Ruiz lifts Union over Chicago

Carlos Ruiz

CHESTER, Pa. – Carlos Ruiz's brilliant left-footed strike from distance lifted the Philadelphia Union to a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire in front of over 18,000 at PPL Park.

The Union (5-3-2, 17 points) picked a perfect time to score multiple goals in a match for the first time this season. After Dominic Oduro equalized for the Chicago Fire (1-4-5) just four minutes after Michael Farfan’s first career goal in the 64th minute, Ruiz produced a highlight reel game-winner.

Philadelphia’s first chance of the match came in the 21st minute when Farfan, starting his first MLS match as a midfielder, ran onto a throw-in from Justin Mapp in Chicago’s defensive third. Farfan curled a one-timer far post, but the attempt was just wide of the target.

Four minutes later, Sebastien Le Toux’s cross from the right flank found defender Carlos Valdes in the middle of a crowded area, but the Colombian’s header grazed the top of the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.

After a first half that produced only one combined shot on goal, both sides came out firing in the second half.

The Union tallied first in the 64th minute. Off a dangerous free kick to the left of the area, Kyle Nakazawa opted to find Farfan at the top of the area instead of sending service into a crowded box. The decision paid off when Farfan struck a low blast from distance that appeared to take a deflection before finding its way past goalkeeper Jon Conway to give the Union a 1-0 lead.

Chicago didn’t take long to equalize. Four minutes later, Oduro collected a long cross on the right flank, beat his man in the area and slotted a close-range attempt inside the near post.

After a goal line save by Sheanon Williams kept the match level at 1-1, Ruiz and the Union found their go-ahead goal. After Ruiz’s free kick was initially blocked in the 74th minute, the Guatemalan forward reclaimed possession and volleyed a 35-yard strike with his left foot off the crossbar and in for a 2-1 lead.

With the win, Philadelphia reclaim first place in the Eastern Conference. The Union will head on the road for two consecutive matches, including a match at BMO Field against Toronto FC next Saturday. The 12:30 p.m. match will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet.

Scoring Summary:

PHI -- Michael Farfan 1 (Kyle Nakazawa 1) 64

CHI -- Dominic Oduro 2 (Gonzalo Segares 2) 68

PHI -- Carlos Ruiz 3 (unassisted) 74

Chicago Fire-- Jon Conway, Yamith Cuesta, Cory Gibbs, Gonzalo Segares, Bratislav Ristic, Daniel Paladini, Corben Bone (Logan Pause 60), Baggio Husidic (Gaston Puerari 61), Marco Pappa, Dominic Oduro, Diego Chaves (Orr Barouch 46).

Substitutes Not Used:  Jalil Anibaba, Cristian Nazarit, Dasan Robinson, Sean Johnson.

Philadelphia Union -- Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, Jordan Harvey (Roger Torres 58), Brian Carroll, Michael Farfan, Amobi Okugo (Kyle Nakazawa 5), Justin Mapp, Sebastien Le Toux, Carlos Ruiz (Gabriel Farfan 80).

Substitutes Not Used:  Chris Agorsor, Keon Daniel, Jack McInerney, Zac MacMath.

Misconduct Summary:
CHI -- Bratislav Ristic (caution; Reckless Foul) 30
PHI -- Danny Califf (caution; Reckless Tackle) 41
PHI -- Jordan Harvey (caution; Dissent) 54
CHI -- Dominic Oduro (caution; Reckless Foul) 59
CHI -- Daniel Paladini (caution; Reckless Tackle) 72
CHI -- Gaston Puerari (caution; Reckless Foul) 92+

Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee's Assistants: Bill Dittmar, Paul Scott
4th Official:  Daniel Fitzgerald
Time of Game: 1:52
Weather:  Cloudy and 73 degrees