clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Seven of the eight teams left in MLS share a common regular season opponent: the Fire

The MLS conference semifinals kick off this afternoon

By Patrick McCraney
Nashville SC v Toronto FC
Former Fire captain Dax McCarty
Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images

Of the eight teams left in Major League Soccer, seven of them had faced the Chicago Fire during the regular season. Of those, four of the teams had played the Fire twice.

Positive Covid tests in both the Nashville and FC Dallas delegations pushed the Fire to the Western Conference at the MLS is Back tournament. That means in a season where teams mostly stayed in their own conferences, the Fire are one of the few teams to have faced multiple teams from both conferences.

In the eleven matches with the Fire, the playoff teams cleaned up, grabbing five wins, five draws and only one loss.

With the conference semifinals set to kick off today, here’s a look at the teams left, and how they faired against Chicago.

Orlando City vs. New England Revolution

Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla. 2 p.m. CT (ABC / ESPN Deportes)

How they faired vs. the Fire:

  • Orlando: Beat Chicago 4-1 on Sept. 19
  • New England: Tied Chicago 1-1 on Mar. 7, beat Chicago 2-1 on Sept. 6

Columbus Crew vs. Nashville SC

Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 7 p.m. CT (ESPN / ESPN Deportes)

How they faired vs. the Fire:

  • Columbus: Beat Chicago 3-0 on Aug. 20, Tied Chicago 2-2 on Sept. 12
  • Nashville: Tied Chicago 1-1 on Oct. 31

Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash. 8:30 p.m. CT (FS1 / FOX Deportes)

How they faired vs. the Fire:

  • Seattle: Beat Chicago 2-1 Mar. 1, lost to Chicago 2-1 July 14
  • Dallas - did not play Chicago

Sporting Kansas City vs. Minnesota United

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2020, Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan. 7:38 p.m. CT (FOX / FOX Deportes) **new date/channel

How they faired vs. the Fire:

  • Kansas City: Beat Chicago 1-0 on Oct. 7, Tied Chicago 2-2 on Oct. 17
  • Minnesota: Tied Chicago 2-2 on Nov. 4

Does this information tell us anything about what might happen in these matches? Absolutely not. Last week’s games were a ridiculous mix of late goals, bad calls, bizarre decisions, and shootouts. With no second leg again this week, it should be more of the same. Hopefully.

Next Up In Latest News