Starting XI: Bendik, Spector, PC, Pereira, Ramos, Nocerino, Higuita, Johnson (C), Barnes, Larin, Rivas
Bench: Saunders, Sutter, Aja, P. Garcia, Carrasco, Gil, Kaká
A match at home against the Chicago Fire has brought out strength in Orlando City’s midfield and attacking game.
The line-up looks to be a 4-2-3-1, with Jonathan Spector, PC, Leo Pereira, and Rafael Ramos composing the backline. The match will mark the first appearance and first start this season for Ramos, who is coming back from a hamstring injury. It will also be the first time PC and Pereira have played alongside each other since their successful joint-debuts in San Jose. Antonio Nocerino and Cristian Higuita will serve as the holding midfielders, with Carlos Rivas out to the left, Will Johnson in the middle, and Giles Barnes on the right. Cyle Larin will play up top.
The message from Orlando City is clear-- they want to score and they are ready to battle it out in the midfield. They will attempt to shut down Chicago’s offense the best way they can-- by controlling the game themselves.
