With both teams struggling so far this season, the host Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union entered today’s match at frigid and windy Toyota Park missing key players and hoping for a victory. Chicago came out strong, keeping the Union on their heels most of the game and taking home the three points in a deserved 1-0 victory. Brazilian defender Adailton scored the lone goal in the 37th minute on a header from a Harrison Shipp free kick.
Chicago was missing designated players Shaun Maloney and David Accam due to international duty and Mike Magee is still out injured. Philadelphia have been hit hard by injuries and were missing C.J. Sapong, Cristian Maidana, Sheanon Williams and Conor Casey as a result. Zach Pfeffer was serving the first of a two-game suspension for a red card last week against Dallas. Possession was fairly even throughout the game but both teams had several chances, with the Union being called offside five times, missing out on several potential scoring opportunities. Neither side could find a way to break through until the 37th minute when Chicago earned a free kick on the left wing just outside the penalty area. Shipp whipped it in but miscommunication among Union defenders left Adailton alone in front of the Union net. Goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi was caught in no man’s land as a result and Adailton flicked the ball over him into the far corner for the goal.
The game was chippy at times and remained even until the 72nd minute when Union substitute Fred earned a red card for what appeared to a punch thrown at Shipp’s head. Fred had entered the game just five minutes earlier for Vincent Nogueira to try and give them some attacking help. The Union failed to put a single shot on goal and have continued to struggle in the offensive third despite creating chances. It doesn’t get any easier for Philadelphia, who travel to Kansas City next week to play Sporting, while Chicago host Toronto. Philadelphia is now tied for last in the Eastern Conference with Montreal, who have a game in hand.