Houston Dynamo to partner with Charleston Battery

The Dynamo have agreed to a partnership with the Charleston Battery for the 2015 season. The deal will allow Houston to loan up to four players to Charleston at a time.

"We are pleased to announce our affiliation with the Charleston Battery for the 2015 season. They are one of the most respected clubs in USL with a proven track record of success and professionalism," Dynamo vice president/general manager Matt Jordan said in a release from the club. "We feel this affiliation will provide our players the opportunity to grow in a quality environment with a staff that is very dedicated. This partnership will be a positive step forward for both clubs."

Charleston has won five major titles: The 2012 USL PROchampionship; the USL second division regular season and playoff titles in 2010; and USL A-League titles in 1996 and 2003. The Battery also reached the 2008 U.S. Open Cup final and the Open Cup semifinals in 1999 and 2004. Last year, the club finished in fifth place in the USL PRO regular season.

The Dynamo have participated in the Carolina Challenge Cup five times, an event hosted each year by the Battery. The Dynamo had already announced earlier this year that they would once again be heading to Charleston as part of their pre-season. This year will have the added bonus of strengthening the partnership between the two ahead of the 2015 season.

Houston has already announced its plans to start its own USL Pro team for 2016 and has been looking at areas around Texas to start such a team.