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MLS: Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union –live! MLS: Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union –live!
(34 minutes later)
5.23pm ET22:23
20 min: A lovely early ball from Stephens, curling into the Union area. So early that it catches out Union completely. Jones narrowly misses making good contact with his header. Amarikwa then has another headed chance.
5.21pm ET22:21
17 min: Fire definitely the best team so far today. They’re playing it about nicely before attacking down the right for a change. Shipp’s cross is cut out easily enough though.
5.17pm ET22:17
14 min: A question:
@tom_lutz Where is the crowd?
Good question. Remember, they are self-described anarcho-syndicalists. They’re probably out bringing down the system. Or watching Gonzaga in the Elite Eight at home, where it’s less windy.
5.15pm ET22:15
12 min: Fire are really concentrating down the left now: Amarikwa and Polster causing all sorts of problems there before coming tangled up in some stubborn union defending.
5.13pm ET22:13
10 min: The corner is pinged into the near post but it’s cleared at the expense of a corner. The next one is a king among bad corners and goes out without troubling any players. In fairness, it was high and may have caught the wind.
5.11pm ET22:11
8 min: Ooh, some action. Jones breaks free on the left and tricks his way into the box. He cuts the ball across the face of the goal but Union manage to clear. Philly do a bit of attacking down the left themselves and win a corner.
5.09pm ET22:09
5 min: Ladies and gentlemen, it is the fifth minute and Chicago are already resoritng to a long pump up the pitch. This does not bode well. Not well at all.
5.07pm ET22:07
3 min: Short corner for the Fire, after a good early opening but Philly clear after a bit of a scuffle.
5.05pm ET22:05
1 min: And we’re off. My colleague Bryan Graham went to high school with Fire’s Jeff Larentowicz. And Mo’ne Davis. Any juicy stories about Larentowicz? He was good at football. Any good stories about Mo’ne? She was good at everything.
5.00pm ET22:00
The teams are out: they look ... sheepish. And in shock news, I can report that it looks windy in the Windy City. Next week: no one is asleep in New York City. While someone commits a sin in Las Vegas. Actually, if you take Philadelphia’s nickname literally that could be a VERY big sin.
4.56pm ET21:56
And a brief note on today’s referee:
@tom_lutz This game is so bad, it gets the worst ref in all of MLS - Dave Gantar. Yes I'm #TFC so biased but he just isn't good at all..
4.40pm ET21:404.40pm ET21:40
An email! “Surely if we’re going by films and TV shows, Philadelphia wins this game easily,” says Paul Trantor. “Always Sunny in Philadelphia v Chicago Fire; Philadelphia v Chicago; That very short bit in the credits of Fresh Prince where Will is playing basketball v the entire collected works of ER. Easy wins for Philly.” True, but Chicago has Ferris Bueller, so you know ...An email! “Surely if we’re going by films and TV shows, Philadelphia wins this game easily,” says Paul Trantor. “Always Sunny in Philadelphia v Chicago Fire; Philadelphia v Chicago; That very short bit in the credits of Fresh Prince where Will is playing basketball v the entire collected works of ER. Easy wins for Philly.” True, but Chicago has Ferris Bueller, so you know ...
4.22pm ET21:224.22pm ET21:22
We have some teams:We have some teams:
#cf97 Starting XI pres. by @UIHealth: Johnson Gehrig, Larentowicz, Adailton, Palmer Shipp, Polster, Stephens, Jones Igboananike, Amarikwa#cf97 Starting XI pres. by @UIHealth: Johnson Gehrig, Larentowicz, Adailton, Palmer Shipp, Polster, Stephens, Jones Igboananike, Amarikwa
LINEUP: Mbolhi; Fabinho, White, Vitoria, Gaddis; Lahoud, Edu; Wenger, Nogueira, Le Toux; Aristeguieta.LINEUP: Mbolhi; Fabinho, White, Vitoria, Gaddis; Lahoud, Edu; Wenger, Nogueira, Le Toux; Aristeguieta.
