The Colorado Rapids and USL-2 club Real Maryland FC have joined together in a strategic partnership, the two clubs announced today. The collaborative agreement will focus on the development of young players from both sides in addition to other best practice exchanges between the clubs.

Real Maryland FC becomes the third partner club to align with the Rapids joining English Premier League side Arsenal Football Club and the Mexican Premier Division's Club de Futbol Pachuca.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the Colorado Rapids and Real Maryland FC," said Rapids' head coach Gary Smith. "Both clubs will benefit enormously in a relationship based on the identification, recruitment and development of young players."

Real Maryland FC head coach Anthony Hudson added, "We're very pleased with this partnership. The state of the game in the MLS and USL is such that, this kind of support is vital in order to develop players and move forward as clubs. We're looking forward to a positive relationship with the Rapids."

This new partnership will allow Real Maryland FC to serve as a developmental training ground for higher-level endeavors and act as a feeder club for talented players to come to the Rapids. Selected Rapids players will also have the opportunity to go and compete with Real Maryland FC.

The agreement also includes future exhibition matches between the two clubs, as well as shadowing opportunities for the Real Maryland FC coaching staff in Colorado.

In partnership with: