Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers, left, kicks the ball past Philadelphia Union's Olwethu Makhanya, front right, in the first half of Game 1 in the first round of the MLS Eastern Conference playoffs, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Chicago Fire’s Hugo Cuypers, left, plays the ball past Philadelphia Union’s Jovan Lukic, right, in the first half of Game 1 in the first round of MLS soccer’s Eastern Conference playoffs, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Union’s Bruno Damiani, left, and Chicago Fire’s Joel Waterman jump for the ball in the first half of Game 1 in the first round of MLS soccer’s Eastern Conference playoffs, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake watches the ball in the first half of Game 1 in the first round of MLS soccer’s Eastern Conference playoffs against the Chicago Fire, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Chicago Fire’s Jack Elliott reacts after missing a shot during a penalty shootout in Game 1 in the first round of MLS soccer’s Eastern Conference playoffs against the Philadelphia Union, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Union’s Frankie Westfield (39) looks at Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) after scoring during a penalty shootout in Game 1 in the first round of MLS soccer’s Eastern Conference playoffs, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

CHESTER, Pa. — Jesús Bueno scored the decisive goal in a penalty-kick shootout after Philadelphia blew a two-goal lead late, and the top-seeded Union beat the Chicago Fire on Sunday in the opener of a best-of-three, first-round MLS Cup playoff series.

Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady had a save on a shot by Mikael Uhre as the match moved directly to penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in regulation, but Andre Blake answered on a shot by former teammate Jack Elliott.

Francis Westfield and Milan Iloski had goals for the Union in the next two rounds, while Brian Gutiérrez and Hugo Cuypers scored for the Fire. Tai Baribo gave the Union a 5-4 lead, and Bueno drilled the winner after Joel Waterman clanked his shot off the crossbar.

Indiana Vassilev used assists from Uhre and Iloski to find the net in the 70th minute for a 1-0 lead. Vassilev is in the postseason for the first time after coming over in a February trade with St. Louis City. Uhre, who subbed in for Bruno Damiani in the 64th minute, collected his first assist in his seventh playoff appearance.

Iloski took a pass from Baribo and scored five minutes later for a two-goal advantage. Both players were making their postseason debuts.

Jonathan Bamba cut it to 2-1 with his first postseason goal in the 84th minute of his second playoff appearance. Defender Andrew Gutman notched his first assist in three playoff appearances.

Elliott scored in the third minute of stoppage time to tie it. It was his first postseason goal for the Fire after scoring three times in 11 playoff appearances over six seasons with the Union.

Sergio Oregel was tagged with a straight red card for a foul on Baribo a minute later, forcing the Fire to play a man down over the final five minutes of stoppage time.

Blake finished with three saves in goal for the Union, who won the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield this season. Blake allowed 20 goals in 13 prior postseason starts for the Union dating to 2016.

Philadelphia has made the postseason in seven of the last eight seasons and nine overall.

Chris Brady didn’t have a save in regulation in his second playoff start for the Fire,who are in the postseason for the 14th time and first since 2017.

The series shifts to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.