Philadelphia Union concluded March with a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire FC at Subaru Park on Saturday night.
Head Coach Bradley Carnell continued to experiment with the Union lineup with a fifth different group taking to the pitch at the opening whistle. After a lengthy stoppage during the first half, both teams found the back of the net in stoppage time. After Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers opened the scoring, Union midfielder Milan Iloski notched his first goal in league play with a floating header right before the halftime whistle. A counter attack finish from Chicago's Jonathan Bamba proved to be the difference on the banks of the Delaware River, with the winger tapping home a pass from Robin Lod in the 58th minute.
Philadelphia Union returns to league action after the FIFA International break with a road trip to Eastern Conference side Charlotte FC on Saturday, April 4th. Kick off from the Queen City is set for 7:30PM ET with coverage on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
Head Coach Bradley Carnell sent out another new starting XI for Saturday's matinee against Chicago Fire, adding 16-year-old Homegrown Cavan Sullivan to the opening group.
Andre Blake lined up between the posts for his last match action before competing for a World Cup spot with Jamaica next weekend, protected by a back four with Olwethu Makhanya and Nathan Harriel at centerback, plus Frankie Westfield and Phillippe Ndinga on the flanks.
After a full 90-minute shift to be proud of, Jesus Bueno earned a starting spot, in the midfield alongside Danley Jean Jacques, Alejandro Bedoya, and Cavan Sullivan, while Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani were the chosen duo up top.
Andrew Rick backed Blake on the bench, sitting alongside Geiner Martinez, Ben Bender, Jovan Lukic, Jeremy Rafanello, Indiana Vassilev, Stas Korzeniowski, and Malik Jakupovic.
6', Chuchu chances | Three days removed from a strong performance on the road in Mexico City, Bueno brought some of that same energy early, taking the first two Union chances of the match, starting with a shot from outside the box in the 6th minute saved by Chicago keeper Chris Brady. The second game a minute later, blocked by Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
8', Chicago yellow | Midfielder Robin Lod was shown the match's first caution in the eighth minute after taking down Danley near the center of the pitch.
18', Dre save | Blake made his first stop of the match, catching a free kick attempt from Chicago.
23', Another Chicago yellow | The visitors were agreessive on the defensive end and were ultimately shown another yellow card, this time to Dje D’Avilla for a foul on Bruno Damiani.
25', Union free kick chance | While Iloski's original attempt was unsuccessful, Philly kept the ball in play, and a promising pass from Sullivan to Damiani had the makings of opening goal, but the Uruguayan was blocked. The Union earned corner chance from it, but were again unable to create.
31', Costly collision | A collision between Jesus Bueno and Phillip Zinckernagel left the pair in a state that required on-field attention from both Philly and Chicago's medical staffs. While Bueno was back on his feet after some consultation and able to re-enter the match, that wasn't for Zinckernagel. He was able to exit the pitch on his own power, but the match ended there for him, and he was replaced by Maren Haile-Selassie.
35', Saved by the crossbar | The physicality of the match persisted, and Philly found another pair of free kick opportunities. In the second, drawn by Damiani, Iloski's shot grazed Alejandro Bedoya and nearly opened scoring, but the crossbar made the stop, leaving the match level.
37', Yellow card | The first Philly yellow of the afternoon came when D’Avilla and Ndinga both went down near the Union's bench, the discipline shown to the newly signed Philly left back.
45+', Chicago goal | With seven minutes added to the first half due to the lengthy stoppage, Chicago took advantage as Hugo Cuypers added his fourth goal of the year to give the visitors the lead.
45+', Union equalize! | In the dying moments of the first half, Philadelphia Union leveled the score with their own header goal to make it 1-1 before the halftime whistle. A throw-in from Frankie Westfield from the right sideline found Alejandro Bedoya, who directed the ball with his head toward Iloski. The 26-year-old from California kept it airborn, nodding it past Brady for an all-important Union equalizer.
46', Halftime substitution | Head Coach Bradley Carnell made his first change of the afternoon during the break as Jovan Lukic replaced Bueno.
58', Chicago goal | The visitors reclaimed the lead just over 10 minutes into the second half -- Jonathan Bamba hit the back of the net this time, scoring a one-touch near post goal off a cross from Lod.
62', Union subs | Down a goal, Carnell sent on two fresh pairs of legs, replacing Alejandro Bedoya and Cavan Sullivan with Indiana Vassilev and Malik Jakupovic.
66', Another Union sub | Four minutes later, Carnell made another change, exchanging Danley for Jeremy Rafanello.
69', Another Union sub | Philly kept pushing for the equalizer in front of The River End with a recycled second chance cross from Westfield sent into the box where Iloski tried his luck with a scissor kick effor that went over.
73', Union free kick | The pressure ratcheted up another notch on the Fire after Iloski was taken down in a dangerous area for the Boys in Blue. With the Sons of Ben cheering them on, Vassilev had a go for goal with a left-footed curler forcing a save by Chicago's keeper.
76', Final Union change | Carnell's final player adjustment of the evening came on the backline with Ben Bender replacing Ndinga with just under 15 minutes left in regulation.
83', Chicago clanks the cross bar | With the Boys in Blue fully commiting numbers into the attack as they sought another equalizer, Chicago were able to produce a quick counter attack with Bamba laying off a pass to Robin Lod that left the cross bar ringing.
87', Chicago yellow card | In the waning moments of the match, Viktor Radojević was issued a yellow for a hard tackle on Iloski that gave the Boys in Blue a dangerous free kick opportunity. Unfortunately for Philly the Fire defense stood tall and were able to repel the chance.
