COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew SC (7-6-6, 27 points) returns to MAPFRE Stadium to face the Chicago Fire (5-10-3, 18 points) tomorrow, July 19 at 5 p.m. The match is set to be nationally televised on ESPN2, with Adrian Healey and Taylor Twellman on the call. Dwight Burgess and Neil Sika will have the radio call for CD102.5 FM and Juan Valladares is set to be behind the microphone for La Mega 103.1 FM. The contest also airs on ESPN Deportes and TSN2.
Crew SC is 15-24-15 all-time against the Fire, including a 9-10-7 record in matches played in Columbus. The Black & Gold are an undefeated 3-0-2 in their last five encounters with Chicago, including two victories and one draw at MAPFRE Stadium. Crew SC has scored at least two goals in each of its last three home matches against the Fire. This clash marks the last of the three-game regular-season series for 2015 between the Eastern Conference rivals, with Crew SC holding a 1-0-1 season series record to date.
During these clubs’ last match, on Wednesday at Toyota Park, forward Kei Kamara scored the game-winning goal, his MLS-leading 13th of the season. The tally brought him into a tie for sixth in the club’s all-time single-season goal-scoring records, level with Dominic Oduro in 2013 and Andres Mendoza in 2011. Kamara has found success against the Fire this year, as he has recorded three goals on 11 shots.
Meanwhile, Ethan Finlay’s assist on Kamara’s winner was his 11th of the season, extending his single-season career-best and his League-leading total. The helper put the midfielder into a tie for seventh in the Black & Gold’s all-time single-season assist list, joining Guillermo Barros Schelotto (2007), Simon Elliott (2005) and Robert Warzycha (twice).
Midfielder Wil Trapp and defender Tyson Wahl each made their 50th appearance in a Black & Gold jersey in the match against Chicago on Wednesday. The start for Trapp was his first since Crew SC’s 2-2 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 8. Following the win in Chicago, the Homegrown Player was voted Barbasol Man of the Match by Crew SC supporters in his return.
Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew SC
Sunday, July 19 – 5 p.m. – MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
National Television: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, TSN2
Crew SC Radio: CD102.5 FM (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)
