The Clubs currently field a unified high school program under the banner of OPRF One. "A complete merger of the OPRF Strikers and River Forest Rapids is a natural progression from the success we have seen with a combined high school program," said Tim Drane, President of the River Forest Rapids. "Having one Club will enable us to develop and field more competitive teams, allow players to train and play with teammates of like abilities, and keep fees from increasing the way they have at other Clubs." "Our coaching directors Murray Findlay and Gavin Richards have been working together well at the high school level," said Steve Gillman, President of the OPRF Strikers. "This allows our communities to join together to build a premier soccer club for players at all ages with the opportunity for a higher level of achievement." "I'd like to thank the Strikers and Rapids Boards and our Directors of Coaching for working together to make this a reality."

The combined club expects to field over 40 teams of players ranging in age from 7 to 18.  The deeper talent pool will allow the Club to form more teams, and more competitive teams, at all age levels.  The new Club will be called the Chicago Edge SC to symbolize that the Club is based on the border of Chicago.

The Strikers and Rapids have trained dozens of varsity players at local high schools in recent years, many of whom went on to play college soccer. The local high school coaches are very enthusiastic. "Without a doubt this merger will greatly impact our high school program for the better -- getting the best community kids playing together early on will not only help their development and chemistry, but will also create a smooth transition to the high school program," said Paul Wright, coach of the boys' varsity team at OPRF High School. "It is an exciting development for the area's soccer community," agrees Ignacio Ponce, the varsity girls' coach. "The merger will strengthen the overall soccer talent in the community starting from the lower levels up to the high school program."