Daniel Gazdag made history however Philadelphia Union fell on the road to Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday night, losing 4-3 on a second half comeback by the homeside.
The Union saw the Hungarian become the club's all-time leading scorer in MLS play, converting from the penalty spot right before halftime to give the Union momentum going into the break. The goal capped off a dominant first half from the Union who overcame a first-half deficit on a Chris Donovan goal set up by Leon Flach. Homegrown Jack McGlynn make it a 3-1 lead for the Union four minutes into the final half with a remarkable strike that kissed off both goal posts for the midfielder's third goal of the season. The momentum swung back in the Windy City for the home team as they scored three goals in 10 minutes to grab the three points.
As has been the case for weeks, Philadelphia Union’s lineup was dictated in part by injuries and national team call-ups, but it wasn’t an unfamiliar crew on the pitch. The team made just two changes from their starting group in Montreal, lining up in the same 4-4-2 shape with an identical backline with Jack Elliott paired with Jakob Glesnes at centerback and Nate Harriel opposite Kai Wagner on the wings.
Leon Flach, Jesus Bueno, and Jack McGlynn, were back in the midfield, joined by Daniel Gazdag at the 10 spot for his first start since returning from UEFA Euros in Germany. Quinn Sullivan and Chris Donovan featured up top this time, but the biggest change was on the other end of the field, where Oliver Semmle returned to his post as goalkeeper for his 15th start. He took over the job in the wake of an injury to Andre Blake, but in the last two matches, Head Coach Jim Curtin opted to start 18-year-old Homegrown Andrew Rick in net. Semmle made his way back into the starting group for the match at Soldier Field, while Rick returned to the bench alongside just six others.
Curtin’s group started strong at their coach’s former stomping grounds, finding the first shot of the match on the left side of the pitch. Sullivan took a shot near the top of the box, and when it was blocked, Wagner was quick to find the deflection, sending it right back to the homegrown for an off-kilter shot to the top right corner that went above the net and into the stands.
There was little offensive opportunity created for either team in the following 10 minutes, as Quinn’s two shots were the only taken in the opening 15. The hosts tried to create on their end, attempting to break through the Union’s centerbacks with passing around the box between Brian Gutiérrez, Hugo Cuypers, and Allan Arigoni, but the latter, a 25-year-old Swiss right back took the final blast, sending it sailing far right of the net.
Patience from Sullivan in the 19th minute created a close Philadelphia Union chance, as he faked out Jonathan Dean for a clean pass through the box that found Gazdag’s foot for a tap-in past Chris Brady in net. Unfortunately for the Union, the official on the field quickly raised the offsides flag, and play resumed with a level 0-0 score. Sullivan was the star again in the two minutes later, forcing Brady to dive to stop his shot from the top left corner of the box, drilling it hard toward the net before two Fire defenders could crash.
Despite their efforts, it was Chicago who found the back of the net first, claiming a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute. The team’s captain, Fabian Herbers, drove the ball up the middle with speed, finding Arigoni descending toward the net with purpose. Wagner and Elliott dove in front of the ball when he released it toward the net, but it was Maren Haile-Selassie who got the final touch, powering through Glesnes and Semmle to score his fourth goal in four games.
Philadelphia Union answered back in the 38th minute, completing a series of quick passes around the box before Harriel set up Flach for a pass to send it in. Fulfilling his duty as a striker, Donovan was attentive in the box, getting a foot on the German midfielder's shot to divert it past Brady for a Union goal.
Semmle helped hold the scoreline through the end of the first half, keeping focus as a pair of back-to-back headers from the Fire brought the ball close to the net, but the final nod from Rafael Czichos was halted by the Philly keeper.
The official ruled there would be two minutes of stoppage time added to the first half, and in that span, Philadelphia Union claimed their first lead of the match by way of a penalty kick. GK Chris Brady took out Harriel on the edge of the box, causing both he and the right back to end up on the ground. After VAR review, it was ruled a penalty violation in the box, giving Gazdag an opportunity to score from the penalty spot. Like clockwork, the Hungarian midfielder placed it perfectly, scoring his xxx goal to add All-time leading MLS scorer in club history to his already robust Union resume.
The last thing Jakob Glesnes said to his team as they exited the locker room for the second half was, ‘ fight for everything’ and that’s exactly what Philadelphia Union did. They came out of halftime hot, extending their lead to 3-1 within the first five minutes back on the field. It was McGlynn putting the Boys in Blue ahead by two, settling feet from the top of the box his signature left foot boot from distance. The ball once again created a memorable double doink moment at Soldier Field, crashing off both goal posts before setting in the net behind Brady.
The Fire matched Philly’s energy to start off the second half with substitute Chris Mueller trimming the scoreline back to one in the 54th minute. Jack Elliott quickly threw his arm up looking for an offsides call and after the celebrations calmed at Soldier Field, the referee was summoned by the VAR for a second check. Another lengthy delay ensued but ultimately saw the goal taken off the board via Haile-Selassie influence the play from an offside position.
Framed as a true six-point Eastern Conference clash, both sides continued to throw haymakers in hopes of adding to the scoreline. Just after the hour mark Haile-Selassie attempted to get a brace for the home side with a long-range blast from outside the box but Semmle turned it aside with a diving stop. The rebound fell right to Hugo Cuypers for a second bite at goal but the forward opted for the low cross at the backpost for a teammate that went wide.
Chicago continued to test the 26-year-old keeper from distance with Gastón Giménez attempting a difficult shot that skimmed off the grass. Semmle saw it the whole way, getting both gloves on the ball to push it aside. The Fire kept the momentum building and sent the home fans onto their feet in the 82nd minute on a headed finish from Cuypers set up by a cross from Haile-Selassie and Mueller. Bouyed with the goal, the Fire kept on pushing as and saw Gimenez find the game-tying goal just before the clock turned over to the 90th minute to make it 3-3. Cuypers would deliver the ultimate heartbreaker for the Union, scoring in the 91st minute with tap in finish off a cross from Haile-Selassie.
The Boys in Blue are back in action this weekend as they host rivals New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. The contest presented by Green Mountain Energy is scheduled to kick off from Subaru Park at 7:30PM ET with limited tickets for the latest chapter in the rivalry available by clicking here.
