Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew

Soldier Field is the venue as Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew go head-to-head in a must-win Major League Soccer showdown.

Chicago’s problems with inconsistent performances have seen them alternate between defeats (3) and victories (2) across their last five MLS outings. Despite racking up as many triumphs (2) across their four most recent league matches as they had in their previous 14 combined, Ezra Hendrickson’s men are still rooted to the foot table in the Eastern Conference. Reducing an eight-point deficit on the playoff line will require Chicago to lodge a substantial winning streak. Yet, after an underwhelming streak of four winless home league games (D2, L2), they’ve won the last two in a row by an identical 1-0 scoreline, showing signs of revival.

In the meantime, Columbus Crew take the field unbeaten in five MLS fixtures (W2, D3), though three of the last four have ended as a draw. Sitting three points adrift of seventh-placed New England Revolution, the visitors will hope to maintain their three-match unbeaten away league run (W2, D1). Columbus’ MLS contests on hostile turf this season have been notably tight, as eight out of nine have featured a full-time margin of under 1.5 goals. Interestingly, that has been the case in each of their last 15 top-flight visits to Chicago, highlighting the potential for another keenly-contested affair.