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EspañolUSL PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
(Redirected from Premier Development League)
The 'USL Premier Development League' (PDL) is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid. It is currently the top level men's amateur competition in the United States, and has 63 teams competing in four conferences, split into eight regional divisions; unofficially, it is considered to be the fourth tier of competition, behind Major League Soccer, the USL First Division and the USL Second Division, and roughly equal with the National Premier Soccer League and the Pacific Coast Soccer League.
While not strictly a "professional" league, the PDL prides itself on its professionalism, and its dedication to developing young soccer players, preparing them for future careers in professional leagues in the United States and elsewhere. As PDL seasons take place during the summer months, the player pool is drawn mainly from elite NCAA college soccer players seeking to continue playing high level soccer during their summer break, which they can do while still maintaining their college eligibility. In addition, PDL squads often also include standout high school and junior club players, as well as former professionals seeking to continue competing at a high level. PDL rules dictate that a maximum of eight players on each team's 26-man roster can be over 23 years old, while at least three players on each team's roster must be 18 or younger.
Increasingly, the PDL is seen as a 'shop window' for professional clubs looking to discover and identify aspiring professional players who may enter the MLS SuperDraft in future years. Many of the players currently playing in Major League Soccer and elsewhere began their careers in the PDL.
In 1995 the USISL split into two leagues, one professional and one amateur. The 'United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues Premier Development Soccer League', more commonly known simply as the 'Premier League', was formed as an amateur league apart from the professional USISL Pro League teams. Its main purpose was to improve soccer capabilities to many urban areas throughout the USA and Canada and offer current college soccer players experience without losing their college eligibility.
In 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues and the Premier League officially became known as the 'United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League' or, more commonly, the 'PDL'.
Today, some of the PDL teams serve as farm teams to United Soccer Leagues and Major League Soccer clubs, notably Chicago Fire Premier, Colorado Rapids U23's, Atlanta Silverbacks U23's, Cary RailHawks U23's and Richmond Kickers Future, and there are increasing reports that more MLS teams will begin fielding U23 teams in the PDL in years to come.
Prior to the 2007 season, the Toronto Lynx moved down from the USL First Division, the Long Island Rough Riders moved down from the USL Second Division, the former due to the addition of the Toronto FC franchise to Major League Soccer, and the latter to due to increasingly poor on-field performances coupled with financial and infrastucture issues.
Expansion teams were added in Baton Rouge, Fredericksburg, Jackson, Lancaster, Spokane, Springfield and Ventura. Also, the San Jose Frogs moved over from the National Premier Soccer League, the first team to do so since the creation of the rival league in 2003.
2006 franchises Ajax Orlando Prospects, Augusta Fireball, California Gold, Colorado Springs Blizzard, Kalamazoo Kingdom and San Diego Gauchos resigned from the league prior to the season.
★ Chicago Fire Premier Illinois
★ Cleveland Internationals Ohio
★ Fort Wayne Fever Indiana
★ Indiana Invaders Indiana
★ Michigan Bucks Michigan
★ Toronto Lynx Ontario ''new for 2007''
★ West Michigan Edge Michigan
★ Colorado Rapids U23's Colorado
★ Des Moines Menace Iowa
★ Kansas City Brass Missouri
★ Sioux Falls Spitfire South Dakota
★ Springfield Demize Missouri ''new for 2007''
★ St. Louis Lions Missouri
★ Thunder Bay Chill Ontario
★ Delaware Dynasty Delaware
★ Fredericksburg Gunners Virginia ''new for 2007''
★ Hampton Roads Piranhas Virginia
★ Northern Virginia Royals Virginia
★ Ocean City Barons New Jersey
★ Reading Rage Pennsylvania
★ Richmond Kickers Future Virginia
★ Virginia Legacy Virginia
★ West Virginia Chaos West Virginia
★ Albany Admirals New York
★ Brooklyn Knights New York
★ Cape Cod Crusaders Massachusetts
★ Long Island Rough Riders New York ''new for 2007''
★ Ottawa Fury Ontario
★ Rhode Island Stingrays Rhode Island
★ Vermont Voltage Vermont
★ Westchester Flames New York
★ Austin Lightning Texas
★ Baton Rouge Capitals Louisiana ''new for 2007''
★ DFW Tornados Texas
★ El Paso Patriots Texas
★ Laredo Heat Texas
★ Mississippi Brilla Mississippi ''new for 2007''
★ New Orleans Shell Shockers Louisiana
★ Atlanta Silverbacks U23's Georgia (U.S. state)
★ Bradenton Academics Florida
★ Carolina Dynamo North Carolina
★ Cary RailHawks U23's North Carolina
★ Central Florida Kraze Florida
★ Cocoa Expos Florida
★ Nashville Metros Tennessee
★ Palm Beach Pumas Florida
★ Abbotsford Rangers British Columbia
★ BYU Cougars Utah
