Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja urged his team to look past their recent defeat to Atlanta United ahead of their matchup against the Chicago Fire.

Pareja's side were leading 2-1 for most of the game before a red card to Cesar Araujo 13 minutes from time allowed Atlanta to emerge 3-2 victors.

The defeat meant Orlando missed the opportunity to move up to second place in the Eastern Conference, now sitting in fifth and six points behind leaders Philadelphia Union.

Pareja told his side to focus on the positives of the match before the red card when preparing for the Chicago game.

Pareja said: "Players have to think about what a good job they did until the 75th minute when the referee got involved with the red card and just bounce back on those positive things, as well, considering all those positives that we did because I thought we played very well until that happened.

"We cannot forget that, and we have two days to bring forward the message and keep doing what we’re doing and play against Chicago.

"We have a short period of time, but we’re not going to concentrate too much on the scenario that was presented in those minutes, that we felt we were affected by."

Orlando defender Alex Freeman agreed that they must switch their focus to Chicago rather than dwell on the dropped points.

"I didn't really get to see much, but Cesar [Araujo] ended up getting a red card," added Freeman.

"After that it was just us defending, and [Atlanta United] was able to get some goals back, but I feel like overall we did play well. Now we have to move on to Saturday against Chicago Fire."

A win could still take Orlando as high as second place in the table, but they face a stern test against a Chicago side out to avenge their defeat to New York City FC last time out. 

The Fire were beaten 3-1 at Yankee Stadium, which saw both Brian Gutierrez and Dje Tah D'Avilla sent off, though the latter has since seen his dismissal rescinded. 

And while head coach Gregg Berhalter had sympathy for D'Avilla's two yellow cards, the same could not be said for Gutierrez, with the former United States national team head coach believing that moment had a huge influence on the result. 

"We hurt ourselves, and for Brian Gutierrez to take that action, he put his whole team in jeopardy and put us behind the eight-ball," Berhalter said. 

"It's our third game in a week, some fatigue in the legs and a lot of travel. I think for a player to do that just isn't responsible. 

"Anything after that point is almost a moot point because this is an example of us really hurting ourselves in a situation where we had good control of the game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City SC – Martin Ojeda

Ojeda has caught the eye for Orlando this season. The midfielder is the club's top scorer with eight goals, two of which were the critical first of the match.

The Argentine has also made 38 key passes, the sixth-most in the league, while registering four assists.

Chicago – Philip Zinckernagel

Zinckernagel has contributed to a goal in five straight regular-season away matches for the Fire, equalling the longest streak in club history.

He has scored in each of his last three away matches, also equalling the longest run in club history.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY SC WIN

Orlando City have won five straight home matches against Chicago, outscoring the Fire 13-4, in those games.

On home soil this season, Orlando have five wins, two draws, and one loss in eight MLS contests. The Lions have a seven-match MLS home unbeaten streak dating to March 2 against Toronto.

In their last six league matches, Orlando have won three, drawn two and lost one. Chicago, meanwhile, have won two, drawn one and lost three in their last six.

However, Chicago has scored in nine consecutive regular-season away matches dating back to last October, including all eight this season. This is the Fire's longest run of consecutive road games with a goal since a nine-match run in 2010.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City SC – 64%

Chicago Fire – 16.8%

Draw – 19.2%