Match Recap: Philadelphia Union 0, Chicago Fire 2
Union suffer defeat to Fire on road; Club remains in first place in MLS’ Eastern Conference headed into Sunday’s actionBridgeview, Il. (August 17, 2019) – The Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Union fell on the road to Chicago Fire on Saturday, August 17 by a 2-0 score. Nemanja Nikolic’s first-half brace was the difference for the Union, who now return home for three consecutive regular-season matches, beginning with a contest against D.C. United next Saturday, August 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET (PHL17).
Chicago Fire 2 – Philadelphia Union 0
SeatGeek Stadium (Bridgeview, IL)
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Assistant Referees: Brian Dunn, TJ Zablocki
Fourth Official: David Gantar
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
Attendance: 14,883
Weather: 76 degrees and cloudy
GOALS/ASSISTS
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (Przemyslaw Frankowski, Johan Kappelhof) 38’
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (penalty) 45’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Aurelien Collin (caution) 43’
CHI – Nicolas Gaitan (ejection) 45’+3’
PHI – Jamiro Monteiro (caution) 66’
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Raymon Gaddis (Andrew Wooten 57’), Jack Elliott, Aurelien Collin (Brenden Aaronson 80’), Kai Wagner; Haris Medunjanin; Alejandro Bedoya, Warren Creavalle (Ilsinho 46’); Jamiro Monteiro; Kacper Przybylko, Marco Fabian
Substitutes not used: Joe Bendik; Mark McKenzie, Matt Real, Fafa Picault
Chicago Fire: Kenneth Kronholm; Johan Kappelhof, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Francisco Calvo, Jonathan Bornstein (Grant Lillard 90’+4’); Brandt Bronico, Dax McCarty, Nicolas Gaitan; Przemyslaw Frankowski, Nemanja Nikolic (Micheal Azira 77’), CJ Sapong
Substitutes not used: Richard Sanchez; Marcelo, Amando Moreno, Djordje Mihalovic, Diego Campos
TEAM NOTES
- Union defender Raymon Gaddis inched closer to a major milestone, making his 199th appearance by starting tonight’s contest … next weekend against D.C. United, he can become the first Union player to ever reach 200 regular-season appearances with the team.
- With 45 points through 27 games played, the Union remain on their all-time single-season best pacing … through 27 games, the 2018 and the 2016 Union had 40 points, whereas the 2013 Union had 39 points.
The Union return to action with the first of three consecutive MLS regular-season matches at home vs. D.C. United on Saturday, August 24 (7:30 p.m. ET / PHL17).
