Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire: Carnell aiming to bounce back after Champions Cup exitShareAfter being dumped out of the Champions Cup by Club America, Philadelphia Union return to MLS action against Chicago Fire.Bradley Carnell believes Philadelphia Union's exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup will serve as a solid foundation to build on after their second-leg display. The Union drew 1-1 with Club America in midweek, sealing a 2-1 aggregate win for the Liga MX giants as Philadelphia's start to their 2026 season continued to falter. Philadelphia have won just two of their eight games in all competitions, both of which came in the Champions Cup, and they have lost all four of their MLS fixtures so far. Their latest defeat saw them slump to a 3-1 loss away to Atlanta United, with Miguel Almiron's hat-trick of assists helping Gerardo Martino's side to a comfortable triumph. Carnell, however, is confident their recent performance against Club America will stand them in good stead ahead of welcoming the Chicago Fire to Subaru Park this weekend. "I'm really proud of the push," Carnell said. "We lost the series, but I feel, as a group, after the struggles we've had in recent times, we won as a group."Everybody who came on [was] really excellent. I think that's such a demanding position for us."I think you could see the fatigue setting in into everybody as the game went on, and I think the subs that came in had a massive impact."Chicago, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat to D.C. United last time out, with Tai Baribo's 95th-minute penalty completing the turnaround late in the game. It marked the Fire's second loss of the season, with Gregg Berhalter's side seventh in the Eastern Conference after taking four points from their first four league games. And they may fancy their chances against a Philadelphia team struggling to find their form, particularly in front of their home supporters. The Union have lost three straight home matches in all competitions, including defeats to New York City FC and the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS play.Philadelphia had suffered just four defeats in its previous 35 home matches in all competitions dating back to July 2024 (W20 D11).PLAYERS TO WATCHPhiladelphia Union – Jovan LukicDespite being on the losing side last time out, Jovan Lukic put in a brilliant display that proved to be effective not only in the final third, but also in defence. He finished their defeat to Atlanta with team-high totals for chances created (three), tackles won (three) and clearances (three), while only Nathan Harriel (nine) won more duels than Lukic's seven. Chicago Fire – Hugo CuypersHugo Cuypers scored Chicago's only goal on Saturday from the penalty spot and has now scored in his first three appearances of the season.He is the first player to score in his first three games of the season for the Fire since Mike Magee scored in his first four games with the team in 2013.MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WINThe Union are unbeaten in 15 straight home matches against Chicago in all competitions (W10 D5), though the Fire did earn a 2-2 draw at Subaru Park in last season's playoffs. The Fire's last road win over Philadelphia was a 2-1 victory in August 2013.But Carnell's side have struggled in 2026. They have lost their first four matches of a season for the first time in club history. Of the 13 previous teams to lose their first four matches of a season, five went on to make the playoffs, including three since 2020.Chicago's 2-1 defeat to D.C. was just its fourth loss in its last 17 regular-season matches dating back to mid-July (W8 D5). The Fire have not lost consecutive league games since losing to Cincinnati and San Diego in early July 2025.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYPhiladelphia Union – 48.4%Draw – 25.8%Chicago Fire – 25.8%Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire: Carnell aiming to bounce back after Champions Cup exitAfter being dumped out of the Champions Cup by Club America, Philadelphia Union return to MLS action against Chicago Fire.Bradley Carnell believes Philadelphia Union's exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup will serve as a solid foundation to build on after their second-leg display. The Union drew 1-1 with Club America in midweek, sealing a 2-1 aggregate win for the Liga MX giants as Philadelphia's start to their 2026 season continued to falter. Philadelphia have won just two of their eight games in all competitions, both of which came in the Champions Cup, and they have lost all four of their MLS fixtures so far. Their latest defeat saw them slump to a 3-1 loss away to Atlanta United, with Miguel Almiron's hat-trick of assists helping Gerardo Martino's side to a comfortable triumph. Carnell, however, is confident their recent performance against Club America will stand them in good stead ahead of welcoming the Chicago Fire to Subaru Park this weekend. "I'm really proud of the push," Carnell said. "We lost the series, but I feel, as a group, after the struggles we've had in recent times, we won as a group."Everybody who came on [was] really excellent. I think that's such a demanding position for us."I think you could see the fatigue setting in into everybody as the game went on, and I think the subs that came in had a massive impact."Chicago, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat to D.C. United last time out, with Tai Baribo's 95th-minute penalty completing the turnaround late in the game. It marked the Fire's second loss of the season, with Gregg Berhalter's side seventh in the Eastern Conference after taking four points from their first four league games. And they may fancy their chances against a Philadelphia team struggling to find their form, particularly in front of their home supporters. The Union have lost three straight home matches in all competitions, including defeats to New York City FC and the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS play.Philadelphia had suffered just four defeats in its previous 35 home matches in all competitions dating back to July 2024 (W20 D11).PLAYERS TO WATCHPhiladelphia Union – Jovan LukicDespite being on the losing side last time out, Jovan Lukic put in a brilliant display that proved to be effective not only in the final third, but also in defence. He finished their defeat to Atlanta with team-high totals for chances created (three), tackles won (three) and clearances (three), while only Nathan Harriel (nine) won more duels than Lukic's seven. Chicago Fire – Hugo CuypersHugo Cuypers scored Chicago's only goal on Saturday from the penalty spot and has now scored in his first three appearances of the season.He is the first player to score in his first three games of the season for the Fire since Mike Magee scored in his first four games with the team in 2013.MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WINThe Union are unbeaten in 15 straight home matches against Chicago in all competitions (W10 D5), though the Fire did earn a 2-2 draw at Subaru Park in last season's playoffs. The Fire's last road win over Philadelphia was a 2-1 victory in August 2013.But Carnell's side have struggled in 2026. They have lost their first four matches of a season for the first time in club history. Of the 13 previous teams to lose their first four matches of a season, five went on to make the playoffs, including three since 2020.Chicago's 2-1 defeat to D.C. was just its fourth loss in its last 17 regular-season matches dating back to mid-July (W8 D5). The Fire have not lost consecutive league games since losing to Cincinnati and San Diego in early July 2025.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYPhiladelphia Union – 48.4%Draw – 25.8%Chicago Fire – 25.8%