Columbus Crew SC kept a clean sheet and earned its first point of the season after a scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire in Bridgeview, Illinois on Saturday night.
In a match without many highlights on either side, the Black & Gold controlled most of the action, holding 58% possession and outshooting the Fire 12-4. Former Crew SC goalkeeper Matt Lampson made four saves for Chicago, denying Columbus’ biggest change of the night when he parried away Ethan Finlay’s shot from distance in the 69th.
Finlay celebrated his 100th regular-season match with Crew SC. The midfielder twice combined with Federico Higuain in the second half for other opportunities. In the 56th he picked up a great ball by Pipa and fired it wide. In the 78th, returned the favor and laid the ball off to Higuain who hit it over the crossbar. Midfielders Justin Meram (11th) and Tony Tchani (54th) also fired shots on goal but straight at Lampson.
On the other end of the pitch, Steve Clark had a fairly quiet evening. The Crew SC goalkeeper made one save on a low-driven shot by Gilberto in the 63rd. It was the only noteworthy opportunity for a Chicago side that was missing the speed of striker David Accam, who missed the match due to a knee sprain.
With the scoreless draw both Chicago and Columbus are still waiting for their first win of the season. Crew SC will get its next opportunity to claim three points when it visits FC Dallas on Saturday, April 2. Kickoff at Toyota Stadium is set for 9 p.m. ET.
