![]() The team's momentum continued, reaching the 2000 MLS Cup final (losing to Kansas City) and winning the 2000 U.S. United in the 1998 MLS Cup Final, and defeating the Columbus Crew in Chicago to win the 1998 U.S. Under the club's first head coach, Bob Bradley-and against all expectation-the team completed the double in its first competitive year, beating D.C. Brown) proved most integral to the Fire's continued success. While all showed their talent while playing for Chicago that first year, American players ( Zach Thornton, Chris Armas, C.J. The team brought in Polish players Piotr Nowak, Jerzy Podbrożny, and Roman Kosecki the Mexican Jorge Campos and the Czech Luboš Kubík. One of the club's notable players was German forward Arno Steffenhagen.įoundation and initial success (1997–2000) The Fire (in red) hosting the Dallas Burn at Soldier Field in July 1998įounded in 1997 at Navy Pier, on the anniversary of the Great Fire, the Fire immediately tapped into the diverse ethnic makeup of the city. They were the only club other than the New York Cosmos to win multiple titles in the NASL. They spread their home games at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, and Comiskey Park. The Fire also have a reputation for importing international talent, from established veterans like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Pável Pardo, Piotr Nowak, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Tomasz Frankowski, Luboš Kubík, Hristo Stoichkov and Jorge Campos in addition to younger players such as Patrick Nyarko, Marco Pappa, Damani Ralph, Bakary Soumaré and Nery Castillo.Ĭhicago was once the home of the Chicago Sting who competed in the top-level North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1975 to 1984. Brown, Jesse Marsch, Chris Rolfe, and Zach Thornton. Some of the club's other notable American professional players include C.J. internationals Chris Armas, Carlos Bocanegra, Frank Klopas, DaMarcus Beasley, Brian McBride, Tony Sanneh, Cory Gibbs, Ante Razov, Josh Wolff, Eric Wynalda and Jon Busch. Many notable players have worn the Fire shirt, including U.S. The Fire are currently one of the most successful clubs in the U.S. In 2019, with the change of ownership to Joe Mansueto, the Fire returned to Soldier Field for the 2020 MLS season. From 2006 to 2019, the club played at SeatGeek Stadium, a stadium originally built for the club, at 71st and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. The club president is Ishwara Glassman-Chrein Georg Heitz was appointed sporting director in December 2019 The Fire were originally based at Soldier Field from 1997 to 2006. The owner and chairman of the Fire is Joe Mansueto, who purchased the club in 2019. The club is named after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 the official founding date of the team was the 126th anniversary of that event. The Fire's home stadium is Soldier Field which it shares with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.Ĭhicago Fire FC was founded as Chicago Fire Soccer Club on October 8, 1997. They also operate the Chicago Fire Foundation, the team's community-based charitable division. The Fire maintains an extensive development system, consisting of the Chicago Fire Development Academy and the Chicago Fire Juniors youth organization. Although finishing near the bottom of the league consistently, Chicago Fire is valued at over $500 million. Open Cups in 2000, 2003, and 2006, in addition to the 2003 MLS Supporters' Shield. ![]() Open Cup (the "double") in their first season in 1998. ![]() The Fire won the MLS Cup as well as the U.S. The team began play in 1998 as one of the league's first expansion teams. The franchise, named in memory of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, was founded as the Chicago Fire Soccer Club on October 8, 1997, the Great Fire's 126th anniversary. The team competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference, having moved to the conference in 2002. Chicago Fire Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Chicago.
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