Not to be outdone by rivals Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur has announced a strategic partnership with a Major League Soccer club.

In 2007, Arsenal announced a partnership with Colorado. Now Spurs have announced a deal with San Jose Earthquakes. The major difference with the Spurs deal is that it sets the wheel in motion for Tottenham to conduct future US tours.

According to Tottenham Development Coach Clive Allen, “The relationship will provide us with the opportunity to exchange coaches and methodology as well as providing a base for the Club in any future US tours. Our aim is to support the development of MLS by using our wealth of experience in the game on a number of levels. Football development will certainly be an integral part of the partnership, but other areas of our infrastructure will be beneficial models such as the work we do in the community with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.”

Tottenham Hotspur first visited the US in 1951 to play Manchester United at Yankee Stadium, New York. The match ended with a 7-1 scoreline in favor of Spurs. In 1966 the Club toured the US for the first time and played matches in numerous locations including Chicago, Detroit, Hartford, Jersey City and San Francisco. Tottenham Hotspur last visited the US in 2003 to play DC United in the Capital Cup, which resulted in a defeat against the Washington-based team.

It’s not known when Spurs will play preseason friendlies in the United States, but it may happen as early as the summer of 2009 or 2010.