The Columbus Crew put on possibly their greatest performance of the season in their farewell game at Historic Crew Stadium on Saturday night, cruising to a 2-0 victory over Chicago Fire FC.

The scoreline harked back to some of MLS' most memorable nights and the "Dos a Cero" US men's national team victory over Mexico for which it became best known in a game that ended 22 years at the league's first soccer-specific venue. Gyasi Zardes of the United States Men's National Team scored both goals for the Crew.

The Crew's new-look front four frightened the visiting Fire from the outset, with Derrick Etienne, Lucas Zelarayan, and Alexandru Matan supporting Zardes. Zardes had earlier pushed a header wide before placing the hosts ahead after 18 minutes. After a corner, Zelarayan pulled up a cross from the left, Chicago's defenders failed to clear, and Zardes showed his predatory instincts with a quick finish into the net. The Crew's lead was deservedly doubled with 34 seconds minutes left. Etienne provided Zardes this time, avoiding the Fire's attempted offside trap with a long ball over the top from Jonathan Mensah and squaring for his striker to tap home.

Chicago had plenty of possession but lacked offensive threat, with no shots on target in the first 90 minutes. Etienne and Zardes both came close to scoring before halftime, and the Crew could have extended their lead before the break. The Fire came out of the halftime break with some much-needed attacking vigor, but a Francisco Calvo close-range header over the bar was the closest they came to regaining control of the game. The Crew's historic night was completed when key offseason signing Kevin Molino returned from injury to make his long-awaited debut.

The 2020 MLS Cup champions had had an uncharacteristically poor start to the season, but they looked near to their best on Saturday. The Crew have won back-to-back games for the first time this season, and are now, at least temporarily, over the playoff line. Things appear to be coming together with Molino's first appearance as they prepare to relocate into Lower.com Field. The same cannot be true for the Fire, who have only four points through their first eight games.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Sean Faska]