CHICAGO (March 26, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC II lost to Orlando City B in its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro match. Orlando City B forward Jack Lynn scored twice to give the home team its first win in MLS NEXT Pro. Despite a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal, including one-on-one opportunities for Javier Casas, Jr. and Victor Bezerra, Orlando goalkeeper Javier Otero kept a clean sheet and was named Man of the Match for his efforts.
NEXT GAME:
Chicago will host Columbus Crew 2 in the Club’s home opener at 6:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, April 3 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Chicago’s home games will be open to the public free of charge. All MLS NEXT Pro regular season matches will also be streamed live on mlsnextpro.com.
Box Score:
Chicago Fire FC 0:2 Orlando City B
Goals:
ORL - Lynn (1) (Rivera 1) 50’
ORL - Lynn (2) (Rivera 2) 87’
Discipline:
CHI - Ostrem (Yellow Card) 16’
ORL - Gunera-Calix (Yellow Card) 30’
CHI - J. Reynolds (Red Card) 33’
CHI - Espinoza (Yellow Card) 56’
ORL - Gunera-Calix (Second Yellow, Red Card) 63’
Chicago Fire FC: GK Mišković; D Espinoza, D Quintos (Fleming, 78’), D Ostrem, D A. Reynolds (J. Reynolds, 33’); M Casas ©, M Kidd, M Oregel (Alvarado, 39’); F Monis (Kocs-Washburn, 78’), F V. Bezerra (L. Bezerra, 78’), F Penn
Subs not used: GK Girón; D Flores; M Rodriguez
Orlando City B: GK Otero; D Freeman, D Bocuzzo, D Hackenberg, D Taylor (Guske, 79’); M Pareja (Forth, 80’), M Gunera-Calix, M Agustoni-Chagas (Granados, 64’), M Rivera (Lopez, 88’), M Tablante; F Lynn (Franca, 88’)
Subs not used: GK Delgado; D Cruz, D Van Marter; M Silva
Stats Summary: CHI / ORL
Shots: 17 / 15
Shots on Goal: 9 / 5
Passing Accuracy: 71.9% / 78.4%
Saves: 3 / 9
Corners: 4 / 4
Fouls: 12 /11
Offsides: 3 / 2
Possession: 46.1% / 53.9%
Referee:
Gabriele Giusti
Assistant Referees: Seth Barton, Preston Joyner
Fourth Official: Adam Brzozowiec
Chicago Fire FC II Postgame Quotes
Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillander
Thoughts on the match
"It was a good game, good opponent. We are happy with the mentality of our players. They really tried hard, fought for the game. After we told them we win or we learn. Today is a learning moment, a learning opportunity. We have to be more focused on the set pieces because we conceded a red card from a set piece and we also conceded a goal from a set piece. The second goal [happened] when you try to push your opponent, you give up a little space in the back. Overall I thought the first half was pretty controlled, we had opportunities. We could have scored one or two in the first half, but that's the game. It's a simple game where you have to score goals before the opponents so they have to counter and open spaces, so you can score more, but that's unfortunate for today. We are disappointed with the result, but pleased with the mentality of the players."
On his team's response after going a man down
"A good response, one man down trying to keep pushing the opponent defensively. Trying to keep stepping on the opponent, pressing their backline even though we were one man down and had to run a little more to cover more ground, I think the players did [that]. That's probably why in the end there were some cramps for some of them, but I think they gave it all and we are proud of them."
Takeaways heading into next week's match
"Be more focused on the set pieces, be more clinical in the finishing. We want to be able to finish our opportunities, we had chances today. Mostly that, being focused on the set pieces and trying to be a little more clinical in the finishing."
Chicago Fire FC II Forward Josh Penn
Thoughts on the match
"Obviously with two red cards, it was a pretty crazy game. I'd say until the first red card I thought it was pretty even. I thought both teams had some good chances, [but] we probably had the better of the chances."
On his team's response after going a man down
"I was proud of our response. I think we still created a lot of chances. We didn't play like we were down a man and try to sit in and play to a 0-0 draw."
Takeaways heading into next week's match
"Overall there's a lot to take away. I think it's good for the group to get our first real game together. There's a lot of new guys all forming together now so I think there's a lot to build on."
