Bridgeview, lll. (Sept. 15, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC II (9-8-10-4) earned a point against Orlando City B (12-10-5-2) in a 1-1 draw Friday night at SeatGeek Stadium. Sergio Oregel, Jr. scored the Fire’s lone goal of the match off Dylan Borso’s first assist of the year. Wilfredo Rivera tallied the equalizer for Orlando to help them earn an additional point after a 3-4 shootout win. The draw helped Chicago edge closer toward a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
Upon the opening whistle, Chicago accelerated forward looking for a playoff berth. In the 17th minute, the attack bore down on the Orlando box, with a scramble for the ball finding the body of Borso. This in turn laid the ball up for Oregel, who volleyed it through the defense and into the net. The midfielder’s third goal of the year momentarily put the Fire in the postseason and gave the team a lead it would keep into halftime.
Seeking a spot in the postseason as well, Orlando took the initiative in the second half. After enjoying most of the possession for the opening 20 minutes of the half, the visitors finally broke through a stout Fire defense. Juninho beat his defender on the byline and attempted to pass back toward the penalty spot. The ball deflected off another defender, but a diving Rivera got his head on it to send it to equalize the score. With only one point needed for Orlando to clinch its own postseason spot, Rivera’s goal proved to be the deciding goal for his team as regulation time drew to a close.
The visitors won the coin toss and elected to shoot first. Alexander Freeman gave his team the lead to begin the shootout, while goalkeeper Javier Otero made a save of his own to give Orlando a short-lived lead. Fire ‘keeper Jeff Gal made a save in the next round, but could not stop any more shots afterward. Down to the final kick, Otero once again stepped up to make a save and secure an additional point for Orlando City B.
The Fire will cap off the 2023 regular season on Sunday, September 24 at Huntsville City FC. First kick at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama is scheduled simultaneously with all other Eastern Conference matches at 1 p.m. CT. Coverage of the match will begin five minutes prior on MLSNEXTPro.com.
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Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC II 1(3) : 1(4) Orlando City B
Shootout:
Chicago Fire FC II: Prpa (saved), Egan (scored), Nesci (scored), Reynolds (scored), Ostrem (saved)
Orlando City B: Freeman (scored), Medina (saved), Juninho (scored), Solís (scored), Acuña (scored)
Discipline:
ORL - Williams (Yellow Card) 10’
CHI - Prpa (Yellow Card) 31’
ORL - Kibunguchy (Yellow Card) 68’
ORL - Perelman (Yellow Card) 69’
CHI - Borso (Yellow Card) 79’
CHI - Kidd (Yellow Card) 90+2’
Chicago Fire FC II: GK Gal, D Reynolds, D Ueland (capt.), D Egan, M Ostrem, M Prpa, M Leonard, M Hency, F Borso (Nesci, 86’), F M. Rodríguez (Flores, 83’), F Oregel, Jr. (Kidd, 60’)
Subs not used: GK Mišković, D Deppe, D Blake, M Nevarez, M Gallina, M A. Rodriguez
Orlando City B: GK Otero, D Tablante, D Williams, D Kibunguchy, D Almaguer, M Juninho, M Medina, M Pérez (Rivera, 61’), M Mohammed (Acuña, 46’), M Freeman, F Solís
Subs not used: GK Pereira, D Reid-Brown, D Drummond, M Taifi, F Bowe
Stats Summary: CHI / ORL.
Shots: 11 / 12
Shots on Goal: 4 / 3
Passing Accuracy: 83.8% / 86.9%
Saves: 2 / 3
Corners: 2 / 9
Fouls: 21 / 10
Offsides: 2 / 1
Possession: 45.8% / 54.2%
Referee: Calin Radosav
Assistant Ref 1: Artyom Arustamyan
Assistant Ref 2: Christopher Slane
4th Official: Alex Hofstetter
