MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Has the Edge

Published on September 23, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Tuesday, September 23, 2003) - The Chicago Fire and the West Michigan Edge soccer club today signed an agreement that will expand the Major League Soccer (MLS) club's successful youth development programs into the State of Michigan. Effective immediately, the West Michigan Edge (WME) will become the Official Academy Program for the Chicago Fire in West Michigan, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Traverse City. The agreement marks the first of its kind in the United States.

"We are looking to expand the Fire's presence and assist with youth soccer development throughout the region," said Chicago Fire GM Peter Wilt. "Establishing this partnership is an important step in the process of expanding our player identification and development plans. This partnership has the potential to develop into a true satellite program of the Chicago Fire Juniors, which we launched earlier this year. Ian (McMahon) has a very good soccer background and we are confident that combining resources will result in a very high quality youth development program in West Michigan as well as a way to grow the Fire's fan support in the Midwest."

In addition to the Chicago Fire Juniors, a broad ranged youth soccer club hosted by the Wheaton Park District, the Fire also created the Chicago Fire Academy. The Fire Academy was launched in April 2001 and works in conjunction with the Chicagoland area's top youth soccer clubs to supplement the training that the area's best players receive at their club. The Academy develops players based on the values and principles of the Chicago Fire through the fostering of good citizenship, interaction with players and coaches and the setting of high standards of behavior.

"The Edge has the same player development pyramid or vertical integration model, from the beginning recreational player to the professional level, that I believe the Fire is developing," said West Michigan Edge President and GM Ian McMahon. "Around the rest of the world, it is the professional club's responsibility to develop youth. This partnership shows that the Fire is leading the way in the USA with this and developing a model that I feel others will ultimately copy and implement."

The West Michigan Edge has existing youth programs that range in age from Under-9 to Under-19 (Boys and Girls). Led by McMahon, the WME has a full-time administrative and coaching staff and owns and operates a Premier Development League club of the same name. The organization also owns and operates its own indoor facility with a full service athletic club with its own sports performance staff.

Chicago Fire/West Michigan Edge Academy teams will commence at Under-9 and go through to Under 19. Tryouts for the youth development program will take place on November 8-9 for the Under-9 through Under-15 Boys and Girls, and on November 15-16 for the Under-16 through Under-19 Boys and Girls. For more information, please visit www.edgesoccer.com or call the 616-455-8700/ 616-392-EDGE.

Currently in its sixth MLS season, the Chicago Fire was founded on October 8, 1997 as an expansion team. The Fire captured the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in the team's inaugural season in 1998. The Fire also won the 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 2000 and 2001 MLS Central Division titles.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 23, 2003


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