CHESTER, Pa. \u2013 The Supporters’ Shield winners had their backs against the wall and found a way.<\/p>\n
After Chicago Fire FC<\/a> rallied for a 2-2 draw<\/a> in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Round One Best-of-3 Series, the Philadelphia Union<\/a> persevered 4-2 on penalty kicks and outlasted their upset-seeking opponents Sunday night at Subaru Park.<\/p>\n \u201cWe put on a really good display of what we try to do. We broke in transition, we showed what we can do, created chaos moments, and took opportunities when they came,\u201d Philly head coach Bradley Carnell said after the match.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a contrast of two styles: one team trying to waste every second and trying to get out of here and get what they wanted, penalties. Glad we came out on the other side.\u201d<\/p>\n \n Finding a way<\/p>\n The Fire didn’t fold after conceding twice in five minutes during the second half, with transition goals from Indiana Vassilev<\/a> (70′) and Milan Iloski<\/a> (75′) showcasing the Union\u2019s DNA.<\/p>\n Jonathan Bamba<\/a> (84′) pulled one back for Chicago, before former Philadelphia center back Jack Elliott<\/a> (90+3′) equalized with a long-range golazo that forced penalties.<\/p>\n The PK shootout brought even more drama, with homegrown defender Frankie Westfield<\/a> converting for the Union after Andre Blake<\/a> made an early stop.<\/p>\n \u201cFrankie is Philly,\u201d Carnell said of the 19-year-old. \u201cI think you\u2019ve seen Frankie step up on numerous occasions. When he came on the field, he showed real intention in what we were trying to do. He created momentum, he created energy. He played a big role in the shift toward grabbing the two goals during the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Another substitute played a crucial part in the night\u2019s biggest moment, as Jes\u00fas Bueno<\/a> scored the final goal of the shootout, pushing the Union over the line with a calmly taken kick past goalkeeper Chris Brady<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI was a bit nervous ahead of the kick,\u201d shared Bueno in Spanish post-game. \u201cWhen Blake gave me the ball, I looked him in the eyes, and we laughed. I knew I was going to get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n \n Halfway there<\/p>\n Philadelphia are one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they would meet Charlotte FC<\/a> (No. 4) or New York City FC<\/a> (No. 5).<\/p>\n The No. 1 overall seed can punch their ticket next Saturday, when they visit SeatGeek Stadium (5:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV<\/a>). Should Chicago win, the Union would return home on Nov. 8 facing a win-or-go-home match.<\/p>\n