Chicago City Wire

Chicago Fire FC drew 2-2 with Philadelphia Union in the opening match of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Round One, ultimately losing 4-2 in a penalty shootout at Subaru Park on Sunday. The result gives Philadelphia a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, with the next match scheduled for Saturday at SeatGeek Stadium.

Jonathan Bamba scored his first postseason goal for Chicago in the 84th minute, and defender Jack Elliott equalized in stoppage time. “It was the first time in franchise history for Chicago to come back to secure a draw in a postseason game after trailing by 2 or more goals,” according to Chicago Fire FC Communications.

The teams ended a scoreless first half, with Chicago limiting Philadelphia to no shots on target and forcing Union goalkeeper Andre Blake into action late in the period. Indiana Vassilev opened scoring for Philadelphia in the 70th minute, followed by Milan Iloski five minutes later.

Chicago responded when Maren Haile-Selassie delivered a corner kick that led to Bamba’s goal. In added time, Elliott scored after Bamba set him up following a free kick rebound, marking Elliott’s fourth career postseason goal and his first with Chicago Fire FC. “Defender Jack Elliott tallied the fourth postseason goal of his career, but first with Chicago Fire FC. The longtime Union defender scored his first playoff goal since his two with Philadelphia in MLS Cup 2022, the latter of which also came in stoppage time of added extra time,” noted club officials.

In penalties, goalkeeper Chris Brady saved Philadelphia’s opening attempt but could not stop their next four efforts. For Chicago, Brian Gutiérrez and Hugo Cuypers converted their kicks while Elliott’s was saved and Joel Waterman missed.

Unavailable for Chicago were defenders Leonardo Barroso and Viktor Radojević (lower body injuries), midfielders André Franco (lower body) and Chris Mueller (not due to injury), as well as winger Philip Zinckernagel (lower body).

The second match of this playoff series will be played at SeatGeek Stadium on November 1 at 4:30 p.m. CT. If necessary, a third game will be held at Subaru Park on November 8 at a time yet to be determined. Broadcast coverage is available through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV as well as local radio options WLS 890 AM (English) and Que Buena Fire via Uforia App (Spanish).

Attendance at Subaru Park was reported as 19,019 spectators.

The full box score includes:

Philadelphia Union: Goals by Vassilev (70’) and Iloski (75’).

Chicago Fire FC: Goals by Bamba (84’) and Elliott (90+3’).

Penalty shootout scorers for Chicago were Gutiérrez and Cuypers; for Philadelphia: Westfield, Iloski, Baribo, Bueno.

Referee Sergii Boiko officiated the match alongside assistant referees Adam Wienckowski and Jeffrey Swartzel.