Player Ratings: Chicago Fire 3, Orlando City 1
The Chicago Fire are through to the first round proper of the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs courtesy of a 3-1 win over Orlando City on Wednesday night. Brian Gutiérrez and Hugo Cuypers supplied the goals and sent the more than 13,000 Fire fans happy after a dominant performance in all facets of the game.
Here's how the individual Fire players stacked up.
Starting XI (4-3-3) — Chris Brady; Andrew Gutman, Jack Elliott, Joel Waterman, Jonathan Dean; Djé D'Avilla, Sergio Oregel Jr. (Rominigue Kouamé, 81'), Brian Gutiérrez (Kellyn Acosta, 86'); Jonathan Bamba (Maren Haile-Selassie, 82'), Philip Zinckernagel, Hugo Cuypers
Goalkeeper: Chris Brady (7.5)
Surprisingly, for a game in which the Fire were totally dominant, Brady did have to make a few saves, racking up three in total. Unfortunately, a late goal prevented him from snagging a clean sheet, but it was still a good night.
Left back: Andrew Gutman (6.5)
Given that Orlando's best defender is their right back, Alex Freeman, it's unsurprising that the Fire's left side was not as effective as the right. It was not a bad night for Gutman, but he wasn't given as much freedom as usual going forward.
Left center back: Jack Elliott (7)
Elliott was lucky not to leave the game with a concussion in the first half, but he battled through it and helped the Fire to victory with four clearances and one interception.
Right center back: Joel Waterman (7.5)
Waterman continued his run of fine form with a near-flawless display at center back. The Canadian also completed six passes into the final third.
Right back: Jonathan Dean (9)
The 28-year-old Dean has looked like a man reborn in recent weeks and shone with an excellent two-way performance. The right back capped off a great night with the assist on Brian Gutiérrez's goal.
Defensive midfield: Djé D'Avilla (7.5)
D'Avilla did exactly what he was tasked with doing and was defensively sound and solid on the ball. The Ivorian remains the Fire's most reliable midfielder, as he has been since mid-July.
Central midfield: Sergio Oregel Jr. (8.5)
Despite having to battle his way back into the XI in recent weeks, Oregel had one of his best-ever Fire performances. The 20-year-old did not look at all out of place in his playoff debut and was fairly dominant against Orlando's midfield two.
Central midfield: Brian Gutiérrez (9)
Gutiérrez made his first start in over a month, but played up to the occasion and was a driving force in the Fire's victory. His goal and ensuing celebration will be talked about for years among the Fire faithful.
Left wing: Jonathan Bamba (7.5)
The Fire's highest-paid Designated Player was all over the place in the final third, but totally lacked end product. Still a solid night, even if Bamba couldn't find a goal himself.
Right wing: Philip Zinckernagel (8)
Zinckernagel cooled down after an excellent first half, but still managed to find a way to get an assist to Hugo Cuypers on the third goal. The Newcomer of the Year candidate stays hot heading into the first round.
Center forward: Hugo Cuypers (9.5)
Best game in a Fire shirt for the club-record signing. Cuypers was everywhere on both sides of the ball and the single driving force in all aspects of the win.
Substitute: Rominigue Kouamé (NR)
A very brief cameo for the Cádiz loanee, but he still managed to squeeze in an ambitious shot that reached the corner flag.
Substitute: Maren Haile-Selassie (NR)
Another limited runout, but did enough to stay in the fight for minutes with Bamba.
Substitute: Kellyn Acosta (NR)
Even just getting five minutes is progress, but more still expected from Acosta after an abysmal season.
Head coach: Gregg Berhalter (10)
This could have easily been a 6-0 win. Orlando are bad and a team in freefall, but Berhalter recognized their weakness and exploited it perfectly. Much bigger tests to come, but he overcame Óscar Pareja perfectly.
