BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. ā To say Chicago Fire FC have been busy over the last few months would be vastly understating how strongly the winds of change have hit the Windy City this offseason.
Fourteen players from last season have left the club, including all three Designated Players. As it stands, 12 new players have been acquired to take their places with more likely on the way. The club has a tweaked name, new colors, new ownership, and an entirely new technical and coaching staff. All of that is more than enough to create buzz, excitement, anticipation and expectation.
Now, add in the move back to Soldier Field in downtown Chicago and taking residence in what will be Major League Soccerās fifth largest venue. No pressure, right? The Fire have had their minds elsewhere the last five weeks, spending preseason in Tampa and Los Angeles. Now, back home in not-so-sunny Chicago, they hope theyāre ready for all that 2020 will bring.
āEverything seems positive, a lot of good vibes around the team, coaching staff and supporters,ā said Fire midfielder/defender Brandt Bronico. āI think everybodyās excited that weāre moving to Soldier Field, but the main thing is weāre just ready to get started.ā
The teamās positive outlook is led by new head coach Raphael Wicky, who has thus far received rave reviews from his players about his approach to leading the club into its new home and a new era.
āHe has a clear vision, you know?,ā said defender Johan Kappelhof. āHe tries to pass it on to us and we have to convert it on the field. Heās a football-minded guy [and] hard work is one of his highest values.ā
Their work ethic will certainly be called upon as the team works to integrate its new signings, many of whom are still waiting to be granted a visa. On the one hand, there is the pressure that comes with change and a move to Soldier Field. On the other, itās unrealistic to think that the team that takes the field in Chicago for the first time on March 21 will be the finished article.
āItās all about expectations,ā said Wicky. āWe want to try to win every single gameā¦not having all the players, weāre not going to change that. Iām in this game long enoughā¦to know that the team needs time to build. But weāre not talking about that much because we donāt want to be looking for alibisā¦Itās a long season, so itās important that we see the team improving and Iām sure weāll see that.ā
The players echoed that sentiment, knowing that itās not only the expectations from outside that matter, but the attitude they bring to each game and the changes this season will bring.
āEverybody wants to see the new guys play and how weāre gonna perform under Rafa,ā said Bronico. āI think thereās two ways to look at it: new guys coming in, it takes time to build things; but also itās a lot of hype, lot of excitement and hopefully we can just keep that buzz going and perform during the season.ā
The club has tried to boost that buzz with an aggressive ad campaign far beyond any previous marketing operation theyād previously undertaken. Billboards along highways, posters at bus and subway stops, mobile advertising, and TV commercials run during soccer matches have all contributed to the effort. Kappelhof has been one of the faces of these ads, and said it underscores just how many eyes will be on the Fire when the season opens.
Itās hard to avoid thinking about just how much is new for the Fire in 2020. Itās been the most active offseason in club history, and on the eve of MLSās 25th season, itās time to show that all this change is for the better.
āOf course you know about [everything thatās going on],ā Kappelhof said. āIf you check Instagram thereās a lot of postsā¦there are a lot of things happening around the club and we are aware of that. But we know we have to give everything we have to keep the fans coming to our games. We know we have to do that.ā