Chicago Fire FC

This article is about the MLS soccer club. For the American football team with the same name, see Chicago Fire (WFL). For the TV show, see Chicago Fire (TV series).

Chicago Fire FC
Nickname(s)The Fire
The Men in Red
FoundedOctober 8, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-10-08)
StadiumSoldier Field
Chicago, Illinois
Capacity61,500
OwnerJoe Mansueto
Sporting directorGregg Broughton
Head coachGregg Berhalter
LeagueMajor League Soccer
2024Eastern Conference: 15th
Overall: 28th
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Websitechicagofirefc.com
Current season

Chicago Fire Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Chicago. The team competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference, having moved to the conference in 2002.

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.[1]

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.

  1. ^ "Lionel Messi Drives MLS Record Ticket Revenue for Chicago Fire". September 22, 2023.