⚽️ Chicago Fire FC at Columbus Crew SC
Date: Thursday, Aug. 20
Location: MAPFRE Stadium - Columbus, Ohio
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. CT
Broadcast: WGN-TV, ESPN+
Radio: TUDN WRTO AM 1200
🎉 #FireWatchParty
Since you can't come to us, we'll come to you. Starting Thursday, the Fire will award at least 10 unique items LIVE throughout the course of each of the next six matches, all via the Club’s social media channels. Just tune into the game on WGN-TV or ESPN+, snap a photo showcasing your home viewing setup or your support for the Fire, then post your photo to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #FireWatchParty! Find out everything that's up for grabs here.
📰 Pre-Match Reading
ChicagoFireFC.com | Columbus Crew SC Scouting Report
ChicagoFireFC.com | Kappelhof, Azira welcome return to training after missing MLS is Back tournament
ChicagoFireFC.com | Bobby Shuttleworth steps in as Fire's No. 1 goalkeeper
Chicago Tribune | Chicago Fire finally resume play Thursday
SB Nation | Is the team ready to compete for a playoff spot?
MLSsoccer.com | Crew SC vs. Chicago Fire FC Match Preview
👀 Must-See #Content | Back Again
The Fire haven't hid their disappointment in the team's early exit from the MLS is Back Tournament last month. Upon returning to Chicago, they immediately got back to work to right the ship and start climbing the standings in the Eastern Conference. With an added chip on their shoulders, take a look inside their collective mindset and preparation for the league's phase one return to regular season play in the video below.
🤔 Fast Fact
Both of Thursday's head coaches spent time in the U.S. Men's National Team youth setup prior to joining MLS. Crew SC head coach Caleb Porter oversaw the U.S. Under-23s during an unsuccessful Olympic qualifying campaign in 2011-12 before taking the main job at the Portland Timbers ahead of the 2013 season. Chicago Fire head coach Raphael Wicky guided the U.S. U-17s to a second place finish in 2019 Concacaf Championship and earned qualification to the 2019 U-17 World Cup.
🗣 Sound Off | Midfielder Micheal Azira
Absent from Orlando's tournament after suffering an eye injury, midfielder Micheal Azira doesn't hide his excitement to be back training with the team ahead of Thursday's meeting with Crew SC.
🆚 #CLBvCHI All-Time
The match on Thursday will mark the 67th meeting between the Fire and Columbus dating back to 1998. Chicago currently leads the head-to-head regular season series with a 26-19-21 record. The most recent Fire-Crew SC matchup at MAPFRE Stadium occurred on Aug. 31, 2019 and resulted in a dramatic finish. With the Fire down 1-0, midfielder Przemysław Frankowski salvaged a point for the team when he scored the game-tying goal in the 94th minute.
