The Chicago Fire Soccer Club have announced an impending partnership with USL Pro expansion outfit Saint Louis FC. Through the partnership, Chicago will be able to send players out on loan and recall them whenever they wish. St. Louis has long been spoken of as one of the premier soccer cities in the United States, and the expansion side will play in the 6,000-capacity Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri.
“We’re excited to partner with Saint Louis FC as our USL PRO affiliate,” said Chicago Fire Technical Director Brian Bliss. “This is a great opportunity for our players to gain valuable playing time and continuetheir development in a competitive environment. St. Louis is a city with a rich soccer history and a tradition of producing talented players, and will allow our organization to broaden our reach in the Midwest.”
While it may not necessarily have been conceived as such, the partnership may be seen as a bit of a dig at the Fire's traditional rivals, Sporting Kansas City. However, the partnership which has now sees Chicago's footprint extend into Missouri will without a doubt be mutually beneficial.
“The partnership between MLS and USL PRO represents an exciting time in the development of soccer in this country,” Saint Louis FC General Manager Jeremy Alumbaugh said. “Having an affiliation with the Fire allows us to provide our players with a gateway to the highest level of soccer in the U.S. Working with (Head Coach and Director of Soccer) Frank Yallop, Brian Bliss, and the rest of Chicago’s technical staff is something that will help us as we prepare for 2015 and beyond.”
In spite of their struggles in 2014, the Fire have several talented young players, headlined by MLS Rookie of the Year Finalist Harry Shipp and fellow Homegrown Player Patrick Doody. While it seems unlikely that either will find themselves playing for St. Louis next term, there will be plenty of young Fire prospects who spend time in St. Louis.