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MLS News and Impact - Page 2

© Corey Arnold

On the 14th, in what I feel is a further sign of the commitment of MLS and soccer to grow in the US, the Chicago Fire, the United Soccer Leagues, and Amadan Soccer LLC, announced an unprecedented alliance, where the Major League Soccer team will field a Premier Development League (PDL) team during the 2001 season. The team is named the Chicago Fire Reserves and is the first such venture for any MLS team to identify and develop talent from within the community, which will set a precedent for other organizations to follow. Also, in a statement that I think shows great potential -- "The Chicago Fire is very excited about taking a lead position in the United States to create a vertical development system for youth players through the Chicago Fire Reserves program," said Fire General Manager Peter Wilt. "The Fire Reserves PDL team will be the top of a youth development structure that will extend down to the U-12 level. We expect to announce details of the youth Fire Reserves Academy in the next several weeks."

On March 18, the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team exploded for three goals in a seven-minute span in the first half and cruised to a 5-0 win against Guatemala in the team's first match of the CONCACAF Under-20 qualifying tournament at the Dr. Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence in Tunapuna, Trinidad. Bobby Convey led the U.S. attack, netting goals in the 16th and 19th minute that sent the U.S. to the top of the standings. The players on the 18th not only included Convey from the DC United, but also DaMarcus Beasley from the Chicago Fire.

Look for the following U-20 matches for this tournament on March 20 and 22.

Fianlly, in what may prove to be wise trades for both teams, the Colorado Rapids announced the trade of Rapids' midfielder/forward Matthew Okoh and a 2002 2nd round MLS SuperDraft pick to the New England Revolution in exchange for Revolution midfielders Imad Baba and Carlos Parra. In addition, New England also receives the rights to defender Alan Woods who was drafted by the Rapids in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft and played last year in the A-League.

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