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Orlando City vs. Chicago Fire: Final Score 0-0 as Lions Waste Points vs. 10-Man Fire

Despite getting a road draw, the trip to Chicago produced an awful night of soccer for the Lions, who spilled two huge points despite being up a man for more than half the match.

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10 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City extended its unbeaten run to eight matches (3-0-5) at Soldier Field in Chicago but there’s no good way to spin a 0-0 road draw against a Fire team that went a man down in the first half. The Lions (4-2-5, 17 points) were unfathomably wasteful in the final third in a draw that felt like a loss, with numerous great chances sent off target, off the woodwork, or straight into the bellies of defenders on free kicks. The Fire (3-4-4, 13 points) actually created more dangerous opportunities throughout the match, even when down a man, than did the Lions.

Pedro Gallese had a stellar night in goal to help the Lions avoid what might otherwise have been an embarrassing loss, making eight saves in Orlando’s fourth scoreless draw in five outings. Chicago, which entered the match having conceded the most goals in MLS and allowed seven a week ago, held firm but remain winless at home in 2025.

“Our feelings today in a game that we probably, under the circumstances, we should have won it,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “But when you see the whole development of the game, it was a tough rival. After the red card they put a lot of density and we couldn’t break it up the way we wanted. And they were dangerous on a couple plays going on the counter. As the game was playing, we didn’t have that clarity to define and score our goal, despite having some actions, and even two times when we hit the post. But I think we lacked clarity, and that cost us the two points that I thought we should have won it.”

Pareja’s lineup included Pedro Gallese in goal behind a back line of David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Alex Freeman. The midfield four consisted of Kyle Smith and Cesar Araujo in central midfield with Ivan Angulo and Marco Pasalic on the wings. Luis Muriel served as a false 9/No. 10 in the attack behind striker Duncan McGuire.

The match goes down as a point, but the Lions could have — and should have — gotten more out of it. Chicago defended well in a low block after losing goalkeeper Chris Brady to a red card in the first half, but Orlando City squandered the chances it created and frankly didn’t create enough with the ball or do enough to pull apart the Fire’s defensive lines.

The hosts created a half chance in the game’s first minute, carrying forward and crossing into the area. Schlegel’s clearance was muffed, falling to Andrew Gutman. The fullback tried a shot from outside the area but it was well off target.

Orlando’s first chance came from the left in the third minute, when Angulo got down the wing and fired. His shot was deflected wide for a corner. The Fire cleared the cross, ending the threat. Three minutes later, Muriel took a pass from Angulo at the end line, kept it in play, and tried a blast from a tight angle that Brady saved, knocking it out for another corner. Orlando had to hustle back to break up a Chicago transition on the set piece.

The Fire nearly scored multiple times in the 10th minute, with Gallese coming up with two big back-to-back saves. Philip Zinckernagel cut inside and blasted a shot from 15 yards out that Gallese fought off. It fell for Hugo Cuypers, who turned it back on goal but again the Peruvian came up big, with Brekalo then knocking it out for a corner.

“I think it was one of the most crucial and most difficult moments of the game, ” Gallese said of the double save. “Especially in key minutes, because if they’re able to score there, they’re able to control the game more and put us on the back foot, so yeah, really critical there.”

On the ensuing set piece, the ball was flicked to the back post by Sergio Oregel for MLS goal-scoring leader Cuypers, but the Golden Boot leader got under the ball and fired over the bar from about three or four yards out in front of goal.

Smith gave Orlando a good set piece opportunity in the 13th minute when he was fouled directly out in front of goal. Araujo took the set piece but fired straight into the wall, wasting the opportunity.

Gallese made another huges top three minutes later. Chicago fired a ball over the top to Jonathan Bamba, who stayed onside with a well-timed run. Bamba brought it down and fired, but Gallese made another big save in the 16th minute.

Orlando then found McGuire over the top in a similar manner in the 17th minute. McGuire wasn’t cleanly through on goal, but he was sent down the right, where he turned and fired wide of the left post.

Bamba took a pass from Gutman in front in the 19th minute and fired, but once again Gallese bailed out his defense. Cuypers headed a Jonathan Dean cross on target in the 27th minute, but the shot was soft and Gallese was able to get over and make the easy catch, racking up another save.

Muriel nearly sent McGuire in behind in the 33rd minute with a slick through ball. McGuire picked it up and could have shot, but instead he tried to finesse around Jack Elliott and lost the ball.

