Hot Time In Old Town - MLS Coverage: Columbus Crew vs. Chicago FireTRADITION - HONOR - PASSIONhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50655/htiot-fav.png2018-05-12T22:00:02-05:00http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/rss/stream/171074752018-05-12T22:00:02-05:002018-05-12T22:00:02-05:00Excuses, Excuses: Columbus Crew 3, Chicago Fire 0, MLS game recap
<figure>
<img alt="MLS: Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew SC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v7TegtIONAcchU6ADK8U3om755c=/0x0:2032x1355/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59716927/usa_today_10833004.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Men In Red post one of their most dismal performances of the season in Columbus</p> <blockquote>
<p id="hu7Pmz"><strong>Columbus Crew 3</strong> Higuain 28’ (PK), Zardes 50’ 70’</p>
<p id="eRPlVb"><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a><strong> 0</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p id="7cg0gB">People come up with all sorts of excuses or rationalizations for why they do what they do. </p>
<p id="9XCK1J">“My dog ate my homework.” </p>
<p id="LM9ctG">“It’s not cheating if it’s in another zip code.” </p>
<p id="YEI0D9">“I don’t like Trump but I voted for him anyway because I can’t stand liberals.” </p>
<p id="cXIHbt">“The language I used came during a heated moment and does not reflect my feelings toward the gay and lesbian community.”</p>
<p id="ToV4RB">Excuses only go so far. At some point you have to own up to who you are and what you did.</p>
<p id="BZSUN9">You could make all sorts of excuses for why the Fire took the L in Columbus tonight. This was the third game in a week. They were tired. The travel ground them down. <span>Bastian Schweinsteiger</span> didn’t play. The Crew were het up for what might be their last home game against the Fire. Any of those excuses and explanations are reasonable, in isolation.</p>
<p id="3MGj0D">But at some point the Fire, and us fans, have to face reality. This team, as currently constituted, isn’t enough.</p>
<div id="5WqKGN"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3EVhhiBLhKg?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="OQZ9lT">From kickoff you knew, you <em>knew</em>, this was going to be a long night. Cheap giveaways in midfield. Chicago’s backline giving <span>Federico Higuain</span> and Gyasi Zardes too much space. <span>Richard Sanchez</span> getting bailed out a couple times by the woodwork. You could see it in the eyes of Fire players— THEY knew this was going to be one of those games. That the Fire went into halftime down only 1-0— off of a dubious PK won by Zardes and converted by Higuain— seemed flattering to the visitors.</p>
<p id="nDKp2L">They would not be so lucky in the second half. Maybe it was fatigue catching up with them. Maybe it was <span>Tony Tchani</span> coming on at halftime and blowing his chance to get back into starting contention. Maybe it wasn’t just one thing. Whatever the reason(s), the Fire had nothing in the tank. Zardes took the Fire to task with a pair of goals, killing off the game by the 70th minute. Chicago players dropped their heads. Columbus fans went into cruise control.</p>
<p id="UlFxPu">I want to say I can’t begrudge Columbus tonight. They might lose their team at the end of the season. Maybe they needed this result more than we did. And then I remember that it’s Columbus, and then I begrudge them every fucking thing.</p>
<p id="eO56NZ">The Chicago Fire (3W 2D 5L, 11pts, 7th in the Eastern Conference) are back home next Sunday when they face the <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a>.</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/5/12/17348810/columbus-crew-3-chicago-fire-0-mls-2018-match-recap-zardes-brace-higuain-penaltyBridget Gordon2018-05-12T20:35:02-05:002018-05-12T20:35:02-05:00Columbus Crew 3, Chicago Fire 0: Man Of The Match
<figure>
<img alt="MLS: Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew SC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K-5S-24bpjxUd8zSvQV0IqYRne4=/0x0:2400x1600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59716505/usa_today_10832707.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ugh</p> <p id="5hlKnq">Well that sucked. Not a whole lot of good you can say about tonight.</p>
<p id="DW1ubA">We’re going with <span>Aleksandar Katai</span> as our MOTM. Even though the Fire didn’t get on the scoresheet, Katai offered some of the most promising chances for a Chicago goal and gave the Crew’s backline the most problems.</p>
