Eliminated from the 2023 Leagues Cup back on August 2, Orlando City SC return to MLS regular season action, travelling to the Windy City to take on Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
Prior to the Leagues Cup break, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions climbed to fifth in the Eastern Conference – and just one point off fourth-placed Nashville SC – after an impressive run of three victories in four MLS fixtures.
Casting our minds back to July 15, Orlando City SC treated their supporters to a super-sweet comeback victory at the home of their fierce rivals Atlanta United.
Winning in front of 43,576 supporters at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it was a landmark moment in club history and our biggest statement of 2023 so far.
Only our second ever win in Georgia, it was our first in front of a packed house with our other victory (1-3 in August 2020) taking place behind closed doors due to COVID.
Finally overcoming our hoodoo at the home of the Atlanta Falcons, the full-time whistle – after nine excruciating minutes of stoppage time – saw Oscar Pareja leap for joy, grabbing his coaching staff in pure ecstasy.
On-field, Orlando City SC‘s players jaunted across the plastic pitch to salute the travelling Ruckus – perched high up inside the cavernous Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Online, long-suffering Orlando City SC supporters gleefully baited their Atlanta United adversaries, mischievously brimming with pride after seeing their side deservedly secure regional bragging rights.
Prior to the game, Brad Guzan played down the Atlanta United – Orlando City SC rivalry in a pre-game interview with Apple TV’s Steve Cangialosi.
A “forced” or “manufactured” rivalry or not, you can be sure that there are strong and authentic feelings of animosity towards The Five Stripes, at least among Orlando City SC supporters anyway.
With Atlanta United only losing once at home this MLS season (1-3 to Charlotte FC in May) prior to City’s visit, our statement win was huge.
Especially considering that Caleb Wiley put the home side in front against the run of play on 22 minutes.
Profiting from an initially fumbled Machop Chol strike, and then a goal-line clearance from Antônio Carlos, it was a sloppy and frustrating goal to concede.
One week on from a humbling 4-0 defeat at Real Salt Lake, Orlando City SC could’ve crumbled in such challenging circumstances – not only in an intimidating venue but on fake turf too.
But as we’ve seen this mid-season, Orlando City SC are wily customers themselves and crucially equalised three minutes after Wiley’s opener.
Leaping high above The Five Stripes’ defence, Antônio Carlos powered a bullet header beyond Brad Guzan off an inch-perfect Mauricio Pereyra free-kick on 25 minutes.
The timing of this quick-fire equaliser was key.
Huge in terms of spirit, character, and belief, the hour mark then saw Mauricio Pereyra secure the eighth multi-assist game of his career.
Excellently sending a defence splitting through-ball into the path of Duncan McGuire, our rookie forward escaped both Juan José Purata and Luis Abram.
Racing away from the centre back duo, McGuire remained ice cool to simply slide the game winner beyond Brad Guzan who powerlessly performed his familiar “stuck in the mud” routine in goal – you know the one!
Duncan McGuire‘s eighth goal of what’s turned out to be an incredible rookie season, “Orlando Runs on Duncan” yet again dominated the post-game conversations online.
Proving to be a cult figure, McGuire performed a golf swing celebration with Atlanta United supporters shell-shocked at City’s impressive comeback.
After taking the lead, Orlando City SC naturally retreated – as Oscar Pareja‘s sides do – but could’ve added a third on 68 minutes.
After Wilder Cartegena cleverly spotted Facundo Torres from deep, El Cuervo cut a cross back to sub Ramiro Enrique whose header smashed against Guzan’s far post.
You couldn’t help but wonder whether Orlando City SC would pay for not killing the game, but the Lions fortunately held on.
Hanging on wasn’t easy though, especially when Thiago Almada menacingly stood over a 99th minute free-kick from deep.
Undoubtedly a talented free-kick specialist, Almada doesn’t face quality like Pedro Gallese every week though.
Flexing his trusty tentacles to powerfully palm away Almada’s fierce goal-bound strike, this huge save effectively called game.
Considering five stoppage minutes were initially called, Orlando City SC supporters faced an agonising eternity waiting for Victor Rivas to blow his full-time whistle.
But soon after this play, Rivas’ whistle sounded out and everybody connected with Orlando City SC could bask in this unforgettable away day glory.
Almost equally as impressive as our performance and result was the fact that City kept Thiago Almada quiet nearly all-game.
One of Major League Soccer’s top talents, dynamic duo César Araújo and Wilder Cartagena rallied to stifle the 2023 MLS All-Star Game selection all night long.
Looking ahead to this Sunday’s fixture, Chicago Fire currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference.
Going 8-8-7 so far this season, Fire are just five points below Orlando City SC with the same number of games played.
Defeating Chicago Fire 3-1 as recently as four MLS games ago, let’s hope to make it a 2023 sweep against Frank Klopas’ side.
As one final footnote, Fire’s former City favourite Chris Mueller is out injured and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023 MLS campaign.
Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- March 5, 2022: Chicago Fire 0 Orlando City SC 0 (MLS)
- April 9, 2022: Orlando City SC 1 Chicago Fire 0 (MLS)
- July 1, 2023: Orlando City SC 3 Chicago Fire 1 (MLS)
2017/23 head-to-head stats
- It was 3-1 to Orlando the last time the sides met (July 2023)
- Played Fire 17 times in MLS – Fire 5, Draws 6, Orlando 6
- Orlando have only conceded 1 goal in the last 3 MLS head-to-heads
- Fire have won their last 3 consecutive home fixtures in MLS – all without conceding a goal
- Orlando have scored the first goal in 8 of their last 13 MLS fixtures
…
Watching the game
Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 01:30 (GMT) on Monday, August 21.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC‘s 2023 MLS regular season fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
…
Support Orlando City UK
Passionate about what we do, Orlando City UK content will always be free. The most important thing for us is sharing our love of Orlando City SC with you all and donations are by no means expected. However, if you enjoy our content, a token towards the regular maintenance of Orlando City UK is hugely appreciated!
