Chicago Magic to partner with AS Monaco of France

French power AS Monaco has entered into a partnership with American youth power club Chicago Magic.  The Chicago Magic will be able to send players to AS Monaco for training programs and potentially spots within the AS Monaco system.  AS Monaco will send coaches for clinics and training as well as sponsor the U16 & U18 Chicago Magic Youth Academy squads.

New AS Monaco President Jerome de Bontin, who has lived in Chicago and been involved with Magic since the days when his sons played for Magic Director of Coaching Mike Matkovich, said in a news release that the alliance will be a deep one, and not symbolic.  “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.

Magic Director of Coaching Mike Matkovich acknowledged that the French club’s interest is primarily in helping develop and identify players who could become first 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 first 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.”

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.