Orlando City SC (3-5-5, 14 points) will face Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire (4-6-2, 14 points) for the first time this season, as the Lions aim to remain undefeated for their fourth consecutive game. (Orlando City Image)
ORLANDO – Orlando City SC (3-5-5, 14 points) will face Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire (4-6-2, 14 points) for the first time this season, as the Lions aim to remain undefeated for their fourth consecutive game.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET at Toyota Park.
The match will broadcast live on MY65 and FOX Sports Florida. In addition, the fixture will be transmitted on Real Radio 104.1 FM in English and La Grande 1030 AM in Spanish.
Adrian Heath
“We know it’s going to be a difficult game,” said head coach Adrian Heath.
“They’ve picked up in recent weeks, as they’re getting most of their players fit. They have a lot of pace up front and some good, quality midfield players. I think last night they played very well, apart from the second half, so it’s not going to be an easy game for us by any stretch of imagination.”
Orlando City ventures into Chicago on a three-game unbeaten run in league play – the longest in Club history.
After defeating the reigning MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy 4-0 and drawing the San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 in previous weeks, Orlando City drew Columbus Crew SC 2-2 in dramatic fashion at the Orlando Citrus Bowl last weekend before another crowd of over 30,000 fans.
Orlando City drew Columbus Crew SC 2-2 in dramatic fashion at the Orlando Citrus Bowl last weekend before another crowd of over 30,000 fans. (Orlando City Image)
Second-half substitute Pedro Ribeiro, who was making his first appearance since suffering an injury against D.C. United on April 3, provided the spark for the Lions in the final minutes of the game, scoring a blistering strike from 25 yards away to level the score-line.
The finish was Ribeiro’s second goal this season.
Brazilian superstar Kaká also found the back of the net in the 2-2 draw, scoring a penalty for his sixth goal in 2015.
cyle larin
Heading into the fixture against the Fire, the majority of Heath’s squad will be available for selection, including midfielder Darwin Cerén and forward Cyle Larin who were both recently called up by their native countries for World Cup qualifying matches.
Currently sitting in seventh place in the East, Chicago enters the contest against Orlando after suffering a difficult 3-1 loss to D.C. United on Wednesday night.
The Fire went ahead first when David Accam scored in the 20th minute, however, Jairo Arrieta’s brace kick-started a three-goal unanswered run for United – who currently lead the East.
Chicago will be without the services of their number 10, Shaun Maloney, who is currently with the Scottish National Team. An integral part of the Fire, Maloney has recorded one goal and two assists so far this season.
Jeff Larentowicz leads the team in goals, with four in 12 games, while Harry Shipp has the most assists (3).
Nevertheless, Saturday’s fixture won’t mark the first meeting between Orlando City and Chicago, as both Clubs previously met in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup during the 2013 campaign.
The match signified City’s furthest run in the nation’s oldest tournament, as the Lions advanced to a quarterfinal match-up against Chicago after defeating defending champions Sporting Kansas City and the Colorado Rapids.