<p id="yN7p7W"><em>Now let us know how you saw it. Vote for your choice for MOTM in the poll below. The poll will be open for two days, after which we’ll publicize the results. (Note: if you’re viewing this post from AMP or Apple News, you won’t see the poll below. Feel free to tell us your pick in the comments.)</em></p>
<div id="r6ohi7"><div data-anthem-component="poll:1061653"></div></div>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/5/12/17346856/best-worst-performances-vote-motm-columbus-crew-3-chicago-fire-0-mls-2018-week-11Bridget Gordon2018-05-12T15:00:02-05:002018-05-12T15:00:02-05:00Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire: Lineups, Game Highlights, and How to Watch
<figure>
<img alt="MLS: Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew SC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CE1EPyuoVaiv4lqTIyTkq8q3pdk=/4x0:4267x2842/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59711071/usa_today_10215578.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Lineups, streaming info, and live MLS coverage as the Fire face off against the Crew</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="LQMpKQ">
<h2 id="R8euso">
<strong>Columbus Crew vs </strong><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a>
</h2>
<p id="Eldt3c">Saturday, May 12th, 2018</p>
<p id="toZlBR">MLS Week 11 | MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus OH</p>
<p id="jDuO4J">Kickoff: 6:30pm CT</p>
<p id="BENmDi">Referee: Allen Chapman</p>
<p id="UkOD4G">Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Michael Kampmeinert</p>
<p id="IxmD0W">4th Official: Marcos Deoliveira</p>
<p id="7I2X0D">VAR: Edwin Jurisevic</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="sh41Oy">
<p id="lFOoh8">The Fire head to Ohio for what might be the final trip to Firehouse East. They face a Columbus squad in solid form and eager to show up their rivals at home one last time. It’s hard to say what kind of game we’re going to have, but all signs point to Not Boring.</p>
<h2 id="ubcidE"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="gnFlBX"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/5/11/17341284/columbus-crew-chicago-fire-mls-2018-week-11-preview-news-injuries-projected-lineups-how-to-watch">Fire @ Crew</a></p>
<p id="Y7Cq5a"><strong>Television</strong>: CW Columbus, Spectrum Sports Ohio</p>
<p id="kTy0bc"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> ESPN+</p>
<p id="kGFKVw"><strong>Live Updates:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/hottimeoldtown">@HotTimeOldTown</a> (livetweets by <a href="https://twitter.com/rubentisch">Ruben</a>) | <a href="https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-05-12-columbus-crew-sc-vs-chicago-fire/preview">MLS Matchcenter</a></p>
<h2 id="5L9uCf"><strong>COLUMBUS CREW</strong></h2>
<p id="zBNV3m">Starting XI: Steffen; Jimenez, Williams, Mensah, Afful; Clark, Artur; Grella, Higuain (c), Santos; Zardes</p>
<p id="kLED6I">Bench: Kempen, Valenzuela, Crognale, Trapp, Hansen, Martinez, Jahn</p>
<h2 id="f9LvLH"><strong>CHICAGO FIRE</strong></h2>
<p id="pnBWU3">Starting XI: Sanchez; Vincent, Campbell, Kappelhof, Ellis; McCarty (c), Adams; Campos, Katai, Collier; Nikolic</p>
<p id="I2bcST">Bench: McClain, Corrales, Lillard, Bronico, Johnson, Tchani, Gordon</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="XXLN6Z">
<h2 id="Y2gOhF"><strong>FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
<h2 id="nQGXz0">29’ 1-0 Higuain</h2>
<div id="ybPhXx">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Absolutely thumped in.<br><br>Higuain from the spot make it 1-0 <a href="https://twitter.com/ColumbusCrewSC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColumbusCrewSC</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CLBvCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CLBvCHI</a> <a href="https://t.co/p00poxGIgM">https://t.co/p00poxGIgM</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/995455715761254401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="7OMyfS">
<h2 id="9PwYAG"><strong>SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
<h2 id="vOFFhY">50’ 2-0 Zardes</h2>
