Chicago City Wire

Chicago Fire FC secured a 3-1 victory over Orlando City SC in the opening match of the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. This win marks Chicago's first playoff victory since 2009 and advances the team to the Round One Best-of-3 series against the Philadelphia Union, who won the 2025 Supporters Shield.

The scoring began early in the second half when Jonathan Dean delivered a cross from the right side that Brian Gutiérrez controlled before shooting past Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Hugo Cuypers then added two goals for Chicago, his first coming in the 57th minute after pressing Orlando’s defense and capitalizing on a deflection. He scored again ten minutes later following an assist from Philip Zinckernagel.

Orlando managed to score late in regulation through Tyrese Spicer, but Chicago maintained their lead to secure the win.

Chicago will play their next match on Sunday, October 26 at Subaru Park against Philadelphia Union. The second game of the series will take place at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday, November 1. If necessary, a deciding third game will be held at Subaru Park on November 8. All matches are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, with local radio coverage available on WLS 890 AM (English) and Que Buena Fire through the Uforia App (Spanish).

Several notable achievements occurred during this match: Hugo Cuypers became the first Chicago player to score multiple goals in a playoff match since Ivan Guerrero in 2005; Philip Zinckernagel recorded two assists, matching Calen Carr’s record from 2007; and Chicago’s total of 25 shots set a new club playoff record.

The official attendance for the match was reported as 13,783.

Box Score:

Chicago Fire FC 3:1 Orlando City SC

Goals:

CHI - Gutiérrez (Dean, Zinckernagel) 48’

CHI - Cuypers 57’

CHI - Cuypers (Zinckernagel, Bamba) 67’

ORL - Spicer (Marin) 89’

Discipline:

CHI - Gutman (Yellow Card) 45’

ORL - Atuesta (Yellow Card) 58’

ORL - Schlegel (Yellow Card) 74’

ORL - Brekalo (Yellow Card) 90’

Referee crew included Drew Fischer as referee, Ryan Graves and Walt Heatherly as assistant referees, Rosendo Mendoza as fourth official, Timothy Ford as VAR and Tom Supple as AVAR.