BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Sept. 3, 2016) – The Chicago Fire extended their home-unbeaten streak to 12 games in all competitions with a 3-0 win against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
Midseason signing Michael de Leeuw left his mark on the match with a goal and an assist. Defensively, Goalkeeper Sean Johnson picked up his fifth shutout of the season with a five-save performance. The end result moved Chicago’s home-unbeaten streak to the third-longest in club history with a 6-0-6 record over their last 12 games at Toyota Park.
The Men in Red took the lead in the 22nd minute thanks to an own goal from Philadelphia’s Roland Alberg. Matt Polster slipped a dangerous pass diagonally toward de Leeuw in the middle of the box, forcing Alberg to make a decision. Alberg went to ground to attempt a sliding clearance, but the ball glanced off his shin and into the net for a 1-0 Fire advantage.
De Leeuw found the net midway through the second half with an opportunistic finish. Union goalkeeper John McCarthy came off his line to block a shot from Luis Solignac, and the deflection landed in de Leeuw’s path. The predatory striker capitalized with a header at the back post for his third goal in Chicago.
Arturo Alvarez capped the scoring in the 90th minute. He took a pass from de Leeuw, eluded his mark with a step-over inside the box, and neatly tucked the ensuing shot inside the far post for his fifth goal of the season.
The Fire have now scored two or more goals in their last five games, as well as their last four home games. The last time Chicago scored multiple goals in five straight was 2013.
Postmatch reactions: Paunovic | de Leeuw | Johnson
Philadelphia entered the match with the fewest shutouts against in MLS. Chicago delivered the Union their fourth blank of the season with the 3-0 result.
The Men in Red return to action against Toronto FC at Toyota Park on Saturday, September 10. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. CT on CSN Chicago Plus and 97.5 Poder.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (6-12-8, 26 points) 3:0 Philadelphia Union (11-10-7, 40 points)
September 3, 2016 – Toyota Park
Attendance: 16,102
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Roland Alberg (own goal) 22
CHI – Michael de Leeuw (unassisted) 71
CHI – Arturo Alvarez (Michael de Leeuw) 90
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Joao Meira (caution) 58
CHI – Razvan Cocis (caution) 61
CHI – Johan Kappelhof (caution) 64
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Johan Kappelhof (Michael Harrington 66), Jonathan Campbell, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent, Matt Polster, Razvan Cocis ©, Arturo Alvarez (Joey Calistri 90+2), John Goossens (Michael Stephens 73), Luis Solignac, Michael de Leeuw.
Shots: 16; Shots On-Goal: 5; Saves: 5; Fouls: 16; Corners: 3; Offsides: 3
Philadelphia Union: John McCarthy, Keegan Rosenberry, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett, Fabinho, Warren Creavalle (Leo Fernandes 82), Roland Alberg, Chris Pontius, Tranquillo Barnetta ©, Fabian Herbers (Ilsinho 69), C.J. Sapong (Charlie Davies 81).
Shots: 12; Shots On-Goal: 4; Saves: 4; Fouls: 8; Corners: 5; Offsides: 2
