Chicago Fire FC will face Orlando City SC for the second time this season, traveling to Exploria Stadium after two consecutive matches at home. Kickoff for Saturday’s contest is slated for 12:00 p.m. CT, with the match set to be nationally televised on Univision, TUDN, Twitter (English audio) and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
Chicago (2-0-3, 9 points) enters the match coming off a scoreless draw with FC Dallas, tallying its fourth shutout through five games played. The Fire are now unbeaten through the first five games to start a season for just the second time in Club history. In 2009, the Fire avoided defeat through the first 11 games of the regular season.
Additionally, Homegrown goalkeeper Gaga Slonina and the Fire backline enter this weekend’s contest with the fewest goals allowed (1) and the best goals against average (0.20) in the league. Chicago is only the fourth team in MLS history to allow just one goal through the first five matches of a season.
Slonina has notched eight shutouts in his first 16 professional appearances, including a league-high four shutouts in 2022. Fire color commentator and U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Tony Meola holds the MLS record for shutouts in a single season, notching 16 in his MVP-winning campaign with Sporting Kansas City in 2000.
Orlando City (2-2-2, 8 points) is coming off a 4-3 home loss to Western Conference side LAFC on Saturday, in which Mauricio Pereyra assisted on Alexandre Pato’s and João Moutinho’s goals, tying Orlando’s record for assists in all competitions with 26. Orlando has played three games at home so far this season, posting a 1-2-0 record.
The Fire and Orlando recently faced off in Chicago’s home opener on March 5, playing to a scoreless draw at Soldier Field. Overall, Chicago holds a 5-4-6 regular season record against Orlando, including a 2-2-3 away record.
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Chicago Fire FC Team Schedule (April 4-10)
Monday, April 4
Off day
Tuesday, April 5
Training at 10:00 a.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium (Training Field)
Media Access: Members of the media will be allowed to cover the first 15 minutes of team training. Interviews with coaches and players will take place after training has concluded. Media planning to cover training must RSVP with Elizabeth Sánchez (esanchez@chicagofirefc.com) no later than 24 hours in advance.
Wednesday, April 6
Training at 10:00 a.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium (Training Field)
Media Access: Members of the media will be allowed to cover the first 15 minutes of team training. Interviews with coaches and players will take place after training has concluded. Media planning to cover training must RSVP with Elizabeth Sánchez (esanchez@chicagofirefc.com) no later than 24 hours in advance.
Thursday, April 7
Training at 10:00 a.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium (Training Field)
Travel to Orlando, Fla.
Media Access: Members of the media will be allowed to cover the first 15 minutes of team training. Interviews with coaches and players will take place after training has concluded. Media planning to cover training must RSVP with Elizabeth Sánchez (esanchez@chicagofirefc.com) no later than 24 hours in advance.
Friday, April 8
Training in Orlando, Fla.
Saturday, April 9
Chicago Fire FC at Orlando City SC at 12:00 p.m. CT at Exploria Stadium (Univision, TUDN, Twitter, TUDN 1200 AM)
Return to Chicago
Sunday, April 10
Off day