The Chicago Fire announced Wednesday that Larry Sunderland has been named Director of Player Development and will serve as the Technical Director for the Fire Player Development system, as well as a scout for the first team.
While overseeing the Player Development curriculums, Sunderland will ensure quality and consistency in player training and program philosophy as the Player Development system more closely aligns with the Fire first team. The Fire first team will look to benefit from a fully integrated Player Development system as it provides a clear path from junior-level competitive programs to the professional level.
In this role as Director of Player Development, Sunderland will oversee the implementation of Player Development programs, identify and monitor the players in each level of the system, report to Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas, and work with head coach Denis Hamlett to identify future Fire first team players. Sunderland is assisted by Paul Cadwell in all soccer specific aspects of Chicago Fire Player Development. Cadwell is also responsible for administration and logistics for Fire Player Development programs. John Dorn, President of the Chicago Fire Premier of Premier Development League (PDL), coordinates the business synergies of Chicago Fire Player Development and assists with scouting as well.
"The Fire has worked hard to establish itself as the first professional franchise in the United States to adopt a true 'pyramid' of player development," said Sunderland. "Through our Fire Juniors and Academy programs we are able to identify and cultivate talented players from a young age. That growth continues as players progress to the Super-20 and PDL programs, giving them the best opportunity to realize their potential as professional soccer players."
"Having programs at every level of Player Development provides the first team with the best system of identification and player development in MLS. Our goal is to develop players from a young age that will contribute on the field for the Fire first team in the future and the Fire Player Development system provides young athletes with the necessary curriculum and coaching to accomplish that goal," said Chicago Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas.
"We are proud to have the only player development system in the United States that provides a clear path from youth soccer to the professional level. Our organization recognizes the significance and importance of developing players from within the Chicagoland area as these players will be the future of the Chicago Fire. We will continue to provide the best young talent with a professional environment that is focused solely on the ultimate goal of developing professional caliber players," added Chicago Fire President Dave Greeley.
The Chicago Fire Juniors program was formed to train area youth in a professionally run environment and has since expanded to include branches in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Mississippi. Through the Juniors program, players from eight-years old up to 18-years old receive professionally developed curriculum to help build skill and knowledge of the game.
In 2007, the Chicago Fire announced the creation of the Chicago Fire Academy as an initiative for the advancement of professional development within the Chicago market. Sunderland and the Fire Academy technical staff, which consists of Markus Roy, Tony Kees, and Alex Hernandez, scouts the surrounding area each year for up to 44 of the most talented players ranging in age from 14 to 18. The pool of players is assigned to a Under-16 or Under-18 team to compete against other high-level talent in the elite U.S. Soccer Development Academy League. Players in the Fire Academy play in 30 or more games, making them eligible for the Major League Soccer Home Grown Talent Initiative and allowing teams to sign local players to MLS contracts without their entering the MLS SuperDraft. The Chicago Fire Academy is fully funded and allows athletes to participate at no cost to the player. The Academy recruits players based solely on their playing ability and potential, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Completing the pyramid of player development, the "Chicago Fire Premier" and "Super-20" programs were added in 2001 and 2007, respectively, with both teams competing in the United Soccer Leagues. The Chicago Fire Premier Super-20 team was formed in 2007 and competes in the United Soccer League's Super-20 Division. The Super-20 team provides the opportunity for the top 17-20 year old players in North America to play high level competition in the summer months, in conjunction with Premier Development League teams. With the creation of the Super-20 side, Chicago's youth development program has a bridge for players looking to make the progression from Fire Academy teams to the higher PDL level. The Chicago Fire Premier PDL side is comprised of the top collegiate player from around the country and competes in the Premier Development League (PDL) of the United Soccer League (USL) and is eligible for competition in the annual Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament. The Fire Premier offers college players the opportunity to train in a professional environment during the summer months.
The Fire Player Development programs do not jeopardize a player's NCAA eligibility.
