As supporters turned out to The PrivateBank Fire Pitch and viewers around the world tuned in for Bastian Schweinsteiger's introductory press conference, a few members of the Chicago Fire youth development system enjoyed some special access to the German legend Wednesday afternoon.
As Basti and his family arrived at the North Side soccer center, he was greeted behind the scenes by Chase Nagle (U-9 Pre-Academy) and Jenny Rodriguez (U-12 Pre-Academy), who escorted the World Cup champion to his place on the dais.
Also in the green room were Tyler Bielawski (CFJ City U-11 Boys White), Dillon Kraft (CFJ City U-13 Boys Red) and Laura Tobar (CFJ U-12 Girls White), who provided Schweinsteiger's wife Ana Ivanovic and his family with their official Fire scarves.