Chicago Storm soccer games to have international flair
Everybody knows the game of soccer, but indoor soccer is a sort of feisty little brother that is not as well known.
But the Chicago Storm, the the area's Major Indoor Soccer League team, is screaming for attention and management has been working on attracting more fans by pairing up games with musical entertainment.
The team first partnered with radio station WKQX 101-FM to offer post-game concerts. Now it will do the same with Spanish-language Univision radio in occasion of Friday's game against Monterrey La Raza, the only Mexican team in the league.
The event at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates will include two soccer matches and a concert of Mexican-style music.
"We wanted it to be more of a celebration, not just about the sport but about the environment," Storm chief operation officer and general manager Brian Loftin said.
The first match will be between the Tormenta, the Storm's all-Latino developmental team, and a team headed by popular Spanish-language disc jocket "El Pistolero." The match between the Storm and La Raza will follow.
Wrapping up the evening will be a concert by Mazizo Musical, a duranguense music group from Chicago.
Indoor soccer is faster and more vigorous than regular soccer, said forward Mariano Bollella, 36, a native of Argentina. The field is smaller, the ball bounces off the walls and usually at least seven or eight goals are scored in each game.
After playing regular soccer until the age of 25, Bollella found himself without a team and decided to take an offer to play indoor soccer in Indianapolis, he said. He has since played in Detroit, St. Louis, San Diego and Monterrey. Playing against his old team will certainly bring back memories, he said, but not as much as in years past because most of his former teammates are gone, he said.
"Indoor soccer a more dynamic game because there is less space and one has to be quicker mentally," he said.
The Chicago Storm, like most U.S. indoor soccer teams, has players from all over the world. Two are from Argentina, plus one each from England, Hungary, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Serbia.
"It's very nice, with so many different people and many cultures," Bollella said.
Latino players on the developmental team Tormenta are drafted from local leagues and the best have a chance to get signed with the Storm, whose players earn $30,000 or more on a six-month contract, Loftin said.
If you go
What: indoor soccer, music
When: Friday; 4:30 p.m. Tormenta vs. El Pistolero; 7 p.m. Chicago Storm vs. Monterrey La Raza; 9:45 p.m. Mazizo Musical concert
Where: Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates
Tickets: $16 to $25, plus $5 per vehicle parking pass