For the sixth straight season, Orlando City is gearing up for another playoff run. That six-year streak is the longest active streak in Major League Soccer, but the Lions are not satisfied with just making it to the postseason. Expectations are high, and Orlando has a tough road ahead.<\/p>\n
Last season, Orlando reached the Eastern Conference Final but lost to the New York Red Bulls 1-0 at Inter&Co Stadium. If the Lions want to make a run at winning a first-ever MLS Cup, they will need to do so on the road, after finishing in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n
Orlando faces a do-or-die Wild Card matchup against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at SeatGeek Stadium. The winner will advance to a first-round, best-of-three series against Supporters\u2019 Shield winners Philadelphia Union, while the loser will have to head home and regroup for 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s important also not to put yourself under pressure, because it\u2019s a do-or-die game or a playoff. I think we have to see that this is a game like every game. A normal game,\u201d Orlando forward Marco Pasalic said. \u201cSo this is the key, most important, to be concentrated, fully prepared, and give everything on the pitch. And you know how football is at the end, the goals win. So we have to score goals and win the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lions scored a club-record 63 goals this season, led by Martin Ojeda\u2019s emergence as a surefire attacking threat. The Argentine\u00a0 scored 16 goals, more than the 11 he scored in his first two seasons in purple combined.<\/p>\n
Pasalic has also been sensational for Orlando, scoring 12 goals in his debut season in MLS after joining in January from Croatian side HNK Rijeka. The former Borussia Dortmund player has unlocked the right side of Orlando\u2019s attack, especially when working together with young defender Alex Freeman.<\/p>\n
This attacking threat will be challenged against a Chicago defense led by American goalkeeper Chris Brady. He has helped keep Chicago unbeaten in its past five matches, a stark contrast to Orlando\u2019s one win in five games to end the season. The Fire conceded 60 goals on the year, showing that they are not unshakable, and the Lions will need to take advantage of that.<\/p>\n
Orlando has struggled uncharacteristically in defense this season. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has been a stalwart between the sticks for the Lions since joining in 2020, but he was responsible for several key mistakes that caused Orlando to drop crucial points this season. At his best, Gallese is one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, but at age 35, he is showing signs of wear that could come back to bite Orlando.<\/p>\n