Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been a blessing for Fire - Chicago

Cuauhtemoc (pronounced quaw-TEH-mok) Blanco arrived in town last year with a reputation as a great player with an uncanny ability to get under his opponents’ skin. A former Mexican League MVP, where he starred for Club America, and a Mexican national team mainstay, he gained international fame for his blind passes and stutter-step dribble, and international notoriety for his on-field run-ins and theatrical goal celebrations. Not surprisingly, he also gained legions of Mexican fans. When the Fire made the 35-year-old midfielder their first-ever Designated Player last year, they expected he would draw crowds. They haven’t been disappointed.

After Blanco arrived midway through last season, the Fire sold out seven of their remaining nine games at the 20,000-seat Toyota Park. Through five games at Toyota Park this year, attendance is up more than 3,000 per contest compared to last season’s pre-Blanco dates. And then there’s the road factor.”*

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