Union Still Can’t Break Through, Shutout by Chicago Fire

Union keeper Rais MBoulhi was good, but allowed match winner to Fire
credit :mlssoccer.com

After the 3-goal outburst against Salt Lake earlier this month, the Union have been struggling to find the net. They were shut out in their last home contest against FC Dallas and on Sunday, the road was no kinder to the Union in Chicago as they fell 1-0.

In the 36th minute, Kennedy Igboananike of the Fire won a free kick on the left wing. Defender Jeff Larentowicz stood over the ball and curled the ensuing free kick toward Rais M’Bolhi’s cage which un-marked Adailton dos Santos headed home to give the Fire a 1-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

In the 54th minute, the Fire nearly doubled their advantage when Harry Shipp played a wonderful through ball that Kennedy Igboananike deftly poked toward the goal. However, M’Bolhi came up with the save of the match. The Algerian keeper, who United States supporters will always remember for conceding the dramatic goal Landon Donovan scored to send the US to the knockout round of the 2010 World Cup, saved with his trailing left leg.

The Union’s attempt to come back in the contest was exacerbated in the 72nd minute.

In what is becoming all too familiar for Philadelphia supporters, Brazilian midfielder Fred was shown a straight red card for a dangerous kick.

However, the Union did have a chance to tie the game when Maurice Edu was all alone after a perfectly weighted through ball from Fernando Aristeguieta’s. However, his awkward attempt went wide of goal.

The Union find themselves stuck on 2 points and in last place in the Eastern conference of Major League Soccer.