The game in 100 words (or less): The Chicago Fire’s slide toward the mean — some might call it regression, indicating maybe, just maybe, they overachieved during the first half of the season — continued on Saturday, following a brief reprieve to begin the month. Veljko Paunovic’s side lost its seventh game in 11 outings, falling 3-1 away to the Philadelphia Union. Bastian Schweinsteiger remains sidelined with a calf injury, but the rest of Chicago’s key figures — Nemanja Nikolic, Dax McCarty, David Accam and Matt Polster remain in place. Chris Pontius did the majority of the damage on Saturday, bagging Philadelphia’s first two goals, followed by CJ Sapong for the third. Luis Solignac grabbed a consolation goal inside the final 25 minutes, but the damage had been done. The result means Chicago (48 points) remain third in the Eastern Conference, still four points back of New York City FC and just two points clear of Atlanta United, who have two games in hand.
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Three moments that mattered
10' — Pontius heads the cross home for 1-0 — Keegan Rosenberry cut inside and delivered a delicate, left-footed cross into the box. Pontius got away from his man and met the ball with his head at the top of the six-yard box.
Chris Pontius scores his first goal of the season to put the @PhilaUnion up 1-0. #PHIvCHI #DOOP https://t.co/DaCo7pohA8
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 23, 2017
55' — Pontius again, this time on the rebound — Fafa Picault’s shot was saved by Matt Lampson, but no one followed up to boot the rebound clear. Pontius reacted quickest, and the lead was two.
Pontius with the brace to make it 2-0 @PhilaUnion #DOOP #PHIvCHI https://t.co/CSfgpKYdDK
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 24, 2017
64' — Sapong pokes it home for 3-0 — This is Sapong’s 14th of the season, tying Sebastien Le Toux’s club record (2010), and reminded me once again the Peter Vermes insisted on playing Sapong as a winger for multiple seasons before trading him.
Sapong with his 14th goal this season! #DOOP #PHIvCHI https://t.co/aiuikYQrRL
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 24, 2017
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Man of the match: Chris Pontius
Goalscorers: Pontius (10', 55'), Sapong (64'), Solignac (67')
