Chester – With the summer transfer window now closed, the Philadelphia Union turn their focus to the final stretch of the season. Looking to rebound from Saturday’s loss to the New York Red Bulls, the club aims to climb back atop the Supporters’ Shield race as they host the Chicago Fire for the second time this season on Saturday night at Subaru Park.

The main question that was on people’s minds Thursday, as Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell sat down with the media, was what the Union were going to do in the final hours of the summer transfer window, which ended at 1 a.m. Friday morning Eastern time.

The club addressed their forward/midfield depth with the signing of Milan Iloski earlier in the window and, earlier this week, announced that center back Jakob Glesnes had signed a new contract through 2027 with a club option for 2028. However, on Thursday the club also announced that Ian Glavinovich would be placed on the season-ending injury list, which opened up a roster spot and an international roster slot. With Olwethu Makhanya, Glesnes, and Nathan Harriel — who has played the position multiple times this season — the question was whether they would still address that position in the summer.

“We do have a couple of options,” said Carnell. “I think Nate’s done excellently at center back as well and created a little bit of depth there. Neil’s doing good things at Union II and and putting himself always in the window.”

“We don’t want a panic buy and a panic purchase. We made a calculated decision with Milan to bring him in. If something whatsoever happens the next couple hours, you guys will be the first to know. But as of now, don’t want to say comfortable, but we’re very happy where we are.”

While Thursday’s deadline came and went without any additions to the roster, including center back , the Union did loan out several players during the summer. CJ Olney is on loan with USL Championship side Lexington. David Vazquez is at San Diego FC on loan with an option to buy, meaning his return is uncertain. Oliver Semmle was also loaned out earlier in the week for the remainder of the season to USL Championship side North Carolina FC.

Semmle’s loan is of particular interest as it opens up a third spot in the goalkeeping depth chart for the first team. With Carnell confirming that goalkeeper Andre Blake picked up a hamstring injury this past Saturday against the Red Bulls, the question became who would back up Andrew Rick until Blake returns.

“We have Pierce Holbrook who’s done in a really good job this year. We brought him in for a specific reason in mind and a purpose. Yeah, sometimes it’s just the timing of these things. This is not a a long-term situation. But we’ve been in a good space. Rick has four clean sheets and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t add a couple more.”

Union II head coach Ryan Richter also shared his thoughts on on the situation.

“It could be that he (Pierce) is on the bench or that Mike [Sheridan] is on the bench, it could be either of them, and then you never know what is going to happen in a game that could change your life. That is what we keep telling these guys. In moments that you are frustrated, it can change like that, so you just got to keep yourself prepared and fight and be ready when your name is called.”

With Andrew Rick presumably starting Saturday against the Chicago Fire, Carnell could go with Holbrook, who has five clean sheets in nine starts this season for Union II, or possibly Mike Sheridan. It will be something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks while Blake is sidelined.

As for Saturday’s opponent, the Chicago Fire come into the match red hot — unbeaten in their last five matches, including last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over St. Louis City. The Fire struck first thanks to Hugo Cuypers’ 15th goal of the season, then rallied in the second half after falling behind 2-1 with goals from Philip Zinckernagel and Brian Gutiérrez, the latter providing the game-winner.

On the season, Chicago has seven wins, five losses, and one draw on the road, which ranks third-best in MLS behind only FC Cincinnati and San Diego FC, who both have nine road wins so far.

“They have a very strict and rigid structure when they’re defending and that’s always difficult to break down. In the last 10 games, they’ve given up I think third least expected goals against, that’s just behind us. So, they’re going a goal less than a goal expected per game in the last 10. So yeah, they’re doing things right and a lot of that starts with their away form and and the way they’re set up. It’s not easy to break down the way they defend and it’s it’s never easy anyways, but I think against Greg’s teams, they always pose certain threats and then they have some great quality with their attacking players.”

Philadelphia holds 11 all-time home wins against Chicago at Subaru Park and will be hoping for a result similar to earlier this season, when they scraped out a 1-0 victory on the road, rather than last season’s tough 2-2 home draw.

Saturday will also mark the return of former Union SuperDraft pick and longtime center back Jack Elliott, who will make his first Subaru Park appearance since signing with the Fire this past offseason. Elliott has one goal and two assists through 25 matches this year and will look to help keep Chicago’s hot streak alive as they fight for a playoff spot.

Chicago’s attack has been especially dangerous of late, averaging two goals per game over the last five matches. They are led by Zinckernagel, who has 21 total goal contributions on the year, and Cuypers, who has 15 goals and an assist. They will be a force for the Union back line to contend with on Saturday night.

As for player availability: Indiana Vassilev remains out with a head injury sustained against Toronto, and Blake is out with his hamstring. For Chicago, Rominigue Kouamé, Chris Mueller, and David Poreba are all listed as out.

The Union will look to rebound from last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of the New York Red Bulls and stay in striking distance of the Supporters’ Shield race, which San Diego and Cincinnati currently lead with 52 points. But Carnell knows his team is up for another tough challenge on Saturday.

“We’ve had a mindset of being the hunters and that’s the way we approach the training sessions. I think, you know, like Alex Ferguson said it best, you know, train in order to achieve and be number one you have to train like number two.”

“And now we’re on the on the sort of end of the the season here on the downhill towards the end of the league. And still, you know, we’ve had some pretty good returns. So there’s by no means that we have to shy away from responsibility or even excitement about what’s to come because the the boys have done great things.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening at Subaru Park. If you can make it to the match, it will be Fiesta Hispana theme night. If not, the game will be available on Apple TV+ as part of MLS Season Pass.

Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union