Weird History: Chicago Fire 0, Orlando City 0
CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Fire are not strangers to bizarre games. Saturday’s 0-0 home draw with Orlando City – despite its lack of goals – had its own fair share of peculiarities.
Even before a ball was kicked, it was a historic night for the Fire. Six academy graduates were named to the starting XI, the most in club history. 16-year-old Christopher Cupps, who signed a homegrown contract just before the start of the season, also made his first start, making him the youngest player to start a game for the Fire in MLS.
Once the ball got rolling, it was clear that the home team had recovered well since their humiliating 7-2 loss at Nashville SC a week prior. The Fire were in complete control for the first half hour, generating several big chances. In the tenth minute, Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made an impressive double save on Philip Zinckernagel and Hugo Cuypers, and in the 16th minute, denied Jonathan Bamba from close range after Sergio Oregel provided a beautiful ball over the top.
Despite the Fire’s early dominance, the game was turned on its head in the 36th minute. Goalkeeper Chris Brady mistimed his run to collect a through ball for Duncan McGuire and was sent off for denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity. 32-year-old Chicagoland native Jeff Gal replaced him for his MLS debut, more than two years after joining the club initially as a third-string backup.
Gal had his first major involvement just before halftime when he was forced into a save against Ivan Angúlo. It was one of two stops on a night where, despite his lack of MLS experience, first-game jitters didn’t visibly appear to set in.
Though the Fire solidified defensively, shifting to a bizarre 5-3-1 formation that featured Andrew Gutman at center back, Philip Zinckernagel on both sides at full back, and Cuypers on an island up front, the offense couldn’t truly get going again. Gregg Berhalter’s team remained organized and compact, maintaining control of the game even down a player, but the disconnect with Cuypers was simply too significant without any wingers.
Gallese also ensured that Orlando’s shutout wasn’t breached. The Peruvian #1 made eight total saves, thwarting the Fire’s 2.91 xG performance and keeping the game goalless. The scoreline is particularly shocking, considering Chicago and Orlando combined for a total of 40 shots.
Ultimately, the 0-0 draw moved the Fire up the standings by one position to 11th. However, the wait for Berhalter’s first-ever win at Soldier Field continues into mid-May.
Player Ratings
Starting XI (4-3-3) — Chris Brady (4.5); Andrew Gutman (7), Jack Elliott (8), Christopher Cupps (8), Jonathan Dean (7.5); Mauricio Pineda (7.5), Sergio Oregel (8.5), Brian Gutiérrez (7); Jonathan Bamba (5.5), Philip Zinckernagel (7.5), Hugo Cuypers (7)
Substitutes — Jeff Gal (7.5), Omari Glasgow (7), Omar González (7), Djé D’Avilla (NR), Rominigue Kouamé (NR)
