Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union: MLS Match-day -1

Photo Credit: AP

Wednesday at Soldier Field, as Chicago host Union in the MLS.

Leaders Union are currently 13 places higher than their opponents Chicago, when the two sides meet, they will sit in first and fourteenth positions respectively.

It’s 14 points so far for Chicago Fire this season, going into this game

Chicago will be hoping to increase their row, after victories over both Houston Dynamo and D.C. United.

Also, Ezra Hendrickson knows that a run of seven losses in nine games for his Chicago side, is going to be a tough run of form to change. However that is exactly what he must try to deliver. With 14 points (3W, 8L and 5D), they are established in fourteenth position in the League having won three fixtures, drawn five fixtures, and lost eight matches.

Chicago have won two meetings, drawn three matches, and lost two fixtures of their seven League matches at home this season.

Chicago Fire will have secured 17 points so far this season, should they secure a win.

Chicago are no strangers this season to illness and injury and Ezra Hendrickson is concerned that Wednesday’s fixture could see him without nine of his key players.

Philadelphia Union remain on top of the League going into the fixture, a position they want to maintain

Union come to this game on the back of a victory, having beaten New York 2-1 at Subaru Park.

Also, Union have developed a habit of drawing football matches this season, which is reflected by their position in the table. With 29 points (7W – 1L and 8D), they currently sit top of the League having won seven games, drawn eight fixtures, and lost one game.

Union’s away record is remarkable and poses a significant threat to Chicago. In the 7 games they’ve played on the road this season, they have so far won three matches, drawn three fixtures, and lost one game.

The mark of League Champions is the ability to grind out results, even if conditions are demanding. Philadelphia Union know that they must win at all costs, every time they step out, if they are to maintain their position.

A solid defensive team

It’s an easy statement to make, but to win you simply have to score more goals than your opponent. Union have been consistently applying this principle, whilst remaining defensively solid as a unit this season, with 12 goals in their previous fixtures. Union have scored an impressive 22 goals so far this season (20 from open play and two penalties), however their performances have at times been average. This is largely down to the efforts of their stand-out attackers – Daniel Gazdag (7), Julian Carranza (4), and Mikael Uhre (3).

Union’s squad will likely be depleted of one of their key players when they start on Wednesday, due to injury or illness.

Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union – Head-to-Head.

Regarding their historical duels the recent form between these two sides has seen Union with a greater number of wins. In the last 34 meetings, they have enjoyed 15 victories, to Chicago’s 11 victories. Also, Union have won five out of nine matches when visiting Chicago. In their most recent meeting of this fixture was August 2021 and the score line ended up with a 1-1 draw.

seven goals

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