Crew SC (0-2-0) is back on the road this weekend for its third match of the season and its second away from home. The Black & Gold are facing rival Chicago Fire (0-1-1) at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois at 5 p.m. ET Saturday. Here are a few things you need to know about Columbus’ Eastern Conference foe, the Fire.
1. Familiar faces
Goalkeeper Matt Lampson signed a Homegrown contract with Crew SC in 2012 and made 16 appearances (14 starts) in four seasons with Columbus. Now with Chicago, he’s earned the starting spot for the first two matches. In the Fire’s 1-1 draw with Orlando City last weekend, Chicago was forced to play a man down for nearly 60 minutes and Lampson made four saves to help his team earn a point on the road.
Eric Gehrig is another former member of the Black & Gold who also spent four seasons with Crew SC and now plays on Chicago’s backline. He played 46 matches (32 starts) for Columbus. Handshakes and hugs may be present among opponents before the match, but in the 90 minutes of play, Lampson, Gehrig and Crew SC won’t be friendly.
2. All eyes on David Accam
David Accam is one of the Fire’s best players and one of the top strikers in MLS. He’s incredibly quick and has a knack for streaking behind an opponent’s backline and finding the back of the net. Accam has already scored two goals in the first two matches for the Men in Red, and he’s been involved in three of their four goals this season (with one assist).
The Fire’s forward scored twice in as many matches against the Black & Gold last season, but this meeting could be different. He’ll face childhood friend and fellow Ghanaian international, Harrison Afful. Accam usually starts up top while Afful’s home is at right back. This will be fun.
3. A different team from 2015
After finishing last season with the worst record in MLS (8-20-6), the Fire are moving onward, and are hoping to move upward. The roster’s changed, with the noticeable absence of fan-favorites Mike Magee and Harry Shipp, and an entirely different defense. Chicago hired a new head coach, Veljko Paunovic, at the end of November after he led Serbia to a U-20 World Cup Championship. He coaches a less direct style than former coach Frank Yallop, but is still testing his lineup. MLS veteran defender Michael Harrington was ejected last match for a red card, so he’ll be absent on Saturday, giving Paunovic another defensive decision to make. All in all, just expect to see an evolved team.
