Chicago Fire win playoff game–Philly next!

It has been a long time. Way too long!

Mentioning that the drought, which has lasted since 2017, of never winning a playoff game, and that is an all-time MLS record for futility, probably doesn’t help the Fire fans feel too good—but the victory on Wednesday sure did!

In dominating fashion, the Fire ousted Orlando City in the playoff-opening wild card game by the score of3-1, and really? It wasn’t even that close.

The Fire outshot Orlando 25-7 and dominated time of possession for a convincing win on the pitch. The squad was frustrated early by controlling the action, but never quite getting that final pass to finish; it was still tied 0-0 at the half. 

After that, in the second half? Bring out the hoses, boys, and try to putthe fire out, because our gang in redcame out flaming.

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Brian Gutierrez, the home-grown Chicago kid who grew up rooting for the Fire and used to go to their games and cheer them on, scored the opening goal early in the second half. Hugo Cuypers scored the next one soon after, and it was victory  parade time after that.

The fans who made the trip to Bridgeview to Seat Geek Stadium left with smiles on their faces and hoping for more.

Up next? The No. 1-seeded Philadelphia team, on the road in a best two out of three beginning Sunday.

The Fire are the No. 8 seed and Philly is No. 1—BUT you could argue that the Fire right now are playing as well as anyone in the league, so it could be interesting.

Win or lose on Sunday, the Fire will be hosting a game in Bridgeview on Saturday, Nov. 1..

Stay tuned. And keep those hoses ready. We (or Philly?) might need them.