The Chicago Red Stars are headed back to Toyota Park, home of MLS's Chicago Fire, for the 2016 NWSL season. They played there for the first two WPS seasons in 2009 and 2010 but moved to Benedictine University in Lisle, beginning in 2011.
“In 2016, it’s time to return to our original home -- Toyota Park,” said Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler. “ Our fans and sponsors will now enjoy an exciting game day environment in a major league stadium, while our players and the rest of the teams throughout the NWSL will enjoy the benefits of competing on a world class, natural grass pitch. It was hard to leave Toyota Park in 2010, but we are thankful for the warm reception and incredible support of Benedictine University and the Village of Lisle over the last three years. It gave us an intimate and affordable setting as our club and the league have grown.”
The 20,000-seat Toyota Park is located in Bridgeview and was opened in 2006 as the fourth MLS soccer-specific venue after stadiums in Columbus, Los Angeles and Dallas.
The Red Stars played eight of 10 regular-season games at Benedictine and two at Toyota Park, one as part of a doubleheader with the Fire. They drew just 3,031 fans, though, at Toyota Park for a playoff game.
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