Premier League Summer Series in Chicago a Smashing Success
Chicago’s soccer culture was on full display on Wednesday, as 58,927 fans packed Soldier Field for the Premier League Summer Series.
Four English sides took part in a doubleheader that served as the second matchday of the preseason tournament. West Ham took down Everton 2-1, while Manchester United routed Bournemouth 4-1.
The event was an excellent way to give the Windy City a taste of English football. Preseason fixtures in Chicago have been a long-standing tradition, but this was the first time the Premier League itself has ventured to the city. Additionally, the Summer Series provided valuable insight into how Chicago stacks up with the world of soccer as a whole. Training conditions, fan support, and the event format received praise from coaches and players. Match conditions, particularly relating to the playing surface at Soldier Field, were criticized.
The Chicago Fire and Chicago Stars will be hoping that the two high-quality fixtures draw fans to support local soccer. With the Fire on track to make the MLS playoffs for the first time in eight years and the Stars setting an NWSL attendance record just last year, interest should be at an all-time high.
Graham Potter Offers Positive Assessment
West Ham picked up their first win of the Summer Series on Wednesday, having lost to Man United in New Jersey.
Manager Graham Potter, entering his first full season in charge of the Hammers, had nice things to say about his side’s experience in Chicago.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Potter told CHISN after the win over Everton. “Playing at Soldier Field, it’s a fantastic city here in Chicago for us to visit. To play in front of our supporters from a different part of the world, it’s brilliant.”
The Englishman, who’s previously managed Premier League sides Brighton and Chelsea, noted that the pitch did slow down the speed of the ball. He says there were no problems from an injury perspective, however. Potter also stated that he would love to see the Summer Series continue. “Hopefully, water breaks, cut them out, and we can make a step forward,” he joked, referencing the inexplicable hydration stoppages on what was a rather mild evening.
Tyler Adams Speaks Highly of Gregg Berhalter and Chicago Fire
Tyler Adams took the time to speak to local media after his Bournemouth side’s defeat. While he’s applying his trade in the world’s best league, the 26-year-old remembers his American roots and his time in MLS. “I follow the [New York] Red Bulls still and support them,” Adams said.
Though his MLS loyalties lie elsewhere, Adams is well aware of the improvements being made by the Chicago Fire.
After all, the club’s current manager, Gregg Berhalter, coached the midfielder for six years on the USMNT.
“Gregg has done a great job, just changing the identity, and I think he’s going to continue to build it,” Adams said. “I’m so familiar with the players, with [Brian Gutierrez] and Kellyn Acosta obviously there, Omar Gonzalez too.” Fire fans will also be delighted to hear that the USMNT mainstay “follows [the Fire’s] games.”
Adams has the privilege of playing under two world-class managers simultaneously. Andoni Iraola has taken Bournemouth to a new level, while Mauricio Pochettino has replaced Berhalter on the national team. Though their tutelage is certainly appreciated by Adams, he has a particular affinity for Berhalter. “I’m very close with Gregg,” he confirmed. “He did a lot for me and my career, helped me.”
More Soccer in the Windy City
Chicago will be away from the limelight next year when the FIFA World Cup comes to North America, as Soldier Field will not serve as a match venue. Nonetheless, the future looks bright for the state of soccer in the Second City. More friendlies and preseason fixtures will likely be played on the lakefront next summer. All the while, construction is taking place on a brand-new soccer-specific stadium on the Near West Side. The ground will serve as the Fire’s permanent home and will open in 2027. High-profile matches are to be expected there as well.
For the time being, fans of the beautiful game have their local clubs to support. The Fire have ten matches left in the regular season, including six home games. Their next two will take place at Bridgeview’s Seatgeek Stadium due to conflicts with the Chicago Bears. The remaining four home games are set to be held at Soldier Field. Should the Men in Red punch a postseason ticket, further home fixtures are a possibility.
The Chicago Stars also have plenty of soccer left to play. Starting tonight, the NWSL season resumes, and the Stars will contest 13 further matches, seven of which will be at home.
Six games will take place at Seatgeek, and there will be a one-off match at Northwestern Medicine Field in Evanston on September 7th.
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