CHESTER, Pa. — The Chicago Fire’s latest encounter with the Philadelphia Union was just as action-packed as their last two, but this time they got the better of the reigning Supporters' Shield winner. With goals on either side of the half and a complete defensive performance, Gregg Berhalter earned his first win over the team that ended his 2025 campaign just four months ago.
In a season littered so far with a scattering of injuries, the Fire managed to field an XI quite close to their strongest. With the exception of Jack Elliott, who was hospitalized with sepsis earlier this week and replaced by Joel Waterman, Berhalter rolled out what is widely perceived as his preferred lineup at this point in the season. Andrew Gutman also came in at left back for his first start of 2026.
Unlike the Fire’s last trip to Subaru Park – a high-energy, emotionally-charged playoff matchup that was full of playoff twists and turns – this encounter got off to a slow start. The visiting midfield did suffer two early blows, however, as Robin Lod and Djé D’Avilla each received yellow cards within the first 25 minutes. The first big chance came from an Anton Salétros free kick that went nowhere near the goal.
Another blow came shortly after when 2025 team MVP Philip Zinckernagel crashed into the Union’s Jesús Bueno. Zinckernagel required medical assistance and was helped off the field for a concussion substitution, being replaced by Maren Haile-Selassie. It is the second successive trip to Chester in which Zinckernagel has been injured.
Like he has regularly in recent months, Haile-Selassie brought a great spark to the attack. In a half littered by cynical challenges, the Fire finally found some momentum in the final minutes. That resulted in the breakthrough, with a Gutman cross finding the head of Hugo Cuypers to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.
The Men in Red probably thought that would be a lead they could take into the halftime break, but it wasn’t. A well-drawn up long throw-in sequence eventually found Milan Iloski, who knocked the ball in to level the score. It was enough to enter the intermission all tied up after a frantic finish.
In a presumably pre-planned move, the Fire made one swap to start the second half. Viktor Radojević entered in place of Gutman, making his most prominent appearance yet since his August move from TSC Bačka Topola. The Serbian U-21 international looked comfortable from the start after earning his first major minutes on U.S. soil in a Fire II MLS Next Pro match last week.
After a bright start to the half, Jonathan Bamba found another breakthrough for the Fire. The Frenchman pounced on a Robin Lod ball in the penalty box, sticking the ball past Andre Blake from close range. The Fire’s lead was restored, with Bamba once again punishing the Union in their home stadium.
From there, the Fire were in control, a rather unfamiliar feeling against a Union team that thoroughly dominated them in all four meetings last season. Though he wasn’t perfect and conceded a few careless tackles just outside the Fire’s own penalty box, Radojević was an excellent presence on the left side, finally showcasing why he was brought in and rewarding the coaching staff for their patience.
The Fire held on to claim a satisfying victory. Though it isn’t quite the same Union team that dominated the Fire 10-2 on aggregate in 2025, it’s still an important psychological win as the Men in Red overcome their own struggles to start the new year.
Player Ratings
Starting XI (4-3-3) — Chris Brady (7); Andrew Gutman (8), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (8.5), Joel Waterman (7.5), Leo Barroso (7); Djé D’Avilla (8), Anton Salétros (7), Robin Lod (7); Jonathan Bamba (7.5), Philip Zinckernagel (6), Hugo Cuypers (8)
Substitutes — Maren Haile-Selassie (7), Viktor Radojević (7.5), Jason Shokalook (NR), Jonathan Dean (NR)
