KISSIMMEE, Fla. — One of the longest tenured players for Orlando City SC, Iván Angulo, hit a massive milestone for the Club in Saturday's 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati, notching his 40th assist in an Orlando City shirt, becoming only the third player in Club history to reach that mark.
For a winger who has been a constant presence on this team over the past five seasons, the milestone has special meaning for the Colombian.
"I'm very happy and very satisfied to be able to have those objectives and hit those milestones," Angulo said through a translator at Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park on Monday. "It's very important for me to continue working, getting better each and every day, and continue pushing and helping the team with those contributions."
The secondary assist was part of a play that ended with Tyrese Spicer canceling out Pavel Bucha's opener for a point against Cincinnati on Saturday night in a cagey affair at Inter.co Stadium.
Now, the focus turns to Wednesday night, as the Lions host the Chicago Fire at Inter.co Stadium in what will be the fifth home game in 18 days for Interim Head Coach MartÃn Perelman's side. The matchup features two of Major League Soccer's biggest midseason transfers: Antoine Griezmann versus the Fire's new striker, Robert Lewandowski.
Perelman has watched Chicago's recent run with respect, and he made clear his group understands exactly what is coming through the Inter.co Stadium tunnel on Wednesday.
"It's going to be a really good game," he said. "It's something that this league is doing. Some teams like us, like Chicago, bringing this level of players, and it's great. For us, it's about respecting every opponent. We are at home, and we will prepare the game and try to win it."
The Fire sit third in the Eastern Conference with 32 points and are as hot as any team in MLS right now. They have won five consecutive games across all competitions and are the only MLS side to advance from Leagues Cup 2026 Phase One by winning all three of their matches. Lewandowski thus far has contributed three goals in seven appearances since arriving from Barcelona, while Philip Zinckernagel leads the team with 13 goal contributions on the season.Â
"It's going to be a tough game, just like the ones we've played recently," Angulo said. "Obviously with Robert, he's helped them so much in a short period of time. We know the class he has, the type of player he is. So it's going to be difficult and important for us to stay ready for that."
Kickoff against Chicago Fire at Inter.co Stadium is set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the match available on Apple TV.
