Chicago Fire Trump Philadelphia Union 2-1

CHICAGO, IL - June 5, 2010 – The Chicago Fire used goals from Baggio Husidic and Marco Pappa to snap a four-game winless streak and dispatch Philadelphia Union 2-1 at TOYOTA PARK. Husidic and Pappa both notched their third goal of the season and Patrick Nyarko added his sixth assist as the Fire earned three points over the expansion Union in the first meeting between the two clubs.

The Fire (3-3-4, 13 points) earned their second home victory of the year, the last coming 41 days prior, when Husidic scored in the death of the first half and the Fire topped the Houston Dynamo 2-0 on April 24. The Fire increased their record to 2-0-1 when leading at halftime.

Justin Mapp began the buildup to the first goal when he fed Nyarko on the left, who in stride darted toward the touchline, penetrating the Union defense. Running out of space, the crafty Ghanaian sent an angled pass to the feet of Husidic, who redirected Nyarko’s cross past Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz in the 14th minute.

Marco Pappa almost doubled the score in the 47th minute, lashing a curving left-footed blast that hit the crossbar and the post in the top right corner of the goal.

The Fire added to their lead 27 minutes later. Husidic started the opportunity with a run down the right flank, feeding a wide open Mapp just inside the 18-yard box. The Fire veteran fired a driven shot on goal forcing Seitz to dive to his right for the save. The ball deflected back into the area and eventually rolled to Pappa and the 22-year-old Guatemalan would not be denied, as he clinically placed the ball into the back of the net to score the eventual game winner in the 74th minute.

Danny Mwanga, the first overall selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, scored a consolation goal for Union in the 92nd minute when he poked a ball past Dykstra; gathering his third consecutive stoppage time goal of the season.

The Fire round out their six-game home stand at TOYOTA PARK against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, June 9 at 8:00 PM CT (My50). During MLS’ first-ever World Cup break the Fire will have no league games for the duration of World Cup group play. The team will play the NSC Minnesota Stars in an exhibition match at NSC Stadium on Sunday, June 20. For tickets please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or head to the club’s official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.  

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