Battle Under the Bridge: Philadelphia Union 2, Chicago Fire 2
CHESTER, Pa. — A cold but intense night on the banks of the Delaware River produced an instant classic as the Chicago Fire opened their 2024 MLS campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union. Homegrown midfielder Brian Gutiérrez stole the headlines with a goal and an assist as the Men in Red emerged from Chester, Pa. with a point.
The sold-out crowd at Subaru Park greeted the commencement of a new season with anticipation, and the atmosphere was lively as the two teams emerged from the tunnel. Before the game had even kicked off, there were storylines on both teamsheets, with club-record signing Hugo Cuypers suiting up for the Fire for the first time and Union keeper Oliver Semmle also earning his MLS debut in place of the injured Andre Blake.
Within two minutes, there was concern for Fire left back Andrew Gutman, who pulled up with a non-contact injury almost immediately after kickoff. While the status of his injury is unknown, those around the team are fearing the worst, given the freak nature of the incident, and his absence would be a big blow for the team after his blockbuster trade from Colorado this offseason.
After a tense and even first half hour, the Fire’s Gutiérrez found an unlikely breakthrough, blasting a rocket into the top corner from outside the 18, and silencing the Philly crowd in a heartbeat.
“I got the ball, and [Fabian Herbers] was flicking it towards me,” Gutiérrez said of his goal. “I saw a gap in between, what was it, [José] Martínez and the other center back, [Jakob] Glesnes, and so I went between the gap and tried to cut again, cut inside. I just didn't think about it. I just said, why not shoot it and I shoot it. Honestly it was a great goal, and more to come, for sure.”
Frank Klopas’ team entered the half up a goal, but former Fire player Jim Curtin was not short of ideas from the opposing dugout. Within seconds of the start of the second half, the Union had put the ball in the net, though “replacement referee” Muhammad Hassan – with the help of VAR – overturned the goal. Eventually, Mikael Uhre did find an equalizer for the hosts.
In dramatic fashion, however, the Fire would re-take the lead. Midfielder Fabian Herbers, who himself was a Union draftee once upon a time, knocked in a scrappy goal with eight minutes to play in regulation. Philadelphia, though, clearly the more cohesive unit on the day, would answer within 11 minutes, as ond-time MVP finalist Dániel Gazdag headed in a 93rd-minute equalizer.
“I think it was a hard fight,” Herbers told MIR97 Media postgame. “It's always tough when you come here, we know what Philly is all about. They press high, they give you the fight and it's about matching the battle and I think we did that tonight.”
Though both the players and staff are surely unhappy not to come away with the full three points, there are many points of optimism to bring back to the Windy City. Klopas and his team now have one week to prepare for a home opener that will be equally a soccer game and a celebration, as the team will debut its “Return to Red Kit.”
