Here are three things we learned from the Chicago Fire’s disappointing 1-1 draw away to the Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium.

The Chicago Fire’s road woes continued on Saturday night. The Men In Red were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw away to the Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium. Chicago were in control of the match early on, but the home side took the lead against the run of play at the half-hour mark. Pedro Santos picked up the ball at midfield and carried it forward before rifling a shot from distance into the back of the net.

Columbus had chances on the counter to put the game to bed, but were eventually left to rue their missed chances. In the final minutes of the contest, a low cross found its way to Przemysław Frankowski at the back post and the Polish international was able to keep his composure to slot home from close range.

Here are three things we learned from the 1-1 draw.

3. Finally lost hope

The Chicago Fire were effectively eliminated from playoff contention after losing in New England last weekend, but there was at least some hope remaining going into this contest. The Men In Red were in a hole, sure, but it wasn’t quite an insurmountable one due to how often the teams above them drop points.

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However, any fleeting hope of making the postseason was killed off against the Crew. Chicago failed to pick up the much-needed three points on the night. Everyone involved knew it was a must-win game, and the away side played like it early on, dominating the possession and controlling the game. As usual, however, that didn’t actually lead to anything, and it was Columbus who grabbed the opening goal of the game.

The Fire defense was caught lacking, of course, as no one stepped up to the onrushing Pedro Santos, who used the opening to score from the edge of the area. Chicago found a way to steal a point in stoppage time, but it didn’t matter much as they needed all three. They might not have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention just yet, but even the most optimistic of Fire fans have realized that this season is all but over.