Gamethread & Preview: Chicago Fire v Columbus Crew

Chicago vs Columbus always means a little more. There is no love lost and sadly, the Fire haven't beat the Crew in their last six attempts.

That could all end today. Not only can Chicago get its first win of the season over its biggest rival, but it can also keep that rival winless in the process. It will be difficult to be sure. Columbus is hungry for a win, has played better than their results show and still have guys like Federico Higuain, Kei Kamara, Will Trapp and Ethan Finlay to deal with.

But this is a new Fire side and no one on the Crew, including the coach, really knows what to expect out of coach Veljko Paunovic's men. Even Fire fans are still trying to figure out what the Serbian will do from week to week.
Will he go with a 4-2-3-1? A 3-4-1-2? Will he play Joey Calistri at right back!? Anything is possible and that makes for difficult preparations on the opponent's side.

There is no better time to start picking up the home points.

REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Craig Lowry; AR2 (opposite): Anthony Vasoli; 4th: Jorge Gonzalez
MLS Career: 3 games; FC/gm: 26.7; Y/gm: 2.7; R: 1; pens: 1

OUT: Michael Harrington (red card suspension), Gilberto (questionable)

LAST YEAR (MLS)
5/22: CLB 2, CHI 2 (Kamara 8, 55 - Accam 58; J. Johnson 94+)
7/15: CHI 0, CLB 1 (Kamara 41)
7/19: CLB 3, CHI 1 (Higuain 2; Kamara 17; Finlay 83 - Accam 9)

Here's today's #cf97 Starting XI and bench presented by @UIHealth. Kickoff at 4pm CT on @CSNChicago Plus. #CHIvCLB pic.twitter.com/3vSVJf7Q5t

— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) March 19, 2016

Here's your #CrewSC Starting XI vs. the @ChicagoFire. #CHIvCLB #ForColumbus pic.twitter.com/cyeaOcgZFW

— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) March 19, 2016