CHESTER, Pa. (June 22, 2016) – The Chicago Fire shrank a three-goal deficit to one, but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 4-3 loss against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday at Talen Energy Stadium.
Match Stats and Box Score| Match Highlights
After sprinting to an initial 1-0 lead in the second minute thanks to David Accam, the Union charged back with four consecutive goals. Razvan Cocis and Khaly Thiam brought the Fire to within one goal of a milestone comeback, but the hosts held on in the end.
Stephens fed Accam for the early lead. Accam received a pass near midfield and then dashed past the Union’s defense, ultimately tapping his shot past goalkeeper Andre Blake from close range on the left.
Philadelphia rallied back with goals in the 11th and 15th minutes. Roland Alberg was in the center of both. The Dutch midfielder clanged a shot off the woodwork and watched the rebound glance off of Fire defender Jonathan Campbell and into the net. Four minutes later, Alberg collected a loose ball and scored from the middle of the box to make it 2-1 Union.
Chicago had a chance to equalize a shade past the half hour mark. Cocis slid a diagonal pass in the box back to Accam. Accam hit it first time, but lifted it high of the target from 8 yards out.
Alberg bagged his second goal of the game in the final moments of the first half. Sean Johnson and Johan Kappelhof blocked shots in front of the goal, but Alberg had a third look for the Union and finished the job with a shot to the near post. He completed his hat trick 11 minutes into the second half with a penalty kick after Campbell was whistled for a foul in the box.
The Fire would mount a comeback, and it started with a goal from Cocis in the 69th minute. Rodrigo Ramos provided the service with a lofted pass toward the 6-yard box, landing the ball in a dangerous spot. Cocis slid and redirected his shot past Blake at the near post to make it 4-2.
Next up was Thiam with his first career MLS goal. John Goossens sent an out-swinging corner into the mix and Thiam volleyed home the goal to cut Philadelphia’s lead to one. However, that would mark the end of the scoring for both sides.
The Men in Red return to action with a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against the Columbus Crew on Tuesday, June 28. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT with a livestream available at www.chicago-fire.com.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (2-7-5, 11 points) 3:4 Philadelphia Union (7-4-5, 26 points)
June 22, 2016 – Talen Energy Stadium Attendance: 16,667
Scoring Summary:
CHI – David Accam (Michael Stephens) 2
PHI – Jonathan Campbell (own goal) 11
PHI – Roland Alberg (Fabian Herbers) 15
PHI – Roland Alberg (unassisted) 45+2
PHI – Roland Alberg (penalty kick) 56
CHI – Razvan Cocis (Rodrigo Ramos) 69
CHI – Khaly Thiam (John Goossens) 80
Misconduct Summary:
PHI – Brian Carroll (caution) 36
PHI – Ken Tribbett (caution) 37
PHI – Roland Alberg (caution) 58
CHI – Jonathan Campbell (caution) 85
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Eric Gehrig (John Goossens 60), Jonathan Campbell, Johan Kappelhof, Michael Harrington (Rodrigo Ramos HT), Michael Stephens (Alex Morrell 84), Khaly Thiam, Razvan Cocis ©, Brandon Vincent, David Accam, Kennedy Igboananike.
Shots: 17; Shots On-Goal: 6; Saves: 1; Fouls: 12; Corners: 10; Offsides: 4
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Ken Tribbett (Josh Yaro HT), Richie Marquez, Fabinho, Tranquillo Barnetta, Brian Carroll ©, Ilsinho (Sebastien Le Toux 72), Roland Alberg (Warren Creavalle 77), Chris Pontius, Fabian Herbers.
Shots: 8; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 5; Fouls: 11; Corners: 5; Offsides: 0
