Bruno Damiani scored a second-half brace and assisted on Milan Iloski’s team-high 18th goal of the season for the visiting Philadelphia Union, who defeated the 10-man Chicago Fire 3-1 on Wednesday evening.
The Union (13-10-6, 45 points) continued their blistering run of form, extending their winning streak to eight consecutive matches while stretching their unbeaten run to 12-0-2.
Chicago (14-9-6, 48 points) entered the evening seeking a victory to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second straight season, but instead saw those plans put on hold as its three-match win streak came to an end.
After the Fire’s Jack Elliott was shown a second yellow card in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Damiani logged an assist on Iloski’s 49th-minute equalizer before putting the Union ahead 2-1 in the 55th minute.
Cavan Sullivan worked his way down the left flank and into the box, where he slid the ball over to Damiani. Damiani got enough of a touch on it to put it in at the far post past Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady for his 10th goal of the season.
In the 67th minute, Damiani completed his double to increase his season total to 11 goals. His left-footed strike from just beyond the penalty area sailed past Brady and into the back of the net to make it 3-1.
Maren Haile-Selassie scored Chicago’s lone goal in the 44th minute, his 11th of the season.
Andre Blake stopped three of the four Fire shots he faced. Brady ended the evening with four saves.
Sullivan’s assist was his 14th of the season, tying for the MLS lead with four other players, including Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi. Iloski’s goal was his eighth in as many matches.
The Fire finished with 10 men for the second straight match. Midfielder Dje D’Avilla was sent off during Saturday’s win against New York City FC.
–Field Level Media
