ORLANDO, Fla. (June 4, 2017) – The Chicago Fire (7-3-4, 25 points) made it three straight matches unbeaten on the road on Sunday night, splitting points with Orlando City SC (7-5-3, 24 points) in a 0-0 draw at Orlando City Stadium. The Fire saw their four-match winning streak come to an end but remain unbeaten (4-0-2) in their last six games.
Stats | Highlights | Match Notes
A back-and-forth first half was punctuated by an Orlando red card in the 26th minute. Defender Rafael Ramos met Chicago’s Brandon Vincent on a 50-50 challenge outside the Orlando 18, and was shown red by referee Ted Unkel following the collision.
The Fire tested goalkeeper Joe Bendik twice as the first half came to a close -- first on a Nemanja Nikolic one-two with David Accam in the Orlando box and second on an Accam solo run -- but the Orlando defense was up to the task on both occasions, maintaining a 0-0 score at the half.
Orlando was shown red for a second time midway through the second half, as Antonio Nocerino was ejected for putting a cleat into the back of Matt Polster. With Orlando down to nine men, Chicago enjoyed the majority of possession as the Lions were forced to pull back and protect their net.
The Fire were denied the winning goal by the woodwork twice in stoppage time. Polster put a hard shot off the crossbar on a low cross in from Michael de Leeuw, just prior to a David Arshakyan attempt rattling the bar moments later. The score would remain 0-0 as Unkel whistled for full time.
The draw gives the Fire 25 points through 14 matches, moving them into sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference.
Matt Lampson earned his third clean sheet in the team’s last four game, improving his unbeaten record as a starter to 4-0-2 on the season.
The team was without midfielders Dax McCarty and Juninho on the night, the former having been called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, and the latter having stayed in Chicago due to the birth of a newborn son.
The Fire are back home on Saturday, June 10 to host Eastern Conference newcomers Atlanta United FC for the first time. The nationally televised broadcast is set to kickoff at 3 p.m. CT on UniMas.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (7-3-4, 25 pts.) 0:0 Orlando City SC (7-5-3, 24 pts.)
June 4, 2017 – Orlando City SC
Attendance: 24,469
Scoring Summary:
None
Misconduct Summary:
ORL – Rafael Ramos (ejection) 26’
CHI – Michael de Leeuw (caution) 60’
ORL – Antonio Nocerino (ejection) 66’
CHI – David Arshakyan (caution) 81'
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson, Drew Conner (Djordje Mihailovic 71’), Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira, Brandon Vincent, Matt Polster, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luis Solignac (Arturo Alvarez 55’), Michael de Leeuw, David Accam (David Arshakyan 76’), Nemanja Nikolic.
Subs not used: Jorge Bava, Jonathan Campbell, Michael Harrington, Brandt Bronico.
Shots: 21; Shots On-Goal: 6; Saves: 2; Fouls: 14; Corners: 9; Offsides: 3
Orlando City: Joe Bendik, Rafael Ramos, Jonathan Spector, Leo Pereira, Victor Pagliari Giro, Antonio Nocerino, Cristian Higuita, Giles Barnes (Scott Sutter 46’), Will Johnson, Carlos Rivas (Kaka 59’), Cyle Larin (Servant Carrasco 71’).
Subs not used: Josh Saunders, Jose Aja, Matias Perez Garcia, Luis Gil..
Shots: 5; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 6; Fouls: 8; Corners: 1; Offsides: 2
