Chicago Fire FC will open the 2025 Major League Soccer Regular Season against Columbus Crew on Saturday night at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. The match will mark the beginning of the Fire’s 28th season in MLS, as well as the regular season debut of Gregg Berhalter as Head Coach and Director of Football of the Club.
Saturday’s match will mark the 78th all-time encounter between both sides in MLS play, making the Crew the Fire’s most common opponent. The sides are tied with a 27-27-23 record in head-to-head league matchups, but the Crew have a record of 18-10-10 at home, including an undefeated 3-1-0 mark at Lower.com Field since the venue’s opening in 2021. Crucially, Chicago will try to break a seven-match winless streak against Columbus, including four losses in a row since 2023.
Hoping to make his first start with his new club, defender Jack Elliott leads all current Fire players with a whopping 1,530 minutes played against Columbus, while Chris Mueller leads the Club with three goals against the Ohio side.
Kickoff for Saturday’s match is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT. The contest will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and transmitted locally on wlsam.com (English) and WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish).
Game Information
CHICAGO FIRE FC (0-0-0, 0 points) at COLUMBUS CREW (0-0-0, 0 points)
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025
Lower.com Field – Columbus, Ohio
All-Time MLS Regular Season Record vs. CLB: (27-27-23)
Last Game vs. CLB: May 18, 2024 (1-3 L) – Soldier Field – Chicago (Match Recap)
Last Game at CLB: March 9, 2024 (1-2 L) – Lower.com Field – Columbus, Ohio (Match Recap)
by the numbers
1 – Saturday’s match will be the first at the helm for new Fire gaffer Gregg Berhalter, but it will be a familiar setting. Prior to his time with the U.S. Men’s National Team, he coached the Crew to an overall record of 67-58-45 from 2014 to 2018, including four MLS Cup Playoff appearances and one in the 2015 MLS Cup Final. Berhalter will hope to replicate some of that success in his return to Columbus.
3 – After his first call-up to the USMNT in January, Brian Gutiérrez returned to the Fire with renewed confidence. In the last two matches of the Coachella Valley Invitations, the Homegrown midfielder led the way with three goals – his last against defending champions LA Galaxy, no less. “Guti” will look for his form to carry into the regular season in Columbus.
6 – Homegrown midfielder Mauricio Pineda is now the longest-tenured player for the Club, having represented his side in 124 matches over the course of six seasons as of Saturday. The Bolingbrook, Ill. native has featured in eight contests against Columbus, against which he has yet to tally a goal or an assist. The midfielder will hope to change that, but would settle for a clean sheet, as a more defensive player. Chris Brady (64 matches), Brian Gutiérrez (120 matches) and Carlos Terán (79 matches) have also been with the Club for six seasons.
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Training & Media Availability Schedule:
Feb. 17-23
The first 15 minutes of each training session will be open to the media, with interviews with coaches and players occurring directly afterward. Media members interested in attending must RSVP and share any interview requests with Elizabeth Sánchez at esanchez@chicagofirefc.com at least 24 hours in advance of the training session they plan to attend (full schedule below).
*Schedule and location are tentative and subject to change.
Mon., Feb. 17 - Off Day
Tue.,
Feb. 18
2025 Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon Presented by Magellan Corporation
3:00 p.m. - Training at Endeavor Health Performance Center
Wed., Feb. 19
10:30 a.m.
- Training at Endeavor Health Performance Center
Thu., Feb. 20
10:30 a.m.
- Training at Endeavor Health Performance Center
Fri., Feb. 21
11:00 a.m.
- Training at Endeavor Health Performance Center
Travel to Columbus, Ohio
Sat., Feb. 22
6:30 p.m.
- Chicago Fire FC at Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field
Sun., Feb. 23
Off Day