The Chicago Fire announced that the Fire Juniors, the official youth club of the Fire, and the Chicago Magic, one of the top youth clubs in the country, have joined forces at the U-19 age group for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Under the agreement, the combined team will enter various competitions, including the Illinois State Cup, under the Fire Juniors name. The new Fire Juniors U-19 team will be coached by CFJ and Fire Premier Technical Director Larry Sunderland.
"I look forward to working with this very talented group of players," said Sunderland. "The opportunity to bring the two programs together as these players begin to make the final push toward potential professional careers is something to be very excited about. I plan on seeing many of the players move from the youth ranks, through the Premier program and into the pros."
The joint venture is the result of leadership from both clubs coming to an agreement that this is in the best interest of the players at the U-19 age group. The Chicago Fire also have programs competing in the United Soccer Leagues "Super 20" and "PDL" divisions, and this new team gives players a clear path for continuing their playing careers at the highest level. In its seven years of existence, the Chicago Fire Premier PDL program has seen 63 of its players move on to professional careers, including current Fire stars Chris Rolfe and Dasan Robinson.
"We are pleased to be working with the Chicago Fire. As an organization, the Magic have always put the development of players first and feel for players at this age they must be exposed to a professional MLS environment in order to farther their development," said Mike Matkovich, Director of Soccer for the Chicago Magic S.C. "As the game of soccer keeps evolving, we as soccer leaders in the country must constantly be looking forward in better ways to improve player development."
"I think this is a great opportunity for our organization," Chicago Fire Premier President, John Dorn. "We have a player pool that continues to grow, and this is a successful U-19 group both at the state and national level."
"The venture between these two excellent programs is just another indication of the Fire's commitment to player development," said Fire Director of Soccer and Team Development, Roland Hahn. "Our talent pool has instantly become stronger and deeper as we continually search for future members of the First team."
The team will begin training May 12 as it prepares for its first competition, the IYSA State Cup. For more information on the Fire Juniors, call 630-245-8502 or visit www.chicagofirejuniors.com.