<div id="lxQAqE">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/gyasinho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gyasinho</a> finishes a ⚡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/ColumbusCrewSC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColumbusCrewSC</a> counter. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CLBvCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CLBvCHI</a> <a href="https://t.co/1acYKGYhN8">https://t.co/1acYKGYhN8</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/995465651895468032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h2 id="r50FbV">70’ 3-0 Zardes</h2>
<div id="AV7JwN">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">✌️ times for <a href="https://twitter.com/gyasinho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gyasinho</a>! With his brace, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrewSC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CrewSC</a> is up 3-0!<br><br>OMG that dummy from <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGrella10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MikeGrella10</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CLBvCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CLBvCHI</a> <a href="https://t.co/KHgjOEIUk4">pic.twitter.com/KHgjOEIUk4</a></p>— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColumbusCrewSC/status/995471400193347584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="vqisES">
<h2 id="iVClqi"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="u3edBM">Be sure to follow our full coverage of every Chicago Fire game this season, along with breaking news, tactical analysis, and opinion. Join the conversation in the comments below or on social media.</p>
<p id="lzgCaj"></p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/5/12/17346758/columbus-crew-chicago-fire-mls-2018-week-11-highlights-teamsheets-streaming-kickoff-timeBridget Gordon2018-05-11T12:30:02-05:002018-05-11T12:30:02-05:00We Come To Bury Caesar: Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire, MLS Week 11 game preview
<figure>
<img alt="MLS: Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew SC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/02n6u_ZnFlzOhPKoeBjOPkl2_iM=/1x0:3322x2214/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59700733/usa_today_10215339.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Men In Red venture to Firehouse East for what could be the final time</p> <p id="GbPMrp">I wish I could write about this like it’s just another game. Even just another Columbus rivalry game. I wish I could offer some tactical breakdowns and talk about what a result would mean for the Fire at this stage of the season and how important it is to not roll over for That Yellow Fucking Team. I wish— and I suspect a lot of Crew fans would agree— that I could pretend that it was still a year or more ago.</p>
<p id="VPnMiS">But this isn’t another just game. Because Anthony Precourt is a fucking 80s movie villain and he’s preparing to take an MLS OG club out of the town that nurtured it for three decades now, for no better reason than because he can. Columbus doesn’t want this. <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20180123/crew-sc--two-austin-stadium-options-face-opposition">Austin definitely doesn’t have a consensus on this</a>. Nobody wants this except Precourt and Don Garber, but that’s apparently enough to make it happen, with no other reason than “because fuck you that’s why.”</p>
<aside id="830RQE"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"#SaveTheCrew - SBNation.com","url":"https://www.sbnation.com/save-the-crew"}]}'></div></aside><p id="2CXvye">(Disclosure: I’ve previously written for MLS Digital. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=james+bridget+gordon+site%3Amlssoccer.com&rlz=1CAHPZS_enUS735US735&oq=james+bridget+gordon+site%3Amlssoccer.com&aqs=chrome..69i57.10577j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Here’s all the work I’ve done for them</a>.)</p>
<p id="6LNyqg">And so because of some rich assholes who just do whatever the fuck they want whenever they want, Columbus is about to lose their team and we’re about to lose our biggest rivals. This could be our last trip to Firehouse East. So no, it’s not just another game.</p>
<p id="l64olj">I mean look, it’s Columbus, they’re our rivals, I’m not immune to bouts of schadenfreude. I know there are corners of CF97 fandom that are delighted to see the Crew disappear, who don’t believe in any kind of intraleague solidarity, who believe that this “Major League Friendship” business is a load of horseshit. Fine. Whatever. Just keep in mind: our own position isn’t so solid, and <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/5/9/17336966/chicago-usl-sterling-bay-tom-ricketts-lincoln-yards">the carrion birds are circling</a>. There but for the grace of Ante Razov.</p>
