Tag: Soldier Field

Karl-Heinz Granitza of the Chicago Sting on the cover of a 1984 Sting program

Chicago Sting

July 20, 2013

The Chicago Sting were an accomplished pro soccer club that enjoyed success both outdoors and indoors during a thirteen-year run from 1975 through 1988. The Sting formed as an outdoor club in 1975 in the North American Soccer League. Early seasons saw mediocrity on the pitch and pitiful crowds as the club constantly rotated matches between Comiskey Park, Soldier Field and Wrigley Field. The Sting peaked in the early 1980’s, capturing the NASL’s Soccer Bowl ’81 championship and beginning to play indoor soccer during the winters, where Sting matches were a popular attraction at Chicago Stadium. The NASL folded in 1984 bringing the Sting’s outdoor era to an end, but the team went on to play four more indoor seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League before disbanding in 1988.

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1983 Chicago Blitz Media Guide from the United States Football League

Chicago Blitz

March 8, 2013

This springtime pro football team from the United States Football League was notable for pulling one of the craziest and most self-destructive trades in pro sports history. Thanks to some ownership shenanigans, the Blitz swapped basically their entire (superb) roster and coaching staff for the threadbare roster of the wretched Arizona Wranglers prior to the USFL’s second season. Despite the chaos, the Blitz featured not one but two future Hall-of-Fame head coaches during their brief two-year existence.

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2001 Chicago Enforcers XFL Media Guide

Chicago Enforcers

February 17, 2013

XFL (2001) Born: June 13, 2000 – XFL founding franchise Folded: May 10, 2001 First Game: February 3, 2001 (L 33-29 @ Orlando Rage) Final

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1975 Chicago Winds Media Guide from the World Football League

Chicago Winds

December 29, 2012

The World Football League’s second attempt to establish a franchise in the Second City was dead in the water after Joe Namath rejected the Chicago Winds’ contract offer and the league failed to secure a television contract. The Winds, in fact, would stage just one home game at Soldier Field in August 1975 before closing up shop.

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