The Philadelphia Union travel to Chicago to take on the Fire Saturday night, at 8:30 EST time. The Union currently sit in tied in the 3rd place with the New York Red Bulls at 40 point. A win would tie the Union’s franchise record of 12 wins in a season, with the team already surpassing last seasons point total. Early in the season this would have been considered a successful season already, but the Union has dreams and aspirations. Ones that shoot much higher than just a fourth place finish. After winning only one road game for much of the season, the Union have won their past 2 road games, and will look to take the game to Chicago. Jim Curtin mentioned in last weeks press conference that the Union won’t take it easy.
“There was an article that listed maybe three teams that play the same home and away. We were listed as one of those teams, and I believe it to be true. We’re not going to change our play style just because we’re on the road.” With Brian Carroll, Ilsinho, and finally Maurice Edu getting their fitness back, the Union will get an invigorating push into the last two months of the season. Those faces may not feature Saturday, but the players who might be displaced by their return will likely put in an extra effort to prove their worth in the starting XI.
Meanwhile Chicago is sitting in 10th place, hoping to surpass last seasons Eastern Conference champions Columbus with a win. This season will have been considered a wash for many Chicago faithfuls, with draft picks and offseason transfers on their minds. Chicago has already offloaded a couple players, and passed up on Alejandro Bedoya, having the first choice on incoming DP players. Rumors have circulated that Chicago might be after Bastian Schweinsteiger in a years time.
For now Chicago will likely try to give some experience to young players, while still trying to win games for the fans that show. This season hasn’t been all bad for the Fire, however. After two gruesome years, the Fire have finally won their first road game. The banter among the league was that former side, Chivas USA had won a road game more recently than the Fire. Maybe now Chicago can get past the jokes and surprise a few in the MLS.
This will be the 3rd and final regular season match between these two teams, with both sides winning at home.
