Chicago Mustangs to play at Sears Centre

Hoffman Estates trustees Monday approved a one-season contract for the Chicago Mustangs soccer team to play its 10 home games from Nov. 8 through the late winter at the village-owned Sears Centre Arena.

The team previously played its home games at the much smaller Grand Sports facility in Hoffman Estates, where it drew about 1,100 fans per game, said Guilherme Veiga, vice president of soccer operations for the Mustangs.

Since winning the national championship in its league, the Mustangs believe they're ready for a larger venue and can draw 3,500 to 5,000 people per game to the Sears Centre this season, Veiga said.

The team is increasing its marketing staff to meet the higher goal, he added.

Terms of the agreement were not released.