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Chicago Fire Midweek Training: 3 takeaways from Week 5

By John Carollo III

CHESTER, PA - AUGUST 08: Chicago Fire Midfielder Raheem Edwards (7) walks toward the sideline for a corner kick in the second half during the US Open Cup game between the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union on August 08, 2018 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHESTER, PA - AUGUST 08: Chicago Fire Midfielder Raheem Edwards (7) walks toward the sideline for a corner kick in the second half during the US Open Cup game between the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union on August 08, 2018 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 09: A general view of SeatGeek Stadium is seen during a MLS match between the Chicago Fire and Orlando City on March 09, 2019 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 09: A general view of SeatGeek Stadium is seen during a MLS match between the Chicago Fire and Orlando City on March 09, 2019 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. The looming shadow

I’d be mistaken to not take a quick moment to mention the one big cloud over everyone’s head at the moment. Tuesday afternoon, the day after April Fool’s, a massive leak dropped with some good news mixed with some very distressing news.

The main part of the leak seemed to suggest a possible buyout of the Chicago Fire’s lease at SeatGeek Stadium and a move to Soldier Field. But in an off-hand comment within the conversation, there was a mention of a possible rebrand of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. I’ve done my own research into this, and others have responded with their own quotes from their own sources, but I’m not going to discuss the legitimacy of the claim nor the impact of the actual implementation of a rebuild at this moment (that’s a different article).

Instead, I just want to quickly give a mention to how this may hang over the fan base as a dark cloud for the rest of the season, especially without clear answers. After spending almost an entire season last year boycotting games and fighting for the rights of a supporters’ group, it seemed that this year was supposed to be the welcome back party for Sector Latino and a sign of good faith the Chicago Fire family will stay a family. This news has rocked the fan base and left many angry and at odds with each other, once again splintering a community that’s been left fragile for many years.

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This sort of thing has an effect on players. When the fans aren’t able to give all of their passion, the players will feel it. So with fans now living under the threat of a rebrand, we may see a season similar to last year, with fans feeling betrayed and a team left uninspired. This all leads to a lot of disappointing results no matter what players are brought in. Sadly, there is trouble in Chicago.

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