CHICAGO(June 26, 2021) - In an exciting back and forth match at a wet Soldier Field, Chicago Fire FC (1-7-2, 5 points) earned a hard-fought point against 2020 Supporters’ Shield winner Philadelphia Union (5-2-4, 19 points) in a 3-3 draw on Saturday night.
The Fire got off to a quick start, scoring in the second minute when defender Miguel Navarro’s shot was deflected into the goal by Philadelphia defender Jakob Glesnes. Philadelphia responded with two goals of their own. Seventeen-year-old Quinn Sullivan, in his first MLS start, scored an acrobatic bicycle kick in the 28th minute and forward Cory Burke’s strike just before the half gave the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Chicago fought back in the second half, scoring twice from set pieces in a 11-minute span. Midfielder Alvaro Medran assisted both goals, first setting up defender Boris Sekulić for a strong header before delivering a well-placed cross to create a one-time finish for Homegrown defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda. Sekulić was named the Heineken Man of the Match.
A late own goal by Boris Sekulic - an unlucky bounce off his shoulder after a diving save by Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth - secured the equalizer for the visiting team. Shuttleworth made a great save with his right hand on a low shot by Union Designated Player Jamiro Monteiro in the 86th minute to secure the 3-3 draw.
NEXT GAME: Chicago Fire FC will play its third game of a four-game homestand at Soldier Field on Saturday, July 3, taking on Atlanta United FC at 7:00 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and TUDN 1200 AM. Saturday’s game will mark the Club’s return to full capacity with tickets for the match available here.
July 3 is also the first opportunity to secure an item featuring the new Chicago Fire FC crest. Ten thousand woven patches will be given away upon entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
NOTES:
- The Fire’s three-goal performance marks the most goals scored by the Club in a single game this season. Two of the Fire’s three goals came from set pieces.
- Navarro’s cross, which resulted in an own goal in the second minute, was the fastest goal scored by the Fire this season.
- Sekulić’s goal was his first of the season. The defender scored his third career goal for the Fire.
- Pineda notched his first goal in 2021. Playing in his second professional season, the Bolingbrook, Ill. native has scored four career goals for the Fire.
- Midfielder Przemysław Frankowski made his return to the squad after missing the last three matches due to international duty with Poland in the UEFA Euro 2020. Frankowski played 27 minutes in his return.
- Tonight’s match was Pride Night. Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and First Lady Amy Eshleman attended the match and delivered the game ball pregame.
- Tonight’s match marked the second meeting between the Fire and the Union this season, with both teams previously facing each other on May 8 at Soldier Field.
- Tonight’s match was the second of four straight home games for the Club - the team’s longest homestand of the season. Chicago will face Atlanta United FC (July 3) and Orlando City SC (July 7) in its next two matches at Soldier Field. The July 7 match will be broadcast nationally on UniMas, TUDN, Twitter (English audio) and TUDN 1200AM.
- The Fire were without midfielder Gastón Giménez due to international duty.
Goals:
CHI - Own Goal (Glesnes) 2’
PHI - Sullivan (1) 28’
PHI - Burke (4) 45+2’
CHI - Sekulić (1) (Medrán 1) 56’
CHI - Pineda (1) (Medrán 2) 67’
PHI - Own Goal (Sekulić) 79’
Discipline:
PHI - Elliott (Yellow Card) 10’
PHI - Santos (Yellow Card) 34’
CHI - Stojanović (Yellow Card) 44’
PHI - Wagner (Yellow Card) 52’
PHI - Powell (Yellow Card) 55’
CHI - Navarro (Yellow Card) 62’
CHI - Herbers (Yellow Card) 81’
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 3:3 Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić, D Kappelhof, D Pineda, D Calvo ©, D Navarro (Bornstein 85’), M Stojanović (Frankowski 63’), M Medrán, M Herbers, F Berić (Offor 63’), F Aliseda (Collier 90’+3’)
Subs not used: GK Slonina, D Espinoza, M Monis, M Casas Jr., M Gutiérrez
Philadelphia Union: GK Blake, D Powell (Mbaizo 61’), D Glesnes, D Findlay, D Wagner, M Sullivan (M Gazdag, 61’), M Elliott, M Flach (Real 90’), M Monteiro, F Burke, F Santos (Przybylko 61’)
Subs not used: GK Freese, D Collin, M Turner, M McGlynn, M Aaronson
Stats Summary: CHI / PHI
Shots: 14 / 14
Shots on Goal: 5 / 6
Passing Accuracy: 72.6% / 74.3%
Saves: 4 / 3
Corners: 6 / 6
Fouls: 11 / 9
Total passes: 303 / 397
Offsides: 3 / 4
Possession: 42.7% / 57.3%
Attendance: 7,308 (limited capacity due to COVID-19-related safety protocols)
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Jeremy Kieso
Fourth Official: Lukasz Szpala
VAR: Alejando Mariscal, Jeff Muschik
