Union blanked by Chicago

Bridgeview, Ill. – Chicago defender Adailton lifted the Fire over the Philadelphia Union, 1-0, on Sunday night at Toyota Park.

Adailton scored the match's lone goal in the 37th minute off a free kick from Harry Shipp and for the second consecutive game, the Union played with 10 men as Fred was sent off in the 72nd minute.

“I’m a competitive guy – I have competitive guys in our locker room,” head coach Jim Curtin said. “[We’re] not happy with the performance. We weren’t good enough on the day. I don’t think we had an opportunity. They’re missing guys, we are missing guys, but that’s no excuse.”

Rais Mbolhi made two saves for the Union, including one in the 20th minute off a dangerous Fire possession that started via corner kick. Unfortunately, less than 20 minutes later on another set piece, the Fire broke through as Adailton headed home the eventual game-winning goal.

“Shipp put in a good ball and they got on the end of it,” Curtin said. “Too loose of a mark, obviously.  I’ll have to look at the tape. Watching it live, it was very lax defending on our part.”

Mbolhi’s finest save of the night came right on the 54th minute as Kennedy Igboananike got on the end of a long through ball from Michael Stephens. Mbolhi reacted well to make a kick-save with his left foot.

One of the best chances for the Union came in the 68th minute when Andrew Wenger sent a cross in that was eventually played down for Fernando Aristeguieta, who had to react quickly to get an attempted shot, but his effort was wide.

Just a few minutes later, Fred, who subbed on for Vincent Nogueira was issued a red card for hitting Shipp. It’s the second red card in as many games for the Union.

“It’s tough,” Curtin said. “You’re pushing the game, the tempo and the ball is starting to go our way.  We were on them, not letting them get out of their end. Then the red card happens, and now we are down a man. Credit to guys on the field though, they pushed hard.”

The Union fell to 0-2-2 on the season. They won’t play again until Sunday, April 5 when they’ll take on Sporting Kansas City on the road.

“We know that four games have gone by now and we only have two points,” Curtin said. “We are not happy with that at all. We’re going to be chasing it a bit now. We have to get our first three and get it behind us, and then go from there.”