Another chapter of the Crew SC - Chicago Fire rivalry will be written this Friday when the two sides clash at MAPFRE Stadium. Columbus and Chicago have combined for two MLS cups, four Supporters’ Shields, and five Lamar U.S Open Cups. Over the past 17 years, they have faced-off a total of 52 times. Here are our five favorite moments from the Midwestern match-up.
July 9, 1998 – Crew SC’s First Win Over Chicago
Chicago accumulated a 20-12-0 record and captured the MLS Cup in its inaugural season, but not before making its first and only trip to Ohio Stadium. Crew SC jumped on the Fire early with an unassisted eighth-minute goal, courtesy of Stern John. Rob Smith and Brian McBride tacked on two more goals to secure the 3-0 win.
Oct. 4, 2004 – Crew SC’s First Regular Season Eastern Conference Title
Talk about a grind-it-out win. Crew SC and the Fire accumulated more fouls (30) than shots (16) in this heated clash. It took the Black & Gold almost an hour to get on the scoreboard, but Edson Buddle’s 59th-minute tally was just enough to capture the 1-0 win and with that the first regular season conference title in Crew SC history. Columbus went on to finish the season with a 12-5-13 record (49 pts.)
Oct. 12, 2008 – Supporters’ Shield: Check
Usually, a 2-2 tie would not get us too riled up, but it was just what Crew SC needed to clinch the Supporters’ Shield as the League’s best regular season club. Houston Dynamo was on the Black & Gold’s heels for the title throughout the season, but its 0-0 draw with D.C United that same night knocked the club out of contention. Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored for Crew SC in the 59th and 61st minutes, respectively. The tie would not be the Black & Gold’s last dance with the Fire that season.
Nov. 13, 2008 – Crew SC Beats Chicago to Win Eastern Conference
A month after claiming the Supporters' Shield, Crew SC took on Chicago in another crucial match at MAPRFRE Stadium. In front of a packed house, former Crew SC striker Brian McBride broke the tie with a header to give Chicago the lead in the 29th minute. That lead would not survive much of the second half, however, when Chad Marshall received a well-struck set piece and headed it off the crossbar and into the net just three minutes after the break. Just six minutes later, Gaven took a headed through ball and slung it into the net to put the Crew up 2-1 and claim the Eastern Conference title. Crew SC went on to defeat the New York Red Bulls 3-1 to capture its first MLS Cup.
Sept. 21, 2013 – A Big Win and a Big Snack
Sure, Dominic Oduro’s 15th-minute goal was nice, but that celebration took planning and a dedicated person to hold the pizza. We cannot confirm whether Oduro was more excited to break the 0-0 draw or indulge in a mid-match snack, but we hope it’s the former. Kudos to Oduro for the creativity. Oh, Crew SC would also go on to score two more times to top Chicago 3-0 that day.
