http://foxsportsworld.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=927066 I'd hardly classify Soccer House as 'aging'. It's an important old residence (really, 2 residences) in one of the most famous historic districts in America. Then again, if they move we might actually get a nat'l team match.
Now that Hank Steinbrecher is out of the leadership, moving the Soccer Feds out of Chicago seems inevitable. It's not like the presence of Soccer House here did a whole hell of a lot for the city, or the Chicago soccer community at large. BTW, this summer will mark 10 years since the last time the men's Nats played here.
The new Soldier Field had better change that. And not just a friendly. I expect to see a big name qualifier here.
The last game, US-Germany, drew 36,000 on a day with a threat of rain. Much better than the 5,000 for the Canada game this year and the 14,000 in DC for El Salvador. The games leading up to the 1993 game were drawing 2,000 and 3,000. Chicago may well be the best soccer city in the US. We have the best fans, a central location, and a good stadium close to everything. So what do they do? DC and Foxboro, DC and Foxboro, catering to Central American and Caribbean fans for qualifiers. It nearly cost us a place in Korea.
I dunno. If it's against a central american country I'd hope they would have the sense to place it like they did (mostly) for the last go-round of qualifiers. I mean, yeah, let's have a qually, but it's probably best against Canada or Jamaica or Trinidad.
Another 5+ years Steinbrecher set the deal in the Historic Prairie St. building for 20 years... I'd say there's probably 7-9 years left.