Jonathan Bamba scored his second goal early in the second half as the Chicago Fire secured a 2-1 win over the struggling Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
Hugo Cuypers added his fourth goal late in the first half for the Fire (2-2-1, 7 points), marking their first away victory of the season after previously leading the Eastern Conference in 2025.
Chris Brady made three saves, helping Chicago bounce back from their playoff elimination by Philadelphia last year and ending a four-match winless streak against the Union across all competitions.
Milan Iloski scored his first goal for Philadelphia just before halftime. However, the Union (0-5-0, 0 points) continued to struggle, recording the worst start for a reigning Supporters’ Shield holder. This came just 72 hours after their exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup, finishing with a 1-1 draw against Club America and a 2-1 aggregate loss.
Bamba put Chicago ahead in the 58th minute. From near midfield, Cuypers played the ball to Robin Lod on the right. Lod dribbled into the penalty area and made a cross, which sailed past Cuypers, allowing Bamba to score with a side-footed volley into the left corner.
Philadelphia looked to equalize, but Chicago came closest to scoring again. Maren Haile-Selassie just missed in the 63rd minute, and Lod hit the crossbar in the 82nd minute.
Both teams found the net during over seven minutes of stoppage time in the first half. Chicago scored first through Cuypers.
Lod’s pass was deflected, but Andrew Gutman retrieved it on the left and delivered a curled cross. Cuypers made a powerful header past Andre Blake from close range.
Philadelphia responded with a goal from a long throw-in four minutes later. Alejandro Bedoya flicked Frankie Westfield’s throw, allowing Iloski to score with a looping header over Brady from near the penalty spot.