Consider MLS Commissioner Don Garber impressed.
At the grand opening of Toyota Park, the Chicago Fire's new home in Bridgeview, Ill., on Sunday, Garber lauded the design and atmosphere of the nation's fourth soccer-specific stadium.
"This is a beautiful facility, one of the best," Garber said. "I just got back from Germany where I saw similar types of stadiums and this is just as nice. It sets the standard not only for our league but for the world.
"I was just here about six weeks ago for the Chelsea announcement and I'm amazed by the progress and the atmosphere here ... Chicago has one of the leading facilities in North America. This stadium has set the standard and I look forward to other cities enjoying a grand opening night."
The Fire's encounter with the New York Red Bulls was the facility's first full-scale soccer event after the Fire's June 11 draw with the New England Revolution; that was billed as a "public safety" match, with the stadium at about 60 percent capacity. Only season-ticket holders and Bridgeview residents were in attendance.
On Sunday, though, the stadium was jammed to the rafters with a sellout crowd of more than 20,000. Section 8, composed of the club's most diehard supporters, was in full voice; prior to the match, they unfurled a gigantic banner that covered the entire section.
"This stadium ... means that our league is here to stay and the public supports this league," Garber said. "Toyota Park is the first publicly funded stadium and that is a huge step for soccer in America."
Garber also addressed some perceived drawbacks with the facility, namely the fact that it is not in Chicago's downtown area as Soldier Field - the Fire's former home - was, and the possibility that Toyota Park may not be able to host MLS Cup because of the cold late fall weather in the Windy City. The league's championship game is held in the middle of November.
"This is an urban environment, the right environment for Chicago soccer," he said. "There are other stadiums, such as the [Chicago White] Sox stadium, that are outside of the downtown area, but it is still Chicago. Most importantly, we have an unbelievable relationship with the mayor and the town of Bridgeview.
"We're looking at a possible change in the schedule that would allow for the Cup to be in Chicago," Garber added. "But regardless, Chicago will have a Cup; we'll just hope for good weather. For now we are looking forward to Toyota Park hosting the All-Star Game which will bring more people into contact with our league."
The 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, featuring the MLS All-Stars against two-time defending English Premier League champions Chelsea FC, takes place at Toyota Park on Saturday, Aug. 5.
Jack Daniel Chavez is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
