The Philadelphia Union overcome a bad start to draw the Chicago Fire 2-2

The Philadelphia Union might have had one of their worse starts to the MLS season in quite some time.  The energy level was clearly low and the concentration just wasn’t there. While Jim Curtin did put the same Starting XI (excluding Kai Wagner, who is clearly still dealing with his injury.), the fitness levels should not be to blame considering that only a few players were selected for all three games within the last week. The first 50 minutes of the game felt like nothing was going the Union’s way. Especially after the own goal at the 47th minute. The PK at the 60th minute changed the game and overall allowed the Union to get enough momentum to bring themselves to a draw.

This was the lineup that Jim Curtin started on Saturday night in Chicago. It was very similar to that of the Starting XI that was selected to go against Atlas F.C. in Mexico.

“It was a strange game. I thought that initially, we started okay. We conceded the goal and there were things up the field that we could have done to maybe prevent it. I give our guys a ton of credit for showing the heart and the fight to get back into the game. Obviously, the penalty changes the game, and it allows us to get back into the game. From there, I thought we got stronger as the time went on. Overall, we both had a chance to win, but it turned to be a draw.” Jim Curtin said with his opening statement for the post game conference.

The Union did have some chances early, especially from one from Uhre coming down the right side of the field. Uhre took too long to shoot the ball and ultimately was forced to change the angle of where he was shooting. As the game went on, it just felt like Chicago had all the momentum and the Union kept searching for answers.

“We obviously had to travel and played pretty well in Mexico. We really only played three field players who played in all three games this week. So in terms of fitness, we can’t really use that as an excuse.” Jim Curtin speaking on how he felt like fitness or lack of energy was the issue from the jump.

When you go back and watch the Maren Haile-Selassie goal, it was very similar to one of the goals against Atlas.

For a first career goal, it won’t get much easier than this. In accordance with what Jim Curtin said about maybe making play further up field could have helped prevent the goal, seeing Jakob Glesnes and Jack Elliot let the ball go past them and Nathan Harriel sleeping on the play letting his man be between him and the net is concerning. If it was a tiny blip in the large scheme of things, it might have flown under the radar, but this is two games in a row where easy tap in goals were given up to the opponent.

As the game went on, the chances continued to compile for Chicago but felt like the game was getting away from the Union. The biggest tell tale sign was the own goal from Harriel that was deflected off of his body on a clear attempt by Glesnes.

Jim Curtin was right when saying that the penalty did change the game. Mikael Uhre was taken out in the box, and it led to a penalty kick for the Union. Who else but Daniel Gazdag would end up taking the penalty and converting it.

Quinn Sullivan was brought on and immediately made an impact. The flow of the game seemed to turn back into the Union’s favor and before long, Julian Carranza picked up where left off in Mexico against Atlas scoring his third goal in two games.

Both teams had some great chances towards the end of the game, but it ended up being a 2-2 draw. The Union will return back home on Saturday to host Toronto F.C. at 7:30 at Subaru Park. Here are the full highlights to the game.