Philadelphia Union battled against adversity after seeing a two-goal lead erased to prevail in a penalty kick shootout against Chicago Fire FC at Subaru Park on Sunday night.
After a scrappy first half to kick of the Round One Best-of-Three series between the Union and Fire, Philly's persistence paid dividends in the second half as Indiana Vassilev and Milan Iloski scored in the 70th and 75th minute to open up the match. Both goals were true to the Union way, playing quick and direct passes to generate scoring opportunities. Vassliev opened the scoring after taking a pass from substitute Mikael Uhre inside the box while five minutes later it was Baribo setting up an Iloski's amazing dribbling run into the 18. The Fire battled back with little time remaining though with Jonathan Bamba and Jack Elliott leveling the match at 2-2 to send the match to a shootout.
In the extra action, goalkeepers Chris Brady and Andre Blake started off with saves in the opening round before the Union grabbed the lead for good as Tai Baribo converted in the fourth round while the Fire's attempt went off the post. Substitute Jesus Bueno stepped up the spot and converted yet another game-winning finish from the spot to put the Boys in Blue just one win away from advancing to Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoff Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Philadelphia Union continues their journey in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs with a trip to the Windy City on Saturday, November 1st. Kick off from SeatGeek Stadium is set for 5:30PM ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+. Fans can cheer on the Boys in Blue at one of our many official watch parties for the game, click here to find your nearest location.
Lineup notes
Saturday marked Philadelphia Union's first playoff match since 2023, and while Carnell sent out multiple league veterans, six players in his game one starting XI had never seen MLS postseason minutes in their career.
Andre Blake broke a wealth of experience between the posts, protected by a strong backline featuring Kai Wagner, Nathan Harriel, Jakob Glesnes, and Olwethu Makhanya. The midfield was made up of Jovan Lukic, Danley, Indiana Vassilev and Milan Iloski, but up front, Carnell shook up the duo he'd used for the past two matches, starting Tai Baribo and Bruno Damiani.
Mikael Uhre began the match on the bench, sitting alongside Andrew Rick, Olivier Mbaizo, Frankie Westfield, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, Cavan Sullivan, and Chris Donovan.
As for Chicago, minutes before the match began, the league announced that Philip Zinckernagel would not be eligible to play, forcing Head Coach Gregg Berhalter to start Maren Haile-Selassie in his place.
1', Sold-out stadium sparks energetic opening minute | The weather at kickoff was a crisp 59 degrees, and with the sun setting on Subaru Park, freshly decorated with a brand new Supporters Shield banner to complement the one the club earned in 2020, the packed crowd brought the energy to kick off the Union's first match of their best-of-three series against Chicago Fire.
8', Lukic rips one left | On Philly's first corner of the night, Milan Iloski sent it in, straying from the expected service from left back Kai Wagner. The change nearly proved successful as Jovan Lukic found the rebound outside the box, attempting an volley to the left corner that went just wide.
36', Playoff phsyicality | While there had only be four total shots taken by the 36th minute between the two sides, there was no shortage of physicality as the foul total was up to seven in that same stretch.
39', Blake saves Bamba | As the end of the first half approached, the intensity ramped, as both sides found promising chances in front of the net. Andre Blake made a big save to keep it level, stopping Jonathan Bamba's left-footed shot in the box.
36', Playoff phsyicality | While there had only be four total shots taken by the 36th minute between the two sides, there was no shortage of physicality as the foul total was up to seven in that same stretch.
39', Blake saves Bamba | As the end of the first half approached, the intensity ramped, as both sides found promising chances in front of the net. Andre Blake made a big save to keep it level, stopping Jonathan Bamba's left-footed shot in the box.
Halftime | Both teams retreated to the locker room after a scoreless opening 45 minutes.
48', Union corners | Philly opened the half with a pair of with Kai Wagner and Milan Iloski taking one from the right and left respectively, but neither were successful.
57', Union conrers | After two missed attempts from Philly and one from Chicago, Philly earned two more corners, again unable to capitalize on either.
64', Union subs | Carnell made his first changes of the match in the 64th, sending on striker Mikael Uhre, who scored the game-winner in the team's shield-clinching victory against NYCFC, and defender Frankie Westfield. The pair replaced Bruno Damiani and Nathan Harriel. Berhalter made a sub of his own soon after, sending on Mauricio Pineda for Dje D'Avila.
70', Indy opens scoring! | Indiana Vassilev hit the back of the net in the 70th minute, giving Philadelphia Union the first lead of the match by way of a pass from Mikel Uhre.
75', Iloski doubles the lead | Milan Iloski made it 2-0, driving down the right side into the box, cutting back to beat Jack Elliott for a shot to the top left corner.
82', Union subs | Carnell made two more changes to sure up the midfield sending in Jesus Bueno and Cavan Sullivan with less than 10 minutes left in place of Jovan Lukic and the goalscoring Vassilev.
84', Chicago goal | Chicago trimmed the Union's advantage in half with six minutes left in regulation with a chaotic play in the box ending up with Jonathan Bamba slotting it home from inside the six.
90+, Chicago finds the equalizer | Six minutes were added to the final half and the visitors made the most of a free kick chance from outside the box. Chicago captain and former Union defender Jack Elliott teed up a low shot off the second ball that snuck into the back of the net.
90+, Fire's down to 10 men | With a penalty shootout looming, tensions continued to grow and boiled over with Sergio Oregel Jr. being sent off after a skirmish involving Kai Wagner and Brian Gutierrez.
Penalty Shootout | Knowing that the winner of tonight's match would be just one win away from the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the pressure was on. Both goalkeepers were on the their game in the first round with Chicago's Chris Brady making the first stop only for Andre Blake to answer with a resounding save of his own to deny his former teammate Jack Elliott. The two teams continued to exchange makes through Rounds 2, 3 with the fourth round seeing Tai Baribo convert to make it 3-2 in favor of the Boys in Blue. With the crowd chanting Andre Blake's name where anyone in the Delaware Valley would hear them, Chicago's Joel Waterman rang his shot off the post setting up the Union with the opportunity to win in the fifth round. They turned to Jesus Bueno who delivered in the shootout clutch once again, rolling it to the right side.
