The Fire have three games to play, but in reality the season is finished.
Sunday’s 0-0 tie with Montreal extinguished the Fire’s faint playoff hopes as they extended an unwanted MLS record with their 18th tie of the season.
The Fire (5-8-18, 33 points) will sit out of the postseason for the second straight year. The last-place Impact (6-18-6, 25 points) remained winless on the road in 16 games.
“It sort of defines our season,” Fire coach Frank Yallop said. “Not quite good enough to win the game, but we did OK in the match. We’re not quite good enough to win games and see games out.
“It’s where we’re at and we’re looking at next season and what we need to do and move forward.”
Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson turned back two shots for his sixth shutout of the season.
The Fire pressed the Impact in the first half with nine shots, including four on Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush, but they had just a slight 52.4 percent advantage in possession through the first 45 minutes. The Fire had a 5-3 shots edge in a less-aggressive second half.
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Midfielder Patrick Nyarko started his first game since May 18 after missing much of the season with injuries. He has entered as a reserve in each of the last five games, and he played 62 minutes on Sunday.
Also in the starting lineup was midfielder Logan Pause. It was his third time in the starting 11 as he approaches retirement at season’s end.
Montreal coach Frank Klopas, the former Fire boss, was in town but not on the field. He was serving a one-game suspension after being ejected in the Impact’s last game.
“It was good to be back,” Klopas said. “I miss being here. I told the guys today you take things for granted when you live here. It’s such a beautiful city.”
Montreal is 0-12-4 away from home and hopes to avoid becoming only the sixth team in MLS history to go through a season without a road victory.