Happy Fourth of July, readers. Things have been a little quiet here because I’ve been vacationing with my father and son. I had hoped that a midweek game at Soldier Field would be a fun way to watch the Philadelphia Union end their skid and for most of the night that looked to be true. Then disaster struck yet again. The fireworks were cool though.

In the email today:

1. 🪨 We Lose Every Week

“The Union aren’t good but the Fire are worse.” That was the logic going into Wednesday night’s game at Soldier Field in Chicago. Surely, despite all of the Union’s woes this season they would find a way to beat the lowly Chicago Fire.

The Chicago Fire scored first but no worries: Dono redirected a Leon Flach ball into the back of the net to equalize, Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady was whistled for a delayed penalty via VAR on a foul on Nathan Harriel to set up a Gazdag penalty and the U were in good shape with a 2-1 lead at halftime.

After the break Jack McGlynn curled in a shot to make it 3-1 and the Union looked like they were sitting pretty finally on the way back to 3 points.

Nope.

CHI – Hugo Cuypers (Mueller, Haile-Selassie) 82’
CHI – Gastón Giménez (Czichos, Herbers) 89’
CHI – Hugo Cuypers (Haile-Selassie, Gutiérrez) 90’+2’

Credit to the Fire for coming alive but the collapse was a bit of deja vu for a team that just can’t get out of its own way this season.

2. 🇦🇷 Losing Julian Carranza Not the Problem

Julian Carranza's transfer to the Netherlands was finally made official on Sunday but he’s been a key missing ingredient in the team for the past month, first with a knock and then as the deal was being finalized.

Ironically enough, his last game - a scoreless draw in Charlotte over Memorial Day Weekend - was the beginning of what is now an eight-match winless streak. Even without the talented Argentine striker in the lineup, the Union have not had trouble scoring goals. Thirteen goals in eight games should be enough to pick up points in this league but it just hasn’t been the case as the defense has repeatedly fallen apart. After three straight draws, the Union have lost five straight, including two against teams below them in the standings.

Yes you could argue that Carranza’s defensive work was crucial and his presence made teams adjust but even on a night last night when Chris Donovan was the lone striker on the team he managed to score a goal, add an assist and win countless headers (could’ve used him defending those late corner kicks that led to goals). Getting a pair of goals from two different players from open play and a Dani Gazdag penalty should be enough to win, but somehow some way it wasn’t.

3. 🎆 Tweet of the Day: Happy Fourth?

4. 💧 Water Cooler: What Now?

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Matt McClain recapped the nonsense of last night’s loss.

• Jared Young wants Jim Curtin to stop taking the bait.

• The MLS Next All-Star game rosters include two Union players (Cavan Sullivan and Diego Rocio), two FC Delco players (Michael Capretto and Liam Briscoe) and Allentown native Stefan Chirila.

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