Columbus Crew SC vs Chicago Fire FC, MLS 2026 REGULAR SEASON
Overview
Match Preview
Columbus Crew SC vs Chicago Fire FC — MLS at MAPFRE Stadium.
- Columbus Crew SC 15 games · 16 pts (2026/26)
- Chicago Fire FC 14 games · 26 pts (2026/26)
Match Details
- Referee Sorin Stoica
- Referee Guido Gonzalez
- Referee Cory Richardson
- Referee
- Referee
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville SC | 14 | 33 |
| 2 | Internacional CF Miami | 15 | 31 |
| 3 | Chicago Fire FC | 14 | 26 |
| 4 | New England Revolution | 14 | 25 |
| 5 | New York Red Bulls | 15 | 22 |
| 6 | Charlotte FC | 15 | 21 |
| 7 | FC Cincinnati | 15 | 20 |
| 8 | New York City FC | 15 | 19 |
| 9 | D.C. United SC | 15 | 18 |
| 10 | Columbus Crew SC | 15 | 16 |
| 11 | Toronto FC | 14 | 14 |
| 12 | Montreal Impact FC | 14 | 14 |
| 13 | Orlando City SC | 15 | 14 |
| 14 | Atlanta United FC | 14 | 11 |
| 15 | Philadelphia Union | 15 | 7 |
| 16 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 14 | 32 |
| 17 | San Jose Earthquakes | 15 | 32 |
| 18 | Real Salt Lake | 14 | 26 |
| 19 | FC Dallas | 15 | 25 |
| 20 | Los Angeles FC | 15 | 24 |
| 21 | Seattle Sounders FC | 13 | 24 |
| 22 | Houston Dynamo | 14 | 22 |
| 23 | Minnesota United FC | 15 | 22 |
| 24 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 15 | 20 |
| 25 | San Diego FC | 15 | 17 |
| 26 | Colorado Rapids SC | 15 | 16 |
| 27 | St. Louis City | 14 | 16 |
| 28 | Portland Timbers | 14 | 14 |
| 29 | Austin FC | 15 | 14 |
| 30 | Sporting Kansas City | 14 | 11 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug | Chicago Fire FC | H | 3–0 | W |
| 29 Jul | Minnesota United FC | H | 1–1 | D |
| 22 Jul | Atlanta United FC | A | 1–0 | W |
| 17 Jul | New York Red Bulls | H | 2–0 | W |
| 12 Jul | FC Cincinnati | A | 4–0 | W |
| 08 Mar | Seattle Sounders FC | A | 1–1 | D |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug | Columbus Crew SC | A | 0–3 | L |
| 23 Jul | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | H | 0–2 | L |
| 20 Jul | San Jose Earthquakes | H | 0–2 | L |
| 14 Jul | Seattle Sounders FC | H | 2–1 | W |
| 07 Mar | New England Revolution | A | 1–1 | D |
| 01 Mar | Seattle Sounders FC | A | 1–2 | L |
Season Stats
| Columbus Crew SC | Chicago Fire FC | |
|---|---|---|
| #10 | Position | #3 |
| 16 | Points | 26 |
| 15 | Played | 14 |
| 4 / 4 / 7 | W / D / L | 8 / 2 / 4 |
| 21 | Scored | 27 |
| 23 | Conceded | 16 |
| -2 | GD | +11 |
| 1.07 | PPG | 1.86 |
| 27% | Win % | 57% |
Key Stats
47%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (19 games)
H2H (19 games)
53%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
27%
Clean Sheets
Columbus Crew SC this season
Columbus Crew SC this season
50%
Clean Sheets
Chicago Fire FC this season
Chicago Fire FC this season
Columbus Crew SC are 10th (16 pts). Chicago Fire FC are 3rd (26 pts).
Goal Timing (This Season)
Columbus Crew SC
0-15
2/3
16-30
2/1
31-45
2/1
46-60
3/2
61-75
1/2
76+
1/2
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Chicago Fire FC
0-15
3/–
16-30
4/1
31-45
1/4
46-60
2/1
61-75
4/–
76+
2/3
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Events
Match Events
- 0' Columbus Crew SC have kicked off against Chicago Fire FC. Both sides are eager to make an early statement.
- 5' The clock is ticking and both teams know a goal could change everything at this point.
- 10' We miss some good tackles and strikes. Is there anyone on the field to put the game back to action?
- 15' will be watching from the dugout nervously. His Columbus Crew SC side need to improve if they are to claim all three points.
- 20' Assisted by Milton Valenzuela with the perfectly-timed delivery and Derrick Etienne makes no mistake. 1-0!
- 25' A quiet spell here at MAPFRE Stadium. Columbus Crew SC seem content sitting deep and soaking up pressure.
- 29' Chicago Fire FC player sees a Yellow card in front of him.
- 34' A tactical chess match is unfolding here. The question is which manager blinks first.
- 39' Bobby Shuttleworth has certainly something to prove this evening. He made 15 appearances with only 0 goals this season.
- 44' Columbus Crew SC is defending very well tonight not leaving a chance for their rivals to get through for a goal.
- 48' Controversy at the stadium! Francisco Calvo argues furiously but the Yellow card stands.
- 53' While there is no rush on the pitch, let’s have a look at some stats. Luis Diaz made 284 appearances and scored 6 goals. He is very likely to score a goal today.
- 58' The teams are not in a rush to score plenty of goals. It might look strange considering Columbus Crew SC that had 284 games and scored 426 goals.
- 61' The Chicago Fire FC bench stirs into life. Djordje Mihailovic is withdrawn and Elliot Collier gets his opportunity.
