Orlando City (10-6-7, 37 points) at Chicago Fire FC (8-7-8, 32 points)
When: Sunday, 8:30 PM
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Radio: 96.9 The Game (English), Acción 97.9 FM (Spanish)
Not So Shy-Town
The Lions are unbeaten against Chicago Fire FC in their last four matches dating back to August 2021, earning the victory in three of those four matches. City’s last trip to Soldier Field resulted in a 0-0 draw back in March of last year. Orlando City was backed by a Facundo Torres brace and a Ramiro Enrique goal in the last matchup between the two sides, with the Lions seeing through a 3-1 victory at Exploria Stadium.
This is Orlando!
Following his performance in Leagues Cup 2023, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese sits just one save away from his 300th with the Club. Gallese will join former City goalkeeper Joe Bendik as the only two goalkeepers in the Lions’ MLS era to record 300 or more saves. Gallese has been manning the goal for the Lions since joining the Club ahead of the 2020 season from Peruvian side Alianza Lima. ‘El Pulpo’ signed a new contract with the Club this past offseason, keeping the goalkeeper in the City Beautiful through the 2024 season, with a Club option in 2025.
Straight to the League
City will return to MLS regular-season play following the conclusion of Leagues Cup 2023. Heading into the match against the Fire, the Lions have won three of their last four MLS regular season matches dating back to the beginning of July. It has been 17 days since City last went out on the field following the 3-1 defeat in the Leagues Cup Round of 32. City currently sits in fifth place of the Eastern Conference standings with 37 points, just three points behind the third-place Philadelphia Union.
Second of the Year
In the Lions' last match against intrastate rivals Inter Miami CF, midfielder César Araújo found the back of the net for City in its 3-1 defeat. Araújo scored in the 17th minute of the match, leveling the score 1-1 early on. The goal counted as his second goal of the year across all competitions and his first in Leagues Cup play. The midfielder’s other goal of the season came in the 4-0 victory over Toronto FC back on July 4.
Make it a Double
The last time the Lions saw MLS regular-season action, they earned a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Captain Mauricio Pereyra recorded an assist on both City goals, counting for his sixth and seventh assists of the 2023 season across all competitions. The assists were the 41st and 42nd of Pereyra’s City career, further extending his own Club record.
Milestone Tracker
- Pedro Gallese’s next clean sheet will be his 30th in all competitions for Orlando City and sits one save away from 300 in purple.
- Facundo Torres’ next goal will tie Tesho Akindele for sixth on the all-time scoring list, with Chris Mueller currently just two goals ahead in fifth.
- Defender Robin Jansson is four appearances away from 150 all-time appearances across all competitions.
