After making an Eastern Conference final appearance last season, Orlando City’s run in this year’s MLS Cup playoffs came to an end early in the Wild Card game on Wednesday. Brian Gutierrez added the opening goal while Hugo Cuypers scored twice as the Chicago Fire defeated Orlando City 3-1 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, to advance to the First Round of the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs. The Fire, which entered the Wild Card game as the No. 8 seed, was the superior team in every facet of the game. While the first half saw Chicago dominate possession, the second half saw Gregg Berhalter’s side start fast, which led up to the first goal. Guitierrez scored in the 48th minute after he received the ball from inside the box while unmarked before slotting the ball past Pedro Gallese. Cuypers made it 2-0 in the 56th minute after a failed Gallese clearance rebounded off the Belgian striker and eventually found its way into the net. Cuypers added Chicago’s third in the 67th minute after striking from close. Tyrese Spicer added a goal for Orlando City in the 89th minute. The loss for Orlando puts an end to a disappointing run of games to close the season. The Lions entered Wednesday’s Wild Card game on a 4-game winless run and with only one win in their last seven games of the regular season. It was also the third consecutive game in which Orlando conceded two or more goals. This all comes after Orlando City made a run to the 2024 Eastern Conference final, which set lofty expectations for the 2025 MLS season.Mike Gramajo is an Assignment Editor and Sportswriter at WESH 2, who has covered the Orlando soccer scene since 2012. You can follow his coverage over on X and Instagram.

After making an Eastern Conference final appearance last season, Orlando City’s run in this year’s MLS Cup playoffs came to an end early in the Wild Card game on Wednesday.

Brian Gutierrez added the opening goal while Hugo Cuypers scored twice as the Chicago Fire defeated Orlando City 3-1 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, to advance to the First Round of the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs.

The Fire, which entered the Wild Card game as the No. 8 seed, was the superior team in every facet of the game. While the first half saw Chicago dominate possession, the second half saw Gregg Berhalter’s side start fast, which led up to the first goal.

Guitierrez scored in the 48th minute after he received the ball from inside the box while unmarked before slotting the ball past Pedro Gallese.

Cuypers made it 2-0 in the 56th minute after a failed Gallese clearance rebounded off the Belgian striker and eventually found its way into the net. Cuypers added Chicago’s third in the 67th minute after striking from close.

Tyrese Spicer added a goal for Orlando City in the 89th minute.

The loss for Orlando puts an end to a disappointing run of games to close the season. The Lions entered Wednesday’s Wild Card game on a 4-game winless run and with only one win in their last seven games of the regular season.

It was also the third consecutive game in which Orlando conceded two or more goals.

This all comes after Orlando City made a run to the 2024 Eastern Conference final, which set lofty expectations for the 2025 MLS season.

Mike Gramajo is an Assignment Editor and Sportswriter at WESH 2, who has covered the Orlando soccer scene since 2012. You can follow his coverage over on X and Instagram.