Our prediction for this MLS match:
Chicago Fire
Match Time & Date:
16/08/2021
00:00
Prediction: 2-1
Columbus Crew
Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew go head to head at Soldier Field in what will be their second meeting of the season. Columbus defeated Chicago 2-0 at home ground two months ago, meaning that the hosts are hungry for revenge. The hosts did well to beat New York Red Bulls thanks to Luka Stojanovic’s brace, and, no doubt, the Serbian midfielder is going to keep his place in the starting XI.
Both Navarro and Kronholm, on the other hand, are out of contention through injuries. Columbus Crew have been struggling at the back of late, with the team conceding eleven goals in total in the previous three league fixtures. Even though key attacker Gyasi Zardes returned from international duty, we believe that there is a big value in betting on Chicago, who have been showing signs of improvement in recent weeks. All Kitchen, Morris, Valenzuela, Williams, and Wormgoor are likely to miss the game with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Francisco Calvo):
Francisco Calvo is a product of Sarprissa football academy. The Costa Rica international started his senior career at his homeland club Herediano, playing as a defender. Calvo played for the likes of Perez Zeledon, Nordsjaelland, Santos and Sarprissa before joining Minnesota United in 2017 and it has to be noted that he made his MLS debut on March 4, 2017 in a 5-1 loss to Portland Timbers.
The Costa Rica defender quickly proved his worth in the Major League Soccer and in 2018 he was selected as an MLS All-Star, becoming the first ever Loons player to receive the honour. As for his international career, Francisco Calvo made his Costa Rica debut on July 2, 2011 in a Copa America loss to Colombia.
The Minnesota United man is used as both centre and left back and his preferred foot is left. Calvo was born in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, on July 8, 1992.
Highlighted Team (Columbus Crew):
Columbus Crew are an American soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio. The Black & Gold participate in the Eastern Conference and in 2008 they won both the conference and the MLS CUP final. Columbus Crew defeated New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup final, with the likes of Moreno, Marshall and Hejduk scoring for the Black & Gold in the title game.
The club welcome their rivals at Mapfre Stadium, the venue which was opened on May, 15 1999. The current capacity of the stadium is 19.968 and it has to be noted that Mapfre Stadium is the first soccer-specific venue ever built for a MLS club.
A number of high-profile players were part of Columbus Crew in the past, but Guillermo Barros Schelotto is the most famous footballer that wore the black and yellow shirt. Schelotto played for Columbus Crew from 2007 to 2010 and during his spell with the Mapfre Stadium outfit the Black & Gold won the aforementioned MLS Cup.
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Como
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