Philadelphia Union returns to the pitch this weekend with a friendly against Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, March 20th. The match will be streamed on PhiladelphiaUnion.com for fans within a 75-mile radius of Subaru Park.
The Boys in Blue enter the match after controlling the match against Orlando City SC but falling by a 1-0 margin in the first friendly of 2021. Head Coach Jim Curtin said the opening match was about getting the starters legs stretched out and gain match fitness with the starters getting 45 minutes under their belt. The lone-goal of the contest came in the second half but the Union had strong chances that crashed off the post countless times.
Saturday's friendly will be a different one for fans as the traditional 90-minute match will also feature a third period to give extra minutes to both sides' role players. Curtin expects his first 11 to play around 60 minutes and the second half of the 60 minutes being allotted to his substitutes.Â
Chicago Fire enters the match after defeating New York City FC on March 13th by a 2-1 scoreline. Chicago netted all three goals as they fell behind just 42 seconds into the match on an own goal. The bounced back quickly with Designated Player Robert Beric equalizing the match in the 14th minute. The winning-goal came via Eliot Collier in the 54th-minute.
