The Rapids are expected to partner with a new USL Pro franchise in Charlotte, N.C, a source close to the Rapids has confirmed to the Denver Post.
News of the deal was first reported .
A ball sits at a recent Rapids’ training session. (Daniel Boniface, The Denver Post)
According to the report, the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Pro are moving down to the Premier Developmental League (PDL), after a group headed by pro lacrosse executive Jim McPhilliamy bought the USL Pro rights from the Eagles. A new Charlotte-based USL Pro club will be announced Wednesday and will share a stadium with the Charlotte Hounds, the ownership group’s Major League Lacrosse franchise.
The report in the Observer stated:
McPhilliamy said the USL Pro team is finalizing a deal to have an affiliate partnership with the MLS’ Colorado Rapids.
Attempts to reach McPhilliamy to confirm the partnership were not immediately returned. An announcement was planned in Charlotte for 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
With the MLS Reserves League being discontinued at the end of the 2014 season, all MLS teams are required to either start their own USL Pro franchise, or partner with one. The MLS clubs will loan a number of their reserve players to affiliate clubs in the USL Pro, the third-tier league in U.S. professional soccer.
Many local soccer supporters had seen the USL Pro expansion team as a potential partner for the Rapids, given their close proximity. However, Rapids President .
Hinchey added that in the long term, the Rapids would like to have their own USL Pro and PDL teams based in Commerce City.
The Rapids’ president said Wednesday he was not in a position to comment on the record about the report.
Back in May, Hinchey said of a USL partnership: “When we announce, it’ll make sense.”
The Rapids already have ties in North Carolina through their alliance with the .
