SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they have partnered with local Central Valley Youth Soccer League's San Jose FC competitive program. The deal includes all youth teams – boys and girls – under San Jose FC’s current structure.

"This makes sense for us on many levels" said San Jose Earthquakes technical director Chris Leitch.  “With the continued growth of SJFC as a premier competitive club in the San Jose area, it’s a great next step for both parties to have San Jose FC become the competitive development arm for the San Jose Earthquakes youth academy. As an Earthquakes youth club, SJFC players will have full access to the San Jose Earthquakes youth development pyramid, giving them elite competitive, collegiate and ultimately professional opportunities. This is also a fantastic opportunity to work with SJFC to jointly take their girls program to even greater heights.”

Through the partnership, San Jose FC will become the official club team of the Earthquakes. Each of their teams will be outfitted with Earthquakes gear and will fall under the club’s Academy umbrella with Leitch overseeing the technical direction. Players who participate on San Jose FC’s club team will be eligible to participate on the Earthquakes’ Academy teams at the U-14, U-16 and U-18 levels. Additionally, San Jose FC’s coaching staff will remain intact.

CVYSL's SJFC is one of the fastest growing competitive programs in the Bay Area with over 800 participants. They are part of Central Valley Youth Soccer League, a San Jose based league with recreational and competitive opportunities. Since the Earthquakes began their Academy program, over 30 players have joined the ranks through SJFC. That list includes Philip Hausen, the U-18’s leading scorer who has committed to play college soccer at Harvard next fall.