Matchday 11: Orlando City vs. Chicago Fire

Orlando, FL – Chicago, the culinary capital of the Midwest sets the stage for this week’s matchup. The Chicago Fire take on the red-hot Orlando City SC. Who will be the top dog? Time to dive in, beef extra juicy, on the Match Week 11 preview.

Time to “relish” the moment

The Lions ended their goal-scoring slump in epic fashion versus Atlanta United this past weekend. The rookies continued to shine as Marco Pasalic and Alex Freeman added to their season points totals. Pasalic now has five goals and Freeman has three heading into the week 11 matchup. Luis Muriel also found the back of the net on a penalty kick to get the momentum rolling for OCSC. Pedro Gallese made history, recording a club record fourth consecutive clean sheet. Although there were not many shots on net, Gallese has stepped up when it matters most, denying Atlanta, Montreal, New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia of any scoring opportunities. The Lions are firing on all cylinders.

Pedro Gallese makes history! 🧤🐙
4 straight clean sheets — a new club record — as Orlando City secures a massive 3 points!

The Lions' defense is on another level right now 🔒🦁#VamosOrlando | #OrlandoCity | #SportsLemonade pic.twitter.com/M2r8v4nw75

— Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) April 28, 2025

The Chicago Fire like ketchup on their hot dogs

Although Chicago is known for the blues, Nashville had the Fire singing another tune, depression. Their previous opponent, Nashville SC, scored seven goals against the Fire. To make matters worse, Sam Surridge netted four goals and Hany Mukhtar tallied two scores en route to a dominating 7-2 win for Nashville. In the last three games, the Chicago Fire have gone 0-2-1. The last time Chicago gained three points in the standings was over a month ago on March 22nd. The Fire currently sits in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 12 points.

What Khaled said 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/NsrO07N0Ik

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) April 27, 2025

Orlando needs to bring the mustard

There is one simple ingredient needed to defeat Chicago: scoring. Six different Lions have scored this season. Four Orlando players have scored multiple times: Pasalic (5), Martin Ojeda (4), Muriel (4) and Freeman (3). One thing Orlando needs to continue to do well is pass the ball. Ojeda currently ranks third in the MLS with key passes at 28. Eduard Atuesta and Luis Muriel have also chipped in by getting their teammates involved by spreading the ball out. Despite scoring zero goals in the previous three contests before playing Atlanta, the ball movement has been there. The score sheet may have shown zero, however, there were plenty of opportunities where multiple-goal games could have occurred.

Packing the sweet heat like a sport pepper

The City of Chicago flag just added a fifth star. Each star resembles a major event in Chicago history: Fort Dearborn, The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, The Century of Progress of 1933-34 and now the legend of Hugo Cuypers. Cuypers is tied for the MLS lead in goal scoring (7) with Thai Baribo of Philadelphia. Cuypers is coming off back-to-back goal-scoring games. On top of that, Cuypers has two assists on the season. Just like Orlando, Chicago moves the ball well. Jonathan Bamba already has 5 assists on the season for the Fire. Although Orlando is in 7th place (3-4-3) and Chicago is in 12th (4-2-4) this is a very even matchup. Both teams have scored the same number of goals, 18, on the season. Chicago also has four different players who have tallied multiple goals on the season: Cuypers (7), Brian Gutierrez (3), Philip Zinckernagel (3) and Andrew Gutman (2).

Avoid the tears of a diced onion

If Orlando wants to walk away with three points and potentially move into a top-five spot in the Eastern Conference, Cuypers has to be contained. Expect Robin Jansson, David Brekalo and Rodrigo Schlegel to have their hands full. If the Lions can’t contain Cuypers and he makes his way to the net, Gallese must be prepared. Unlike the previous few contests (with the exception of the New York Red Bulls game), Gallese will be challenged. If El Pulpo wants to get a fifth straight clean sheet, he must stop the best goal scorer in the MLS currently. If Gallese falters, things would not be “Kosher” and Orlando would be in a major “pickle.”

This pleases Hugo 🔥 #cf97 pic.twitter.com/0vZaMAHtcV

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) April 28, 2025

Potential Celery Salt in the Wound

Before diving into this week’s final prediction, Orlando must start thinking about the future. The Lions just signed Coach Oscar Pareja to a three-year extension. The clubs’ executive team just agreed to new deals and the Orlando City U-18 team was crowned Generation Adidas Cup Champions. Eduard Atuesta has demonstrated his importance in the Orlando line-up. This offseason, he signed with the purple and gold on a one-year “prove it” deal. Atuesta moves the ball well and gives his teammates scoring opportunities. Now would be the time to get an extension done. Also, the net defender, Gallese, is in the last year of his contract. An additional year option kicked in last season after performance incentives were achieved. Given the club’s record of four straight clean sheets and overall composure, Orlando needs to start thinking about putting pen to paper.

Chicago is going to be a steamed poppy seed bun

Although both teams are evenly matched, Orlando manages to gain the edge and leave the Windy City with 3 points. I expect a late goal victory for the Lions. Luis Muriel will score and Duncan McGuire will knock in the winner (his first goal of the season) late in the game. Cuypers will continue to be the shining star for Chicago, adding an MLS-leading 8th goal on the season. The final score, Orlando City SC-2 Chicago Fire-1. Orlando will be the top dog for Match Week 11. No if’s ands or buns about it.