1 - One From The Record
Joe Bendik earned his fourth clean sheet of 2017 on Wednesday, which is one short of the Club MLS era individual single-season record. Bendik also posted five clean sheets in 2016 while playing every minute in goal. Tally Hall earned five clean sheets in his 22 appearances in 2015.
The Club MLS era single-season team record is seven clean sheets set in 2015. Donovan Ricketts earned two shutouts before Hall’s five.
2 - Once Upon A Time
Lions midfielder Will Johnson began his illustrious MLS career with the Chicago Fire. Johnson, who spent part of his childhood in the Chicago area and was a youth teammate of Jonathan Spector and Michael Bradley, made six appearances for Chicago in 2005. He scored his first career MLS goal with Chicago before moving to SC Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Johnson returned to MLS in 2008 and was acquired from Chicago by Jason Kreis’ Real Salt Lake in exchange for two picks in the 2009 and 2011 MLS SuperDrafts. Johnson won MLS Goal of the Year in 2008 and won his first of two MLS Cups in 2009.
3 - Battle Between Elites
This match will pit two of the top four teams in MLS against each other for the first time this season. Chicago is No. 2 in the league with 24 points from 13 games and has won each of its last four games. The Lions are No. 4 with 23 points from 14 games and have picked up 19 points from eight matches at Orlando City Stadium.
Toronto leads the pack with 29 points from 14 games.
4 - Most Improved
Orlando City and Chicago are two of the most improved teams in the league this season and are benefitting from some excellent offseason acquisitions. Defender Jonathan Spector has been nothing short of spectacular and preserved a clean sheet with a save off the line Wednesday against D.C. Donny Toia and PC have been solid upgrades at left back and Scott Sutter has played every minute at right back since debuting on April 1. Will Johnson has worn the captain’s armband 10 times while playing several differ- ent positions and has a goal and three assists this season. Giles Barnes earned a game-winning assist on his first touch as a Lion on Opening Day and scored his first goal for City on Wednesday.
Similarly, Chicago has enjoyed significant contributions from its newcomers. Designated Player forward Nemanja Nikolic leads MLS with 11 goals. Bastian Schweinsteiger has two goals and the Fire are 6-2-2 since he joined the team. Goalkeeper Jorge Brava filled in nicely for Matt Lampson in the first eight games of the season.
5 - Playing With Fire
Orlando City has never lost to Chicago in five MLS matches. In 2015, Orlando City picked up two wins at Toyota Park. In the first meeting on June 6, 2015, Cyle Larin scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute but two own goals from Fire defender Adailton handed the Lions three points. The teams tied, 1-1, in Orlando on Aug. 29 and City picked up a 1-0 win in Bridgeview on Sept. 19. The Lions and Fire drew twice in 2016, first on March 11 and then on Aug. 14.
City and Chicago also met in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals in 2013 and 2015. The Fire defeated the then-USL Lions, 5-1 Then in 2015, Chicago topped City, 3-1.
6 - The Ones That Matter
Cyle Larin leads MLS with five game-winning goals, most recently in the 66th minute of Wednesday’s match against D.C. United. Larin leaned into Will Johnson’s free kick delivery and headed it past Bill Hamid despite being completely wrapped by defender Steve Birnbaum. Carlos Rivas and Servando Carrasco have City’s other two game-winners.
Johnson’s game-winning assist to Larin on Wednesday gave him three on the season, which is tied with five other players for the league lead. Johnson earned his first GWA on Carrasco’s header against the New York Red Bulls on April 9 and got his second on April 15 against the LA Galaxy after scoring the opening goal.
