Chicago Fire FC II (0-0-2-2) opened the home portion of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season with a 1-1 draw against Philadelphia Union 2 (2-0-1-0). Harold Osorio scored his first goal of the year and Patrick Los tallied eight saves to help the Fire earn one point. The Chicago Fire Academy goalkeeper closed out the post-match shootout with a save to hand the Men in Red an additional point.
Chicago set the pace early on, with several chances on the back of nearly 80 percent of possession through the opening 30 minutes. In the 37th minute, Lamonth Rochester found Jason Shokalook in open space on the left side of the box. The forward played the ball back to David Poreba, who had a shot deflected and parried onto the path of Osorio. The Salvadoran midfielder had his initial volley blocked, but managed to tip the rebound into the goal for his first tally of the year.
Philadelphia jumped out to a better start in the second half, turning possession into clear chances snuffed out by Los. The Fire goalkeeper held firm, but finally conceded a goal in the 71st, when Edward Davis jumped on a loose ball in the box to equalize the match. The visitors continued the onslaught throughout the rest of the half, but Los and Chicago held on to earn a point after 90 minutes.
The Union won the coin toss and elected to go first in the ensuing shootout. Francis Westfield scored the first kick, but the Fire answered with a clean shot by Osorio to get even. Olwethu Makhanya then glanced a kick off the crossbar and out of play, giving Chicago the advantage. Poreba, Lamonth Rochester and Diego Konincks had perfect kicks of their own, putting all the pressure on Sal Olivas. The forward shot to his left, but Los made a diving stop to close out the contest and give his team a point.
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Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC II 1(4) : 1(3) Philadelphia Union II
Goals:
CHI - Osorio (1) (WATCH) 37’
PHI - Davis (2) (WATCH) 71’
Shootout:
Chicago Fire FC II: Osorio (scored), Poreba (scored), Rochester (scored), Konincks (scored)
Philadelphia Union II: Westfield (scored), Makhanya (missed), Zellefrow (scored), Perez-Aguilar (scored), Olivas (saved)
Discipline:
PHI - Wetzel (Yellow Card) 36’
PHI - Makhanya (Yellow Card) 74’
CHI - Borso (Yellow Card) 76’
PHI - Olivas (Yellow Card) 90+2’
Chicago Fire FC II: GK Los, D Rochester, D Konincks, D Shannon, D Souquet (Hency, 46’), M Casas, Jr. (Blake, 87’), M Poreba (capt.), M Navarro (Hlyut, 46’), M Osorio, M Koffi (Tchetchao, 46’), F Shokalook (Borso, 71’)
Subs not used: GK Dowd, D Calle, D Cupps, F Nesci
Philadelphia Union II: GK Rick, D Westfield, D Makhanya, D Wetzel, D Berdecio (Pierre, 65’), M Sequera (Olney, 46’), M Pariano (Perez-Aguilar, 85’), M Ngabo, M Tucker (Vazquez, 46’), F Olivas, F Davis (Zellefrow, 89’)
Subs not used: GK Sheridan, D Meneses, D Andrus, M Horozoglou
Stats Summary: CHI / PHI
Shots: 12 / 18
Shots on Goal: 7 / 9
Passing Accuracy: 83% / 63.2%
Saves: 8 / 6
Corners: 3 / 7
Fouls: 10 / 14
Offsides: 2 / 3
Possession: 67.5 % / 32.5%
Referee: Alex Beehler
Assistant Ref 1: Jay Norris
Assistant Ref 2: Sharon Gingrich
4th Official: Fermin Sanchez