Three minutes later, another good ball over the top found McGuire, who chested it down just outside the box. Brady came charging out of his box and made contact with McGuire, who had gotten in behind both Fire center backs. Brady was booked and match referee Victor Rivas awarded a penalty. After reviewing the play, the red card stood, but the foul was judged to be just outside the box. Brady departed and Bamba was withdrawn by Gregg Berhalter in order to send backup goalkeeper Jeff Gal into the game for his MLS debut.

Muriel went for goal with the ensuing free kick, beating the wall but failing to get his shot to dip under the bar in the 42nd minute.

Orlando had two half chances in stoppage time. Muriel sent a great ball through the area but Freeman couldn’t get onto it. Moments later, Angulo sent a shot on target but left it too close to Gal, who made the save. Muriel fizzed a long-range shot over the bar a minute later, and then at the cusp of halftime sent in a great back-post ball for Araujo, who couldn’t quite get to it.

The Lions and Fire went to the break scoreless, but Chicago’s early domination helped Chicago end the first half with the advantage in possession (58.4%-41.6%), shots on goal (5-2), and passing accuracy (87.4%-77.7%). Each team attempted nine total shots, and Orlando won more corners (3-2).

The opening minutes of the second period saw Muriel dance around defender Christopher Cupps. Muriel went down after contact in the 47th minute, but there wasn’t enough in it for a penalty.

The Lions sent in two more almost balls in the 48th and 49th minutes, with Muriel again unable to find a teammate on the end of his cross on the first and Brekalo coming close to picking out Freeman at the back post on the second.

Orlando nearly gave up an embarrassing goal in the 52nd minute. Araujo sent a poor ball toward a teammate that was easily taken away by the Fire, jumpstarting the break in City’s defensive third. Mauricio Pineda smashed a shot from the top of the box that hit Jansson and nearly found its way inside the right post. Instead, it hit the outside of the upright and went out for a corner. The Lions didn’t deal with the corner well, allowing Brian Gutierrez to fire over the bar on the recycle.

Muriel again couldn’t find a fellow Lion with an entry ball in the 54th minute, and two minutes later, Angulo got down the left and squared the ball back into the box straight into a Fire player.

Unable to generate more danger against 10-man Chicago, Pareja sent Martin Ojeda in for Smith in the 57th minute. The Lions couldn’t do much with a couple of corners over the next few minutes, before a decent deflected ball into the box found Freeman in the 61st minute. The young fullback got a foot on it but couldn’t steer it on frame.

The lack of sharpness continued. Ojeda fired over the bar from long range in the 62nd minute. Brekalo telegraphed a shot and had it blocked at the top of the box a minute later.

Despite being down a man, Chicago nearly scored in the 67th minute. Orlando was dispossessed when Muriel was pushed down from behind but Rivas made no call. The play ended with Chicago winning a corner. The Lions made a mess of the clearance on the set piece, and it fell for Cuypers, who fired on goal, only to see Gallese deny him yet again with a vital save. A minute later, Gallese made critical back-to-back saves on Zenckernagel and Cuypers again off an Orlando City turnover.

“Pedro’s solidness has been increasing along the tournament. Now, in the game like today, when we needed the most, he was there,” Pareja said. “When you see the whole thing and the first part of the first half, and we had those actions, Pedro had to save us too. So it’s true, he played a great game and when we needed him most, he showed up.”

The two cruelest chances of the night fell for Orlando in the 75th and 77th minute. Angulo slipped the ball between defenders to put Ojeda in on goal for the first chance, but the Designated Player’s shot crashed off the left post. Two minutes later, Pasalic finally got an open look at goal and smashed a shot by Gal but off the crossbar. The spin of the ball took the rebound out of play before an onrushing Muriel could tap in the loose ball.

Elliott got a piece of McGuire in the 78th minute to set up a dangerous free kick for Orlando. However, Ojeda’s shot hit the midsections of one of Chicago’s wall players, wasting the opportunity. Muriel won a foul from Cupps in the 87th minute and waved off his teammates on the set piece. The Colombian then fired over the bar again.

Rivas added just three minutes of stoppage time and the Lions did not take advantage of any of the three. Muriel sent another shot over the bar from outside the box in the first added minute. Substitute Dagur Dan Thorhallsson blasted nowhere close to goal a minute later.

That was that, and the game ended without a goal.

Orlando finished with the advantage in possession (53.3%-46.7%), shots (23-17), and passing accuracy (85.1%-83.1%). Chicago won more corners (7-6) and put more shots on target (8-2).

