Fire hope to damage rival Columbus' playoff hopes

Share

The Chicago Fire’s current three-game road trip started with back-to-back losses and Saturday’s trip to Columbus represents the last chance to salvage something from the road trip.

To start the trip the Fire lost to New York City FC 4-1 and followed up with a 1-0 loss in Seattle. The Fire are trying to avoid the second 0-3 road trip of the season, following a similar cross-country trip in May.

Saturday’s match at the Columbus Crew will be televised on CSN+ (channel finder). Coverage begins at 6 p.m. with Fire Pregame Live.

Back on March 19, the third match of the season, the Fire hosted the Crew and the game was a goalless draw. The two teams also played in the U.S. Open Cup on June 28, a 2-1 Fire win.

Norwegian-born forward Ola Kamara has since emerged as one of the best goalscorers in Major League Soccer this season. The 26-year-old joined the Crew in the offseason, but made just three substitute appearances totaling 50 minutes in the team’s first nine matches. The trade of Kei Kamara, no relation, opened up a spot at forward and Ola Kamara took advantage.

Kamara has five goals in the past four matches and is up to 15 on the season despite starting just 19 matches. He did not play against the Fire in March, but started in the Open Cup loss to the Fire and was subbed off at halftime.

[SHOP: Get your own Fire home jersey here]

The Fire (6-15-9, 27 points) are freshly eliminated from playoff contention while Columbus (7-12-11, 32 points) is still holding onto hope, but barely. The Crew’s 3-0 loss at D.C. on Wednesday was a crippling blow to Columbus’ playoff chances.

After Saturday's match, which is also Columbus’ home finale, the teams will play again in the next match for both on Oct. 13 at Toyota Park. The international break will split up the matches, but the Fire will return home from the road trip to host the Crew for the third time in 2016.

Two Fire players will leave to join national teams during that break. David Accam will rejoin Ghana for its opening World Cup qualifier against Uganda on Oct. 7 and play at South Africa on Oct. 11. Collin Fernandez will join Peru’s U-20 team.

Injury wise, Matt Lampson is still out for the Fire. Cedrick Mabwati is out for the Crew and playmaker Federico Higuain has missed the last four games, but is listed as questionable.

Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew

TV: CSN+ (channel finder)

When: Coverage begins at 6 p.m. with Fire Pregame Live

Where: MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Contact Us