Separated by five points in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, Orlando City and Chicago Fire meet at Florida's Exploria Stadium on Saturday.
Despite failing to win for three matches, the hosts still occupy a playoff place; after going five games without success, their visitors ended June with back-to-back victories.
Match preview
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After seeing a six-game unbeaten run brought to an end by losing in New England, Orlando have since drawn 2-2 with Philadelphia and failed to break the stalemate against Seattle Sounders last time out.
On their first trip to the Emerald City since 2019, the Lions fought hard for an opening goal - particularly during the second half - but coach Oscar Pareja was ultimately left bemoaning a handful of missed chances towards the end of a closely contested scoreless draw.
Following that result, Orlando still possess the second-best road record throughout MLS this season, but they now return home to the Sunshine State, where they have won just three of their 10 league fixtures so far.
Having finished inside the top seven of the Eastern Conference for the last three years, Pareja's current crop remain on course to repeat that feat, as they occupy seventh spot after 19 games and a playoff spot is firmly in their sights.
To consolidate that status, though, they may have to step up performances on home turf over the coming months, and their next available opportunity sees Chicago arrive in Orange County this weekend.
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When they last met Orlando at Exploria Stadium, in April 2022, Chicago were beaten 1-0 after being reduced to 10 men during the first half, but their hosts' recent woes allied to an upturn in their own fortunes will raise hopes they can fare better on this occasion.
The Fire finally found the right formula at the end of June, halting a five-game winless run with a 2-1 defeat of Portland Timbers before going on to post successive MLS victories for the first time in almost a year last weekend.
Recording a second straight win on the road, Chicago edged out Sporting Kansas City 1-0 at Children's Mercy Park, where Fabian Herbers struck in the second half to decide the points' destiny and earn himself a spot in the MLS Team of the Matchday.
The second half of an underwhelming 2023 campaign therefore started with the club's 300th regular-season victory, which closed the gap to seventh-placed Orlando down to five points in the Eastern Conference standings.
Interim head coach Frank Klopas, who replaced former boss Ezra Hendrickson in early May, will now target another win on Saturday to further reduce their deficit; bringing a playoff place closer and boosting his chances of a permanent appointment.
Team News
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Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja welcomed back his international contingent last week, as goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and midfield duo Wilder Cartagena and Facundo Torres returned to the team, and all three should feature again on Saturday.
Gallese posted his seventh clean sheet of the year upon his return - extending his club record to 28 since joining the Lions in 2020 - and the Peru stopper will start behind a four-man defence.
Gaston Gonzalez remains a doubt for the hosts due to a thigh problem, while a knee injury rules Kenyan defender Abdi Salim out of action.
Chicago Fire, meanwhile, have bolstered their ranks by acquiring Ivorian midfielder Ousmane Doumbia on loan from Swiss Super League side FC Lugano for the remainder of the season.
He will become the club's third 'Designated Player', joining Xherdan Shaqiri and Jairo Torres with that status, though will not feature this weekend. Shaqiri began the win over Kansas on the bench, but could now be promoted to the visitors' first XI.
Up front, Kacper Przybylko and Kei Kamara continue their battle for selection, and the latter is only one strike away from tying MLS legend Landon Donovan for second place in the league's all-time goals category.
Once again, captain Rafael Czichos helms the Fire's defence, but Chris Mueller and Miguel Navarro are unavailable due to injury.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Halliday, Carlos, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena; Angulo, Torres, Ojeda; McGuire
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Souquet, Pineda, Czichos, Patino; Navarro, Gimenez; Herbers, Shaqiri, Torres; Kamara
We say: Orlando City 1-1 Chicago Fire
As Orlando have struggled to meet expectations at home this year, Chicago will fancy their chances of registering a third straight away win, to close within two points of their hosts in the Eastern Conference standings. However, they can often be caught out defensively, so a draw may have to suffice.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
