Blues expand U.S. youth soccer reach

Chelsea Football Club of the English Premier League announces partnerships with two of America’s leading youth soccer clubs, Sereno Soccer Club of Phoenix and Solar Soccer Club of Dallas.

The two youth clubs join Chelsea FC’s growing U.S. youth club network that supports the development of soccer in America.

As part of the Chelsea youth club network, Sereno Soccer Club and Solar Soccer Club will learn the Chelsea FC coaching philosophy and curriculum, host training sessions and camps with Chelsea coaches, benefit from Chelsea-sponsored tournaments and participate in player exchange programs.

Chelsea FC Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said: “Our youth club network is designed to create long-term growth and sustainability of soccer in America by supporting elite youth clubs that provide the best soccer instruction and experience for local players.

Sereno Soccer Club has been developing soccer for more than 30 years in Arizona and this partnership will assist them in taking it to the next level and expanding their reach and impact on the game.”

Gourlay continued: “Dallas is a great sports city in America and the growth of soccer there at both the youth and professional level is significant. Partnering with Solar allows us to continue to help the development of soccer in Texas by staying closely connected to the community through a top club. Solar’s mission of Soccer Excellence Through Development is perfectly aligned with our youth club network goals.”

Sereno Director of Coaching David Robertson expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We see this as a very positive step forward for our players and coaching staff. Getting access to the Chelsea FC Youth Academy programming and coaches will help us to ensure that our training programs are world class. We're also excited to give kids from all over the Valley access to Chelsea FC coaching through Sereno-Chelsea sponsored events, camps and clinics right here in Phoenix.”

Sereno SC is one of the leading soccer education and training organizations in the U.S. They are perennially ranked the no. 1 youth soccer club in Arizona. Over the past 30 years, the club has produced 46 Arizona State champion boys teams, 80 Arizona State champion girls teams, nine regional champions, three national finalists and one national champion.

Solar Director of Coaching Kevin Smith expressed his excitement: “This is a big deal for our club and for youth soccer in the Dallas area. Chelsea is very selective in clubs they ask to join their network so for us to be on board further proves that Solar is among the elite clubs in the country. Using Chelsea FC’s training curriculum and having their coaches involved with our kids will take our club to the next level. It’s an exciting time for us.”

With more than 30 years in developing top soccer players in the Dallas area and multiple national championships, Dallas cups and state cups, Solar SC is proven to be a benchmark of elite soccer programs in the U.S.

Solar SC alumni include a number of current professional players such as Corben Bone (Chicago Fire), Drew Moor (Colorado Rapids), Shea Salinas (Philadelphia Union), Kenny Cooper (Plymouth Argyle) and more.

Chelsea announced its first youth soccer club partnership with CASL of North Carolina in July 2008. Other Chelsea U.S. youth club partners include Match Fit Chelsea of New Jersey, LAFC Chelsea of Los Angeles, the Baltimore Bays and the Le Jardin Academy based in Hawaii.