Perelman 'hurt' by Orlando's failure to close out NYCFC clash

Orlando City interim head coach Martin Perelman was left "hurt" by his team's inability to close out their game against New York City FC.

Orlando seemed set to seal a 2-1 comeback win on Saturday, and those three points would have seen them consolidate seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Yet NYCFC substitute Jonathan Shore popped up with an equaliser in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The draw left Orlando In seventh, but on the same points as eighth-place FC Cincinnati and only four points better off than the Columbus Crew, who occupy 10th spot.

Now, Orlando head north to take on the Chicago Fire, and Perelman lamented last weekend's result and display.

"The game was tough. Again, it wasn't our best night, and that's it," he said.

"Unfortunately, they tied on the last play. That hurts a lot.

"But it's time to digest it. We are used to being at home. We came from, I think, [nine wins] and two [draws] since we've been here, so now it's 9-3. We like to win at home.

"Sometimes these things happen. The opponent plays. They had good players, and that's it."

Chicago snapped a two-game losing streak by beating Atlanta United 3-2 last time out.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel 

Zinckernagel recorded his 16th goal contribution of the season (seven goals, nine assists) against Atlanta. 

After recording 30 goal contributions last season, Zinckernagel is the third player in club history with 16+ goal contributions in consecutive campaigns (Ante Razov 1997 to 2002, Nemanja Nikolic 2017 and 2018).

Orlando City – Antonie Griezmann 

Griezmann scored against NYCFC, marking his 11th straight game with a goal contribution. 

This is the third streak of 11 or more consecutive matches with a goal contribution in MLS this season (also Hugo Cuypers and Lionel Messi) after there were just two such streaks in the league's first 30 seasons (by Josef Martinez and Sebastian Giovinco).

MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE WIN

The Chicago Fire have won three straight matches against Orlando, including a 3–1 home triumph in the wild-card round of last year's playoffs. 

The Fire had gone winless in eight straight against Orlando (D2 L6) prior to winning those last three meetings.

In addition, Chicago's win over Atlanta took them 51 points for the season, after totalling 53 points in 2025. 

This is the second time in club history that the Fire have recorded 50 points in consecutive MLS seasons, also doing so in 2000 and 2001.

Orlando have only won three of their last 19 regular-season away matches (D5 L11) dating back to August 2025, conceding 61 goals in those games at an average of 3.2 per match. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 52.5%

Orlando City – 23.2%

Draw – 24.3%