Historic Night! Berhalter REACTS as Chicago Defeats Orlando City for First Playoff Win in 16 YEARS!

Into weights and feed down the line, angled ball played in, it falls to Gutierrez! Possibility that maybe the very definition of failure or success can be garnered within these next 90 minutes where tests and tees is right and all those competing find themselves fuelled by one word. Zinchenago's ball in, the heads go up and it's a fabulously met header in the centre of the penalty area and headed wide by Jack Elliott. Gutierrez, lovely ball in behind, Caipers! Very good save. And behind for a corner. This is where Araujo and Etoesta are going to be so important. These are the moments where you just need to keep a little bit of possession, slow the tempo down because it's been all Chicago fire. This is why they're so important, not only their experience in the midfield but their ability to control the tempo in these moments. When you're tired, haven't had a lot of the possession, you need to slow things down. It's a long ball forward now, Hugo Caipers is onside here, Caipers in behind! It's a major, major opening for Chicago Fire. Time in eight years, seeking a post-season victory for the first time since 2009. Has to be the goal, especially in the first 10, 15 minutes to really force Orlando to have to chase even more and then Orlando just need to establish a bit more possession, just to slow things down, create the tempo and just build more confidence into this game. It's a lovely ball forward now for Hugo Caipers, across goal he goes! Just away from the initial target, to the edge, Gutierrez towards goal! Well charged down by a whole host of purple jerseys as Dean tries to force his way through. Galisei manoeuvring forwards. Waterman doing enough. Here's Araujo for Chicago Fire. Dávila. Feeling patience will play its part in this one. Zinchenar goal. Into weights and feed down the line, angled ball plate in, it falls to Gutierrez! In front of section H! A goal eight years in the making for Chicago Fire! Of course in 2024 was enough to finish in the top four in the Eastern Conference, they have some defending to do here. Bamber, one-on-one for two! Very good save. Galisei keeping Orlando City alive. Bamber down under the challenge, Referee says no, and Orlando City can now break. Angulo pressing forward here. Ojeda. And Pasulic. So many Chicago Fire players back in numbers quickly. Angulo now, craving half a yard across goal he goes! Gathered vibrating, hoisting the ball into the Illinois sky. A free kick. As you can hear, it's a relatively unpopular decision. Zinchenar goal on hand again, as well as Kuypers. Zinchenar goal. Into Jonathan Bamber. Trying to pick out Kuypers. Still Kuypers, goes in! Hugo Kuypers with the goal! For the first time since 2009, Chicago Fire have a pulse! Chicago Fire have hope! You can have a ton of firepower, attacking firepower, great confidence at this point in time. Spicer's ball in, and away by Waterman for now. Goals from Brian Gutierrez and Hugo Kuypers. The difference between the two sides thus far here. Spicer with the ball in, inviting one as well, clipped away towards the edge. Pasulic towards goal! Very good save by Brady. With a lovely in-swinging ball, in behind now for Chicago Fire. Kuypers. Into Bamber! Very good save and clipped away! Gutierrez denied by the woodwork. It's a slip from Pasulic, it may very well present an opening here for Chicago Fire. Bamber getting closer and closer to goal. Towards the edge he goes, Zinchenar goal. Into the path of Kuypers! Once again in front of Section 8. Chicago's number 9 puts Chicago Fire on cloud 9 here. Orlando Gutierrez with a goal from him now, but they have some defending to do. Bamber in behind here. Bamber! Still they go on. Gutierrez! Fabulous challenge. Bricolau providing the necessary challenge for Orlando City. Ojeda. Ojeda lets fly. Very, very close. Here's Marine. Look to find something. Spicer in behind. Brilliant. Amongst a sea of silence. Will they win this game? Elisa Lassi. Shunts it through here. Does Chicago look for four? Good save at the near post by Yelasse. Orlando rid the danger. Chicago Fire find victory in the playoffs. For the first time since 2009. And have a new lease of life. On their old stomping ground.