Chicago Fire FC II Falls 2-1 Against Philadelphia Union II

April 16, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Chicago Fire FC II News Release

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Chicago Fire FC II (2-2-0-0, 6 points) fell 2-1 against Philadelphia Union II (1-3-0-0, 3 points) on Sunday evening at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. Chicago is currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia sits in 10th place after earning their first victory of the season.

Homegrown forward Missael Rodríguez opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Rodríguez took advantage of a poor clearance by a Philadelphia defender, pouncing on the loose ball and breaking to goal. Philadelphia goalkeeper Holden Trent came off his line but Rodríguez sent a powerful shot from just inside the 18 that sailed into the net.

Philadelphia forced Chicago goalkeeper Spencer Richey to make his first save of the match in the 32nd minute. Forward Chris Donovan dribbled into the left side of the box and fired off a low shot that Richey did well to save.

It looked like Chicago would break through once again in the 32nd, when Rodríguez fed a ball past the defense for Alex Monis. Monis found himself alone against Trent, who came off his line to cut off the angle and save Monis’s close-range shot. The rebound fell to Sergio Oregel Jr., who tried his luck from distance but sent the ball wide right of the goal.

Chicago had another dangerous opportunity just before halftime when Monis was taken down just outside the box. Harold Osorio lined up to take the shot, but sent it over the goal. After the break, in the 53rd minute, Chicago played a ball through for Oregel Jr., who crossed it from the right side across the goalmouth, but the Philadelphia defense was ready and intercepted the cross right in front of the goal.

Philadelphia pulled even in the 71st minute when a cross into the box resulted in a foul. Referee Greg Dopka pointed to the spot and Brendan Craig set up to take the kick. The Philadelphia defender rifled a shot just past Richey’s outstretched hand and into the lower left of the net.

The Union pulled ahead in the 81st minute when Anton Sorenson carried the ball and squared it for Nelson Pierre. Pierre sent another square pass for David Vazquez on the left side of the box, and his shot was fast and low past a diving Richey.

Chicago looked for the equalizer and almost found it in the 90th minute. The ball bounced around slightly just outside the box, with Rodríguez kicking it just out of the melee to where Billy Hency could get to it. Hency…