ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 8, 2024) – No. 5 Orlando City B will face No. 4 Chicago Fire FC II in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, it was announced today. The Lions’ match against Fire II is set for Sunday, Oct. 20, at SeatGeek Stadium on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
Orlando City B finished the 2024 regular season as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference for the second season in a row, following an 11-8-9 record with 46 points in 28 matches. After posting a 4-0-0 record in September, OCB was named MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month. Defender Alex Freeman led the way for the young Lions with 17 goal contributions during the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, including nine assists which was tied for second-most across the league
Chicago Fire FC II wrapped up their 2024 regular-season campaign in fourth place in the Eastern Conference after defeating Philadelphia Union II via a 2-1 result on Decision Day to secure a home match in the first round of the playoffs. The Fire played to an 11-8-9 record and 47 points during the regular season. The young Lions and Fire met only once this season on September 23 in a 3-0 OCB victory that clinched the Club’s spot in the postseason
The 2024 season features an expanded playoff format that includes a "pick-your-opponent" structure in the first two rounds. Chicago Fire FC II was left with OCB as its only available opponent after the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference all chose to avoid facing the young Lions in the first match of this year’s playoffs. The playoffs will consist of three rounds followed by MLS NEXT Pro Cup, taking place over four-consecutive weeks beginning the weekend of Oct. 20. All playoff matches and MLS NEXT Pro Cup (Nov. 8-10) will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
