Bridgeview, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Fire claimed their first victory of the season on Sunday as the Men in Red took a 1-0 result over the 10-man Philadelphia Union at Toyota Park.
Chicago has struggled out of the gate, losing its first three matches of the season for the first time in franchise history following last week's 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.
It was a cagey first 30-plus minutes as both teams squandered scoring chances, but the Fire struck in the 37th minute when Harrison Shipp swung a free kick into the penalty area with pace. Union goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi came to claim the ball but failed to do so and Adailton was there to nod it home with a glancing header.
The hosts had another quality opportunity in the 54th minute when Kennedy Igboananike snuck through the Union defense and was clear on goal, but M'Bolhi came up with an excellent save.
Philadelphia then went down to 10 men for the second week in a row in the 72nd minute when referee David Gantar showed Fred a straight red card for what appeared to be a slap to the face of Shipp.
Following the red card, Philadelphia had the better of the play. Fernando Aristeguieta and Maurice Edu both squandered scoring chances as the Union remain winless through four games of the 2015 season and drop to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
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