After a painful 2-4 home defeat to Los Angeles FC, Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quick for another home game, this time against Chicago Fire.
Suffering consecutive home losses for the first time under Oscar Pareja, we’ve now started 2022 with two victories, two draws, and two defeats.
Last Saturday, Orlando City SC started fantastically, playing fast, fluid attacking football as they took the game to LAFC.
On 18 minutes, panic however. Antônio Carlos pulled up with a hamstring injury that really rattled the home side, knocking them out of their stride.
City’s worst fears have since been reported with Antônio Carlos set to miss the next 12 to 16 weeks due to a high hamstring injury on his left leg.
On 24 minutes, Brian Rodríguez opened the scoring. Involved in Antônio Carlos‘ injury, his goal came very much against the run of play.
City channeled their aggression positively however. Alexandre Pato‘s left footed volley tied the game, yet again underlining his re-emergence as a top class professional.
Just two minutes later, a mistimed Ruan header then gifted Jesús Murillo a goal to make it 1-2, but Orlando City SC fought back yet again.
With João Moutinho drilling home a Mauricio Pereyra dime of an assist, it was João’s second ever City goal, both coming ironically against former side LAFC.
Successfully assisting both City goals, Mauricio Pereyra now ties Nani for most ever Orlando City SC assists (26).
After half-time, a savvy Los Angeles FC made their quality and game management tell, stifling Orlando City SC and limiting them to very few opportunities.
Steve Cherundolo smartly subbed off Francisco Ginella for José Cifuentes at the half. The Ecuadorian’s introduction coincided with LAFC bossing the midfield.
Ilie Sánchez’s strike gave Los Angeles FC the lead for the third time on 51 minutes. This was before Mahala Opoku’s goal that made the game safe in second-half stoppage time.
All in all, Orlando City SC were severely punished for careless defending all evening.
Taught a brutal lesson by one of the best teams in Major League Soccer, this one must be put down as a learning experience for Oscar Pareja‘s men.
Now facing Chicago Fire for a second and final time this season, Orlando City SC will want all three points, especially after they were cruelly denied by PRO Referees at Soldier Field in March.
Drawing 0-0 with FC Dallas last weekend, Chicago Fire remain undefeated in five games (two wins, three draws) so far.
Orlando City SC vs Chicago Fire – 2015/22 head-to-head stats
Last meeting just over a month ago, Orlando City SC had to frustratingly settle for a point at Soldier Field.
In a game lacking genuine quality from both sides, controversy ruled in the 73rd minute.
Júnior Urso‘s deflected strike beat Gabriel Slonina, only for referee Ismir Pekmic to rule out the goal due to what he interpreted as an Ercan Kara handball in the build-up.
In reality, it barely touched Kara’s hand. It’s worth noting, VAR can be used to overturn a subjective decision if a “clear and obvious error” is identified.
But after Júnior Urso‘s strike rippled the Fire net, it took Ismir Pekmic several minutes to make a decision. MLSSoccer.com themselves even described it as a “lengthy Video Review”.
If it took Pekmic that long to reach his decision, it can’t have been “clear and obvious”, could it?
Especially considering there was no major protest from any Chicago Fire players prior to the Video Review.
This incident was frustratingly the latest in a long line of very harsh calls from PRO Referees against Orlando City SC.
To make matters worse, a PRO Referees statement later admitted that Urso’s goal was indeed legitimate and should’ve stood.
Chicago Fire 0 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – March 5, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Chicago Fire currently hold FIVE victories to Orlando City SC‘s FOUR in this Eastern Conference clash.
The Fire last visited Exploria Stadium back in August 2021.
Without Daryl Dike, Pedro Gallese, Jhegson Méndez, Nani (subbed off) and Mauricio Pereyra against Fire, Benji Michel‘s strike sealed a super satisfying hard-fought victory.
Heading into the Chicago Fire game, Orlando City SC were desperately craving all three points.
Dropping to fifth in the Eastern Conference, the victory saw Oscar Pareja‘s side rise back into second place (20 games, 34 points).
On the night, stand-in goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar was in inspired form to deny Chicago Fire on numerous occasions.
Before this game, Orlando City SC hadn’t been losing many games but a run of two wins in nine league games saw City’s momentum stagnate a little.
Orlando City SC 1 Chicago Fire 0 – Highlights – August 21, 2021 (Credit: Chicago Fire FC)
Only recently have Orlando City SC managed to shake off the fact that Chicago Fire are a bogey opponent.
In a refreshing change of fortune, City are unbeaten in three of the last four MLS head-to-heads.
Nevertheless, Chicago Fire have denied the Lions victory on TEN separate occasions since our 2015 MLS debut.
A rather surprising stat, Orlando City SC have only defeated Chicago Fire FOUR times in FIFTEEN separate Eastern Conference meetings.
This is despite the Illinois side only reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs ONCE since City entered MLS in 2015.
Orlando City SC form
Despite Pedro Gallese‘s status as one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, home clean sheets have been a rarity.
Combining the end of 2021 and the start of 2022, both sides have scored in EIGHT of Orlando City SC‘s last NINE home fixtures.
With our 2-0 victory over CF Montréal the exception, the opposition is scoring far too frequently at Exploria Stadium.
Our cause won’t be helped by the fact Antônio Carlos is set for 12 to 16 weeks on the sidelines.
Suffering consecutive home defeats for the first time under Oscar Pareja, this Fire home game is a big opportunity to get back on track.
It won’t be easy however with Chicago Fire starting 2022 undefeated under new head coach Ezra Hendrickson.
Orlando City SC 2 Los Angeles FC 4 – Highlights – April 2, 2022 (Credit: LAFC)
Chicago Fire form
Currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference, Chicago Fire supporters have genuine hope this season.
Impressively, Fire have only conceded ONE goal in their opening FIVE MLS fixtures.
Currently, only Fire, Philadelphia Union, and Los Angeles FC remain unbeaten in MLS.
Winning TWO of their first five games, Chicago Fire’s other THREE results were all 0-0 draws.
Clearly, Ezra Hendrickson prioritised fixing Fire’s previously leaky defence in the off-season.
To breach Fire’s stingy backline, Orlando City SC will need to be at their fluid and dynamic attacking best.
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Chicago Fire will be shown LIVE on FreeSports at the early time of 18:05 (GMT) on Saturday evening.
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
DON’T FORGET 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @ChicagoFire is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV at the very early time of 6:05PM on Saturday. 🦁⚽️👍🏽
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— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) April 3, 2022
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