Fire season ended by Union

BRIDGEVIEW, IL–For the Chicago Fire FC, making the playoffs was a goal they wanted to reach this season. They got there and had its best foot forward after winning a play-in game over Orlando City FC.

But the club ran into some misfortunes that caught up to them during its playoff series against Philadelphia.

The Fire gave up three goals in the first half and couldn’t make its way back into the match in match #2. As Chicago dropped a 3-0 defeat to visiting Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon at SeatGeek Stadium.

“We had a very clear game plan coming out,” Chicago Fire FC coach Gregg Berhalter said. “When we went to Phily, they had a very clear game plan. Also, they wanted to pin us in our half, and that was difficult, and it was complicated. A lot of second balls, challenges, and a lot of duals. and that’s part of the game. You know it’s disappointing, when you look at the goals we conceded in the first half.

“It’s in a playoff game. You need to defend much better than that. You can’t make those mistakes if you want a chance to win.”

Chicago lost the opener at Philadelphia last Sunday in the first match that was decided by penalty kicks. The Union will move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals against either Charlotte FC or New York City FC.

Chicago was without its starting keeper Chris Brady with an undisclosed injury that happened during practice before the match over the last couple of days. Jeff Gal started in the goal in place of Brady for the match.

The Fire had a couple of chances to score that could’ve put the team in the match against the Union.

Brian Gutierrez had a penalty kick stopped on a diving save by Union keeper Andre Blake in the 32nd minute, and early in the second half, Cuypers applied high pressure and appeared to score off Union keeper Blake. But the goal was waived off for a handball.

Still, the Fire had a successful run this season with new expectations going into next year. It’s just a tough way to lose its final game in the playoffs.

“The message to the guys after the game was that we made progress,” Berhalter said. “I thanked them for all their efforts and hard work throughout the season. I told them to remember this feeling because it stinks. We all have a bitter taste in our mouths about the performance and how we’re exiting.

“The team should use this as motivation. We need to come back stronger. Whatever we did this year, we have to look to improve on. That’s how it goes in the business in this business. We want to reach new heights (next year).”

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