ORLANDO, Fla. (May 31, 2025) – Orlando City SC (7-4-6, 27 points) fell 3-1 to Chicago Fire FC (6-5-4, 22 points) at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday night. The result marked the Lions' first home loss to Chicago since the 2019 campaign and the first time dropping consecutive matches this season.
Chicago forward Philip Zinckernagel kicked off the scoring just five minutes into the match, setting the tone early as the Fire took control. Chicago added two more goals in quick succession during the first half, with Hugo Cuypers finding the net in both the 31st and 32nd minute.
The Lions maintained an aggressive offensive presence throughout the match, as they sought to cut the deficit, outshooting Chicago 28 to 10. Defender Alex Freeman found the back of the net in the 39th minute, marking his fourth career goal for the Lions and Orlando’s lone goal of the game.
The Lions will next head into the international break following nine games in 28 days in the month of May before traveling to take on the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, June 14. Kickoff from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is set for 9:30 p.m. ET, with the match set to air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Scoring Summary:
5’ Philip Zinckernagel (Mauricio Pineda) – CHI 1, ORL 0 (**WATCH**)
31’ Hugo Cuypers (Philip Zinckernagel, Jonathan Dean) – CHI 2, ORL 0 (**WATCH**)
32’ Hugo Cuypers (Philip Zinckernagel) – CHI 3, ORL 0 (**WATCH**)
39’ Alex Freeman (Martín Ojeda) – CHI 3, ORL 1 (**WATCH**)
Assistant Coach Diego Torres:
“The team has generated a lot of goal-scoring opportunities [in recent matches]. Today we created many, as well. The team is playing well with the ball, we’re getting close to the goal many times, but today, the goal closed off to us. We’re one of the strongest attacks in the league, but there are moments that happen in football when the goal closes itself to you in a match like today’s. Their goalkeeper kept out many opportunities—two from Ramiro [Enrique], one that hit the post—shots that were on target and not that we missed. And sometimes we have wayward passes because we take risks, but I think the boys are doing the right things heading forward. We’d been doing the right things defensively. Today, we had distractions in two minutes that I think cost us the game, beyond the first goal, which I think is separate. But we have to continue on because we’ve done a lot of good things. We had a streak of 12 games that the team went without losing. Now, we lose two games in three games. It’s difficult, it’s tough, but this team has shown a strong resilience, and this team has shown that it gets up. Today, what we have to do is dust ourselves off a bit, that the players rest and regain their energy, and we’ll surely come back stronger because that’s the DNA of this club. Orlando has always bounced back from these moments. And, well, right now we have 27 points that we have to recognize because we did a great first part of the season. We would’ve liked more. With Atlanta, we had the game, and today, this happens to us, but we’re firm, we’re strong, and the team will surely continue to bring joy to the fanbase, which today, we have to thank them for their support until the final minute. And the boys, as well, to thank them for giving their best effort until the end seeking a result, which we lost in two minutes, but that we still sought with the front foot. We’re going to continue persisting to score goals and to defend them well. We’re okay. Today, was two bumps that we’ll overcome.”
Match Notes
- Assistant Coach Diego Torres assumed head coaching duties Saturday night due to Head Coach Oscar Pareja’s suspension following his red card in the Lions’ last match against Atlanta United FC on Wednesday.
- Midfielder Dagur Dan Thórhallsson made his 100th appearance across all competitions for Orlando City, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute.
- Defender Alex Freeman scored his fourth goal across all competitions for the Lions in the 39th minute.
- Midfielder Martín Ojeda recorded his sixth assist of the season and 29th all-time across all competitions for Orlando City with the helper on Freeman’s 39th-minute goal.
- Orlando City made two changes to the Starting XI after the side’s last match against Atlanta United FC, with Eduard Atuesta and Luis Muriel returning to the starting lineup.
