The history of football in Chicago, Illinois began with the Chicago Sparta. Founded in 1917 by Czech immigrants, Sparta has competed in several leagues during its existence.
The club’s accomplishments include: winning the Chicago National Football League; won 9 titles in the Chicago International League, of which the team was a member in 1926-1936; and won the National Challenge Cup twice. The Chicago Falcons operated in the 1950s. In 1953 they won the National Challenge Cup. In Chicago, Sting worked from 1974-1988. The club played in the North American Football League 1975–1984 and Major Indoor Soccer League from 1984 until the team’s eventual fold. The Sting were the only club other than the New York Cosmos to win multiple titles in the NASL.
The Chicago Fire, a member of Major League Soccer, have won one MLS Cup and four US Open Cups since they entered the league in 1998. The Fire won their only MLS Cup in 1998, their first season, under head coach Bob Bradley, who later became coach of the US National Football Team. The Fire have played since 2006 at SeatGeek Stadium (originally Toyota Park), a football stadium located in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview, near Midway Airport. Historically, Fire games have averaged over 15,000 fans. The Fire originally played at Soldier Field, and also play part of two seasons at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville. Some notable former players include Mexico’s Cuauhtemoc Blanco, USA’s Brian McBride and Poland’s Peter Nowak, showcasing the team’s international flair.
Chicago is also home to the Chicago Red Stars, currently playing in the Women’s National Football League. The Red Stars began their second run at the stadium, now known as SeatGeek Stadium, in 2016, having previously played there as part of the now defunct Women’s Pro Soccer.
