Columbus Crew SC will begin its 2017 campaign March 4 at Mapfre Stadium against Chicago Fire, MLS announced Wednesday.
The opening match, scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start, kicks off the Crew’s 22nd season and its 19th at Mapfre Stadium.
The March 4 opener will mark the Crew’s fifth game against Chicago Fire to begin a season, but its first since 2006. March 4 is the earliest Crew SC has opened a season since 2013, when it played its March 2 opener at Chivas USA.
Crew SC’s opener against Chicago is one of seven MLS matches scheduled for March 4.