Chicago Fire FC's rebuild extends to their old digs, with behind-the-scenes investments at SeatGeek Stadium recently completed under new owner Joe Mansueto.
The stadium still serves a home base for the clubās soccer operations, with boosts to the locker room, workout space, video room, playersā lounge and more. New sporting director Georg Heitz spoke to the changes in a Chicago Sun-Times story that was published on Saturday.
āIt was a completely new place for us. It was completely renovated,ā Heitz said. āJoe invested a lot there. Just for an example, the video room looks a bit like a cinema. Itās really night and day. Itās really a complete change of this location. It is clear we will improve more.ā
The club has been in overhaul mode since Mansueto completed a full takeover from Andrew Hauptman last September. The Fireās home ground is now downtown Soldier Field, while Heitz, head coach Raphael Wicky and technical director Sebastian Pelzer now oversee the sporting side.
Chicago also underwent a club rebrand, with striker Robert Beric, winger Ignacio Aliseda and midfielder Gaston Gimenez forming their new staple of Designated Players. Center back Johan Kappelhof, whoās experienced the clubās highs and lows since joining in 2016, reflected on the overall direction.
āItās positive. Itās all positives,ā Kappelhof said. āWhen I came in, I had to find my way. Iāve been here four years, but I had to find my way. Itās good. Thereās only positive things happening around the club and itās good that everything is improving, also for the players.ā
For more from Kappelhof and Wicky on facilities upgrades, check out the entire story here.