Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Wild Card Game
Orlando City at Chicago Fire FC
When: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Ill.
Radio: AM 810 Fox Sports Radio, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch for Wednesday's Wild Card Game:
Built to Hunt
Orlando City SC holds a 4-2-2 overall record in Audi MLS Cup Playoffs since Major League Soccer adopted its current format ahead of the 2023 postseason. The Lions have advanced beyond the Round One Best-of-3 series in each of the past two playoff campaigns, reaching the Eastern Conference Final last season, the furthest the Club has ever progressed. Wednesday night will mark Orlando City's first-ever appearance in the Eastern Conference Wild Card Game.
Road Warriors
Despite falling to Toronto FC over the weekend, Orlando City boasts a strong road record, with six wins contributing to a 6-4-7 overall away mark. The Lions have earned the fifth-most road points among Eastern Conference teams and rank second among teams outside the conference’s top three. Over the past three seasons, only FC Cincinnati, currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, has collected more away points than Orlando.
Designated Dominance
Orlando City’s Designated Players showcased a remarkable run of form during the 2025 MLS regular season, recording the second-most goal contributions out of all DP trios in the league, trailing only intrastate rivals Inter Miami CF (78). Leading the way is Martín Ojeda, who tallied 16 goals and 15 assists for a total of 31 goal contributions in regular season play. Luis Muriel recorded 18 goal contributions (nine goals, nine assists), while Marco Pašalić added 17 (12 goals and five assists). Altogether, the three combined for 66 goal contributions in regular season play.
Martín for MVP
Martín Ojeda marked a compelling case for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award, setting new benchmarks in Orlando City’s 2025 campaign. The Argentine midfielder recorded 16 goals and 15 assists in MLS regular season play, and 20 goals and 19 assists across all competitions. His 15 assists were third-most in the MLS regular season trailing only San Diego’s Anders Dreyer (19) and Miami’s Lionel Messi (19). Ojeda also ranked third in the league for Ojeda was just one goal away from tying Orlando City's single-season MLS scoring record of 17, set by Cyle Larin in 2015. He’s also on the verge of breaking the club’s all-competitions single-season scoring record, which he currently shares with Facundo Torres at 20 goals. Additionally, the Gualeguaychú native is one assist shy of becoming the first player in club history to reach 20 goals and 20 assists in a single season across all competitions.
Undeniable
Orlando City has built one of the most consistent and successful runs in Major League Soccer. Since 2020, the Lions have earned 308 points, the fourth-most in MLS over that span, trailing only the Philadelphia Union (326), LAFC (320) and Columbus Crew (311). This six-year stretch under Head Coach Oscar Pareja has seen Orlando evolve from a playoff hopeful into a perennial contender. The club has posted four 50+ point seasons, including a high of 63 points in 2023, and has consistently finished near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Lions have outpaced storied clubs like Seattle Sounders FC (305), NYCFC (292) and the New England Revolution (269). As the 2025 postseason begins, Orlando City isn’t just chasing trophies; it’s cementing its status as one of MLS’ most consistent forces.
Milestone Tracker:
-Martín Ojeda is one goal away from setting a new single-season record across all competitions, surpassing Facundo Torres’ 20-goal haul in 2024. Ojeda would also tie Cyle Larin’s 17-goal 2015 for the most goals scored in an MLS regular season in club history
-Ojeda is one assist away from achieving the first 20 goal, 20 assist season in club history
-Duncan McGuire’s next goal, his 31st in all competitions for the club, will tie Nani for fourth place in club history.
