Playing the first of three critical games in a seven-day stretch, the Chicago Fire came away with three well-earned road points in a 2-1 win at Orlando City SC Saturday night, thanks largely to two stunning goals and a Man-of-the-Match effort in goal by first-time starter Patrick McLain.
Catch up on the most notable storylines to emerge from the memorable matchup:
- Patrick McLain, 29, earned his fourth career MLS start and his second as a member of the Men In Red, notching five saves and his first MLS win in the process. His only previous starting nod for Chicago came during his first stint with the club in the final game of the 2016 MLS regular season. McLain’s first two starts in the league came in 2013 while with Chivas USA.
- Aleksandar Katai opened the game’s scoring in the 13th minute with his latest world-class strike, this one coming on a free kick out of the reach of Orlando GK Joe Bendik. Katai now has three goals in 11 outings for the Men In Red.
- Not to be outdone, halftime substitute Alan Gordon netted his second clutch goal of the year in the 81st minute. After turning a loss into a draw at the death at Toronto on April 28, Gordon on Saturday moved Chicago into a winning position with his remarkable 30-yard strike past an outstretched Bendik. It was his 57th career regular-season MLS goal and quite unique from nearly all those that came before it:
- In just his latest influential two-way performance, Bastian Schweinsteiger fed Gordon to earn an assist on the game-winning strike, his team-leading fifth of the season and his 11th in MLS.
- Along with McLain, Fire second-year midfielder Daniel Johnson and defender Jorge Corrales each made their first career MLS starts in the game. Johnson played 74 minutes while Corrales went the full 90.
- The Fire posted a second straight victory over Orlando after going winless in their first six MLS regular season meetings against the Lions. This was their first road win against Orlando after recording a trio of draws on their first three trips to Florida.
- The Men In Red finished the game with 10 men after the 89th-minute red card shown to rookie Fire midfielder Mo Adams. Adams is the first Fire player to be ejected from a match this season after Chicago entered the day as one of four MLS clubs yet to receive a red card in 2018.
- The home side kept a 60-percent possession advantage and a 21-10 edge in total shots, though shots on goal were a much narrower 6-4 advantage for Orlando. (Match Stats)
- In earning their second road win of 2018, the Fire (4-6-2, 14 pts.) moved to within a point of the Philadelphia Union (4-5-3, 15 pts.) in the table. The Men In Red will look to add to their road haul against that same Union side this Wednesday, traveling to Chester, Pa. for a midweek matchup at Talen Energy Stadium (6:30 PM CT, ESPN+).
