Tai Baribo scores 2 goals, Union beats Fire 3-0 to sweep first-round series

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Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo (9) scores a goal against Chicago Fire goalie Jeffrey Gal during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago Fire goalie Jeffrey Gal (25) misses a goal scored by Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) — Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo (9) scores a goal against Chicago Fire goalie Jeffrey Gal during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Bridgeview, Ill. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

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6:45 PM on Saturday, November 1

The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Tai Baribo scored two early goals and the Philadelphia Union beat the Chicago Fire 3-0 on Saturday to sweep the best-of-three first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Philadelphia, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, will host fourth-seeded Charlotte or No. 5 seed New York City in the one-game conference semifinals.

Baribo dispossessed goalkeeper Jeff Gal, who started in place of the injured Chris Brady, at the edge of the 18-yard box and rolled his next touch into a wide-open net to open the scoring in the sixth minute. Then, in the 16th, Wagner's header from in front of the goal, off a entry played by Kai Wagner, made it 2-0.

Bruno Damiani gave the Union a 3-0 lead in the 35th. Milan Iloski blocked a failed clearance attempt by Gal, who made his eighth appearance and seventh start of 2025, and Damiani put away a first-touch shot from the center of the area.

Andre Blake had two saves for the Union.

Gal did not stop a shot.

Philadelphia, which won both regular season matchups with the Fire by a combined score of 5-0 and held on to win Game 1 on penalty kicks (4-2), has won four straight against Chicago.

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