Playing its third game in a week, the Columbus Crew returned home to battle the Chicago Fire. Columbus came into this match after playing a midweek contest against the Houston Dynamo in the first leg of their Round of 16 matchup in the Concacaf Champions Cup. On the other hand, the visitors were at the hands were downed by the defending Supporter’s Shield winners FC Cincinnati. 

The Fire took little time to spark an attack right after the whistle, with the visitors almost opening the scoring within the first 30 seconds. However, Columbus stood tall to the task and turned off the momentum. 

In the 3rd minute, Patrick Schulte stood tall, making a save against Maren Haile-Selassie after the Fire midfielder was found alone on the right-hand side, coming close to breaking the deadlock. 

Columbus showed a sign of life in the 19th minute when Marino Hinestroza found an overlapping Sean Zawadzki to the left of the 18-yard box, but the attack was cleared out for a Crew throw-in. 

The Crew came close to gaining the advantage in the 37th minute when Rudy Camacho’s header from the corner kick was sent right into the hands of Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady. 

Chicago and Columbus had multiple chances to get that opening goal, but neither could complete their chances heading into the half-tied at 0-0. 

The second half saw Columbus come out on the front foot. 

In the 47th minute, Hinestroza sent in a cross that found the head of Diego Rossi, but the attempt found Brady’s hands. Just minutes later, Columbus was on the attack again, with Hernandez having a shot that forced Brady into making another save. 

The Fire came close to finally taking the lead in the 66th minute when Hugo Cuypers got around Camacho and slid the ball past Schulte towards the back post, but the attempt ricocheted off the post and back away from goal. After multiple attempts to clear the danger, Schulte was able to collect the loose ball and keep it scoreless 0-0. 

The home side finally got on the board through Jacen Russell-Rowe when his shot from a distance found the bottom corner. He received a pass from Zawadzki at midfield and dribbled to the top of the penalty area, finding the bottom right-hand corner and collecting the goal.

Chicago was able to equalize five minutes later when Fabian Herbers pounced on a loose ball, slinging it past Schulte. The offside flag would be raised, but after a VAR check, the goal stood. 

The Crew regained the lead late in second-half stoppage when Mo Farsi was at the end of a rebound coughed up by Brady. Russell-Rowe found Rossi who released a shot from the far side of the penalty area with the ball deflecting to the near side allowing Farsi to claim the late-match heroics and the win.

Mo Farsi makes Crew history

Mo Farsi now holds the latest game-winning goal after his goal came in the late stages of second-half stoppage time. Kyle Martino and Alex Matan had the record prior. 

Cardiac Crew

Though the 12 minutes of second-half stoppage time was not ideal, Cardiac Crew would come back for another appearance. The game-winning goal came late, but the Chicago Fire attack just after sparked worry through the Crew fan base. 

What’s Next? 

Columbus is back in action Tuesday against the Houston Dynamo for the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Kickoff from Lower.com Field is set for 6:00 p.m. You can catch the match on Fox Sports 1.