The flame is out for the Chicago Fire’s MLS Cup dreams, as the Philadelphia Union won away from home, defeating a battered Fire side 3-0, with all three goals scored in the first 35 minutes, including a brace by Tai Baribo, to advance to the Conference Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fifth time in club history.

After winning Game 1 in penalties, the top-seeded Union finished off the Fire in Game 2 to sweep the best-of-three series.

No Chris Brady? Big problem for Chicago

It was not playmaker Philip Zinckernagel who missed the match despite being unable to finish training during the week. Instead, U.S. youth international Chris Brady was the one sidelined due to injury, leaving 32-year-old Jeff Gal to guard the net in the do-or-die match.

The Chicago native was quickly expose

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