Union II hosts Chicago Fire II in huge pre-postseason test

Posted Sunday, September 21, 2025 9:30 am

Union II is back in action this Sunday afternoon as they welcome fellow playoff contenders Chicago Fire FC II to Subaru Park. This match has huge playoff implications near the end of the season.

Union II vs Fire II preview

Coach Richter’s Union II side heads into this one on the back of a 3-1 win over Columbus Crew 2, which completed the season sweep for Philly over the Ohio-based team. Union II took a 2-goal lead during the first half, after top-class finishes from both Markus Anderson and Stas Korzeniowski. Union II looked to be heading to claim yet another clean sheet on the season, but Columbus struck late through a clever move and finish from Chase Adams. Union II completed the scoring and finished the game with a 3-1 win thanks to a stoppage-time Jamir Johnson goal after he converted an excellent Willyam Ferreira cross into the box.

These two sides have played each other already this season, just over a month ago on August 15th, when Ryan Richter’s side travelled on the road to Chicago and unfortunately, headed back home with no points or a single goal scored, despite dominating the game and having over double the shots of their opponents. The game on Sunday afternoon brings together the 2nd-best offense in the league, which is Chicago, after they’ve managed to bag 62 goals in 25 games this season, and the best defense in the league, belonging to Union II, as they’ve only conceded 28 goals this season.

Both teams are heading into this game with a playoff spot already confirmed. Union II had theirs confirmed a little while back, while Chicago managed to confirm theirs this past week. Philly currently sits third in the Eastern Conference Standings, meaning they currently have a home playoff game, while Chicago sits in sixth, just three points back from Philly. Chicago is looking to confirm a home playoff game late in the regular season with a win in this game.

Chicago is entering the game on the back of a double game week, where they initially faced FC Cincinnati 2 and beat them at home 2-1 to confirm their playoff spot. Later in the week, Chicago hosted NYCFC II and lost in a game of the season contender.

The scoreline ended up 5-4 to the visitors, but in-form Chicago striker Jason Shokalook managed to grab a hat-trick, which took his season total to 15 goals. Last year’s league MVP, David Poreba, has also just returned from a serious knee injury he suffered earlier in the season, so Chicago is a force to be reckoned with heading into the playoffs, and Ryan Richter’s men will be in for a massive test if they want to hold on to that home game during the playoffs.

The game will take place at Subaru Park, with a kickoff time of 3 p.m. ET. Tickets are available for the game, but if you can’t attend, it will be streamed live on MLSNEXTPRO.com for free to everyone.