Hugo Cuypers scored twice as the Chicago Fire kicked off their first MLS Cup playoff appearance since 2017 with a 3-1 wild card match win over Orlando City on Wednesday.

Brian Gutierrez also scored for Chicago, which booked a clash with Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference top seeds Philadelphia in a best-of-three round one series.

After a scoreless first half, Gregg Berhalter’s Fire seized control in the 48th minute when Gutierrez collected a cross from the right and slotted a low shot past Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese.

Cuypers doubled the lead eight minutes later, hanging on tenaciously to a loose ball in the box and directing Gallese’s attempted clearance into the net.

Belgium’s Cuypers delivered the insurance goal in the 67th minute, taking advantage of a pass from Philip Zinck

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