How to watch today's Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire MLS game: Live stream, TV channel, and start time

Columbus Crew is set to welcome Chicago Fire in the early hours of Sunday for an eagerly awaited MLS showdown. As both teams embark on a fresh campaign, they will be eager to make an early statement and build momentum for the season ahead.

Columbus Crew enters this clash on the back of a gut-wrenching penalty shootout defeat against New York RB, where they fought to a 2-2 draw in regulation time before ultimately falling short 5-4 from the spot. Despite that setback, their recent form has been largely encouraging, with three wins and two losses in their last five outings across all competitions. Playing on home soil, they will be keen to put that disappointment behind them and start the new season on the front foot.

On the flip side, Chicago Fire's struggles have been evident in their recent performances, as they remain winless in their last five matches across all competitions. Their most recent outing saw them suffer a humbling 3-0 home defeat against Nashville SC, a result that echoed their final league game from the previous campaign. With concerns mounting over their form, Chicago faces an uphill task as they look to turn their fortunes around against a Columbus side eager to bounce back.

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.

How to watch Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire FC online - TV channels & live streams

Apple TV

Watch here

In the United States (US) and worldwide, the MLS match between Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire FC will be available to watch and stream online live on Apple TV, through the MLS Season Pass.

Check out GOAL's Live Match Centre for updates, while highlights of the game will be uploaded to the official MLS YouTube channel.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.

Stream live anywhere in the world with Nord VPN

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Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire FC kick-off time

Major League Soccer - Major League Soccer

Lower.com Field

The MLS match between Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire will be played at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, United States.

It will kick off at 4:30 pm PT/7:30 pm ET on Saturday, February 22, 2025 in the US.

Team news & squads

Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire FC lineups

Columbus Crew

4-2-3-1

Formation

4-2-3-1

CHI

28

P. Schulte

18

M. Amundsen

21

E. Cheberko

23

M. Farsi

31

S. Moreira

6

D. Nagbe

27

M. Arfsten

25

S. Zawadzki

7

D. Chambost

10

D. Rossi

19

J. Russell-Rowe

1

C. Brady

15

A. Gutman

24

J. Dean

3

J. Elliott

4

C. Teran

35

S. Oregel

19

J. Bamba

23

K. Acosta

17

B. Gutierrez

11

P. Zinckernagel

9

H. Cuypers

4-2-3-1

CHI

COL

-Line up

• 28

  P. Schulte

• 18

  M. Amundsen

  50’

• 21

  E. Cheberko

• 23

  M. Farsi

  82’

• 31

  S. Moreira

  45’ + 1’

• 6

  D. Nagbe

• 27

  M. Arfsten

• 25

  S. Zawadzki

• 7

  D. Chambost

• 10

  D. Rossi

  45’ + 1’, 50’

• 19

  J. Russell-Rowe

  19’

  59’

Substitutes

• 24

  E. Bush

• 45

  O. Presthus

• 12

  D. Jones

• 20

  D. Jones

• 29

  C. Mrowka

• 2

  M. Herrera

  82’

• 46

  C. Adams

• 13

  A. Jackson

  59’

• 49

  T. Brown

Manager

• W. Nancy

CHI

-Line up

• 1

  C. Brady

• 15

  A. Gutman

• 24

  J. Dean

• 3

  J. Elliott

• 4

  C. Teran

  38’

• 35

  S. Oregel

  37’

  68’

• 19

  J. Bamba

  13’, 22’

• 23

  K. Acosta

• 17

  B. Gutierrez

  13’, 22’

  58’

• 11

  P. Zinckernagel

  44’

  69’

• 9

  H. Cuypers

  46’

Substitutes

• 36

  J. Reynolds

• 22

  M. Pineda

  69’

• 25

  J. Gal

• 26

  O. Glasgow

  68’

• 34

  O. Gonzalez

• 12

  T. Barlow

  46’

• 5

  S. Rogers

• 45

  H. Osorio

• 47

  S. Williams

Manager

• G. Berhalter

Columbus Crew team news

Evan Bush has been sidelined for a significant stretch for Columbus Crew due to a broken arm, but the goalkeeper appears close to making his comeback, having been listed as a substitute in the recent clash against New York Red Bulls.

The hosts will also be without Malte Amundsen, who remains out with a groin injury. However, there's some positive news as Lassi Lappalainen is expected to be fit enough for his debut after enduring an injury-plagued campaign last season.

Chicago Fire FC team news

On the flip side, Chicago Fire's Maren Haile-Selassie has been absent from all six of the team's 2025 friendly matches due to injury and looks set to remain unavailable for this weekend’s encounter.

Meanwhile, David Poreba is steadily nearing a return from a ligament problem, but Saturday’s match will likely come too soon for the 22-year-old midfielder to feature.

Form

Head-to-Head Record

COL

Last 5 matches

CHI

4

Wins

1

Draw

0

Wins

• Chicago Fire FC

  1

  -

  3

  Columbus Crew

• Columbus Crew

  2

  -

  1

  Chicago Fire FC

• Columbus Crew

  3

  -

  0

  Chicago Fire FC

• Chicago Fire FC

  1

  -

  2

  Columbus Crew

• Columbus Crew

  0

  -

  0

  Chicago Fire FC

10

Goals scored

3

Games over 2.5 goals

4/5

Both teams scored

3/5

Standings

Useful links

• MLS news
• Columbus Crew team page
• Chicago Fire team page
• Soccer on TV in the US
• How to watch & live stream soccer
• Where to watch & stream MLS games live