RECAP: Fire Defeat Orlando City, Advance in MLS Cup Playoffs, 3-1
For the first time since 2009, the Chicago Fire have won an MLS Cup Playoffs game.
The Men in Red proved they’re right where they belong by dismantling Orlando City in the Eastern Conference Wild Card Game on Wednesday, 3-1.
An all-out attacking philosophy proved effective for the Fire, who dominated the visitors from start to finish.
High Effort, No Reward
Much of the discussion in the lead-up to the game focused on the Fire’s starting formation. Gregg Berhalter opted for the 4-3-3 that earned the Fire four points from two regular-season games against Orlando. Sam Rogers and Rominigue Kouamé, both starters on Decision Day, were benched for the Wild Card Game. Homegrowns Sergio Oregel Jr and Brian Gutierrez got the nod instead.
The bulk of the first 45 minutes was played in Orlando’s half, as the Fire took their time building attacks. Philip Zinckernagel and Gutierrez both had attempts flash over the bar early on. Dje D’Avilla had an even bigger opportunity in the 20th minute, when he sent a free header wide after a Zinckernagel corner.
Orlando asked questions of the Fire defense for the first time in the 29th minute. Duncan McGuire worked his way into a close-range shooting position, but Jonathan Dean raced in to make a clearance.
The game quickly flipped back to the Lions’ defensive half, with Chicago coming very close in the 36th minute. Oregel Jr played in Hugo Cuypers, whose first-time effort forced goalkeeper Pedro Gallese to give away a corner. Zinckernagel nearly turned the set piece into a second Olympico goal of the year, but Gallese knocked it away in the nick of time.
Cuypers was inches away from a goal once again, three minutes later, latching on to a trademark weighted ball from Gutierrez. The Belgian’s chipped effort didn’t get down enough to find the back of the net. Gallese then denied Jonathan Bamba’s power strike in the 43rd minute, though the referee called the play back for offside anyway.
A strong first half for the Fire ultimately amounted to nothing, as the two sides went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Fire Break Down the Lions
Whatever magic words Berhalter said at half-time worked wonders. With 48 minutes on the clock, the Men in Red got their breakthrough. Zinckernagel played in Dean, who picked out Gutierrez with a cross. The homegrown chested the ball down and placed his shot in the bottom corner of the net, making it 1-0 at long last. Gutierrez reeled off towards the stands to celebrate the club’s first playoff goal in 13 years with the supporters.
The opener set the tone for the rest of the game. Chicago began to attack with even more intensity than in the first half. Zinckernagel and Gutierrez nearly connected for a second time in the 50th minute, with the latter hitting the post. Bamba broke free of the defenders four minutes later, but had his effort somehow saved by the goalkeeper.
Cuypers’ persistence and effort paid off in the 57th minute, when he sprinted to block off Gallese, who was attempting to clear the ball. Cuypers stuck a foot out just in time, deflecting the ball into the net and doubling Chicago’s lead. The crowd at Seatgeek Stadium roared in approval.
Forced to search for a way back into the game, Orlando City registered its first shots on target in the 60th and 62nd minutes. Chris Brady, a bystander for much of the first hour, made two excellent stops to keep it 2-0.
Seeing Out the Game With Ease
On the other side of the pitch, the Fire refused to back off. Bamba, desperate for a goal of his own, was denied by a fingertip save in the 66th minute. The deflection fell for Gutierrez, who shook the frame of the goal once more and saw his shot ricochet off the post.
The third goal was always going to come, and indeed it did. Two minutes after the missed double-chance, Cuypers completed his brace. Zinckernagel earned his second assist by playing a short pass to the feet of Cuypers, who smashed his finish into the net. The floodgates had opened, and the Fire led 3-0. As for Cuypers, he became the first Chicago player to register a postseason brace since Ivan Guerrero on October 30, 2005.
Though the hosts continued to attack tirelessly, they couldn’t find a fourth. In fact, it was Orlando who got on the scoresheet late, courtesy of Tyrese Spicer. He capitalized on a defensive slip-up and unleashed a shot into the roof of the net. Luckily for the Fire, that was all the Lions could produce in attack. The final whistle sounded soon after, and Chicago’s playoff dream stays alive.
First Step Taken
The Fire tired out an Orlando side that initially sustained blow after blow.
That’s exactly how Berhalter had drawn it up.
“We mentioned before the game about focusing on it being a 90-minute game,” the manager said post-match.
“We don’t have to win it in the first minute… really, it’s about how do we wear them down with the ball, how do we get them running?”
Dean, who earned an assist and had a last-ditch clearance on the other end, also spoke to the media after the win.
“When we’re attacking, [we have] to be diligent and aware… and keep that defensive unit,” he said of his tackle on McGuire.
Two-goal hero Cuypers was particularly proud of the team’s mental strength in such an important game.
“We didn’t panic when we didn’t get a goal in the first half,” the Belgian explained, “went with the same intensity in the second half and then got rewarded.”
Gutierrez, who put in a shift after falling out of the starting lineup for the last few weeks of the regular season, revealed that he never lost motivation.
“I didn’t really take it personally,” the youngster said.
“Whether it’s starting or on the bench, I always want to perform at my best and show my qualities for the team and for the fans.”
Gratitude for the 12th Man
Both Berhalter and the players took the time to praise the 13,783 fans who made the trip out to Bridgeview on a frigid Wednesday.
While the attendance might not be anything to write home about, Seatgeek Stadium was rocking in what is likely to be one of the last Fire matches ever played there.
“We know it’s not going to be done overnight, but we want to put a product on the field, to be a type of club all of Chicago can admire,” Berhalter remarked.
“When you see this type of atmosphere tonight… gaining that momentum would be great for the club and the team.”
Dean was thrilled with the crowd support as well.
“After every goal celebration, after the first one, people were in the crowd with the fans,” he recalled.
“And then when we score, and we hear them chanting ‘we want more,’ for us, that’s encouraging.”
For Gutierrez, especially, winning in front of a passionate Chicago crowd means a lot.
“I’ve always wanted to do that growing up,” the midfielder said of his goal celebration.
“Picturing that as a kid, I mean, finally doing that today is incredible.”
Off to Pennsylvania for More
The general mentality within the Fire squad is that the job’s not done yet, and indeed it isn’t. A massive challenge awaits in the Supporters’ Shield winners and No. 1 seed, Philadelphia Union.
The Men in Red will have less than four days to rest and recover before diving right back into playoff soccer.
Game 1 of the first round series is slated for 4:30 pm CT on Sunday at Subaru Park in Chester, PA.
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