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Average Isn’t Enough for Velkjo Paunovic

The Chicago Fire have a vibrant, rich history of success both on and off the field, as the community rallied around the early championship teams and fully embraced the club— relishing the Fire’s early achievements. In the twelve years between their inaugural season in 1998 and 2009, the Fire reached the MLS Cup quarterfinals in eleven of those twelve seasons, including three trips to the MLS Cup final in 1998, 2000, and 2003.

During those years, the club was led by a pair of managers who were able to get the best out of their players and achieved great success on the field.