“Chicago’s a good team. They’ve got good players, and they play a style that’s difficult and creates a lot of opportunities,” Gallese said. “I think we stood well in those first 30 minutes, and then after the card, you know, they weren’t really able to control too much of the game. But, you know, we’re still able to take the point against a good team tonight.”

The Lions visit the Tampa Bay Rowdies Wednesday night as they kick off their 2025 U.S. Open Cup campaign. Orlando City’s next MLS match will follow on Saturday at home against the New England Revolution.

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs Colorado Rapids: Final Score 4-1 as Lions Drop Final Preseason Scrimmage

Final preseason scrimmage opens questions about the season ahead.

Published

11 hours ago

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February 14, 2026

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Image of Tyrese Spicer attempting a cross against Colorado in a preseason friendly.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City entered the last game of the preseason with a number of questions still hanging out there. What does the back line look like with three off-season departures and the injury to Robin Jansson? How do you replace a unicorn like Alex Freeman? What does the goal mouth look like without El Pulpo there? How is the attack shaping up with Luis Muriel and Ramiro Enrique off playing elsewhere?

The short answer: there’s a long way to go. The back line has problems. Ivan Angulo didn’t appear to be a great replacement, but that may have been an injury replacement. Maxime Crepeau was fine but nothing stood out. The attack is, at best, an incomplete because Martin Ojeda was a late scratch for an illness.

The lineup was a mix of long-time starters and new faces in new places. Crepeau started in goal, with David Brekalo and Iago in the middle of the back line. New possible starters on the defensive wings were Adrian Marin at left back and Ivan Angulo at right back. Wilder Cartagena came back into his familiar role at defensive midfielder, behind Eduard Atuesta, who was flanked by Braian Ojeda and Marco Pasalic. Tyrese Spicer and Tiago played up top.

“(Angulo’s) a winger and we’re trying to fill a spot.” Pareja said after the match. “We have (Zakaria) Taifi who had some difficulties in the week…so we were trying to come up with some solutions.”

Martin Ojeda sat out the game with an illness. Luis Otavio continues to recover from injury while Joran Gerbet will be out for a while after knee surgery.

“Tincho wasn’t available today. He had a fever…so tonight, he couldn’t go. On my drive in, my thought was ‘this may be good. let’s see it that way.'” Pareja said regarding Martin Ojeda. He added that Ojeda had an outstanding preseason, so it was good to see what the team could do without him.

The opening stretch featured a lot of back and forth as the teams felt each other out and probably were still adjusting within their own shapes. Atuesta played as the 10 significantly more than in the past, filling Martin Ojeda’s role. That left Cartagena as the defensive shield in front of the back line.

The Lions put together a few good offensive looks after the first 10 minutes. There was a nice diagonal from Cartagena that turned Spicer loose. Spicer laid it off to Atuesta, who seemed to be of two minds whether to shoot while open or connect with Tiago. At the 12-minute mark, Pasalic slipped a through ball to Tiago who got walled off by Colorado’s Lucas Herrington.

Two minutes later, Atuesta put in a dangerous corner that Iago couldn’t put a head on.

Colorado opened the scoring in the 19th minute as the left attacking side opened up for them and a dangerous cross was slotted home by Rafael Navarro.

Spicer continued to be dangerous and continues to look like someone that can open up the defense with his speed and size. He made multiple runs into space — it’s now a question of turning those runs into assists and goals.

In the 28th minute, Zack Steffen got caught on a backpass with Tiago and Spicer almost in position to take it from him and put it home. In the 33rd, Marin turned Spicer loose in the box but he was knocked off balance and scuffed the shot wide.

Cartagena drew a foul 35 yards out in the 35th. Pasalic was able to deliver the free kick into Marin but Colorado knocked it out for a corner. Spicer got to a ball popped up off the corner but couldn’t put it under the crossbar.

Colorado got a second goal against the run of play with a long cross by Darren Yapi to the head of Navarro. Iago could’ve done more to prevent it but he’s also playing into form with a new team.

The first half ended with a whimper as neither side really threatened to close out the first 45. The only passion shown in the last few minutes was a shoving match after the whistle that got both teams involved. There had been some shoving in earlier corners between Yapi and Iago, so it may have come off of that.

Colorado’s first-half goals were a result of transition play and is exactly the kind of weakness you would expect from a new defensive unit. There’s a lot to put together on the defensive end for a team a week away from opening day. The right side of the defense is where both goals originated from, but it’s way too early to figure out if that’s due to leaning on Angulo playing fullback or the rest of the defense adjusting.

