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Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire: Gameday Guide and How to Watch

Goodbye to the Fire Crown, and to many of these players

By Patrick McCraney
MLS: Chicago Fire at New York City FC Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

When the Chicago Fire visit the Columbus Crew for the final match of the 2021 regular season this afternoon, it will feel like a giant farewell party.

First and foremost, goodbye to the Fire Crown logo. It was rightfully trashed from the moment it was leaked, and today will mark the last time it appears in an MLS game. Some fans hated it from the beginning, others actually tried to like the thing, but it never quite worked. It never felt like a Fire logo. The new, Matt Wolff-designed crest, which the club is using basically everywhere at this point but the crests on the jerseys, is a much better representation of what a Fire logo should be.

Second, goodbye to many of these players. As we reported this week, the Fire have already informed several players they wouldn’t be back next season. Many of those names have already been leaked, but the official list should be out Monday. Some are surprises, some definitely aren’t. Some will be sad for fans. Others, probably not. Either way, this is the last time this group of guys will play together. Beating Columbus, and helping to keep the Fire’s midwestern rivals out of the MLS playoffs would be a respectable way go to out.

The Crew are hanging on by a thread—FiveThirtyEight gives them a less than one percent chance of making it to the postseason. They’ll need a win, and a lot of help from other teams.

For the Fire, either way, it’s another season watching the playoffs from home.

Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire

MLS Match #34 | Sunday, November 7 | Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio

Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CT

TV: WGN-TV

Streaming: CFFC Live (in the Chicago market), ESPN+ (outside the Chicago market)

Live Twitter Updates: @HotTimeOldTown

Radio: TUDN 1200AM

Chicago Fire Injuries & Absences

  • OUT: Kenneth Kronholm (right knee)
  • QUESTIONABLE: Bobby Shuttleworth (left thigh)

Columbus Crew Injuries & Absences

  • OUT: Jonathan Mensah (right leg)
  • OUT: Artur (right hip)
  • OUT: Waylon Francis (left thigh)
  • OUT: Perry Kitchen (left knee)
  • OUT: Kevin Molino (right knee)
  • OUT: Gyasi Zardes (left knee)
  • OUT: Aidan Morris (left knee)

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