After conceding two poorly defended goals, the Union spark a comeback and draw 2-2.
(Photo courtesy of sportsnaut.com)
Starting XI's
Chicago Fire: Chris Brady, Miguel Navarro, Rafael Czichos, Carlos Teran (Kendall Burks), Arnaud Souquet, Gaston Gimenez (Mauricio Pineda), Fabian Herbers (Javier Casas), Chris Mueller, Brian Gutierrez (Xherdan Shaqiri), Maren Haile-Selassie, Kei Kamara (Georgios Koutsias)
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake, Nathan Harriel, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo (Matt Real), Jose Martinez, Jack McGlynn (Jesus Bueno), Alejandro Bedoya, Daniel Gazdag, Mikael Uhre (Quinn Sullivan), Julian Carranza
Goal Scoring Summary:
19' Maren Haile-Selassie
47' Nathan Harriel (Own goal)
62' Daniel Gazdag (PK)
65' Julian Carranza
First Half Recap:
Nothing quite happened in the first couple of minutes as both teams tried to find their footing. The Union's first chance came around five minutes in when Gazdag sprung Uhre in behind, but Uhre's touch let him down and he blasted the ball into the side netting. A couple minutes later, Chicago had their first chance of the game when Souquet unleashed a shot from about fifty-five yards out that landed on top of the goal, which probably would have had been goal of the year. Growing pressure by Chicago led to Kamara's narrow miss around seventeen minutes in. Chicago found the breakthrough soon after when Navarro's cross went all the way through the Union's penalty box and was met with the foot of an on-rushing Haile-Selassie for the tap-in.
Second Half Recap:
Chicago had a dream start in the second half as Glesnes's half-hearted clearance hit Harriel and rebounded back over Blake and into the Union net. A bad giveaway from Glesnes sent Mueller through on goal who played Haile-Selassie who could not finish. The Union got back into the game when Navarro tackled Uhre inside the box. Gazdag converted into the top left corner of the net. Sensing a shift in momentum, a recently-brought on sub, Sullivan, crossed the ball into the box and reached Gazdag who headed it across to an open Carranza for 2-2. A chance from Sullivan almost gave the Union their first lead of the game. Chicago's Pineda and Koutsias had chances, but did not result in a goal.
3 Points to Note:
Quinn Sullivan provided a great burst of energy off the bench. He was great in this game and made an immediate impact in the Union's second goal, where his cross met the head of Gazdag who played it across to Carranza. For the last couple of games, he has consistently played well. I am interested to see what Curtin does as the Union get ready for LAFC.
Nathan Harriel did not look like he knew how to play left back. Harriel was at fault for the first goal as he left his runner wide open in the box. He had some misplaced touches and passes and always seemed to cut inside to his preferred right foot. He was able to adjust when Curtin brought on a traditional left back in Matt Real.
Jose Martinez had another fantastic game for the Union. Given that Soldier Field is a football field, there was no doubt that there would be tons of space in the midfield. Martinez did very well in tracking ground in the midfield and passing through the lines. He ever had a blast that pounded the woodwork in the second half.
My Player Ratings:
Andre Blake: 5
Nathan Harriel: 2
Jack Elliott: 4
Jakob Glesnes: 5
Olivier Mbaizo: 5
Jose Martinez: 7
Jack McGlynn: 6
Alejandro Bedoya: 8
Daniel Gazdag: 8
Mikael Uhre: 7
Julian Carranza: 9
Next Match:
The Union return home to Subaru Park on Saturday, April 22nd, to take on Toronto FC at 7:30 PM ET.
Ben Brecher
Twitter: @BenBrecher18
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