★ Cascade Surge Oregon
★ Ogden Outlaws Utah
★ Spokane Spiders Washington ''new for 2007''
★ Tacoma Tide Washington
★ Yakima Reds Washington
★ Bakersfield Brigade California
★ Fresno Fuego California
★ Lancaster Rattlers California ''new for 2007''
★ Los Angeles Storm California
★ Orange County Blue Star California
★ San Fernando Valley Quakes California
★ San Francisco Seals California
★ San Jose Frogs California ''new for 2007''
★ Southern California Seahorses California
★ Ventura County Fusion California ''new for 2007''
★ 2007 PDL - Laredo Heat
★ 2006 PDL - Michigan Bucks
★ 2005 PDL - Des Moines Menace
★ 2004 PDL - Central Florida Kraze
★ 2003 PDL - Cape Cod Crusaders
★ 2002 PDL - Cape Cod Crusaders
★ 2001 PDL - Westchester Flames
★ 2000 PDL - Chicago Sockers
★ 1999 PDL - Chicago Sockers
★ 1998 PDSL - San Gabriel Valley Highlanders
★ 1997 PDSL - Central Coast Roadrunners
★ 1996 USISL Prem - Central Coast Roadrunners
★ 1995 USISL Prem - Richmond Kickers
see ''list of Premier Development League franchises''
★ Brian Ching, Spokane Shadow, 1998-99
★ Charlie Davies, Westchester Flames, 2006
★ Jay DeMerit, Chicago Fire Premier, 2001-02
★ Herculez Gomez, San Diego Gauchos, 2003
★ Brad Guzan, Chicago Fire Premier, 2003-04
★ Kamani Hill, San Fernando Valley Quakes, 2006
★ Jürgen Klinsmann, Orange County Blue Star, 2003
★ Sacha Kljestan, Orange County Blue Star, 2005
★ Pat Noonan, Michigan Bucks, 2002
★ Michael Parkhurst, Bradenton Academics, 2003
★ Heath Pearce, Bradenton Academics, 2004
★ Chris Rolfe, Chicago Fire Premier, 2004
★ Jonathan Spector, Chicago Fire Premier, 2003
★ "Sneaky" Pete Marino, Cocoa Beach Expos, 2003-06
★ Official PDL site
The 'USL Premier Development League' (PDL) is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid. It is currently the top level men's amateur competition in the United States, and has 63 teams competing in four conferences, split into eight regional divisions; unofficially, it is considered to be the fourth tier of competition, behind Major League Soccer, the USL First Division and the USL Second Division, and roughly equal with the National Premier Soccer League and the Pacific Coast Soccer League.
While not strictly a "professional" league, the PDL prides itself on its professionalism, and its dedication to developing young soccer players, preparing them for future careers in professional leagues in the United States and elsewhere. As PDL seasons take place during the summer months, the player pool is drawn mainly from elite NCAA college soccer players seeking to continue playing high level soccer during their summer break, which they can do while still maintaining their college eligibility. In addition, PDL squads often also include standout high school and junior club players, as well as former professionals seeking to continue competing at a high level. PDL rules dictate that a maximum of eight players on each team's 26-man roster can be over 23 years old, while at least three players on each team's roster must be 18 or younger.
Increasingly, the PDL is seen as a 'shop window' for professional clubs looking to discover and identify aspiring professional players who may enter the MLS SuperDraft in future years. Many of the players currently playing in Major League Soccer and elsewhere began their careers in the PDL.
History
Location of states with PDL teams
In 1995 the USISL split into two leagues, one professional and one amateur. The 'United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues Premier Development Soccer League', more commonly known simply as the 'Premier League', was formed as an amateur league apart from the professional USISL Pro League teams. Its main purpose was to improve soccer capabilities to many urban areas throughout the USA and Canada and offer current college soccer players experience without losing their college eligibility.
In 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues and the Premier League officially became known as the 'United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League' or, more commonly, the 'PDL'.
Today, some of the PDL teams serve as farm teams to United Soccer Leagues and Major League Soccer clubs, notably Chicago Fire Premier, Colorado Rapids U23's, Atlanta Silverbacks U23's, Cary RailHawks U23's and Richmond Kickers Future, and there are increasing reports that more MLS teams will begin fielding U23 teams in the PDL in years to come.
Current Events
Prior to the 2007 season, the Toronto Lynx moved down from the USL First Division, the Long Island Rough Riders moved down from the USL Second Division, the former due to the addition of the Toronto FC franchise to Major League Soccer, and the latter to due to increasingly poor on-field performances coupled with financial and infrastucture issues.
Expansion teams were added in Baton Rouge, Fredericksburg, Jackson, Lancaster, Spokane, Springfield and Ventura. Also, the San Jose Frogs moved over from the National Premier Soccer League, the first team to do so since the creation of the rival league in 2003.
2006 franchises Ajax Orlando Prospects, Augusta Fireball, California Gold, Colorado Springs Blizzard, Kalamazoo Kingdom and San Diego Gauchos resigned from the league prior to the season.
