Chicago Fire midfielder Andre Franco is ready for "more and more minutes" after his long-awaited return from injury.

The 28-year-old came off the bench in Chicago's 4-2 win over the Colorado Rapids last time out, appearing for the first time since September 2025 after a knee injury.

The Fire are fourth in the Eastern Conference ahead of hosting the Columbus Crew on Decision Day.

Chicago already know they will face Charlotte FC in the first round of the playoffs, but seeding is still up for grabs with one game to go.

And Franco is hoping to get some more minutes for the Fire ahead of the postseason.

"It was fun, a lot of emotions," Franco said after making his return. "You know, everything passes into my head. It was good.

"At the same time, I was upset because I wanted to play more, but this is how football works. At the end of the day, it was a very good day for me getting back on the field.

"Now it's getting the shape to be able to play more and more minutes."

A long road to recovery brought André back to the pitch  https://t.co/dtkytkuAHG

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) November 1, 2026

Columbus sealed their spot in the play-off with a 3-0 victory over D.C. United last time out.

The Crew are currently eighth, occupying one of the two wildcard spots, but can still finish inside the top seven if they defeat Chicago and FC Cincinnati lose against conference leaders Nashville SC.

"There's a good base. This is a team. This shows cohesion and chemistry," said Columbus interim boss Courtois.

"Yes, everybody has individual characteristics, but for the most part, we have a [team] identity which is the most important thing."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski ended his eight-match scoring drought with a goal at Colorado on Saturday, his first goal since early September, scoring off the bench for the first time in four substitute appearances in MLS.

In Germany and Spain, he netted 25 times in 57 substitute appearances in league play.

Columbus Crew – Dylan Chambost

Dylan Chambost assisted two of Columbus's three goals in their win over D.C. United on Saturday, taking him to five assists in his last three regular-season matches.

Chambost had four assists in his first 26 appearances of the season before recording five in his last three.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHICAGO FIRE WIN

Chicago's 55 points this season are their most in a single season since earning 57 points in the 2012 season. That 57-point mark stands as the most in a single season in club history (also in a 32-game season in 2000), a mark the Fire can surpass with a win on Saturday.

However, Columbus have won seven of their last eight regular-season matches, including the last five in a row, to clinch a playoff spot. This equals the Crew’s longest outright-winning streak (excluding breakaway shootout wins) in club history, the seventh time they have achieved the feat.

Columbus have lost only two of their last 19 meetings with Chicago in all competitions (W10 D7) dating back to May 2018, but the Fire have avoided defeat in the last two (W1 D1), including winning the last meeting at home, 2–0 in September 2025.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 46.6%

Draw – 26.5%

Columbus Crew – 26.9%