Nelson’s Roundtable 2019, Part 1: Still Unknown Answers

BRIDGEVIEW, IL–In the first roundtable of the 2019 season, President and General Manager Nelson Rodriguez met with the media about various issues on and off the field Wednesday afternoon before its match-up with the New England Revolution at SeatGeek Stadium.

Some of the questions have been out and about whether in social media and in a few places in and around the media, but the answers are the ones that we’re still trying to figure out.

First, is how the club stands nearly one-third into the season, which by all accounts to Rodriguez is below expectations, but not out of the area of where the team should be. Maybe, some of the points have been left on the field in a few matches, but there’s belief that they can be better reaching an ultimate goal of getting into the playoffs this year.

“Well, the record may not say so, we remain confident with the current team,” Rodriguez said. “We’re unsatisfied with the record and still believe that we’re trending in the right direction. The quality of the competition and the spirit within the team is the best. For sure we have a lot to improve and we will. But we’re making progress and this progress is a desire for more. We will become the TEAM that fans in Chicago that can’t live without.”

Secondly, the Chicago Fire as it stands since its inception back in 1998 seems to be ready for a change here in 2019 and for the future, but knowing what will it be isn’t completely ready to be shared by the franchise along with the question of staying or leaving its current location at SeatGeek Stadium.

“No, we haven’t been involved in any plan or discussions of any statement in Bridgeview. Our current lease is with the village. As I said in the past, our fans will travel wherever we go. They are great fans and stand with honor. Honestly, we’ve had some discussions with Bridgeview for some time, but until or less an agreement is reached, I’m not going to comment on it.”

Third, the Chicago Fire was named and believed on a tradition that dates a long way back to 1871 and has a lot of honor and passion over the last couple of decades. Could consideration be for a name change on the horizon for the club?

“You hear some things with our name from these focus groups,” Rodriguez said. “There are different things like the Fire is devastating and why to name something after a disaster. We do prefer to do that differently. But, no decision has been made yet. Hopefully, we can talk more about it with focus groups on that front. We’re mindful and looked at some of the other changes that have occurred within the league. What have and not have worked. But we’re open-minded. One thing, I’ve said this originally, something has to change, whether it’s simple, but we have to distinguish ourselves as a Sporting Club and not to be confused with a TV show.”

The process of understanding and the changing of what’s going on in the league. The fans in many sports including soccer has turned some heads with attendance these days. Major League Soccer has come up with a study over the last few years.

“Chicago of the three major markets is number one when you combine a series of factors of those fans look at,” Rodriguez said. “How they identify themselves and watch sports today, from having a competitive team to rivalries, to having in stadium atmosphere, to an overall fan experience, to an overall quality broadcast which help broaden fan bases. What we’re trying to craft what we call ‘Cradle to Grave.’ I’m a personal believer to go younger reaching 6 to 11 years old. When you capture a young child’s heart and imagination, then you got them forever. Along that continual, there are different segments of the fan base. For the millennial, you have to do (other things). But, then again there needs to be room for the family with affordable tickets and a section not right next to our hard core supporters.”

For now and into the rest of the season, the priority sits within the club to winning on the field with the players they have. Maybe some additions here and there can shape a more formidable team that can reach its goal into the playoffs. It can also get their plan back on track for the Fire of a winning tradition as in the past and a couple years ago.