Photo: Kevin Barrett

The Chicago Fire earned a 2-1 road victory over the struggling Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Kids’ Day, powered by goals from Hugo Cuypers and Jonathan Bamba.

Cuypers continued his strong start to the season, scoring his fourth goal late in the first half for the Fire (2-2-1, 7 points), who secured their first away win of the season. Fire  goalkeeper Chris Brady made three big saves as Chicago snapped a four-match winless run against Philadelphia and avenged last year’s playoff elimination.

Philadelphia (0-5-0, 0 points) saw its difficult start continue, extending the worst opening ever by a reigning Supporters’ Shield winner. The loss came less than 72 hours after their elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

How The Match Unfolded

First Half

Both teams struck during an extended first-half stoppage time. Chicago opened the scoring when Andrew Gutman delivered a curling cross from the left, and Cuypers rose between defenders to head home from close range.

The Union responded four minutes later when Milan Iloski scored his first goal for the club this season, looping a header over Brady after a long throw-in sequence to make it 1-1 at halftime.

Second Half

Bamba delivered the decisive moment in the 58th minute. After Robin Lod carried the ball into the right side of the penalty area and cut onto his left foot, his cross sailed past Cuypers and found Bamba at the back post. Bamba struck a composed side-footed volley inside the left post to restore Chicago’s lead.

Philadelphia pushed for an equalizer, but Chicago created the better late chances. Maren Haile-Selassie narrowly missed in the 63rd minute, and Lod hit the crossbar in the 82nd.

The Union handed a debut to 16-year-old forward Malik Jakupovic, who entered in the 62nd minute, but the Union were unable to find a late breakthrough as their winless start continued.

Three Takeaways

PSP’s Three Points 


Worst Start Ever: By a Supporters’ Shield winner. Ever. But hey, they scored from open play. Kind of. Off a set piece.
Is it time to bench Bruno Damiani?: I think the last time he scored was last August versus Chicago. Am I wrong?
Is Bradley Carnell to blame?: I don’t think so, but at what point do we have to start pointing fingers?

Lineups

Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2): 

Andre Blake, Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Philippe Ndinga (Ben Bender 76’), Frankie Westfield, Alejandro Bedoya (Indiana Vassilev 62’), Jesus Bueno (Jovan Lukic 45’), Milan Iloski, Danley Jean Jacques (Jeremy Rafanello 66’), Cavan Sullivan (Malik Jakupovic 62’), Bruno Damiani.

Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick, Geiner Martinez, Japhet Sery Larsen, Stas Korzeniowski.

Chicago Fire (4-3-3):

Chris Brady, Leonardo Barroso, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Andrew Gutman (Viktor Radojević 45’), Joel Waterman, Anton Saletros, Robin Lod (Jason Shokalook 89’), Dje D’Avilla, Jonathan Bamba (Johnny Dean 89’), Hugo Cuypers, Philip Zinckernagel (Maren Haile-Selassie 31’).

Substitutes not used: Mauricio Pineda, Sergio Oregel Jr., Jeffrey Gal, Puso Dithejane, Jack Sandmeyer.

Scoring Summary:
CHI – Hugo Cuypers (Gutman) 45+3’
PHI – Milan Iloski (Bedoya, Westfield) 45+7’
CHI – Jonathan Bamba (Lod) 58’                                                                   

Disciplinary Summary:

CHI – Robin Lod (caution) 8’
CHI – Dje D’Avilla (caution) 23’
PHI – Philippe Ndinga (caution) 37’
CHI – Viktor Radojević (caution) 87’