Our prediction for this MLS match:
Chicago Fire
Match Time & Date:
30/06/2022
02:00
Prediction: 1-1
Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire will be aiming to bounce back from a 2-0 loss to Houston Dynamo when they take on Philadelphia Union on Thursday. Chicago are stuck at the bottom with only nine points in their pocket, meaning that the midweek clash is of big importance for the home side. All Kendall Burks, Wyatt Omsberg, Jairo Torres, and Chris Brady are sidelined with injuries, while there are no suspended players in the home team.
The U’s, on the other hand, recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win over New York City in their last league fixture, with the team climbing to fourth place in the standings. Philadelphia are undefeated in the previous four away games, and they are surely capable of holding Chicago Fire to a draw. Jamaica international Cory Burke is pushing for a rare start after scoring the winner against the Blue Pigeons, whereas there are no fresh injury worries in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Francisco Calvo):
Francisco Calvo is a product of Sarprissa football academy. The Costa Rica international started his senior career at his homeland club Herediano, playing as a defender. Calvo played for the likes of Perez Zeledon, Nordsjaelland, Santos and Sarprissa before joining Minnesota United in 2017 and it has to be noted that he made his MLS debut on March 4, 2017 in a 5-1 loss to Portland Timbers.
The Costa Rica defender quickly proved his worth in the Major League Soccer and in 2018 he was selected as an MLS All-Star, becoming the first ever Loons player to receive the honour. As for his international career, Francisco Calvo made his Costa Rica debut on July 2, 2011 in a Copa America loss to Colombia.
The Minnesota United man is used as both centre and left back and his preferred foot is left. Calvo was born in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, on July 8, 1992.
Highlighted Team (Philadelphia Union):
Based in Chester, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Union is an American soccer club that compete in Major League Soccer. The U have been participating in MLS since 2010, but they have yet to win the domestic trophy. Philadelphia welcome their opponents at Talen Energy Stadium, the venue that was opened on June 27, 2010 and current capacity of the stadium is 18.500.
The U made it to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final on two occasions (2014, 2015), but they were beaten by Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City respectively in the title games. The likes of D.C. United and New York Red Bulls are regarded as the club’s fiercest rivals, but they share a rivalry with Seattle Sounders as well.
Philadelphia’s colors are navy blue and gold, but they wear white shirts and white socks when playing on the road. USA international Freddy Adu is one of the most notable footballers who player for the U in the past. The former Benfica man scored seven goals in 37 appearances for Philadelphia Union in MLS.
