Union grab a midweek win in the Windy City, stretch unbeaten run

Return to MLS play proved fruitful for the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, as a midweek trip to the Windy City turned into another crucial three points for the Eastern Conference leaders.

The drama started early against the Fire, as a 10th-minute handball by Chicago left back Andrew Gutman put Bruno Damiani on the spot for the Boys in Blue. After calmly slotting his take into the bottom left corner, the Union grabbed the early lead and never looked back.

The match saw another rotated lineup for the U, with Damiani and Donovan taking the helm up front. The central midfield included 25-year-old Jeremy Rafanello and Jovan Lukic, while the flanks were held steady by Ben Bender and Indiana Vassilev. The backline was thrown a curveball, with veteran Alejandro Bedoya grabbing the right back spot, while the rest of the line remained consistent with Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, and newly named MLS All-Star Jakob Glesnes. Andrew Rick held strong between the sticks.

With another strong performance from the Union backline, Rick earned his fourth shutout of the MLS season, highlighted by six blocked shots from Union defenders and a single save on the night. Chicago recorded 15 shots, with only two on target.

Although the second half didn’t reflect on the score sheet, it may affect the Union in future matches. Jakob Glesnes picked up a yellow card in the 50th minute, reaching accumulation according to league policy and triggering a one-game suspension for a crucial weekend match against Columbus. Glesnes’ absence could open the door for the MLS debut of Nelson Pierre, with the 20-year-old presumably set to replace the Norwegian.

Yet, while the slower second half raised some concerns for the Union going forward, it also brought glimpses of promise. The final 20 minutes featured Marcus Anderson—the last-minute hero of the Union’s match against Charlotte FC, as well as a first-team debut for Eddy Davis III, who replaced Bruno Damiani just before stoppage time. Davis has two goals in eight matches for Union II this season, earning his roses in what has seemed like an ever-changing Union first team.

However, while the roster continues to rotate, the results remain the same. The Union now remain unbeaten in 11 MLS matches, 13 in total, and boast the highest point total in the league with 40. Success has come in various forms for the club, but head coach Carnell continues to keep the Boys in Blue on the right track this season. Much of that success has come without stars such as Andre Blake, and more recently without All-Star Tai Baribo and youngsters Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel.

With MLS play quickly swinging back into form, the Boys in Blue will need to continue their run of success during the short week against a streaking Columbus Crew. The Crew’s late-match equalizer in a 3-3 thriller at Subaru Park in May left a sour taste in the mouths of Union faithful, who believed three points were all but secured.