Chicago United beat Orlando City II 2-0 at CitGik Stadium on Friday evening in the MLS Next Pro Group Stage. The hosts took the lead inside the opening quarter when R. Turdean scored in the thirteenth minute. Orlando City II responded with physical play, picking up two yellow cards within four minutes before the break. To be fair, the visitors had been through a rough patch recently, losing three of their last five matches before this game.
R. Turdean received his caution in the forty-fourth minute, just before half-time, and the match became a battle of attrition. The first half ended 1-0 to Chicago United, who maintained their advantage through a period of midfield friction. By then, the visitors had already shown their frustration through N. Lasheras and P. Amoo-Mensah picking up bookings. The game settled into a pattern of stops and starts that characterised both sides' approach.
Orlando City II made three changes at the interval, bringing on J. Shokalook, R. Turdean and C. Archange. The visitors pushed forward in the second half, looking for an equaliser, but Chicago United's defence held firm. D. Villanueva added a second goal for the hosts in the seventy-fourth minute, killing off any remaining hope of a comeback. A. Chikamso picked up a yellow card in the seventy-ninth minute as tensions rose.
Both managers made several substitutions in the closing stages, with Chicago United bringing on N. Lasheras, D. Villanueva and V. Glyut. Orlando City II responded with G. Caraballo, Pedro Leao and J. Hylton, while O. Pineda arrived late for the hosts. The result keeps Chicago United in fifth place on 39 points from 26 games, while Orlando City II remain fourth with 41 points after 14 wins and 12 defeats.
