Orlando City B (3-3-1, 11 points) at Chicago Fire FC II (2-4-0, 6 points)
When: Friday, May 2, 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: UIC Flames Field, Chicago, IL.
TV: Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (Subscription Required)
Solís Strikes
Orlando City B midfielder Jhon Solís opened his scoring account for the 2025 campaign in the team’s last match against New York Red Bulls II. The Colombian made good on a free kick from distance as he curled the ball into the top right corner of the net to open the scoring for OCB in the match and secure his first goal of the season. The goal marked the seventh of Solís’ career with the Lions across all competitions. Solís has started all 62 games he’s appeared in for Orlando and has contributed 10 assists to go along with his scoring.
Playoff Rematch
Friday night’s showdown with Chicago Fire FC II in the Land of Lincoln will mark the first time the two sides have met since the Conference Quarterfinals of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. OCB and the Fire played to a 1-1 draw, with Chicago advancing 5-4 in the end-of-regulation shootout. The young Lions will look to take the result this time around on Friday night when the two Eastern Conference foes square off at Flames Field in Chicago, Illinois, originally scheduled to take place at SeatGeek Stadium. OCB holds an all-time winning record versus Chicago Fire II, currently sitting at 4-1-2, and is unbeaten in the last three matches against the team from the Prairie State.
Carrying Over the Momentum
After taking home the Golden Boot award in this year’s Generation adidas Cup, where Orlando City Academy’s U18 side came out victorious, Lions forward Justin Ellis added a second goal to his 2025 MLS NEXT Pro regular-season campaign tally on Sunday. The OCB forward put six goals in for the Academy’s U18 side throughout the run to the 2025 Generation adidas Cup and continued that scoring run with a goal in the 61st minute in his first game back for the MLS NEXT Pro side as OCB took on New York Red Bulls II. The goal against the Red Bulls was Ellis’ second of the season and fourth all-time across all competitions for Orlando City B.
Getting Right on the Road
Friday night’s showdown in the Windy City between Orlando City B and Chicago Fire FC II will be an opportunity for the Lions to right the ship on the road and get back in the win column. Sitting just two points back of the second-place position in the Eastern Conference, a road victory on Friday could have major implications on positioning as the calendar flips to May. A win would push OCB up to second, depending on the results from the three teams tied for second above them in the standings and match the road record of Toronto FC II, who currently sits just one point behind the Lions.