<p id="TLoEQl"><strong>CF97 all-time MLS record vs Columbus Crew: 25-18-18, 86 GF / 91 GA, 93 pts out of 183</strong></p>
<p id="bRJeqa"><strong>CF97 away MLS record vs Columbus Crew: 10-8-12, 39 GF / 55 GA, 38 pts out of 90</strong></p>
<h1 id="PEMkRy">Previously on...</h1>
<div id="tSuMUf"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-rCd9YvOIMU?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<div id="n9PgP6"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EGdIhlVs6P0?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<div id="ZX7Sdf"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aTHEB6PIA9Y?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="FyGge9">The Crew have grabbed seven points from their last three games and are unbeaten in their last five. They haven’t lost a game since April 7th, when they got beat by... hey, look at that! <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/4/7/17211550/soaking-damage-chicago-fire-1-columbus-crew-0-mls-game-recap-nemanja-nikolic-winning-goal">It was us</a>!</p>
<h1 id="CNldgk">Projected Lineup</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TloX8dwMshtjJhAe4CLQsACOSiE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10820579/Screenshot_2018_05_10_at_11.57.37_PM.png">
</figure>
<p id="lduAQs">I’m going to be honest and say I cheated a little bit here. I was trying to come up with a projected lineup and kept shooting blankets. Then I saw <a href="https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-05-12-columbus-crew-sc-vs-chicago-fire/preview">the lineup guess on MLS’ preview for the game</a> and said, “yeah, sure, that works.”</p>
<p id="lnrIE6">Collier playing a little further back, Basti at the tip of the diamond, Katai in a free-floating role underneath Niko. I think this could work.</p>
<h1 id="Fy7sDu">Keys To The Match</h1>
<p id="fNNHbN"><strong>Mo Means Mo</strong>: The Fire have posted two solid defensive performances in a row, thanks in no small part to rookie d-mid Mo Adams. As Adnan explained yesterday, Adams was crucial to the Fire’s win over Montreal in midweek, and that was down largely to the kid’s ability to keep <span>Ignacio Piatti</span> in his back pocket. He did the same thing last weekend against Atlanta by mostly managing to contain <span>Miguel Almiron</span>— which is, to be clear, no small feet. There’s no reason to believe that Adams couldn’t replicate those performances while man-marking Gyasi Zardes, who is, uh, not quite on the same level as Piatti and Almiron. In other words, Adams just needs to keep doing what he’s been doing.</p>
<p id="g4SpgQ"><strong>Back To Front</strong>: Last year the outside back tandem of <span>Brandon Vincent</span> and <span>Matt Polster</span> constituted the best fullback pair in MLS. A lot of the Fire’s creativity and ability to exert pressure on the opposition was due to Vincent and Polster pushing forward and overloading the flanks. Polster is still injured and there’s no firm timetable on his return, so that weapon in the 2017 Fire’s arsenal has laid dormant. But Kevin Ellis, against all rhyme and reason, has found his mojo and remade himself into a competent attacking fullback. If Ellis can keep it up, him and Vincent can potentially give Columbus enough problems to force some scoring chances.</p>
<p id="z86uth"><strong>Keep Your Heads Down</strong>: This could very well be the last Fire v Crew game at Firehouse East. Emotions will be running high. The heat from the crowd will be immense. With the Fire relying so much on their rookie class, it’s not inconceivable that the atmosphere could get into their heads. No matter what, this team needs to hold their collective nerve. It may not be just another game, but the Men In Red have to pretend that it is for 90 minutes.</p>
<h1 id="7fpBFG">How To Watch</h1>
<p id="vIu4lW"><strong>Television</strong>: CW Columbus, Spectrum Sports Ohio</p>
<p id="PUQW98"><strong>Streaming</strong>: ESPN+</p>
<h1 id="fqWZPR">Final Thoughts</h1>
<p id="03pY4t">Will the Fire manage to make their mark on Firehouse East one last time? Or will That Yellow Team get the last laugh? Let us know in the comments!</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/5/11/17341284/columbus-crew-chicago-fire-mls-2018-week-11-preview-news-injuries-projected-lineups-how-to-watchBridget Gordon