A copy of the Press Release announcing the agreement between the Chicago Fire and the West Michigan Fire Juniors.

Fire Juniors Youth Development Program Expands Into West Michigan. West Michigan Fire Juniors to Serve as Official Youth Club of the Chicago Fire in Michigan.

CHICAGO - The Chicago Fire has announced that it has partnered with the former West Michigan Edge Soccer Club to create the West Michigan Fire Juniors(WMFJ) Soccer Club. With the alliance, the Chicago Fire has expanded its youth development program into the state of Michigan in an effort to help develop young and talented players in the Midwest.

"The creation of a West Michigan satelitte youth club is an important way to spread the Fire's net further in search of talented young players who we can help develop into better players," said Fire GM Peter Wilt.

WMFJ will use the curriculum and structure of the Chicago Fire Juniors to build the top youth program in West Michigan. The Fire's association with WMFJ will also expand the branding of the Fire name and image into a new geographical region. The partnership is also another step in the Fire's mission to grow its Fire Juniors program thourghout the Midwest, with further growth opportunities already under consideration.

"This is further commitment by the Fire to youth development," said Chicago Fire Youth Development Director Roland Hahn. "In the past year, through our previous partnership, Ian (McMahon) and his staff have proved to be extraordinary investors in our sport. With their vision, our support and the ever growing interest from the youth soccer community in the Midwest, we feel we can build a valuable player development pyramid."

WMFJ will work to implement almost identical models with the Chicago Fire Juniors. WMFJ expects to draw between 350-300 children in the first year, with teams ranging from Under-9 to U19. Aside from providing the children with recreational activities, participants will also have opportunities to partake in player exchanges, training opportunities and national and international tournaments.

"The soccer community in West Michigan is very excited about this ground-breaking agreement and it shows that we are at the forefront of youth soccer," said new Executive Director of the WMFJ Ian McMahon. "I am looking forward to working even closer with the Fire organization. They are a first-class operation and they are leading the way in establishing a true professional soccer club along the lines of those around the rest of the world with the establishing of the Juniors in Chicago and here in West Michigan."

On the field, the WMFJ will be under the guidance of Ian McMahon who will also act as Technical Director.

The WMFJ will wear official Chicago Fire gear, prvided by PUMA.