I have to imagine it would take decades to get that Soccer City smell to go away even after they pull that building down.
I don’t think they will need to purchase anything else in the area. The amount of land they acquired is plenty of room for a stadium, parking, hotels, restaurants, etc… That being said the value of the property in the surrounding area will go up so maybe they will get an offer they can’t pass up.
They are going to upgrade both RT14 and Euclid in order to maintain traffic - likely Wilke as well. The new stadium will also serve other purposes for the Bears and the city so it won't just be football weekends where it's going to be tight. I would imagine this will be a massive opening for Palatine specifically to clean up the area between East Palatine Rd and Wilke that will inlcude hotels and restaurants. BMO building, Harvest and the retirement home will all be up for grabs and there is enough space under 53 to expand to at least one more additional lane - maybe 3 on the South side. Construction and traffic alone will be a nightmare. In the town I live in we are demolishing and entire block of 2 and 3 story older buildings on Rt 14. Some of the businesses near by are already planning on relocating one town over because they feel construction will reduce revenue to the point they are concerned about staying in business. A project this size will arguably give both A/H and Palatine a solid argument for eminent domain. Not that it's right - but lets be real here, the argument of taxes and revenue to the city will be a strong for all 3 parties to do what ever they want.
It's smelled like that since I played there as a kid in 1987. Hey BTW - the ref for our MCL game apologized to our player for calling that offsides and admitted it should have been a goal. So it was the refs fault - not that handsome young fella on the sidelines
While we are talking about college soccer, it is worth mentioning that Chicago's ECNL players Korbin Albert and Ella Richards are tearing it up at Notre Dame and Boston College respectively.
Very happy for these two players also. Well deserved. Julia Simon is also having a good season at Louisville so far as well.
I’m most curious about the entire plan. I presume the Bears went into this with a big development partner and the scope of this project will be beyond just a stadium. And are we even certain this deal will close? A purchase agreement and a closed deal are two different things. And no matter what they do I can’t imagine they’ll be able to make it easy to get to. 53 is going to be a disaster right?
Agreed - lots of work. Bears won't move until 2026 but I am curious as to work with start prior to that. Step Ahead - I think were removing their futsal fields - not sure what that is about. There is always Canlan for the right price. I mean Olympic is not going away - thats for sure.
hopefully this redevelopment will include an extension of 53 much further north & connect to 94 , creating a western bypass ( like 294) Plus if stadium is built the train tracks are right there which should ease traffic congestion
Always thought it was super odd how 53 just trails off into Lake Cook. And while I like your idea with 94 - that would be a massive project in of itself.
Interesting 1 player from each of the top three make it into the camp. https://www.soccerwire.com/news/u-s...m-rosters-revealed-for-october-training-camp/
We had "player placement" this weekend for those not yet honored for specific squad. Approx 40 guys between 2 age groups split into 4 groups. No explanation to players what the process is, just put a numbered pinnie on and scrimmage. It was like gym class , no one playing defined positions, just throw the ball out there and play. There were a number of coaches but really, how you gonna evaluate??? I feel insulted by the experience and feel terrible for these kids. Just another discouraging moment in the annals if our club experience. I really hope he just quits the sport at this point...
Unfortunately at that age all they coaches are doing is comparing any new players to the returning ones. They already know where they are slotting 90% of the returning ones.
My experience is that there is no process. They might do a “tryout” where 50 kids show up & try to impress the coaches by dribbling past every player in front of them. I don’t know a kid that made the Fire Academy from an open tryout. It’s all about connections , what local club coaches have their ear. If a coach recommends a kid he might get a 1 week tryout & then they make their decision from there. I seen quit a few average players make the Fire Academy based on a coaches recommendation only to be let go after 1 year. I’ve observed for the Fire Academy for the past 3-4 years & their younger teams are maybe slightly better than Sockers or even FC United, then they start recruiting the standout Sockers & FC United kids so at U16 on up they have better teams. but recently a lot of kids are starting to turn down the Fire offers and staying with Sockers or FC United. IMO the Fire Academy has poor scouts, they take kids on hype not on substance.
It’s a long article but a very interesting one https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-...re-competing-with-mls-for-americas-top-talent
Just heard - and confrimed that Eclipse has college scouts at training sessions. This is news too me! FCU or Sockers have scouts at training sessions?
i feel like this would be a big differentiator for girls looking to play college, but also it could be a lot of unneeded pressure. Training is suppose to be a place to push yourself and make mistakes and learn. Now you have scouts watching you in this setting too. But exposure is better than none.
It is pretty common in basketball and football for coaches to come to practices especially when the schedules don’t allow them to make a game.
Evos, did your kid go to any tryouts for Fire academy? My kid made it without any connections. He was not invited, I filled an online application for him. I personally know one more kid that year that made it without any connections and both of them where one year younger. I would say that almost half of the kids were part of the Juniors before the tryout and it was probably a bit easier for them to perform.