4.20pm ET21:204.20pm ET21:20
Welcome to Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union, surely the most Sunday at 5pm-est of all this weekend’s fixtures. On the downside, neither team have won this season - and are weakened by injury and international call-ups. On the up side, one of these teams won’t be in as bad a position as they were at the start of the day come the final whistle. And if it’s a draw, they both improve. Truly, the MLS is a blessed and pure place.Welcome to Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union, surely the most Sunday at 5pm-est of all this weekend’s fixtures. On the downside, neither team have won this season - and are weakened by injury and international call-ups. On the up side, one of these teams won’t be in as bad a position as they were at the start of the day come the final whistle. And if it’s a draw, they both improve. Truly, the MLS is a blessed and pure place.
For the Fire, Quincy Amarikwa is expected to take up full responsibility for attack with Shaun Maloney on international duty (and not doing badly against the might of Gibraltar). Meanwhile, Philadelphia have five starters out injured, and it looks like Vincent Nogueira will have to step up into the No10 role.For the Fire, Quincy Amarikwa is expected to take up full responsibility for attack with Shaun Maloney on international duty (and not doing badly against the might of Gibraltar). Meanwhile, Philadelphia have five starters out injured, and it looks like Vincent Nogueira will have to step up into the No10 role.
4.01pm ET21:014.01pm ET21:01
After three straight defeats, there are already questions being asked about Frank Yallop’s Fire team but a home game against Philadelphia offers a chance to put the crisis talk to bed. The Union have shown some spirit this season but should be beatable. If the Fire lose this one will the pressure be on Yallop who managed only six wins last season?After three straight defeats, there are already questions being asked about Frank Yallop’s Fire team but a home game against Philadelphia offers a chance to put the crisis talk to bed. The Union have shown some spirit this season but should be beatable. If the Fire lose this one will the pressure be on Yallop who managed only six wins last season?
Tom will be here shortly to answer that question via the medium of liveblogging.Tom will be here shortly to answer that question via the medium of liveblogging.
Oh, and here’s a little interview with Chicago Fire’s fan group, Section 8:Oh, and here’s a little interview with Chicago Fire’s fan group, Section 8:
Supporters group name: Section 8 Chicago — but we’re not a supporters’ group with membership or dues or anything like that, we are the Independent Supporters’ Association, more or less an aggregation of supporter groups and independent fans.Supporters group name: Section 8 Chicago — but we’re not a supporters’ group with membership or dues or anything like that, we are the Independent Supporters’ Association, more or less an aggregation of supporter groups and independent fans.
When was the group founded? In its present form, circa 2003, but “Section 8” harkens back to the early days of the club at old Soldier Field. Fire fans have been undertaking organized support since the club’s founding in 1997.When was the group founded? In its present form, circa 2003, but “Section 8” harkens back to the early days of the club at old Soldier Field. Fire fans have been undertaking organized support since the club’s founding in 1997.
What’s in the name? The section of old Soldier Field where Fire supporter groups Fire Ultras 98 and Barn Burners coalesced was Section 8. The name has stuck despite moving to different stadiums over the passing years. Yes, it also means a person who is unfit for military service.What’s in the name? The section of old Soldier Field where Fire supporter groups Fire Ultras 98 and Barn Burners coalesced was Section 8. The name has stuck despite moving to different stadiums over the passing years. Yes, it also means a person who is unfit for military service.
What’s special about this team? Tradition, Honor, Passion. Our club represents our city on the world’s stage.What’s special about this team? Tradition, Honor, Passion. Our club represents our city on the world’s stage.
What’s unique about your supporters group? Its structure, diversity, organization (I’ve heard it referred to as “anarcho-syndicalist” which I quite like), and DIY nature.What’s unique about your supporters group? Its structure, diversity, organization (I’ve heard it referred to as “anarcho-syndicalist” which I quite like), and DIY nature.