On the heels of Wednesday’s dramatic last-minute win against Houston Dynamo FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Columbus Crew return to league play on Saturday night when they host Chicago Fire FC at Lower.com Field.
Numbers to Know Before Kickoff
3 – Saturday is the Crew’s first home night match of the year, and it arrives on the team’s third matchday of the 2024 league campaign. Columbus currently resides third in the Eastern Conference and is unbeaten through the first two of the regular season. While the team was denied three points last weekend after conceding a late goal, it’s worth noting the Crew are off to their best start following an MLS Cup … ever. The Black & Gold have made Lower.com Field a fortress, and let’s hope that continues against the Club’s historic rival.
13 – If it seems like the Black & Gold have had a solid record at home against Chicago, that’s because they have! Turns out, the Crew are unbeaten in the last 13 meetings between these clubs in the Ohio capital. For this being a rivalry, it’s certainly been one sided, as the Crew haven’t lost to the Fire at home since June 22, 2013. Since then, they’ve rattled off nine wins and four draws. Let’s hope that moves to 10 wins on Saturday night. Oh, and another stat worth noting: Cucho Hernández has five goals in three games against Chicago.
11 – The Fire swirls into Columbus sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with a point from two games. Chicago hasn’t exactly had the easiest schedule, though. In the season opener, it drew the Philadelphia Union, 2-2, on the road. In the second week, it lost, 2-1, to the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners. Chicago is a team in transition, but it appears the side has an upward trajectory. Kellyn Acosta joining via free agency was an underrated preseason signing, and Hugo Cuypers – the new No. 9 – was a club-record signing. We all somewhat know this team’s floor – we just don’t know the club’s ceiling. No need to find out on Saturday!
10 – Xherdan Shaqiri remains the Chicago player to watch. Perhaps he’s not the team’s biggest attacking threat, but he’s a quality player who’s punished Columbus in the past. The 32-year-old Swiss midfielder already has a goal through two games this season. In his 59 MLS appearances, he has 13 goals and 16 assists. He scored a late equalizer when these clubs met in 2023, so he’s someone to keep an eye on, but hopefully he gets lost in the shuffle between Darlington Nagbe and Aidan Morris.
When They Last Met
A first-half Cucho hat trick! On Sept. 20, 2023, the Crew beat the Fire, 3-0, at Lower.com Field thanks to three goals from the Colombian forward. After converting penalties in the eighth and 16th minute, he produced his third in the 23rd minute. The win clinched Columbus a place in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, and we all know how that finished.
Match Overview
Who: Columbus Crew host Chicago Fire FC
When: Saturday, Mar. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lower.com Field
Tickets: Don’t Miss Star Wars Night
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
How to Listen: La Grande 102.5 FM | Alt 105.7 FM | iHeart Radio app
Single-Match Tickets
Secure your seat to cheer on the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field this season!
