New Fire Owner Joe Mansueto said that he wants the team to sell out its '20 home opener against Atlanta United and "average at least 25,000 fans at Soldier Field next season," according to Dan Santaromita of PRO SOCCER USA. Mansueto said, "In general, we're looking at a configuration of about 28,000, which is the 100 and 200 levels. Much like Seattle did and much like Atlanta has done, we'll use an accordion to enlarge capacity as needed or when called upon or when it makes sense." Meanwhile, Fire President & GM Nelson Rodriguez "didn't give specifics, but it sounded like some changes are coming" to the Fire brand. He said that Mansueto has also been "involved in the process, as well as former Owner Andrew Hauptman." Rodriguez "did refer to it as 'the brand refresh' and 'the brand reveal,' which seemed to eliminate the chance that nothing will change." It is now a "matter of what will change and how" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 10/14).
TAKING HOLD: In Chicago, Brian Sandalow noted the city has a "solid base of soccer fans, many of whom turned away from the Fire" while the Sounders, Atlanta United and the Timbers "became MLS flagships." Mansueto said that there is "no reason Chicago can't equal or surpass those cities as a league hotbed." Mansueto: "To me, it's not a question of if; it's when. The thing I can't predict is, is that in one year, three years or five years? To me, there's no question that it will happen. There's a rabid fan base here for soccer" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/12). Meanwhile, Rodriguez said that the Fire are "looking for an executive to handle the first team." The SUN-TIMES' Sandalow notes whether that person is "called a technical director, sporting director, general manager or whatever else, the addition would perhaps take some soccer tasks off Rodriguez's plate." That hire "isn't imminent." But Rodriguez said that he would have a "discussion this week" with manager Veljko Paunovic and the coaching staff about "what must change" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/15).
