The Philadelphia Union (0-3-0, 0 Pts) may have been without a number of their regulars, but the Chicago Fire (1-0-1, 4 Pts) did not mind as they narrowly took a 1-0 win and an early 3rd place in the 2012 MLS standings.
The Fire more than doubled the Union's attempts on the goal, kicking 15 to Philadelphia's 7 attempts, and they had 6 shots on target to the Union's 2, but strong play from G Zac MacMath (4 saves, 1 goal allowed) kept the Fire mostly at bay. In the first half, though, M Marco Pappa was able to find a seem along the right side and send a floater to F Dominic Oduro, who headed the ball past MacMath for what prove to be the deciding goal.
Here is a look at the game-winner courtesy of MLS.com:
The Fire head to Colorado for their next match, an April Fools Day pairing against the Colorado Rapids.
For more on this match, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Fire, check out Hot Time in Hold Town. For more news and notes around the MLS, check out SB Nation's soccer news hub.