Being a preseason game, we don’t have official stats but Orlando definitely took more shots, probably on the order of 7-4. However, none of Orlando’s shots were on target and Colorado put two in the net, which is the point of the game. Offensively, it feels similar to last year, although you can see where Martin Ojeda was missed today as Atuesta didn’t quite present the same offensive threat.

As in the first half, both teams came out in the second half a little disconnected. In the 53rd, Braian Ojeda won a free kick 40 yards away. Pasalic sent it in but the attacking line was offside. Pasalic had a good game with how dangerous his free kick service was.

Duncan McGuire came on right after, replacing Tiago.

In the 60th, Spicer raced to intercept a pass at the top of the offensive box and was tripped, drawing a dangerous free kick opportunity. Pasalic and Atuesta lined up over it and Atuesta curled the kick around the wall and found the inside of the far post to make it 2-1.

“Marco asked me if I wanted to shoot. I asked him if he was seeing the same thing I was about the first or second post,” Atuesta said. “When I saw one of the players going to the first post…he chose for me.”

“It was perfect because he (Steffen) couldn’t see because of the two players from us, so he (Atuesta) did a good job,” Pasalic added.

Colorado quickly responded. Yapi was turned loose behind the defense and Crepeau came out to try to cut down the angle and left Yapi with a fairly simple goal to restore the two-goal advantage.

Orlando City suffered, as is a familiar refrain, from attacking flash with no real service to the strikers. Tiago was mostly invisible and McGuire was never in a position to do anything with a ball.

Yutaro Tsukada came on for Spicer at the 70th minute mark. Spicer’s night ended with flashes of something but there will need to be more precision.

McGuire finally found himself on the end of a through ball but couldn’t get anything on it. He then ran down a long ball but his touch took him a bit wide and didn’t leave him a great angle to covert.

Colorado was then given a free kick at the top of the 18 off a foul after a bad clearance. Paxten Aaronson tapped the ball to Dante Sealy, who deflected it off the scrum and Crepeau made a good save to turn it around the post. Orlando City couldn’t gain possession in the ensuing play and eventually Aaronson sent in a corner that Herrington was able to use his height to get to and put it in the back of the net to close out the scoring.

Orlando City started to dump the bench with youth as Justin Ellis, Nolan Miller, Colin Guske, and Gustavo Carabello came on for Atuesta, Angulo, Cartagena, and Pasalic over a five-minute span.

The only bright spot of the youth movement was a wonderfully curved long ball from Miller to McGuire, whose touch failed him again but he was able to turn it into a corner.

The game ended with a whimper as the time ran out. The Lions have a lot of questions to answer. Both Pasalic and Atuesta commented after the game that the loss could be seen as good as it gives them things to fix and keeps them focused after two positive results earlier in the preseason.

With the preseason complete, Orlando City opens MLS play next Saturday at 7:30 p.m., against the New York Red Bulls.

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Opinion

Likes and Dislikes from the Fifth Week of Orlando City Preseason

Let’s examine some good and some bad from this week of Orlando City’s preseason preparations.

Published

2 days ago

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February 13, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

We’ve (almost) made it to the end of another week, with Orlando City’s final preseason match against the Colorado Rapids looming large Saturday night. The season opener will be here before you know it, and things will only speed up from there. For the final time this preseason, let’s take a look back at the week that was and talk about what I liked, and what I didn’t.

Likes

A New Signing

Orlando City announced the long-awaited signing of Brazilian center back Iago on Saturday, making him the third and presumably final MLS U22 Initiative arrival of the off-season. While he’s only 20 years old, he’s likely to be one of the two starting center backs on opening day alongside David Brekalo, so him getting a couple weeks of preseason to get settled in is vital. It of course would have been ideal for him to have even more time, but transfer dealings with Brazilian clubs rarely seem to be straightforward affairs, and two weeks is better than none at all. Crucially, Iago played over 5,000 minutes for Flamengo’s senior and U-20 sides, so he’s no stranger to the professional game, and hopefully that helps him to hit the ground running as a Lion.

A New Kit

Continuing the trend of shiny new things, the Lions unveiled their new away kit on Tuesday. It’s a gold jersey with purple shorts that’s been dubbed the ‘Sunken Treasure’ kit, and it’s the club’s first jersey to heavily use the team’s secondary color of gold. All things considered, I quite like the new threads. As with a lot of jerseys these days, the finer details like the Lion in the background of the front and the two patches, won’t be visible unless you’re up close to it. That being said, those details look pretty nice in the close-up shots of the jersey that the club provided, and when viewed from a distance, the shirt is striking. I also like the decision to go with purple shorts, as I think going with gold all the way would be a bit too much.