2007 Teams
Central Conference
Great Lakes Division
★ Chicago Fire Premier Illinois
★ Cleveland Internationals Ohio
★ Fort Wayne Fever Indiana
★ Indiana Invaders Indiana
★ Michigan Bucks Michigan
★ Toronto Lynx Ontario ''new for 2007''
★ West Michigan Edge Michigan
Heartland Division
★ Colorado Rapids U23's Colorado
★ Des Moines Menace Iowa
★ Kansas City Brass Missouri
★ Sioux Falls Spitfire South Dakota
★ Springfield Demize Missouri ''new for 2007''
★ St. Louis Lions Missouri
★ Thunder Bay Chill Ontario
Eastern Conference
Mid Atlantic Division
★ Delaware Dynasty Delaware
★ Fredericksburg Gunners Virginia ''new for 2007''
★ Hampton Roads Piranhas Virginia
★ Northern Virginia Royals Virginia
★ Ocean City Barons New Jersey
★ Reading Rage Pennsylvania
★ Richmond Kickers Future Virginia
★ Virginia Legacy Virginia
★ West Virginia Chaos West Virginia
Northeast Division
★ Albany Admirals New York
★ Brooklyn Knights New York
★ Cape Cod Crusaders Massachusetts
★ Long Island Rough Riders New York ''new for 2007''
★ Ottawa Fury Ontario
★ Rhode Island Stingrays Rhode Island
★ Vermont Voltage Vermont
★ Westchester Flames New York
Southern Conference
Mid South Division
★ Austin Lightning Texas
★ Baton Rouge Capitals Louisiana ''new for 2007''
★ DFW Tornados Texas
★ El Paso Patriots Texas
★ Laredo Heat Texas
★ Mississippi Brilla Mississippi ''new for 2007''
★ New Orleans Shell Shockers Louisiana
Southeast Division
★ Atlanta Silverbacks U23's Georgia (U.S. state)
★ Bradenton Academics Florida
★ Carolina Dynamo North Carolina
★ Cary RailHawks U23's North Carolina
★ Central Florida Kraze Florida
★ Cocoa Expos Florida
★ Nashville Metros Tennessee
★ Palm Beach Pumas Florida
Western Conference
Northwest Division
★ Abbotsford Rangers British Columbia
★ BYU Cougars Utah
★ Cascade Surge Oregon
★ Ogden Outlaws Utah
★ Spokane Spiders Washington ''new for 2007''
★ Tacoma Tide Washington
★ Yakima Reds Washington
Southwest Division
★ Bakersfield Brigade California
★ Fresno Fuego California
★ Lancaster Rattlers California ''new for 2007''
★ Los Angeles Storm California
★ Orange County Blue Star California
★ San Fernando Valley Quakes California
★ San Francisco Seals California
★ San Jose Frogs California ''new for 2007''
★ Southern California Seahorses California
★ Ventura County Fusion California ''new for 2007''
Champions
★ 2007 PDL - Laredo Heat
★ 2006 PDL - Michigan Bucks
★ 2005 PDL - Des Moines Menace
★ 2004 PDL - Central Florida Kraze
★ 2003 PDL - Cape Cod Crusaders
★ 2002 PDL - Cape Cod Crusaders
★ 2001 PDL - Westchester Flames
★ 2000 PDL - Chicago Sockers
★ 1999 PDL - Chicago Sockers
★ 1998 PDSL - San Gabriel Valley Highlanders
★ 1997 PDSL - Central Coast Roadrunners
★ 1996 USISL Prem - Central Coast Roadrunners
★ 1995 USISL Prem - Richmond Kickers
Complete team list
see ''list of Premier Development League franchises''
Notable professional players with PDL experience
★ Brian Ching, Spokane Shadow, 1998-99
★ Charlie Davies, Westchester Flames, 2006
★ Jay DeMerit, Chicago Fire Premier, 2001-02
★ Herculez Gomez, San Diego Gauchos, 2003
★ Brad Guzan, Chicago Fire Premier, 2003-04
★ Kamani Hill, San Fernando Valley Quakes, 2006
★ Jürgen Klinsmann, Orange County Blue Star, 2003
★ Sacha Kljestan, Orange County Blue Star, 2005
★ Pat Noonan, Michigan Bucks, 2002
★ Michael Parkhurst, Bradenton Academics, 2003
★ Heath Pearce, Bradenton Academics, 2004
★ Chris Rolfe, Chicago Fire Premier, 2004
★ Jonathan Spector, Chicago Fire Premier, 2003
★ "Sneaky" Pete Marino, Cocoa Beach Expos, 2003-06
Average Attendance
'Regular season' ★ '2006': 561 ★ '2005': 503 ★ '2004': 455 ★ '2003': 492 ★ '2002': 463 ★ '2001': 410 ★ '2000': 423 ★ '1999': 385 ★ '1998': 317 ★ '1997': 304 ★ '1996': 256 ★ '1995': 290 | 'Playoffs' ★ '2006': 895 ★ '2005': 912 ★ '2004': 877 ★ '2003': 703 ★ '2002': 560 ★ '2001': 530 ★ '2000': 481 ★ '1999': 407 ★ '1998': 416 ★ '1997': 397 ★ '1996': 218 ★ '1995': 182 |
External links
★ Official PDL site
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