Chicago Fire FC vs Columbus Crew 2026 Season Finale

Decision Day Showdown at SeatGeek Stadium

Chicago Fire FC will close out the 2026 Major League Soccer regular season by hosting the Columbus Crew on Saturday, Nov. 7, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. CT, with the match broadcast globally on Apple TV, alongside local radio coverage on wlsam.com and TUDN Chicago 106.7-HD2.

The Fire enter the regular-season finale with a 16-10-7 record and 55 points, while the Crew arrive holding a 13-15-5 mark worth 44 points. In their all-time regular season meetings, the two sides share an even 28-28-24 record.

Clinching the Postseason in Colorado

Chicago secured vital momentum last weekend by visiting the Colorado Rapids for the first time since 2018. Needing points to clinch a postseason spot, the Fire fell behind when Colorado struck first in the 22nd minute. Jonathan Bamba answered by equalizing with his second goal in as many games. Bamba gave the Fire a brief lead that the Rapids quickly erased.

Chicago illinois steven moreira of the columbus crew and jonathan bamba of the chicago fire

Robert Lewandowski entered the match in the 63rd minute and scored his seventh goal of the campaign. Lewandowski then provided the assist on Puso Dithejane’s 88th-minute strike, sealing a 4-2 victory and the club’s seventh away win of 2026.

The Crew’s Late-Season Surge

Columbus arrives in Illinois riding an improbable run of form. Down in last place in the Eastern Conference with only a dozen games remaining in September, the Crew went off to win six of their last seven matches entering a crucial match against another playoff hopeful in D.C. United. The result eliminated D.C. from contention and was enough to give the team a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Chicago defeated Columbus 2-0 at Soldier Field on Sept. 27, 2025, while their most recent trip to Ohio on March 7, 2026, ended in a 0-0 draw at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

Cincinnati ohio columbus crew players celebrate during a trophy ceremony after defeating fc

Milestones and Key Contributors on Decision Day

Several individual milestones highlight Saturday’s fixture:

Maren Haile-Selassie: Closing out 2026 with at least 12 goals—seven of them at home—Haile-Selassie has scored in each of his last five home games. A goal on Saturday would mark his sixth home game in a row, the longest streak since 2018.
André Franco: Following his long-awaited season debut last week, where he recovered a ball that sparked a goal in the win at Colorado, Franco looks to connect with Lewandowski.
Philip Zinckernagel: The two-time MLS All-Star added two assists against the Rapids, bringing his regular-season career goal contributions with Chicago to 49. One more goal or assist on Decision Day reaches the 50-contribution mark.

English-language television coverage features Max Bretos and Brian Dunseth on Apple TV, with Max Anderson and Joe Chatz calling the action on wlsam.com and TUDN Chicago 106.7-HD2. Spanish-language broadcasts are available via Sergio Ruíz and Walter Roque on Apple TV, alongside Omar Ramos and Teresa Limón on the Uforia platform.