Chelsea to link up with MLS club?

[SidFarkus]

The word is(and I have no link) that in the wake of the Arsenal deal with the Colorado Rapids, that Chelsea are in discussions with DC United of MLS in the US to strike up a similar partnership deal.

Mostly it's a co-branding deal that allows American players to train with Chelsea and some Chelsea coaches to to talk shop with their American counterparts. The Arsenal deal also involved a new academy based in colorado.

[srd....]

and I have no link

you'll find one in the news thread bud :)

[SidFarkus]

you'll find one in the news thread bud :)

Thanks, I should have looked. Although, it seems the Daily Mail may have taken the story down. The link goes to a page where it says the story is not found...

[Heinz]

[QUOTE=SidFarkus;10691348]The word is(and I have no link) that in the wake of the Arsenal deal with the Colorado Rapids, that Chelsea are in discussions with DC United of MLS in the US to strike up a similar partnership deal.

[QUOTE]

Hmm...so DC United will become Chelsea DC United ?? :rolleyes:

[Riz]

Hmm...so DC United will become Chelsea DC United ?? :rolleyes:
No. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

This rumor has apparently already been shot down by DC United's technical director, so this issue seems over for now.

[okocha1]

Don't we already have some deal with an LA team?

[adri]

Don't we already have some deal with an LA team?
We have a deal with the group that controls a bunch of the clubs in the MLS. ..AEG. DC United and LA Galaxy included.

does no one remember why the la galaxy plastics thread started?:D

Chelsea Announce MLS Tie-In
Written by Chelsea FC Press Release
Wednesday, 29 March 2006
Chelsea Football Club announced today (Wednesday) a unique long-term commitment to soccer in the United States. Chelsea FC chief executive Peter Kenyon revealed at the World Sports Congress in New York that England's Premier League champions are to enter into a major strategic alliance with AEG, the operators of four teams in Major League Soccer, and stadium developers including The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles and venues currently under construction in Bridgeview, Illinois and Harrison, New Jersey.

The partnership between Chelsea FC and AEG is the first of its kind by a top European club with one of the leading forces in United States soccer. The relationship will begin in the summer of 2007 with the staging of a tournament, which will take place every two years, involving Chelsea and a host MLS club.

But the alliance with AEG will also include a club to club relationship between Chelsea and MLS champions LA Galaxy, an agreement to enhance and market the Chelsea brand in the US and promotion of grass roots football activity.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said: "Chelsea is absolutely delighted to be partnering with AEG, the leading backer of soccer in the US.

"This is a unique, ground-breaking relationship that not only demonstrates our commitment to the development of US soccer, but will also help Chelsea work towards its aim of becoming the most popular European club in the US, one of our key target markets.

"Chelsea only partners with global leaders in their respective fields and AEG is one of those. With its involvement in US soccer and its expertise in sports, entertainment and stadia ownership, AEG were the logical choice for Chelsea."

Timothy J. Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG said: "Chelsea is one of the most ambitious, forward thinking and recognizable clubs in world football and is prepared to make a long-term pledge to US soccer. This alliance will clearly help to continue soccer's tremendous growth in North America through our joint promotional efforts as well as the staging of meaningful competitions between Chelsea and the best of the
MLS. We thank Peter and his colleagues at Chelsea for their support of this important and groundbreaking initiative."

As it develops, Chelsea's alliance with LA Galaxy could also be used as a template for relationships with other clubs. It is expected the alliance will cover programmes and exchanges on young players, medical and coaching.

But there will also be extensive involvement from Chelsea in activity at US grass roots level, as well as the professional game.

Chelsea's Business Affairs Director, Paul Smith, said: "Chelsea's involvement in US football will be from top to bottom. We will not just fly in and fly out for the tournaments.

"We will seek to develop a programme of activity that will also cover the huge interest in soccer at youth level, as well as the professional game.

"This will be backed up by specially created media programming, such as a US Football Icon, and other marketing activity for the US market.

"By building the profile and interest in Chelsea in this way we are confident we can expand our business and build a platform for increasing our fan base, merchandising and sponsorship opportunities."

Chelsea's Football in the Community (FITC) programme has been running camps and courses in the US for several years now.

In January, Chelsea's Director of Youth Development, Frank Arnesen was the key note speaker at the NSCAA convention in Philadelphia, the biggest coach's gathering in the world

[SigiSampson]

any word on when Chelsea will play the galaxy

[BridgeMonkee]

any word on when Chelsea will play the galaxy

World club championship final…Galaxy win and Beck--ham scores a 3-trick of goals. . .



NEWS: Due to recent riots, an Italian soccer league is forcing teams to play
games with no fans in the stadium. Which, coincidentally, is how soccer
games are played here in America.

[Riz]

NEWS: Due to recent riots, an Italian soccer league is forcing teams to play games with no fans in the stadium. Which, coincidentally, is how soccer games are played here in America.
Perhaps in your neck of the woods, Red Bull New York boi. ;)

[Bluto11]

any word on when Chelsea will play the galaxy
Soccernet has a countdown to Becks' Galaxy debut, against Chelsea

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/section?id=us&cc=5901

[the101er]

I thought the whole "Arsenal Colorado First Ever" headlines were overhyped, and then I remembered that Chelsea have a similar agreement with LA Galaxy.

Unfortunately, there was a really good Mexican player (he even had to sneak across the border) playing for an amateur side in LA who we missed. I think Newcastle signed him.

Well, maybe we can sign this Spaniard Beckham.