Philadelphia Union (4-5-3, 7th in East) vs. Chicago Fire (4-6-2, 8th in East)
The Chicago Fire head to Philadelphia fresh after a 2-1 win against Orlando. Wednesday night represents another six-pointer to get close to the red line at this point in the season.
However, the Fire will be without Mo Adams after his red card in an off-the-ball incident with Sacha Kljestan. Johan Kappelhof and Kevin Ellis will miss the San Jose game if either or both pick up a yellow card on Wednesday. Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic likely had this match in mind when he made four changes to the lineup last Saturday. There will be at least one enforced change, but another question will be who starts in goal. After Patrick McLain put in a stellar effort against Orlando, does he retain the starting job or does Richard Sanchez get it back?
This match also marks the first time David Accam plays his former team after being traded in the offseason. Accam scored 14 goals for the Fire last season in a career-best, but has yet to tally in 12 matches this season for the Union.
The Union have won two of the last three matches, but were held to a goalless draw last Saturday against New York Red Bulls. The Union are three points adrift of sixth-place New England and the Fire are one point behind Philadelphia after their win.
At times on Saturday, the Fire were actually brilliant. At other times, they were lucky. The end result was three points on Saturday. The Fire may need to be both lucky and good again with what they have at their disposal once again to get some points before returning home.
Kickoff is at 6:30pm on ESPN+ in Chicago and the Nation and WPHL in Philadelphia.
SUSPENDED:
CHI: Mo Adams
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW:
CHI: Johan Kappelhof, Kevin Ellis
INJURIES:
PHILADELPHIA UNION–OUT: D – Richie Marquez (sports hernia surgery), D – Joshua Yaro (concussion)
CHICAGO FIRE–OUT: M – Djordje Mihailovic (right ACL surgery), F – Michael de Leeuw (left ACL surgery), D – Matt Polster (MCL surgery), M – Jon Bakero (right ankle) F – Elliot Collier (left gastroc), M – Dax McCarty (right hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: F – Luis Solignac (left quad)
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Kyle Atkins, Danny Thornberry
Fourth Official: Rubiel Vazquez
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
LAST YEAR:
09/23/17: PHI 3-1 CHI
10/15/17: CHI 3-2 PHI
Philadelphia Union
August, 2024
