October 3, 2012
LACKING FIRE
Chicago drops 3-1 decision to Philadelphia

Kathryn L. Knapp

Dominic Oduro's 69th-minute goal was too little, too late for the Fire against Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – It took almost 70 minutes, but Chicago finally got the fire started. Unfortunately, they were already down by two goals. The Fire fought back, but fell short 3-1 to the Philadelphia Union Wednesday night at Toyota Park.

Philadelphia jumped on the board in the ninth minute. Danny Cruz forwarded the ball to Jack McInerney who was running toward goal. McInerney split two defenders and beat goalkeeper Sean Johnson for the 1-0 lead.

Chris Rolfe blasted an attempt at goal for the Fire in the 34th minute. Philadelphia goalkeeper Zac MacMath redirected the attempt, keeping his net clean. Arne Friedrich took a shot in first-half stoppage time. MacMath again grabbed it for the save.

In the 47th minute Daniel Paladini blasted a free kick right at goal. MacMath got a hand on it for a Fire corner kick. Three minutes later, Alvaro Fernandez soared an attempt over the net.

Chicago made a substitution in the 63rd minute when Guillermo Franco entered the match for Fernandez.

Despite the fresh legs, it was Philadelphia who stole the show. McInerney sent the ball to Gabriel Gomez, who easily cleared the Fire’s line and sunk the ball into the net for a 2-0 advantage.

But the Fire didn’t sit back. In the 69th minute, second half substitute Dominic Oduro struck gold. Patrick Nyarko made a run up the middle. In trouble at the top of the box, he flicked the ball over to Oduro who drilled it just inside the right post, cutting the visitors' lead to 2-1.

Franco exited the match in the 79th minute after a rough tackle on Brian Carroll resulted in a red card. Down a man and a goal, the Fire continued to pressure forward.

Philadelphia struck again however in the 86th minute. Michael Farfan made a run, passing a short ball to Antoine Hoppenot. Hoppenot back-heeled the ball into the net for a 3-1 lead.

Chicago (16-10-5, 53 points) dropped its second straight match, still sitting in a second-place tie with New York. The two teams will face off Saturday in New York. Philadelphia (9-15-6, 33 points) returns home to host New England on Saturday.