The Fire are returning to Soldier Field, but SeatGeek Stadium, their former home venue that still houses team operations, has "undergone a plethora of behind-the-scenes improvements" this offseason, and "more investment is likely" in the future, according to Brian Sandalow of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. The first team locker room has been "reconfigured and modernized, the coaches’ room has new space, the available workout space has been tripled, and refueling/wet room space for physical therapy staff was added." There also is a "new video room with stadium seating, the players' lounge was renovated, the home auxiliary dressing room has 22 new lockers for academy players, and 9,000 feet of space for what was once the front office (which moved downtown) was replaced by room for soccer operations." The Fire are set to keep team operations at the Bridgeview, Ill., facility for five years, but Owner Joe Mansueto in January said that "longer-term the franchise needs to have its own Chicago training center for the academy and eventually the first team." Mansueto also said that "ultimately owning a USL affiliate" is something "he’d like to see" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/16).
