In a match that could have effectively ended Chicago Fire’s season, Philadelphia Union came out flat and allowed two first-half goals on their way to a deflating 2-0 road loss Sunday night.
“We just need to be better,” Union captain Alejandro Bedoya said post-game following a 2-0 loss at the hands of Chicago Fire Sunday night.
That pretty much sums it up. From the opening whistle, Philadelphia lacked any and all intensity. In what was marked as a dangerous ‘trap’ game, Philadelphia fell right in.
Chicago entered the match in 10th place, three points shy of the playoff line. Philadelphia, on the other hand, entered play atop the Eastern Conference table, three points clear of Atlanta United FC. Philadelphia could’ve played the role of undertaker and sullied any future plans Chicago had in mind with just a month of play left. But Chicago – perhaps sensing it’s now or never – came out of the gates swinging, and placed Philadelphia on their heels to start.
“It wasn’t good enough from us in the first half,” said Bedoya. “We came out pretty flat and I was disappointed with that. We’ve been conceding goals that are just ‘soft’ goals. We’re a first-place team and we need to show up.”
Bedoya didn’t hold back, as is likely from the team captain. And for good reason. Philadelphia was destined to turn in a very respectable road record up until recently. “The last 3 or 4 away games, we just haven’t shown up,” said Bedoya.
“Chicago is a desperate team and the hardest thing to do is to try and end a team’s season,” said Curtin. “They’re professionals and they came out with a lot of intensity. We looked like we were in first gear for the first half.”
Chicago tallied both goals late in the first half. Nemanja Nikolic put both goals away, one in the 38th minute and a PK conversion in the 45th.
Nikolic played like a man possessed, continuing his hot streak of late placing both of his shots on target last night. He now leads Chicago with 11 goals on the year which surpassed CJ Sapong’s 10 goal mark. Nikolic continues to be a hassle for MLS defenders as this is now his 3rd straight season with 10+ goals.
Right before the halftime whistle, Philadelphia would benefit from a reckless challenge on the newly healthy Jamiro Monteiro. During the third minute of first-half stoppage time, Chicago’s Nicolas Gaitan lost possession near midfield. He then slid toward Monteiro’s heels in a reckless attempt to win the ball back. Perhaps a bit of frustration forced Gaitan into the silly challenge. Whatever the case, Gaitan was shown a red card for the unnecessary and dangerous challenge.
However, despite 45+ minutes up a man, Philadelphia could not find a goal.
Curtin used all three substitutes in an attempt to take advantage of a tired Chicago team, but they proved ineffective.
Ilsinho replaced Warren Creavalle at halftime, Andrew Wooten came on for Ray Gaddis in the 57th minute, and Brenden Aaronson replaced Aurelien Collin in the 80th minute. Fafa Picault, and his four goals and three assists on the year, remained on the bench.
Perhaps a bit head-scratching, perhaps not. But Picault has played just 14 minutes over the last three matches after starting seven straight.
But Philadelphia’s failure to score last night is most perplexing.
The clearest example of just how frustrating and mind-boggling it was last night for Philadelphia’s offense occurred in the 85th minute. Philadelphia jammed several players inside the box and the ball managed to bounce around long enough for Kacper Przybylko to get a right-footed shot off. His shot rolled inches wide and minutes later the match was over.
Check out the full match highlights below. (85th-minute sequence is at the 3:10 mark.)
Philadelphia now returns home for a brutal homestand which features DC United, Atlanta United FC, and LAFC in mid-September. Essentially, two wins are a must considering how jam-packed the Eastern Conference table is. But which teams can the Union beat? And can they find a way to shake off yet another disappointing road performance?
Time will tell.
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Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
