There were plenty of reasons to celebrate for the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night. For one, there was the team’s 5-0 thrashing of the New England Revolution in Bridgeview. But a quick pan of the crowd at the stadium ultimately showcased why it was off-field progress this week that mattered more than any on-field victories.



Just 6,074 fans made their way to SeatGeek Stadium to see the Fire play that midweek game against arguably the worst team in MLS, and though the day and the opponent didn’t help matters, the attendance was a reminder that the long-term growth of the Fire was always going to be limited by a suburban stadium so far from Chicago proper, with a lease that made any exit strategy difficult.



The news, then, that the Village of Bridgeview made official a Memo of Understanding to amend the lease with MLS and the Fire, thereby allowing them to play games away from Bridgeview, was the reason for Chicago Fire fans to feel jubilant.



The...