Match report: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Chicago Fire

Photo credit Charlotte Thomas

By Mike Servedio of The Philly Soccer Page

Ilsinho, Cory Burke, and Borek Dockal were all on target as the Philadelphia Union defeated Chicago Fire 3-1 at Talen Energy Stadium. Ilsinho and Burke scored either side of halftime before Dockal added a late penalty. Alan Gordon scored the lone goal for Chicago.

Jim Curtin made three changes to the team that drew with New York Red Bulls on the weekend. The ice cold C.J. Sapong was rested in favor of Cory Burke, Ilsinho slotted in for Marcus Epps, and David Accam started against his former club after Fafa Picault was forced to miss out through injury.

The first quality scoring chance of the evening came for the Union in the 19th minute. Ilsinho was fouled 30 yards out on the right side. Borek Dockal curled a ball into the box that was flicked on by Alejandro Bedoya near the penalty spot. The header beat Patrick McLain but pinged the left post before coming out. Auston Trusty latched onto the rebound, but his shot was deflected away.

Philadelphia would come close from a set play again in the 29th minute. After a short corner routine on the right side, Dockal curled in another great ball that Mark McKenzie rose highest for, his header looked to be heading into the corner, but McLain did well to get low and push the shot away.

The Union would take the lead just before halftime. Ilsinho latched onto a ball near the corner of the box on the right side. The Brazilian did brilliantly to elastico between two Fire defenders before firing a perfect shot in the far side of McLain’s goal from 8 yards out. The goal was the Brazilian’s third goal of the season, which leads the Union.

Philadelphia would add a second just after the half with Burke’s second MLS goal in the 51st minute. A Union corner kick was partially cleared and Ray Gaddis recycled the clearance back out to the right side for Dockal. The midfielder beat one defender, lifted his head up and curled a perfect ball toward the back post that Burke just had to put his head to to beat McLain from 6 yards.

Chicago would pull a goal back in the 56th minute. Brandt Bronico drove into the Union box down the Chicago right after being played in by Aleksandar Katai. The midfielder simply squared a pass to Alan Gordon, who made no mistake, tapping in from 7 yards out.

David Accam would come close to finding the net for the first time this season in the 69th minute. Dockal was again the creator, curling in another beautiful ball from the right side. Accam beat McLain to the ball and pushed it around the keeper, but a defender was on the line to head away.

Gordon almost found a second in the 79th minute. His diving header forced Blake down to this left to make a smart save.

The Union almost found a third in the 82nd minute. Substitute Marcus Epps found Haris Medunjanin on the right side. The Bosnian curled in a cross, but Burke could only flick his shot wide from close range.

Philadelphia would finally add the third goal in the 87th minute through Dockal. Marcus Epps did well again to find Burke running behind the Chicago backline and the Union striker waited for a Fire defender to commit to him and went down under the pressure. Dockal stepped up and fired the penalty into the lower left corner, sending McLain the wrong way.

Philadelphia Union are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Atlanta (7:30 p.m.)

Three Points:

• Burke for Sapong – It had to happen, and it worked. Burke did well to pressure for most of the match and did find his goal in the second half. Probably could have done a little better bringing others into the attack, but a good performance for the rookie.
• Skillsininho – What a goal to end the first half. A brilliant move and a fantastic finish.
• Accam – Where is he? Will the real David Accam ever appear this season?

Lineups

Philadelphia Union

Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Mark McKenzie (Jack Elliott 61′), Auston Trusty, Ray Gaddis, Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya, Borek Dockal , Ilsinho (Marcus Epps 69′), David Accam (C.J. Sapong 81′), Cory Burke
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Anthony Fontana, Fabinho, Warren Creavalle

Chicago Fire

Patrick McLain, Jorge Corrales, Daniel Johnson (Luis Solignac 64′), Kevin Ellis, Johan Kappelhof, Brandon Vincent, Brandt Bronico, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Mohammed Adams 88′), Tony Tchani, Alan Gordon (Drew Conner 88′), Aleksandar Katai
Unused Subs: Grant Lillard, Rafaiel Ramos, Richard Sanchez, Jonathan Campbell

Scoring summary

PHI: Ilsinho — 45′
PHI: Cory Burke — 51′ (Borek Dockal, Ray Gaddis)
CHI: Alan Gordon – 61′ (Brandt Bronico, Aleksandar Katai)
PHI: Boreck Dockal – 87′ (PK)

Disciplinary summary

CHI: Jorge Corrales — 32′ (unsporting behavior)