The Chicago Fire's playoff hopes came to an end following a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC, extending the team's playoff drought to seven seasons, the longest active streak in Major League Soccer.

The Fire's elimination was not unexpected, with last week's loss to Montréal all but sealing their fate. Despite making solid offseason acquisitions and an impressive preseason showing, including a thrilling season opener draw, the Fire failed to secure enough wins to stay in playoff contention.

While the Fire showed glimpses of brilliance this season, with memorable wins over Montréal, Toronto, and Cincinnati, they struggled to maintain consistent form. The fact that the Fire's fate was sealed with two games remaining in the regular season means upcoming matches will have little significance in terms of playoff qualification.

Following the elimination, attention turns to the offseason, with Sporting Director Georg Heitz set to depart and uncertainties surrounding coach Frank Klopas's future. With key players like Hugo Cuypers, Kellyn Acosta, and Brian Gutiérrez under contract, the team faces a potential roster shakeup as they aim to break the playoff drought that dates back to 2017.

Social media reactions varied, with some lamenting the Fire's fate, while others humorously referenced the team's ongoing struggles. Amidst the disappointment, fans have turned their attention to supporting the Chicago Red Stars and reflecting on the city's resilience and progress.

As the Fire face another year without playoffs, the focus shifts to regrouping and rebuilding for the future, hoping to return stronger in the seasons to come.