Posada steps down as Fire team president

The Chicago Fire announced Wednesday that team president Julian Posada will leave the club effective Dec. 31.

Posada joined the Fire a little more than two years ago and served about as long as his predecessor, Dave Greeley. Posada stepped down “to pursue other opportunities,” according to an open letter to fans from club owner Andrew Hauptman.

President of soccer operations Javier Leon and chief operating officer Atul Khosla will take over Posada’s duties, leaving the position of team president vacant.

“Over the past year we have invested in building a diverse and deep management team, and as we enter 2013, I know the team in place is focused and prepared for the excitement and challenges of the upcoming season,” Hauptman said in the letter. “In a relatively short time, the Club has accomplished a great deal, including securing numerous multiyear partnerships, a new jersey sponsorship, a 100% increase in season ticket holders and a significant increase in overall attendance to name a few.”

Posada signed Quaker to be the club’s jersey sponsor in January 2012 after the team played the 2011 season without a jersey sponsor.

Before joining the Fire Posada was the founder and president of Cafe Media, a Chicago multimedia company.

In other news Major League Soccer announced Tuesday the Fire will open the 2013 season on March 2 at MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy. The Fire’s home opener is March 9 against the New England Revolution.