USL Premier Development League

USL Premier Development League
Countries	United States; Canada
Confederation	US Soccer
Founded	1995
Divisions	8
Number of teams	68
Promotion to	None
Relegation to	None
Levels on pyramid	Level 4
Domestic cup(s)	Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Current champions	Ventura County Fusion (2009)
Most championships	Cape Cod Crusaders; Central Coast Roadrunners; Chicago Sockers; (2 titles each)
TV partners	Fox Soccer Channel
Website	Official site in English
	PDL 2009

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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 68 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 in the sense that the majority of players do not receive payment, the PDL prides itself on its professionalism in terms of its organization and the way the league is run, 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.

However, in recent years, teams such as Laredo Heat, New Orleans Jesters, Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, Kitsap Pumas and the Hollywood United Hitmen have been embracing at least partial professionalism through a new program called PDL-Pro, whereby teams can choose to employ non-NCAA players who are paid for their performances^[1], but who still meet the age eligibility criteria. This does not contravene NCAA rules, which state that college players cannot play alongside professionals, but may play against them.

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, often having been forced to retire from top flight competition due to age or injury. 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.

[edit] History

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, Portland Timbers U23's, and Vancouver Whitecaps Residency and there are increasing reports that more professional teams will begin fielding U23 teams in the PDL in years to come.

[edit] 2009 Teams

USA States with PDL teams are highlighted in red, Canadian Provinces with PDL teams are in dark red

[edit] Central Conference

[edit] Great Lakes Division

[edit] Heartland Division

[edit] Eastern Conference

[edit] Mid Atlantic Division

[edit] Northeast Division

[edit] Southern Conference

[edit] Mid South Division

[edit] Southeast Division

[edit] Western Conference

[edit] Northwest Division

[edit] Southwest Division

[edit] Announced 2010 expansion teams

[edit] Champions

2009 PDL - Ventura County Fusion
2008 PDL - Thunder Bay Chill
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 PDSL - Chicago Sockers
1998 PDSL - San Gabriel Valley Highlanders
1997 PDSL - Central Coast Roadrunners
1996 USISL Prem - Central Coast Roadrunners
1995 USISL Prem - Richmond Kickers

[edit] Teams with best regular season record

2009 PDL - Reading Rage
2008 PDL - Michigan Bucks
2007 PDL - Hampton Roads Piranhas
2006 PDL - Carolina Dynamo
2005 PDL - Orange County Blue Star
2004 PDL - Chicago Fire Reserves
2003 PDL - New Orleans Shell Shockers
2002 PDL - Des Moines Menace
2001 PDL - Calgary Storm
2000 PDL - Westchester Flames
1999 PDSL - Jackson Chargers
1998 PDSL - Jackson Chargers
1997 PDSL - Spokane Shadow
1996 USISL Prem - Central Coast Roadrunners
1995 USISL Prem - San Francisco All-Blacks United

[edit] Complete team list

See List of Premier Development League franchises.

[edit] Notable professional players with PDL experience

Chris Carrieri, New Brunswick Brigade, 2000, #1 Pick in 2001 MLS SuperDraft
Brian Ching, Spokane Shadow, 1998-1999, U.S. international
Colin Clark, Boulder Rapids Reserve, 2005, U.S. international
Charlie Davies, Westchester Flames, 2006, U.S. international
Jay DeMerit, Chicago Fire Premier, 2001-2002, U.S. international
Brad Evans, Orange County Blue Star, 2004-2006, U.S. international
Rodrigo Faria, Westchester Flames, 2000, 2001 MLS Rookie of the Year
Robbie Findley, Boulder Rapids Reserve, 2005-2006, U.S. international
Sean Franklin, San Fernando Valley Quakes, 2006-2007, 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year
Herculez Gomez, San Diego Gauchos, 2003, U.S. international
Brad Guzan, Chicago Fire Premier, 2003-2004, U.S. international
Kamani Hill, Orange County Blue Star/San Fernando Valley Quakes, 2005-2006, U.S. international
Patrick Ianni, