Chicago Fire (soccer)

The Chicago Fire is Chicago, Illinois' Major League Soccer (MLS) club, and were founded October 8th, 1997 on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Fire won the MLS Cup in 1998, their first season in the league. They also won the 1998, 2000, and 2003 editions of the US Open Cup. The Fire played at Soldier Field from 1998-2001. They played at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium in the suburb of Naperville in 2002, moving back to the remodeled Soldier Field late in October 2003 and will move to Bridgeview Stadium at 71st and Harlem Avenue in 2006.

Related Topics:
Chicago, Illinois - Major League Soccer - MLS Cup - 1998 - 2000 - 2003 - US Open Cup - Soldier Field - 2001 - Cardinal Stadium - Naperville - 2002 - Bridgeview Stadium - 2006

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since 2001, the Fire and its chief rival F.C. Dallas play for the Brimstone Cup, which goes to the team that wins the season series between the two clubs.

Related Topics:
F.C. Dallas - Brimstone Cup

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Chicago Fire have had a cooperative agreement with Monarcas Morelia, a Mexican Football League club, since 2001. The partnership incorporates playing, coaching, and executive personnel; as well as sharing of business and development practices.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Notably, there is a considerable ultras culture for the club, relatively unique in North America. Ultras groups and fan clubs occupy an area loosely referred to as "Section 8" which stems from both the numbering of the original sector of Soldier Field they occupied, as well as the American military designation of discharged soldiers declared mentally unfit for service. Section 8 Chicago, the Independent Supporters' Association for the club, oversees the activities of the various groups which include Barn Burners 1871 (the oldest group, establised before the club was founded), Fire Ultras '98 (a Polish ultras group), Ultras Red-Side (a newer multiethnic ultras group), Sector Latino (a latin "barra"-style group that often sits seperate from Section 8), Mike Ditka Street Crew, and Arsonists.

Related Topics:
Ultras - "Section 8" - Soldier Field - American military designation - Section 8 Chicago

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~