Chicago Fire FC
Chicago Fire Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The team competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference, having moved to the conference in 2002.
| Nickname(s) | The Fire The Men in Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | October 8, 1997 | ||
| Stadium | Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois | ||
| Capacity | 61,500 | ||
| Owner | Joe Mansueto | ||
| Chairman | Joe Mansueto | ||
| Head coach | Frank Klopas | ||
| League | Major League Soccer | ||
| 2023 | Eastern Conference: 13th Overall: 24th Playoffs: Did not qualify | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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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 began play in 1998 as one of the league's first expansion teams. The Fire won the MLS Cup as well as the U.S. Open Cup (the "double") in their first season in 1998. They also won U.S. Open Cups in 2000, 2003, and 2006, in addition to the 2003 MLS Supporters' Shield. Although finishing near the bottom of the league consistently, Chicago Fire is valued at over $500 million.
The Fire maintains an extensive development system, consisting of the Chicago Fire Development Academy and the Chicago Fire Juniors youth organization. They also operate the Chicago Fire Foundation, the team's community-based charitable division. The Fire's home stadium is Soldier Field which it shares with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.