Marco Fabián draws a foul early.

1’ And we’re off. The Union are attacking toward the Fire’s supporters’ section.

Starting Lineups

Jamiro Monteiro has been named to the starting lineup for the first time since July 3rd, when he suffered an ankle sprain. Andrew Wooten has made way, meaning that Marco Fabián will partner Kacper Przybyłko up top. Jamiro Monteiro will play at the top of the diamond, with Warren Creavalle retaining his spot alongside Alejandro Bedoya for the third straight game. Aurélien Collin is in the XI again, making it his third straight start as well. It’s been 180 minutes since a Homegrown Player has appeared for the Union, the team’s longest such streak since the 2017 season.

Djordje Mihailović is the most notable absence for the Fire, who are fielding a very strong lineup. CJ Sapong and Nico Gaitán are the ones to watch for Chicago. The former Union striker leads all Fire scorers with 10, and Gaitán leads his side with nine assists.

How to watch

Where: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Illinois

When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, August 17, 2019

TV: PHL17

Streaming: ESPN+, FuboTV (affiliate link).*

Radio: Union Radio

*Brotherly Game has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Brotherly Game and SB Nation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our guiding principles.

Officials

Referee: Joe Dickerson

Assistant Referees: Brian Dunn, TJ Zablocki

Fourth Official: Dave Gantar

VAR: Younes Marrakchi