The winless trend continues for yet another week for the Chicago Fire. Although the Fire were playing a tough team they managed to get some progress out of their forwards as they scored both of the Fire goals in the 2 - 2  tie against Columbus on Saturday night.

Both these teams put a great effort in the first half and their efforts resulted in an exciting half for fans. At the end of the first forty-five we had a 2 to 1 score and two Fire forwards who found the back of the net. In the 8th minute after Justin Mapp’s shot hit the post, Chris Rolfe managed to get the rebound and put it away to take an early lead. Later on in the 25th Gonzalo Segares had a good run and had a nice pass to Calen Carr who put the ball away to help increase the Fire lead. However, the Crew would come back. In the 36th minute after a Bakary Soumare mistake, the Crew’s star player Guillermo Barros Schelotto stole the ball from Soumare from just inside the box and passed it to Emmanuel Ekpo who finished it. The second half was all Crew and the Fire showed nothing of an attack and was just trying to bunker in and protect the lead. In the end, Crew playmaker Barros Schelotto found Steven Lenhart who tied the game.

Coming into this match there were many questions that needed to be answered. Which of the many forwards will the Fire use? What formation would Coach Hamlett use? Can the Fire get out of this funk against a tough Columbus team? The answers to these questions are important but not as important as knowing if the Fire will use reserves or starters for this match. The Fire plays a very important game against DC United on Tuesday in the US Open Cup and could want to have their starters ready to play in that match. It is important for this team to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League and with such a good record in the US Open Cup; it’s the easiest path for the team. Nothing ever comes easy but the in a play-off situation the Fire are 6-0-2 against DC with only two goals against. If the Fire then gets past DC they will then face New England or Crystal Palace Baltimore. The Fire will want revenge on New England after they eliminated them last season from the MLS Play-offs. The Fire could have an impressive comeback in the MLS for the Supporters Shield but the Fire has been struggling and it is getting harder for them to get the Supporters Shield. With more than half a season remaining, the Fire can field a team of reserves with sixteen regular season games remaining after tonight’s match.

In the end, Coach Hamlett decided to use his first team which in the end only resulted in a tie. Now the starters might not be ready if they are needed on Tuesday against DC United and the Fire is risking using reserves against a possible full strength DC United. Not only is the Fire continuing not to win they are also risking a chance to win on Tuesday against DC United.

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