BRIDGEVIEW, IL - Chicago Fire Premier President John Dorn and General Manager Mark Boyle, along with Chicago Fire Director of Soccer and Team Development Roland Hahn, announced today that former professional Larry Sunderland will take over as Technical Director for both the Fire Premier PDL and newly formed Super-20 squads.
Sunderland holds the USSF "A" License, USSF National "Youth" License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and the KNVB "Youth" Certificate. He joined the USSF National Instructional Staff in 2000 and the NSCAA Associate National Staff in 2002. Sunderland will develop familiar Chicago Fire curriculum guidelines, monitor player and staff development, coach and oversee all soccer-specific aspects of the club. He also serves as the Technical Director for the Chicago Fire Juniors youth club. Joining Larry will be assistant coaches Steve DeCou, Paul Cadwell, and a third assistant to be named later.
"I'm excited to work with the guys already involved with this team," said Sunderland. "They have run a great program for years and I'm eager to get started with this new opportunity."
The formation of the CFP Super-20 becomes the latest entry into the Fire's pyramid of player development. The group will begin play this May in the USL Super Y-league. Based out of Bridgeview and TOYOTA PARK, the 22 man roster will be open to the top talent in all of Chicagoland, be it from the youth to the college ranks, for players 20 years of age and younger.
"The relationship between the Chicago Fire and the Chicago Fire Premier has been great so far," said Dorn. "Recent events have just solidified the relationship that much more. We're also excited to bring Larry in to help get the Super-20 squad off the ground."
"As the Chicago Fire move in line to adhere to the latest Major League Soccer player development guidelines, we want to go beyond the minimum as we always have in regard to maximizing player development," said Hahn. "The creation of the Super-20 team completes our youth setup by acting as a bridge to the higher-level Fire Premier."
Coming off their sixth Great Lakes Division title in 2006 the Fire Premier hope to take that a step further in 2007 by competing for the national championship. Open tryouts for both the Chicago Fire Premier and Fire Super-20 will be held mid-April. Those interested in registration information should visit www.chicagofirepremier.com.
Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an amateur U-23 team competing in the Great Lakes Division of the United Soccer League's Premier Developmental League (PDL). Since their inception in 2001, the Fire Premier has established a reputation for excellence, winning Division Championships in each of its six seasons of existence. Current Fire defender Dasan Robinson, forward Chris Rolfe and goalkeeper Matt Pickens are three of 59 professionals that have trained through the Fire Premier system. For more information, please visit www.chicagofirepremier.com.
Super-20 League
The Super-20 League is the only U20 men's amateur league in North America. Formed in conjunction with the USL 20th Anniversary in 2006, the symbolic Super-20 League serves dual purposes. The league provides an opportunity for elite level, 17-20 year old men to compete in a professional atmosphere in preparation for a future pro career. The high level competition also affords clubs in the PDL an opportunity to establish reserve teams. For more information regarding Super 20-League scheduling and competition format, visit http://supery.uslsoccer.com/super20league/index_E.html.
