Union Focused on Their Principles Instead of Matchups Ahead of Game 2 with Fire

Union focused on their principles instead of matchups ahead of Game 2 with Fire

CHESTER — When the Chicago Fire picked up their first playoff win since 2009 a week ago, they picked apart Orlando City with a standard 4-3-3 formation. When they visited Chester four days later for Game 1 of a best-of-3 playoff series with the Philadelphia Union, Fire coach Gregg Berhalter morphed them into what was listed as a 3-4-3 but looked functionally like a 5-4-1, with the wingbacks restrained in their ability to go forward. That differe…

What you need to know: Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire Match 2

The Union snuck past a stubborn Chicago Fire side that kept things scoreless for over 70 minutes last week, only for Mikael Uhre and Frankie Westfield to make the difference off the bench as the Union scored two goals in the final 11 minutes. The good vibes didn’t last long, though, as Chicago scored twice from set pieces to push the match to penalties.

The Union focus on shoring up their set-piece defense heading into Game 2 vs. Chicago

Any game where a team loses a two-goal lead by conceding twice on set pieces clearly has a flaw. But the Union didn't lose their nerve, and have kept their focus as they prepare for Saturday.