Orlando City vs. Chicago Fire FC: Three Keys to Victory

Orlando City returns to Exploria Stadium this Saturday to host the Chicago Fire. The Lions haven’t won a match since June 10 against the Colorado Rapids (0-1-2). Of course, they were missing some players on international duty for two of those three matches. With the possible exception of Michael Halliday, the Lions should have a first-choice lineup. 

What does Orlando City need to do to get back in the win column and take all three points at Exploria Stadium?

Stop Kei Kamara

There are certain players that are aggravatingly effective when they play Orlando City. Kei Kamara is one of those players. Many of his goals in MLS have come at the expense of Orlando City. He probably loves the idea of playing the Lions. I’m certainly not looking forward to seeing him again.

Orlando City’s defense must keep Kamara from scoring. The defensive midfielders will hopefully keep him honest while Antonio Carlos and Robin Jansson shut the door. If all else fails, at least Pedro Gallese is back in goal. There can be no mental lapses, as Kamara will feed on that against the Lions. He very often finds a way to make Orlando pay, and that can’t happen Saturday.

Get Torres Back on Track

Facundo Torres had a pretty good match against the Seattle Sounders despite not getting a goal contribution. He was in a great run of form prior to leaving for international duty, and the rebound of his shot that Stefan Frei saved on Saturday night should have given Mauricio Pereyra an easy tap-in. I’ll feel much better about the Lions’ chances if he gets a goal, an assist, or better yet, some combination of the two. If Pereyra gets the start, it might help free Torres up a little bit. I know that’s the opposite of what I thought in the first part of the season, but things are different now.

Oh Captain, My Captain

Speaking of Pereyra, it’s time for him to get another start. There’s a match against Toronto only three days after this match against Chicago, meaning that Head Coach Oscar Pereja can rotate him out for that match. It’s more important that he facilitates the midfield to get Orlando City back on track.

We saw the difference he made when he came on against the Sounders (missed empty net notwithstanding). After a normal match week, he’ll have plenty of gas in the tank for a home match on grass. Against Seattle, he made 27 passes at an 81.5% passing rate with two key passes. As I mentioned above, his passing can open up the offense for Torres and either Duncan McGuire or Ercan Kara.

That is what I will be looking for in the match this Saturday. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.