This past Saturday the Union failed to gain a valuable three points that would’ve put them in second place of the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Chicago Fire left PPL Park with the points and their eighth win of the season with a 2-1 win over the Union.
Chicago was able to put themselves on the board early on in the ninth minute of play when forward Patrick Nyarko took a clean shot and the ball found itself in the back left corner of the net. The Union’s inability to mark players in the box was the main cause of this goal. Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz made a crucial run down center midfield and then played the ball to teammate Mike Magee. Magee and forward Chris Rolfe played the ball back and forth but sustained control of the ball while being pressured by Jeff Parke and Amobi Okugo. Magee was finally able to play the ball to Joel Lindpere who was making a run up the left side of the field. Lindpere crossed the ball into the box to find the feet of Nyarko. Union defense failed to mark Nyarko as Raymond Gaddis was positioned too far left, leaving the entire right side of the box unmarked which then allowed Nyarko to make a run from right midfield into the box and finish flawlessly.
The Union’s equalizer came in the sixtieth minute off a free kick taken by Sebastien Le Toux right outside of the box. Le Toux crossed the ball strikingly right in front of the goal where Sheanon Williams managed to head the ball just over the line bringing the Union back into the game.
Just minutes after the goal the Union were given four consecutive corner kicks, none of which were effective. Finishing the ball seemed to be a major weakness for the Union throughout the game and it is almost unbelievable that given four corner kicks, they weren’t able to finish any of them. This may be something the Union need to focus on more in training.
The Fire gained control of the game again after another defensive slipup lead to a Mike Magee goal to bring Chicago up 2-1 in the seventy fifth minute. The build up of the goal began when Leo Fernandes gained possession of the ball in the Union’s half. Nyarko then challenged Fernandes causing him to fall on the ball but no call was made from the ref. Nyarko, who was given too much room, took the ball further down the field then passing to Magee who was making a run down the left side of the field into the box. Wide open, Magee was able to put the ball in the back of the net. This time, Sheanon Williams was positioned way too far up and was incapable of getting back in time. Zac MacMath was also positioned far off his line so when Magee got the ball it was easy for him to play it thru and to the back of the net.
The Union kept the game interesting for the last minutes of the game and created many chances but were not able to finish any of them. Finishing was an apparent struggle for the Union during this game and is something they definitely need to work on.
In news off the pitch, the Union have acquired yet another Brazilian midfielder, 24 year old Gilberto dos Santos Souza Jr.. Gilberto, who had seven years of professional experience in Brazil, had played for many teams in Brazil’s top professional league. Gilberto will also take an international spot on the Union’s roster.
