CLEARWATER, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2018) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club and the Philadelphia Union played to a scoreless draw in their preseason friendly Thursday morning at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fla.
The Union had the first look of the day in the ninth minute when they pounced on a deflected ball in the box but it was easily corralled by Fire ‘keeper Richard Sanchez.
Highlights | Full Match Video
Sanchez again kept the Union off the board with a stop on C.J. Sapong’s shot in the 27
th
minute.
The Men in Red made ten changes to start the second half, with rookie midfielder Jon Bakero the lone holdover.
Goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland was tested in the 49
th
minute but was able to get down to corral Jay Simpson’s right-footed shot.
The Union were awarded a free kick in the 72
nd
minute that Adam Najem snuck under the wall but Cleveland dove to his right to preserve the second consecutive shutout of the preseason campaign.
The Men in Red return to Florida on Sunday, Feb. 11 where they will train at the IMG Academy in Bradenton through Feb. 24.
Postmatch Reaction | Veljko Paunovic
MLS Preseason
Chicago Fire 0:0 Philadelphia Union
Feb. 8, 2018
Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex – Clearwater, Fla.
Scoring Summary:
N/A
Misconduct Summary:
PHI – Alejandro Bedoya (caution) 42’
CHI – Gilberto Angeles (caution) 79’
Chicago Fire First Half: Richard Sanchez; Rafael Ramos, Johan Kappelhof, Christian Dean, Brandon Vincent; Dax McCarty ©, Brandt Bronico; +Josh Gatt, Daniel Johnson, Jon Bakero; Nemanja Nikolic
Chicago Fire Second Half: Stefan Cleveland; Jorge Corrales, Jonathan Campbell, Grant Lillard, +Maxi Moreira; Mo Adams, Gilberto Angeles, ^Diego Campos, Jon Bakero (Brandt Bronico 76’); ^Elliot Collier, +Albert Ruiz
Chicago Fire Academy Player
^Unsigned SuperDraft Pick
+Trialist
Philadelphia Union: John McCarthy (Jake McGuire 62’); Fabinho (Olivier Mbaizo 62’), Auston Trusty, Jack Elliott (Josh Yaro 62’), Ray Gaddis (Keegan Rosenberry HT); Haris Medunjanin (Warren Creavalle 62’), Alejandro Bedoya © (Derrick Jones 62’); David Accam (Marcus Epps 62’), Ilsinho (Adam Najem HT), Fafa Picault (Eric Ayuk 62’); CJ Sapong (Jay Simpson HT)
