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, who 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.
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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.
In the Western Conference wild card match later Wednesday, Phil Neville’s Portland Timbers host Real Salt Lake — who clinched the final Western Conference berth on the final day of the season. The winner will face Western Conference top seeds San Diego in a best-of-three round one series.
© 2024 AFP
