The Fire would like to make its new home the high school state soccer championship home as well. According to team general manager Peter Wilt, the Major League Soccer franchise will bid to play host to the Illinois High School Association boys and girls tournaments, which are in the fourth year of five-year contracts with North Central College in Naperville.
The Fire plans to open its new stadium in Bridgeview in May 2006, which would allow the team to host the boys championships beginning that fall and the girls events in the spring of 2007.
Coach Jack Ferraro of two-time boys Class AA champion Sandburg likes the idea. He said it was the soccer equivalent of the Prep Bowl football game at Soldier Field.
“That’s where it should be played,” he said. “That would be a big thrill.”
The IHSA will begin accepting proposals for the boys tournament after the 2004 state tournaments, and for the girls after their 2005 tournaments.