BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — With the lineups announced for Saturday’s Game 2 of the Union-Fire playoff series, Union supporters had reasons to be anxious.
Chicago aimed to exert pressure on the top-seeded visitors, featuring key players Philip Zinckernagel and Brian Gutiérrez, who were looking to prevent a sweep. After Gutiérrez’s pivotal role in a comeback in Chester, fans wondered how he would perform at home, or at the Fire’s temporary venue in the suburbs.
On the other side, Indiana Vassilev was not fit for starter minutes, leading Frankie Westfield to start for the first time in an attacking midfield role. Meanwhile, Mikael Uhre was absent for reasons revealed only post-game.
Yet it was Chicago’s goalkeeper Jeff Gal who became the unexpected focal point of the match, stepping in for the injured starter, Chris Brady, who had a lower-body issue.
This situation underscored a key soccer principle: when facing a backup keeper with limited experience, attacking is essential.
The Union executed this strategy, effectively securing a 3-0 victory by halftime. Within the first eight minutes, the Supporters’ Shield winners made their mark when Tai Baribo capitalized on a Chicago error during a throw-in, swiftly taking possession before scoring.
‘Making Him Feel Less Confident’
A crowd of 17,431 at SeatGeek Stadium, a venue previously abandoned by the Fire, was not fond of the Union’s tactics or the officiating by Jon Freemon. However, it quickly became clear which team was both more skilled and better prepared. Following Gal’s early mistake, the Union gained a psychological edge.
“He needs to feel confident in his actions, so our job is to make him feel less confident,” Baribo explained. “Pressing him was effective today,” referencing the challenging field conditions and the crowd’s reactions to Gal’s struggles.
The Union demonstrated their sharp mentality through Baribo’s goals, including Milan Iloski’s critical defensive plays and Andre Blake’s successful penalty save against Gutiérrez.
Blake’s penalty save preceded Bruno Damiani’s goal just a few minutes later, illustrating how winning teams capitalize on crucial moments.
Westfield’s Adjusted Role
Although this was Westfield’s first match in an attacking midfield position, he was not new to the role, having frequently pushed forward during his time with the U-20 national team. This experience proved beneficial against Chicago’s lineup.
“With the national team, I often push up higher, which helped me adapt to this position today,” Westfield noted, adding that his contributions also disrupted Chicago’s offensive strategy.
The Union’s execution of their game plan will certainly give their upcoming opponent, either Charlotte FC or New York City FC, much to consider as they prepare for their decisive Game 3.
