Chicago Fire FC Earn Clean Sheet in Home Opener Against Orlando City SC

CHICAGO (March 5, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC (0-0-2, 2 points) battled Orlando City SC to a 0-0 draw before 25,477 fans at Soldier Field on Saturday evening, marking the second-largest home opener in Club history. The result was also the second consecutive clean sheet for the Fire, as Homegrown goalkeeper Gaga Slonina tallied the sixth shutout in his 13th professional start.

Chicago nearly took the lead in the 18th minute when midfielder Stanislav Ivanov found himself on the end of an in-swinging corner kick from Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri. The Bulgarian international hit a first-time strike that forced Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese to dive and push the ball over the crossbar.

With both teams pushing forward in the second half, Orlando appeared to have found the game’s opening goal when midfielder Junior Urso’s deflected shot snuck into the back of the net in the 73rd minute. However, the goal was overturned after Video Review determined that the ball had struck Orlando forward Ercan Kara’s hand in the play just prior to Urso’s finish.

With the clock winding down, the Fire produced a clear chance to secure all three points in the final moments of the match. Shaqiri, who created a game-high four chances, delivered a cross to the back post for midfielder Brian Gutiérrez in the 92nd minute. The Homegrown towered over his defender and directed a header that went just high of the target.

NEXT GAME: The Fire will head back on the road to face D.C. United at Audi Field on Saturday, March 12. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT, the match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV and CF97 Live and transmitted in Spanish on Latino Mix 93.5 FM.

Notes:

• The Fire played its home opener in front of 25,477 fans at Soldier Field. The attendance marked the second-largest home opener in team history.
• With the 0-0 result, Chicago is unbeaten in six straight home matches against Orlando (3-0-3).
• Saturday’s match marked head coach Ezra Hendrickson’s first home match at Soldier Field in charge of the Fire.
• The Fire outshot Orlando 9-5, including four shots on target.
• Fire captain Rafael Czichos earned Heineken Man of the Match honors after leading the backline that prevented Orlando from registering a single shot on target.
• Designated Player Gastón Giménez led the Fire in recoveries (11) and tackles won (four).
• Ten players on the Fire’s matchday roster were aged 23 or younger. Three of those players were named to Hendrickson’s starting lineup, including 17-year old goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, 23-year-old defender Miguel Navarro and 22-year-old winger Stanislav Ivanov.
• Slonina earned his sixth career clean sheet in his 13th professional start.

Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:0 Orlando City SC

Discipline:
CHI - Herbers (Yellow Card) 12’
CHI - M. Navarro (Yellow Card) 63’
CHI - Durán (Yellow Card) 80’
CHI - Sekulić (Yellow Card) 81’
ORL - Gallese (Yellow Card) 90+3’
CHI - Giménez (Yellow Card) 90+3’

Chicago Fire FC: GK Slonina, D Sekulić, D Czichos ©, D Omsberg, D M. Navarro, M Gimenez, M Pineda, M Herbers (M Gutiérrez 63’), M Shaqiri, M Ivanov (F Durán 78’), F Przybyłko

Subs not used: GK Richey, D Burks, D Bornstein, D Espinoza, M Casas Jr., M F. Navarro, F Offor

Orlando City SC: GK Gallese, D Ruan, D Moutinho, D Schlegel, D Carlos, M Araujo, M Pereyra ©, M Urso, M MIchel (F Akindele 52’), F Pato (F Kara 72’), F Torres (M Perea 88’)

Subs not used: GK Stajduhar, M Mendez, D Smith, D Halliday, M DeZart, D Williams

Stats Summary: CHI / ORL
Shots: 9 / 5  
Shots on Goal: 4 / 0
Passing Accuracy: 71.6% / 72.8%
Saves: 0 / 4
Corners: 5 / 3 
Fouls: 21 / 14
Offsides: 3 / 1
Possession: 51.6% / 48.4%

Attendance: 25,477

Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referees: Jason White, Tyler Wyrostek
Fourth Official: Matthew Thompson
VAR: Sorin Stoica, Claudiu Badea