This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Bridgeview, Ill. • Real Salt Lake assistant coach C.J. Brown had a memorable homecoming to Toyota Park on Wednesday.
Brown played 13 seasons with the Chicago Fire, retiring at the end of the 2010 season. He was the last of the team's original players from the team's 1998 MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup champions.
Now in his first year at Salt Lake, Brown has helped fashion a tough defense like he used to play. And on Wednesday, Real turned in an effort to be proud of in a 0-0 deadlock, the team's eighth shutout of the season.
Brown participated in a ceremony at midfield with his family in his first trip back since retiring. He saluted his former teammates, Fire fans — especially the club's most devoted fan group, Section 8 — as well as the city he called home for his entire professional career. The 35-year-old Brown appeared in 370 matches in all competitions and helped the Fire to six domestic championships.
He was a 2001 MLS All-star and a three-time team Humanitarian of the Year award winner.
After retiring last winter, he was added to the Real Salt Lake technical staff in January, filling a vacancy left when Robin Fraser became Chivas USA head coach.
"This opportunity could not have come about any better, going from a great club during my playing days and then moving on to begin my coaching career with an excellent team and great coaching staff," Brown said at the time.