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Written by Staff Reports
June 03, 2008

In an announcement likely to turn some heads in both professional and youth soccer circles in America, club giants Chicago Magic have formed a partnership with French club AS Monaco.

“This allegiance is groundbreaking for both sides. AS Monaco is committed to an alliance with all levels of soccer in the Chicago Magic program and their U16 & U18 youth academies will be the foundation of our combined efforts,” de Bontin said. “The Magic is at the forefront of soccer in the United States.”

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the partnership as it begins this summer is that Monaco will cover all expenses of players and coaches for the U16 and U18 USSF Developmental Academy teams. Among many positive responses to the new USSF venture, prohibitive costs have typically been a detracting factor. As with some MLS-affiliated programs, Magic will now be able to offer participation in the program free of charge.

Matkovich also said an exchange program, probably beginning this winter, will allow American players the chance to train overseas for possible identification as well as bringing Monaco coaches to the U.S. to conduct training and clinics for American players and coaches.

Matkovich, speaking Monday from Los Angeles where he serves as an assistant coach with Chivas USA, was predictably enthusiastic about the announcement.

“It’s something we’ve been talking about for a few years. It didn’t happen overnight. It finally happened with Jerome’s appointment (as Monaco chairman),” he said. “He’s seen what we can do as a club and he’s been impressed with our standards and methods. Jerome has also been involved in US Soccer quite a bit. He’s had insights on the game at the grassroots level, so it’s helped him get some insight and he’s helped give us some vision.”

Matkovich acknowledged that the French club’s interest is primarily in helping develop and identify players who could become 1^st team players for the professional club.

“They are going to put in an academy system in the U.S. Hopefully a player can move into the Monaco youth program itself or even the Monaco 1^st team,” he said. “Let’s be realistic – most of the guys we produce are still going to enhance the American system – 97 percent of them will still be going on to get a college education and play there, so it’s a win-win for everybody. It provides funding for a program that obviously we badly need. We need some outside sources taking pressure off the better players who otherwise have to pay to play.”

While competing with free-of-charge MLS teams, including the Chicago Fire, has been an issue for some top youth clubs, Matkovich said that was not the impetus behind the decision to join forces with Monaco.

Matkovich added that some details of the partnership will still play out over the next few years, but added that the club teams will be called Chicago Magic/AS Monaco beginning with the fall academy season. He alluded to the possibility of bringing in top players from other parts of the country, but qualified that statement saying he’s not convinced that removing a player from his family environment at a young age is always the best move, even soccer-wise.

“There aren’t clear cut answers for everything,” he said. “We’ll be evaluating a lot of it as we move forward, but we are looking forward to it.”