Austin Aztex

Manager by former Burnley player/boss Adrian Heath, the Aztexs are a new franchise set to play in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division, beginning in the 2009 season.

Heath was employed in an historic link-up with Premier League new boys Stoke City, with the remit of recommending suitable American players for trials and possible transfers to Stoke.

The affiliation with Stoke City includes the Potters holding their summer training camp in Austin, scouting for talent both locally and across the US, exchanging players with the Aztex and sharing best practices between the two clubs.

The Aztex also have a new U23 side, who are currently flying high in their inaugural PDL U23's Mid-South Division.

Minnesota Thunder

The Minnesota Thunder was founded in 1990 as an amateur team. They turned professional in 1994, joining the United Soccer Leagues and currently playing in the 12-team First Division, the second tier of the American pyramid.

The Thunder won the 1999 A-League championship, but lost in the finals in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

The Thunder this year made an emotional return to their former home at the National Sports Centre in Blaine, where they played for 14 years from 1990 to 2003, before moving to the James Griffin Stadium.

All games will now be played at the NSC Stadium, where work has been undertaken to remove the running track and provide a stadium that will hold 12,000 fans, with potential to expand to 20,000.

Head coach Amos Magee, Thunder's all-time leading scorer with 64 goals and 39 assists in nine seasons, has been in charge for two seasons.

Clarets chairman Barry Kilby, Operational Director Brendan Flood, Development Director Paul Fletcher and assistant manager Sandy Stewart will head Stateside on Wednesday, with the aim of building foundations that could help the Clarets develop and nurture young talent on both sides of the Atlantic.

During the four-day trip, the Clarets' party will visit three franchises as part of a strategic youth development programme: Carolina RailHawks, Minnesota Thunder and the Richmond Kickers.