Dislikes

All Quiet on the Rumor Front

Things have gone a little quiet when it comes to transfer rumors regarding Orlando City. The club still has a Designated Player slot that it intends to use on an attacker, but we haven’t seen any hints as far as who the brass might be looking at. It’s not necessarily a reason to panic, as the team has made it a habit to be methodical in the transfer window and hasn’t been afraid to take its time pursuing players it thinks will be the right fit, rather than rushing business and potentially making an unwise signing as a result. All the same, it’s always nice to hear that a specific name is being pursued, particularly when OCSC still has a DP slot burning a hole in its proverbial pocket in addition to some areas of the field that need to be strengthened with additional depth. I trust the business to get done and done well, but I’m also not going to pretend I wouldn’t love a juicy signing rumor or two right about now.

With a little luck, next week will bring a couple of positive transfer rumors and three points to start the season off on a strong note. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/13/26

Hannah Anderson challenging herself in Orlando, Luana called up by Brazil, broadcasting changes ahead of MLS season, and more.

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2 days ago

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February 13, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Today is Friday the 13th, so make sure to steer clear of black cats, ladders, and any other bad omens out there. Orlando City’s season opener is next weekend and the last thing we need to do is accumulate bad luck before the Lions take the field. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and dive into today’s links!

Hannah Anderson Prepares for First Season in Orlando

Defender Hannah Anderson was drafted by the Chicago Stars in the third round of the 2024 NWSL Draft and spent two seasons there before the Pride traded for her in January for $70,000 in intraleague funds. Chicago conceded twice as many goals as Orlando last season, and now Anderson is challenging herself with an opportunity to improve as a defender with the Pride.

“I don’t really look at it as pressure, I think it’s an opportunity,” she said. “The challenge is what’s going to help me grow. When you’re never challenged, you can’t grow. It’s kind of like how you see that challenge. Yeah, it could be pressure, but I also think it’s exciting to be a part of a group that’s been there, because the experience will help you get there again.”

The 24-year-old also spoke on what it’s like to go up against Orlando’s attacking stars in training, as well as her decision to join the Pride while engaged to Chicago Cubs pitcher Jack Neely. With Emily Sams on the other side of the country, hopefully Anderson can have a breakout year to help fill the void.

Luana Returns to Brazil National Team

Orlando Pride midfielder Luana was called up for Brazil’s friendlies against Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Mexico in a few weeks. It’s great to see her back with the national team after all she’s been through and Head Coach Arthur Elias spoke on her return.

“Calling up Luana is a joy, but the greater joy was when she overcame cancer, a disease diagnosed during a period with the National Team. It was a huge shock for all of us. Luana has an incredible history in football, she is a woman of great strength, who showed this and set many examples for those around her,” he celebrated.

She will bring some experience to a Brazil roster that doesn’t include any other Pride players, although former Pride player Adriana was called up. Brazil has already secured qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup as its host, so the focus will be on playing quality opponents until then.

Getting Ready for More MLS on Apple TV

We’re gearing up for the fourth MLS season streamed through Apple TV and the biggest difference this time around is that MLS Season Pass is a thing of the past. It’s a major boon for fans, as all games will be through an Apple TV subscription rather than a separate platform at an additional cost. For those of us who like to watch MLS games at our favorite bar, an agreement with EverPass Media should increase the reach of the league in commercial venues. Saturday night matches with increased production value, announcers returning to the actual stadiums to call games, and the removal of the Spanish version of MLS 360 are some of the other notable changes heading into this season.

Nottingham Forest Fires Manager…Again

Just a day after Thomas Franks was fired by Tottenham, Nottingham Forest sacked Sean Dyche following the club’s scoreless draw with Wolverhampton this week. Dyche joined the club in October and was just nominated for Manager of the Month for his team’s results in January. However, Forest is just three points above the relegation zone and has now fired its third coach of the season. Vitor Pereira will reportedly replace Dyche as the club’s fourth coach of the season, which would be a league record. ESPN dove into how English Premier League teams that made multiple firings in the same season performed and it’s grim news for Forest.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau went under the microscope to field a variety of questions. I’m pretty interested in why Duncan McGuire would be the first person he’d call if he found a dead body in his hotel room.
  • Construction is underway at Camping World Stadium as it begins its $400 million renovation to expand seating and improve the facilities.

That’s all I have for you on this fine Friday. I hope you all have a lucky day and that all of your Valentine’s Day plans this weekend go off without a hitch!

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