With just three-and-a-half weeks left until the Chicago Fire's opening day at TOYOTA PARK, staff members are working furiously to complete exciting new features and improvements being made to the stadium. While 2006 witnessed a scramble to finish the stadium in time for the June 11 Public Safety match and the June 25 Grand Opening, in 2007 the team will begin adding the finishing touches to it unique soccer specific stadium.
ISSA Hall of Fame
"For over a century there has been soccer played at every level right here in Illinois, it is fitting that the Chicago Fire stadium, TOYOTA PARK, the modern home of soccer in Illinois, will also be home to the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame and honor those that paved the way."
-Julius Roth, Chairman of the Illinois Archives Committee.
Since 1916, the Illinois State Soccer Association (ISSA) has been the governing body of adult soccer in the state of Illinois. Joining forces with the ISSA, the Chicago Fire is pleased to announce that the ISSA Hall of Fame will reside in TOYOTA PARK's southeast corner on the concourse. The unveiling of the Hall of Fame on Apr. 7 will be accompanied by a ceremony, televised during half time of the Fire's home opener.
The ISSA Hall of Fame will consist of the Wall of Fame, a photographic display of the 127 current inductees, as well as list of 89 individuals who have received the Meritorious Service Award, and the History of Soccer in Illinois, a collection of trophies, soccer balls, and other precious Illinois soccer memorabilia. Be sure to look for the championship ring from 1952-53 Open Cup Champions, (what was then called the U.S.F.A. National Cup Champions) the Chicago Falcons S.C.
The Hall of Fame will be complete with a timeline of soccer in Illinois dating back to 1883 when the Pullman Association Football Soccer Team and the Original Wanderers played in Chicago's first sanctioned soccer match at the Pullman Works. Historic pictures of players and teams will also be incorporated into the Hall of Fame.
Locker Room
The Chicago Fire team locker-room will be updated before the team returns from its pre-season journey. A new 25-by 11¼-foot graphic will be added under the cleats of the "Men in Red", as the locker-room carpet will don the Chicago Fire Crest with the words, "TOYOTA PARK - Home of the Chicago Fire". To accompany the new look of the flooring, the walls will sport equally spirited Fire-themed decals. Chicago Fire red and blue stripes will wrap around the room and the design will incorporate the fire-department crest style logo. The inspirational words "Tradition, Honor, Passion" will also span 33.3-feet along the wall.
Players' Lounge
A brand-new players' lounge, located adjacent to the Chicago Fire team locker-room, will provide the players a locale to unwind after long days of practices and meetings, as well as a place to hangout before home games. Couches, televisions, a stereo system, and a PlayStation2 unit will be among the amenities provided. Fire captain Chris Armas is excited to enjoy the lounge once construction is complete.
"Last year we were pressed for time to get the field done and not everything was complete. This year I think the stadium is further along and one of the nice additions will be a players' lounge. Eventually it will be a nice spot for players to eat lunch and hangout after training, making the stadium a place we like to be, not just the place where we work. With a foosball table, couches, and TV's; it will be a nice place for players to get to know each other off the field."
