Fire, some cold, and an entertaining game — Union draw Chicago in opener
Feb 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (11) and midfielder Quinn Sullivan (33) celebrate midfielder Daniel Gazdag (not pictured) game tying goal against Chicago Fire FC during the second half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia faithful gathered on a freezing Saturday night in Chester to watch the Philadelphia Union host the Chicago Fire to kick off the MLS season. They certainly got their money’s worth in a game that any neutral soccer fan would have loved.
In a physical, mostly frenetic first half, the Union dictated the tone but just couldn’t find the final touches. Unfortunately for the home crowd, despite the better of play, the Union faced a 1 nil halftime deficit again. In stark contrast to the own goal against Deportivo Saprissa, Chicago’s first-half lead was earned.
Both teams had opportunities, the Union attacking long and direct down the wings, the Fire showing a counterattack and quality passing in limited possession. After holding off a strong challenge, Xherdan Shaqiri fed Brian Gutierrez who opened the scoring in the 39th minute for Chicago. After receiving the pass, Gutierrez continued on a weaving run through a flat-footed defense before lashing his right leg through the ball, bringing a temporary quiet over the stands.
The Union thought they had leveled less than a minute into the second half but Daniel Gazdag‘s effort was overturned upon video review. The Union finally found their breakthrough in the 55th minute, attacking down the right-hand side through Nathan Harriel, who played very well in the game. Tracking down an over-the-top ball, he flipped a pass into Quinn Sullivan‘s path. Sullivan got towards the end line before squaring to a wide-open Mikel Uhre for a tap-in goal through keeper Chris Brady’s legs.
Both teams continued to have quality chances though neither could put one into the back of the net until the 82nd minute. After a scramble in the box, the ball found its way to Fabian Herbers. Herbers, who played for the Union from 2016-2018, had nothing to do but deposit it into an empty net. The Union thought they had leveled again in the 85th minute, Damion Lowe was correctly ruled offsides though after a brief check.
Three minutes into stoppage time, the right side of the Union attack struck again to equalize. Quinn Sullivan made a sublime pass with the outside of his boot to Alejandro Bedoya inside the box. Bedoya’s one-touch pass was right onto the run of Jose Martinez who chipped across for Daniel Gazdag to guide home with the dome and the fun began again.
In the fifth minute of extra time, Nathan Harriel’s header went just wide but won his side a corner kick. Mikael Uhre, who seemed to be involved in everything, found the ball at his feet off the corner and slammed it off the underside of the bar and back out. Chicago took advantage of the Union pushing men forward for the corner and sprung Tom Barlow on a breakaway. Oliver Semmle, playing in his first MLS game for the Union, threw his right leg out and preserved the draw.
For a season opener, this game had a bit of everything. Union fans will be disappointed the squad didn’t leave with three points but to answer Maximus Decimus Meridius, “Yes we were entertained.” The Union remain home to take on Deportivo Saprissa on Tuesday at 8:15 pm ET in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup First Round.
