Switch The Pitch x The Chicago Fire Academy

In the summer of 2023, Soccer Without Borders (SWB) and Chicago Fire Academy launched a partnership to respond to and prevent racism in and through soccer in the Chicago region.

The Fire Academy became the second Switch the Pitch—SWB’s racial justice program—Hub in the country. They hosted SWB facilitators in August and October to work with Academy staff and coaches, facilitate difficult conversations around racism, and support the leaders to take practical next steps in addressing racism with their youth players.

Switch the Pitch will return to Chicago throughout 2024 as the Fire Academy has inspired coaches and clubs from across the region to follow their lead and take steps to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in and through soccer.