The 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season kicks off with a highly anticipated matchup between Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire FC at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Saturday, February 22. This clash features two teams with high expectations and star-studded lineups.
Columbus Crew
- 2024 Record: 19-6-9, 2nd in Eastern Conference, reached the playoffs but lost in the Eastern Conference Round One
- Key Players: Wilfried Nancy (Head Coach), Lassi Lappalainen, Osvaldo Alonso, Miguel Gallardo, Bradley Wright-Phillips
- Strengths: Columbus Crew had a strong season in 2024, finishing 2nd in the Eastern Conference. They have a productive academy and a front office adept at finding undervalued targets.
- Challenges: The Crew lost several key players in the offseason, including Cucho Hernández, Alexandru Mățan, and Christian Ramírez. They will need to find replacements to maintain their competitive edge.
Chicago Fire FC
- 2024 Record: 15-17-2, reached the playoffs but lost in the second round
- Key Players: Gregg Berhalter (Head Coach), Jonathan Bamba, Hugo Cuypers, Jack Elliott, Philip Zinckernagel
- Strengths: Chicago Fire FC finished the 2024 season strong, winning three of their final four league contests. They have a productive academy and a front office adept at finding undervalued targets.
- Challenges: Chicago Fire FC struggled early in the season, losing four of their first five games. They have not won their first match of an MLS campaign since 2018.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio
- Broadcast: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Team News and Lineups
- Columbus Crew: The reigning Supporters’ Shield winners have turned to Wilfried Nancy to guide the team to an MLS Cup. They have added Lassi Lappalainen and Osvaldo Alonso ahead of this season and also brought in goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong from South Korean top-flight side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC. Their biggest departure was Cucho Hernández, who was transferred to LaLiga side Real Betis.
- Chicago Fire FC: After a poor start to the 2024 season, Chicago Fire FC hired Gregg Berhalter to maximize the team’s high-priced talent. They have lost key players like Rafael Czichos and Gastón Giménez, but have added Jonathan Bamba and Hugo Cuypers to bolster their squad.
Key Matchups
- Lassi Lappalainen vs. Chicago Fire Defense: Lappalainen’s presence on the field will be a major factor for Columbus Crew. His ability to create scoring opportunities and finish them will test Chicago Fire’s defensive capabilities.
- Chicago Fire’s Front Line vs. Columbus Crew’s Defense: Chicago Fire’s attacking trio will look to exploit any weaknesses in Columbus Crew’s defense and create scoring chances.
