Philadelphia Union marked their return to the top of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference with a statement win over Chicago Fire at Subaru Park. The 4-0 win was the perfect response to their 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls a week ago. Of the four goal scorers for the Union, two stood out with a goal and an assist each, and they got their expected rewards, as they both had their names among those who received the MLS Team of the Matchday honors.
In their 28th game of the season, the Union continued their quest for the Supporters’ Shield by demolishing Chicago Fire 4-0. The goal scorers that gave the team their 16th win of the season were Tai Baribo, Kai Wagner, Danley Jean Jacques and Milan Iloski. With six draws and six losses, the Union have now accumulated 54 points out of a possible 84.
The teams’ topscorer and Israeli forward, Tai Baribo, netted the first goal of the match at the 34th minute. The goal was assisted by Kai Wagner, whose low cross into the box was neatly finished by the number nine. After registering an assist, Wagner included his name on the score sheet with a powerful low free kick that went through the numerous bodies in the box and straight to the bottom right corner in the 64th minute. This time, Wagner was assisted by Milan Iloski, whose little pass from the free-kick spot set the defender up for a wonderful strike. Wagner’s assist was his tenth of the season, while his goal was only his second.
The man who assisted Wagner soon took the goalscoring baton from the 28-year old left back after a poor headed clearance from a Chicago Fire defender came his way. He then chested the ball and whooped it into the bottom left corner, leaving the helpless goalkeeper startled. It was his third appearance at the club he joined earlier this month, and he did make his impact with a goal and an assist.
Before Iloski’s goal at the 80th minute, Danley Jean Jacques fired in a ball in the opposition box, after a headed attempt from Bruno Damiani deflected towards his direction. It was an absolutely dominant performance from the Union, who had 23 shots, with nine of them on target.
While Iloski was in the Team of the Matchday bench, Kai Wagner was joined in the starting lineup by FC Dallas’ Michael Collodi, San Jose Earthquakes’ Daniel Munie, New England’s Mamadou Fofana, LA Galaxy’s Miki Yamane, Minnesota’s Robin Lod, New York City’s Aiden O’Neil, Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar, Seattle Sounders’ Danny Musovski, Nashville’s Sam Surridge and Los Angeles’ Son Heung-Min.
The Union Union return to the road this weekend against Cincinnati for a top-of-the-table clash, as they seek to extend their reign at the top.
