Chicago Storm (soccer)
American indoor soccer team
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The Chicago Storm was an indoor soccer team in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 2004 to 2008 and the Xtreme Soccer League in 2009. The team folded after playing in a local indoor league, the Ultimate Soccer League.
Sears Centre (2007–2011)
Xtreme Soccer League (2009)
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| Founded | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 2011 |
| Ground | UIC Pavilion (2004–2006) Sears Centre (2007–2011) |
| League | Major Indoor Soccer League (2004-08) Xtreme Soccer League (2009) |
History
The Storm played home games during its first two seasons at the UIC Pavilion on the West Side of Chicago. Former Chicago Sting and Chicago Fire soccer great Frank Klopas coached the team during its first two seasons, and Ted Chronopoulos captained the team for their inaugural 2004 season.[1] Chicago Sting leading scorer Karl-Heinz Granitza worked for the club's front office in 2005.[2] In 2005–06, the Storm started the season with a 2–6 record but improved over the second half of the season to make the play-offs.[3]
With attendance an issue, the team moved its home games to the newly built Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, a northwest suburb of Chicago, for the 2006–07 season.[4] Steve Morris, a former Illinois soccer player of the year, replaced Klopas as coach for the 2006–07 season.[5]
The Storm had a developmental team in 2008 called the Tormenta.[6] They made the playoffs that year despite a late season slide, but lost to Monterrey in the quarterfinals after losing on a golden goal.[7][8]
After the MISL folded, the Storm played in the Xtreme Soccer League.[9][10] After the XSL folded with just one year of play, the Storm joined the Ultimate Soccer League.[11]
Year-by-year
| Year | League | Reg. season | Playoffs | Attendance average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | MISL II | 6th MISL, 18-21 | Failed to qualify | 3,408 |
| 2005–06 | MISL II | 4th MISL, 13-17 | Lost Semifinal | 1,530 |
| 2006–07 | MISL II | 2nd MISL, 17-13 | Lost Semifinal | 2,473 |
| 2007–08 | MISL II | 5th MISL, 15-15 | Lost Quarterfinal | 3,609 |
| 2008–09 | XSL | 4th XSL, 7-13 | No Playoffs | 2,611 |
| 2009–10 | USL | 1st USL, 11-1 | Unknown | Not Recorded |
Final squad
As of April 5, 2009[update] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Head coaches
Frank Klopas 2004–2006
Steve Morris 2006–2009
Branko Savic 2009–2011
Retired numbers
- No. 12
Karl-Heinz Granitza
Arenas
- UIC Pavilion 2004–2006
- Sears Centre 2006–2009
- Chicago Sports Zone 2009–2010[citation needed]