The Chicago Fire could return to their old stomping grounds next season as a temporary solution for its stadium issues.
The Fire are expected to return to Soldier Field in 2020, where the club previously resided for seven seasons. A club announcement was posted on Monday, but quickly removed off the Fire’s official website.
Since the team’s departure from Soldier Field in 2005, the Fire have played all their home MLS matches at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill..
On July 9, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Fire broke the terms of their current lease at SeatGeek Stadium at a cost of over $65 million.
Veljko Paunovic’s Fire currently sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference on 23 points.
The Fire are seven points behind the seventh and final playoff spot in the East.
I’m confused too. Isn’t this very old news by now?
this is a reset. With Chicharito and Lewandowski on the roster, they should be able to fill up the stands. They couldn’t even sell out in Bridgeview when Cuahtemoc was on the field.
I am confused. They’re not trying to permanently play at Soldier Field are they?! I’ve been there and it is NOT good for soccer. Bridgeview is certainly not what I would call an ideal location but it’s better than playing in that monstrosity of soldier field.
Dude, monstrosities are the new trend of MLS, NYC, Atlanta, Seattle. Half filling a SSS to make the snobs happy is passe. The difficulties will be getting the fans rebooted and buying seats. New players might help, but it’s not a new team, and the new teams have put a lot of energy into atmosphere that the old guard lacks.
“The imperative voice” accusing people of being “snobs”? Okay, whatever floats your boat.
There’s nothing snobby about having a unique identity and value. Being a second class tenant to a partially filled canyon plastered with NFL signage is not a solution.