ORLANDO — Robert Lewandowski converted a penalty kick to lift Chicago Fire FC (11-6-2, 35 points) past Orlando City SC (6-11-3, 21 points) 2-1 at Inter.co Stadium in a match interrupted by a nearly 90-minute weather delay just before halftime.
The former FC Barcelona striker sent his attempt low into the left corner after being fouled in the Lions’ box, sealing a result that deepened Orlando’s struggles. Interim Head Coach Martín Perelman did not hide his frustration. “Of course, disappointed with the result. Very, very disappointed because we were playing at home and we wanted to win,” Perelman said. “I think it was a game where we could have gotten a different result. It’s over. Nothing to do. We played against a good team. We couldn’t score the chances we created. They were effective.”
Chicago struck early when David Poreba intercepted a clearance from the Orlando defense four minutes into the match. Poreba slid the ball to Puso Dithejane, who sent a shot to the far post past goalkeeper Chris Brady for the opener. After the lengthy weather delay and a three-minute halftime taken on the field, Orlando equalized in the 52nd minute off a corner kick. Antoine Griezmann sent an in-swinging cross toward the near post, and David Brekalo met it with a run through the box and headed it home.
The goal was Brekalo’s third across all competitions this season and the fifth of his Orlando City career. Griezmann, making his fifth career MLS appearance for the Lions, recorded his second assist and fourth goal contribution across all competitions. Midfielder Luís Otávio, who made his 15th career MLS appearance, acknowledged the slow start. “I believe our team started a little bit lower than expected, lower than what we worked for and what we trained for,” Otávio said. “After the break, we were able to come back better. Unfortunately, we received the penalty goal after the break, but I believe we can get better.”
Perelman made two changes to his starting lineup from the club’s previous match against FC Cincinnati, inserting Wilder Cartagena and Adrián Marín into the starting XI. Defenders Nolan Miller (knee) and Bernardo Rhein (thigh) and midfielders Braian Ojeda (foot) and Martín Ojedá (thigh) all missed the match due to injury, leaving the Lions thin across the roster.
Orlando City will close its six-game homestand against Real Salt Lake at Inter.co Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.