Well here were are. The Union lose 4-3 in Chicago, marking for the first time the Union have dropped 5 in a row in franchise history. Up 3-1, the Union gave up 3 goals in the final 15 minutes, continuing the concerning trend of the defense being a liability. In today’s article we will recap my thoughts on the game.

There were a few changes from Saturday night’s roster, including Tai Baribo being absent from the lineup. As Jim stated on Tuesday, the forward was dealing with some back issues and would be a game time decision. Oliver Semmle made the start as well after two straight games on the bench following his performance in Cincinnati. Both C.J Olney and Brandon Vasquez were added to the roster from the second team. This was Olney’s fourth addition to the roster meaning he will have to be signed to a Homegrown contract moving forward or not be able to play with first team the rest of the year.

Prior to the night’s contest, the Union were one win, two draws, and no losses versus Chicago Fire in their last three meetings, and overall three wins, six draws, and seven losses all time in MLS league play.

The Union came out pressuring the Chicago Fire, however were unable to create many decent chances other than an early chance by Quinn Sullivan through the first ten minutes that sailed high. Around the 15 minute mark, the Fire grew into the match and created two decent chances on two good build ups that both had chances but went wide.

The Union had a scoring opportunity in the 19th minute with Gazdag to find the back of the net on a great pass by Sullivan, however, Daniel was ruled offside which nullified the scoring opportunity. Video replay showed that he was indeed offside. The Union tried to bounce back and could have had another chance, but a decent save from goalkeeper Chris Brady and then another shot that just missed prevented that.

Chicago almost had a chance in the 27th minute with Maren Haile-Selassie breaking through on a long pass that would have counted for a Fire goal since Kai Wagner seemed to have kept him onsides. Luckily, Semmle made the save.

However, after a bad pass from Flach, the Union were caught off and Wagner tried to save but was caught out of possession and Haile-Selassie put it in the back of the net. The Fire, then gaining confidence, went on the attack creating chances and pressure, putting the Union back on their heels.

Then in the 38th minute, the Union equalized on a Flach shot that deflected and Chris Donovan redirected to find the the back of the net. Chicago tried to get the lead back with a header that found the hands of Semmle.

An interesting moment occurred right before half as Chris Brady dropped the ball, which Harriel challenged, and then Harriel being dragged down by Brady. VAR made the check and the Union were awarded the PK. Daniel Gazdag became the Union all time leading scorer with 51 goals after putting the kick past Brady to make it 2-1 at the half. This passed Sebastien Le Toux and begs the question, is he a Ring of Honor candidate? Time will tell.

At the 50th Minute, Jack McGlynn found the back of the net following a beautiful strike from him to make it 3-1 Union.The Union kept the press going, creating two chances prior to a Daniel Gazdag yellow card in the 54th minute.

That two goal lead appeared to be reduced as Union killer Chris Mueller scored to make it 3-2 in the 56th minute with his first goal of the year, but it was called offside after VAR review.

In the 63rd minute Chris Mueller continued to make a difference with another ball that sparked a Cuypers goal attempt which went wide off a Semmle save. Chicago started building again into the game in the 68th minute and started creating chance after chance to put themselves back into the game.

The game began to unravel as Cuypers scored in the 82nd minute and continued the Union’s woeful pattern of conceding late in games. In the 89th minute Chicago found the equalizer in a Gimenez goal, and then Cuypers twisted the dagger in the heart of the Union fans as he scored the winning goal in stoppage time. Just like that, the Union dropped another one 4-3 to Chicago Fire. There were two late chances that did not amount to anything, and the Union now have lost five in a row for the first time in franchise history.

In his post-game press conference, Coach Jim Curtin noted that while the team is scoring plenty of goals even while shorthanded and on the road, and being up 3-1, you would think that would be enough to get points, but self-inflicted errors proved costly. He said they have to stick together with the players they have to get out of this horrible stretch, and he feels horrible for the fans and for the players.

The Union are back home on Saturday versus the New York Red Bulls, and this “rivalry” game will be sure to prove interesting to say the least given their form and the Union’s form.

Jillian Almoney contributed to this article.