Cupps makes Chicago history as Crew storm top of Eastern Conference

The Columbus Crew stormed to the Eastern Conference summit as Christopher Cupps made MLS history for the Chicago Fire on Sunday.

A 4-2 win over Charlotte FC made it five victories in the Crew's last six matches to take sole possession of first place in the East standings.

Dylan Chambost and a Diego Rossi penalty sent Columbus into a 2-0 lead before Wilfried Zaha reduced the arrears on the stroke of half-time with a spot-kick of his own.

Aziel Jackson restored the Crew's two-goal buffer before Liel Abada hit back, only for Jacen Russell-Rowe to seal the win with nine minutes remaining.

"I’m happy that we did well and I’m happy with the start we had since the beginning of the season," Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy said after the game.

"We had a good first half, except the last two or three minutes, where we conceded the first goal. After that, the group stayed calm and addressed certain things.

"They raised the intensity mentally and they were able to stay on task and score the second goal."

Charlotte had not conceded four goals in an MLS game since June 2023, when they lost by the same scoreline to the Crew.

"The fact that we are able to play as a team, we are able to have an edge on them," Nancy added. "We'll see, we’re gonna play them in three weeks."

There was also a piece of history elsewhere for the Fire as homegrown defender Cupps, aged 16 years and 342 days, became the youngest starter in club history.

The teenager helped Chicago to a goalless draw with Orlando City SC, despite Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady getting sent off nine minutes before the interval for a last-man foul on Duncan McGuire.

"How many questions so far? Four questions from you guys, and we haven’t talked about Chris Cupps starting at centre-back at 16 years old? I mean, come on," coach Gregg Berhalter joked to reporters.

"What are you guys doing? That has to be the first question! How many centre-backs start at 16 years old and get a shutout down a man?"

The Fire limited Orlando to just two shots on target against backup goalkeeper Jeffrey Gal, who kept a clean sheet in his MLS debut, while Cupps impressed with a game-leading 12 clearances.

"We gotta talk about him [Cupps], we have to talk about his performance and his bravery," Berhalter said. "Think about a young player coming in after losing 7-2 and the pressure on him to perform.

"And the way he performed today was not perfect, but in my mind it was outstanding. It was a great starting debut in front of the home fans."

Cupps may see more starting time going forward, given that the Fire are struggling through a six-game winless streak.

"When you give up 10 goals in two games, basically everyone’s job is in jeopardy, right?" Berhalter added. "So when you look at the backline, no one’s safe. You have to look to make changes."