Major League Soccer Gameweek 5
Philadelphia Union 1 - 2 FT Chicago Fire
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Robin Lod 8'
Dje Tah D'Avilla 23'
↓ P. Zinckernagel ↑M. Haile-Selassie 31'
37' Philippe Ndinga
45' M. Iloski
H. Cuypers (A. Gutman) 45'
HT
46' ↓ J. Bueno ↑J. Lukic
↓ A. Gutman ↑V. Radojevic 46'
J. Bamba 58'
62' ↓ A. Bedoya ↑I. Vassilev
62' ↓ C. Sullivan ↑M. Jakupovic
66' ↓ D. Jean Jacques ↑J. Rafanello
76' ↓ P. Ndinga ↑B. Bender
Viktor Radojević 87'
↓ J. Bamba ↑J. Dean 89'
↓ R. Lod ↑J. Shokalook 89'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Philadelphia Union
Goalkeepers
Andre Blake 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Francis Westfield 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
19%
Pass Acc
Nathan Harriel 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Olwethu Makhanya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Philippe Ndinga
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
Midfielders
Alejandro Bedoya 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.6
Rating
Danley Jean-Jacques
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Jesús Bueno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Cavan Sullivan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
Forwards
Milan Iloski 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.2
Rating
Bruno Damiani 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
12
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Andrew Rick 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Japhet Sery Larsen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Geiner Martínez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Indiana Vassilev
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jovan Lukić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jeremy Rafanello
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Benjamin Bender
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stas Kornzeniowski
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Jakupovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Chicago Fire
Goalkeepers
Chris Brady
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Leonardo Barroso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joel Waterman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mbekezeli Mbokazi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrew Gutman
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Midfielders
Anton Salétros
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tah D'Avilla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Philip Zinckernagel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
31
Entry
Robin Lod
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Jonathan Bamba 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Forwards
Hugo Cuypers 
MAGNET
50
Activity
50
Activity
33
Passes
17
Duels
BENCH
Jeff Gal
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Mauricio Pineda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Viktor Radojević
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Sandmeyer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maren Haile-Selassie
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Jonathan Dean
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sergio Oregel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jason Shokalook
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Puso Dithejane
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/01/2025 | Chicago Fire | 0 - 3 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | SeatGeek Stadium |
| 10/26/2025 | Philadelphia Union | 2 - 2 (PEN 4-2) | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Subaru Park |
| 08/23/2025 | Philadelphia Union | 4 - 0 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Subaru Park |
| 06/26/2025 | Chicago Fire | 0 - 1 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 07/04/2024 | Chicago Fire | 4 - 3 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 02/25/2024 | Philadelphia Union | 2 - 2 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Subaru Park |
| 04/16/2023 | Chicago Fire | 2 - 2 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | Soldier Field |
| 03/12/2023 | Philadelphia Union | 1 - 0 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Subaru Park |
| 08/13/2022 | Philadelphia Union | 4 - 1 | Chicago Fire | Major League Soccer | Subaru Park |
11/01/2025
10/26/2025
08/23/2025
06/26/2025
07/04/2024
02/25/2024
04/16/2023
03/12/2023
08/13/2022
Philadelphia Union Win
Chicago Fire Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 4 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +9
P: 4 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 5 GD: -6
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 4 GD: -2
P: 5 GD: -12
P: 3 GD: -2
League Standings
P: 25 GD: +29
P: 25 GD: +15
P: 25 GD: +10
P: 25 GD: +9
P: 24 GD: +10
P: 25 GD: -12
P: 25 GD: +7
P: 25 GD: +6
P: 24 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -15
P: 24 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -8
P: 25 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -14
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire
Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
A 13-Minute Blitz Torches Subaru Park
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 52/100. Chicago snatched a vital first-leg advantage on the road, leaving a struggling Philadelphia desperate for answers before the return fixture.
A Gritty Opening
Subaru Park expected a dogfight. Philadelphia Union came into this first leg carrying the weight of a horrific losing streak. They desperately needed a spark. Chicago Fire had other plans. The visitors edged possession early on, trying to quiet the home crowd and dictate the tempo. Neither team found immediate rhythm in the final third. The Intensity remained high, marked by 26 combined fouls disrupting the flow of the game. Frankie Westfield tried to anchor the Philadelphia backline, shutting down passing lanes and keeping the Fire at bay. The defensive lines held firm for 44 minutes, suggesting a tight tactical stalemate. Chicago created more high-danger chances, racking up an impressive 2.52 expected goals by the final whistle. The first half felt like a powder keg waiting for a match.
The 13-Minute Firestorm
The powder keg exploded right on the stroke of halftime. The Balance of the match shattered in an instant. A. Gutman found space and delivered a precise setup for H. Cuypers, who buried the opening goal. Philadelphia responded instantly. Before the referee could even think about blowing the halftime whistle, M. Iloski struck back to level the score at 1-1. The crowd erupted, believing the momentum had swung back to the home side. But Chicago possessed too much firepower. Just 13 minutes after the halftime interval, J. Bamba silenced the stadium. He carved through the defense and netted the decisive blow. That wild scoring sequence defined the entire contest, proving Chicago's lethal efficiency inside the box.
Looking Ahead to October
The final half-hour turned into a tense survival test. The Stakes are massive in this two-leg tie, and Chicago knew a road win was absolute gold. They absorbed Philadelphia's desperate late pressure, restricting them to low-percentage looks from outside the penalty area. The Union launched 12 total shots, but only managed a mere 0.85 expected goals. This Upset adds another dark chapter to Philadelphia's miserable season, leaving them anchored at the bottom of the form table. Chicago now holds all the cards. They carry a 2-1 aggregate lead into the second leg on October 15. The Union face a monumental task in the Windy City. Win or go home, Philadelphia has months to figure out how to crack this Fire defense.
Key Questions
Who scored the winning goal for Chicago Fire?
Jonathan Bamba netted the decisive goal in the 58th minute to secure the away victory.
When is the second leg of this tie?
The return leg will be played in Chicago on October 15, 2026.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Desperation Meets Ambition at Subaru Park
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 39/100. A winless start leaves the hosts fighting for pride, while the visitors look to capitalize and take an early advantage in this unique two-legged regular season matchup.
The Setup
The Philadelphia Union hit rock bottom after five consecutive defeats, sitting dead last in the standings without a single point. They welcome Chicago Fire to Subaru Park on March 21, 2026, desperate to stop the bleeding. The visitors arrive sitting comfortably in fifth, boasting a solid early-season run. A dismal Form rating underlines Philadelphia's nightmare scenario, especially at home. Interestingly, our Balance metrics suggest the odds still slightly favor the hosts, hinting at a potential bounce-back. With Hugo Cuypers leading the line and Chris Brady standing tall in goal, Chicago brings serious quality, keeping the Stars rating highly competitive. Because this fixture operates as a two-leg tie, the Stakes demand a result today before the decisive return leg on October 15 in Chicago.
Key Battle
Chicago's confident attacking unit faces a severely depleted Philadelphia backline. The home defense has already leaked nine goals this season. If they cannot shore up the gaps and win the physical duels on the edge of their own penalty area, the visitors will carve them open relentlessly on the counter-attack.
Our Prediction
Expect the visitors to absorb early pressure before exploiting the massive spaces left by a desperate home side. Chicago Fire will strike on the break, securing a 2-1 victory to take control of the tie.