Chicago Fire Partner with Rangers Soccer Club to Form Michigan Fire Juniors
March 9, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
CHICAGO, IL (March 9, 2012) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club today announced a strategic partnership with Grand Rapids-based Rangers Soccer Club to form the Michigan Fire Juniors. The Michigan Fire Juniors become the eighth member of the Chicago Fire Juniors family and fifth club outside of the Chicagoland area. Since 2008, the Fire's youth development program has grown from 400 to over 6,000 across seven states.
"Establishing a presence in Michigan is another important step for us," said Chicago Fire Vice President of Soccer Operations Guillermo Petrei. "Our partnership expands the Fire brand and reach for talent in our region while providing skilled players in West Michigan and an opportunity for further development and aspirations for our first team."
The Chicago Fire Juniors program was formed to train area youth in a professionally run environment and has since expanded to include branches in Chicago, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky and now a re-established presence in Michigan. Through the CFJ program, players from eight-years-old up to 18-years-old receive professionally developed curriculum to help build skill and knowledge of the game. The Juniors program has seen direct results, including the first team signings of Chicago Fire Juniors product Victor Pineda in 2010 and Mississippi Fire Juniors product Kellen Gulley in 2011.
"Our club has a reputation for developing players in West Michigan," said Michigan Fire Juniors President Gary Besteman. "Our new relationship with the Fire will take this program to another level and will give our coaches the tools to teach and our players the technical skill needed to advance in the game."
Major League Soccer Stories from March 9, 2012
- The Impact Plays Its Inaugural Game in MLS Saturday in Vancouver - Club de Foot Montreal
- RSL Match Preview: Real Salt Lake at LA Galaxy - Real Salt Lake
- San Jose Earthquakes Host New England Revolution for MLS First Kick 2012 - San Jose Earthquakes
- Whitecaps FC Start Round 2 Versus Canadian Arch-Rivals Montreal Impact - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Earthquakes Sign GK Evan Newton and D Josh Suggs - San Jose Earthquakes
- Dynamo Sign Two Players to Contracts - Houston Dynamo FC
- Houston Dynamo Game Notes - Houston Dynamo FC
- D.C. United Announces Josh Wolff to Serve as Player/Assistant Coach - D.C. United
- Timbers U-23s March Tryouts Reach Capacity - Portland Timbers
- Chicago Fire Partner with Rangers Soccer Club to Form Michigan Fire Juniors - Chicago Fire FC
- Midfielders Alvaro Fernandez and Mauro Rosales Receive U.S. Green Cards - Seattle Sounders FC
- Sporting KC Opens 2012 MLS Season at D.C. United on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- Bell to Offer All Vancouver Whitecaps FC Matches Live on Bell Mobile TV - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Chicago Fire Down Minnesota Stars FC 3-1 in Final Preseason Tuneup - Chicago Fire FC
- D.C. United Announces Corporate Partners for 2012 - D.C. United
- Houston Dynamo to Hold Sixth-Annual Dynamo Girls Auditions Tomorrow - Houston Dynamo FC
- United Drives to Collect Food During March - D.C. United
- Toronto FC, Caicedo Part Ways - Toronto FC
- Forward Juan Pablo Angel to Remain with Chivas USA - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Chicago Fire FC Stories
- Chicago Fire FC Announces Chance the Rapper as Second Artist for the Summer Concert Series, Presented by Café Bustelo
- Chicago Fire FC Weekly Update: Training Schedule and Match Preview
- Chicago Fire FC Reveals Details for Privately Funded Stadium
- Chicago Fire FC Weekly Update: Training Schedule and Match Preview
- Chicago Fire FC Falls, 2-0, at Home to Nashville SC