- 66' Luis Diaz makes way for Sebastian Berhalter at the 66 minute mark. A tactical switch from Columbus Crew SC.
- 68' Milton Valenzuela catches the referee's attention in entirely the wrong way. Yellow card on 68.
- 73' It is a cagey affair so far. Columbus Crew SC in their trying to find a way past Chicago Fire FC's compact .
- 74' The whistle greets Derrick Etienne as he departs to be replaced by Ema Boateng.
- 79' Both keepers have barely been tested. Columbus Crew SC and Chicago Fire FC are cancelling each other out in the centre of the park.
- 81' What a moment for Darlington Nagbe! That strike on 81 puts his side firmly in control.
- 82' Fresh legs for Chicago Fire FC! Brian Gutierrez comes on to replace Mauricio Pineda.
- 87' Slovenia international Robert Beric has been a key figure this campaign — 0 goals and 0 assists in the Array this season.
- 88' Assisted by Pedro Santos with the perfectly-timed delivery and Gyasi Zardes makes no mistake. 3-0!
- 89' The supporters are chanting for Brandt Bronico. He replaces Alvaro Medran on 89 minute.
- 90' The whistle greets Gyasi Zardes as he departs to be replaced by Fanendo Adi.
- The referee brings this contest to a close. Columbus Crew SC take all three points.
Lineups
Columbus Crew SC Lineups
Starting XI
- 13
-
22
Derrick Etienne ↓ Ema Boateng 74'
- 19
- 4
- 25
-
11
Gyasi Zardes ↓ Fanendo Adi 90'
- 7
- 8
- 3
- 6
-
12
Luis Diaz ↓ Sebastian Berhalter 66'
Bench
-
20
Ema Boateng ↑ 74'
-
2
Christopher Cadden ↑ 90'
- 14
- 16
- 28
- 26
-
9
Fanendo Adi ↑ 90'
- 30
-
18
Sebastian Berhalter ↑ 66'
Coach
Caleb Porter
Chicago Fire FC Lineups
Starting XI
- 27
-
10
Alvaro Medran ↓ Brandt Bronico 89'
- 11
- 5
- 14
- 1
- 7
- 30
- 2
- 6
- 22
Bench
- 24
- 21
-
13
Brandt Bronico ↑ 89'
- 16
- 20
-
28
Elliot Collier ↑ 61'
- 36
- 3
-
40
Brian Gutierrez ↑ 82'
Coach
Raphaël Wicky
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Gyasi Zardes | 8 |
| Cucho Hernandez | 3 |
| Derrick Etienne | 3 |
| Jacen Russell-Rowe | 3 |
| Diego Rossi | 3 |
| Brian Gutierrez | 2 |
| Djordje Mihailovic | 2 |
| Juan Hernandez | 2 |
Head to Head
Columbus Crew SC Form
2020-08-20
Columbus Crew SC
3–0
Chicago Fire FC
W
2020-07-29
Columbus Crew SC
1–1
Minnesota United FC
D
2020-07-22
Atlanta United FC
0–1
Columbus Crew SC
W
2020-07-17
Columbus Crew SC
2–0
New York Red Bulls
W
2020-07-12
FC Cincinnati
0–4
Columbus Crew SC
W
2020-03-08
Seattle Sounders FC
1–1
Columbus Crew SC
D
Chicago Fire FC Form
2020-08-20
Columbus Crew SC
3–0
Chicago Fire FC
L
2020-07-23
Chicago Fire FC
0–2
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
L
2020-07-20
Chicago Fire FC
0–2
San Jose Earthquakes
L
2020-07-14
Chicago Fire FC
2–1
Seattle Sounders FC
W
2020-03-07
New England Revolution
1–1
Chicago Fire FC
D
2020-03-01
Seattle Sounders FC
2–1
Chicago Fire FC
L
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
2 / 4
1.64
Columbus Crew SC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.16
Chicago Fire FC xG
I would bet for:
Both teams to score 56%
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Columbus Crew SC win
Both Teams to Score
✗ Wrong
Avg goals/match: 2.8
Actual: No — clean sheet
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 92% |
|
8% |
| ± 1.5 | 77% |
|
23% |
| ± 2.5 | 52% |
|
48% |
| ± 3.5 | 31% |
|
69% |
| ± 4.5 | 16% |
|
84% |
Double Chance
Columbus Crew SC or Draw
77%
Draw or Chicago Fire FC
47%
Columbus Crew SC or Chicago Fire FC
75%
Half-Time Result
✗ WrongActual: Columbus Crew SC win at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
1 – 1
12.5%
2 – 1
9.1%
1 – 0
9.1%
2 – 0
8.1%
0 – 0
8%
1 – 2
6.4%
0 – 1
6.1%
2 – 2
5.3%
3 – 1
5%
3 – 0
Actual
0 – 2
4%
3 – 2
3%
Asian Handicap — Columbus Crew SC
| Handicap | Columbus Crew SC covers | Push | Chicago Fire FC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 11% | — | 89% |
| -2 | 11% | 15% | 75% |
| -1.5 | 25% | — | 75% |
| -1 | 25% | 22% | 53% |
| -0.5 | 47% | — | 53% |
| +0.5 | 74% | — | 26% |
| +1 | 74% | 15% | 11% |
| +1.5 | 89% | — | 11% |
| +2 | 89% | 7% | 3% |
| +2.5 | 97% | — | 3% |
Clean Sheet
Columbus Crew SC keeps clean sheet
32%
✗
Chicago Fire FC keeps clean sheet
20%
✓
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.