Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Hugo Cuypers scored twice as the Chicago Fire kicked off their first MLS Cup playoff appearance since 2017 with a 3-1 wild card match win over Orlando City on Wednesday. Brian Gutierrez also scored for Chicago, which booked a clash with Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference top seeds Philadelphia in a best-of-three round one series.
After a scoreless first half, Gregg Berhalter’s Fire seized control in the 48th minute when Gutierrez collected a cross from the right and slotted a low shot past Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese. Cuypers doubled the lead eight minutes later, hanging on tenaciously to a loose ball in the box and directing Gallese’s attempted clearance into the net. Belgium’s Cuypers delivered the insurance goal in the 67th minute, taking advantage of a pass from Philip Zinckernagel and firing past a helpless Gallese.
Related news
Orlando City, who reached the Eastern Conference final last season, had limped into the post-season with just one win in their last regular season games. But the Fire can expect a much tougher test against Philadelphia, winners of the Supporters Shield as the top regular season team. The Union will host game one of their series on Sunday.
Phil Neville’s Portland Timbers advanced in the West, beating Real Salt Lake 3-1 in their wild card match to book a round-one series with top seeds San Diego. Felipe Mora scored in the 24th and 35th minutes and Kamal Miller added a third in the 82nd for Portland. Justen Glad scored for Real Salt Lake, which clinched the final Western Conference berth on the final day of the regular season.
Mora got the scoring started when he fired in the rebound of his own header that was blocked by Real Salt Lake’s Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael. Mora’s next was another second effort off an attempt parried by Rafael. Miller made sure of things with his late header, and the Timbers will travel to San Diego for game one of their series on Sunday.
© 2024 AFP
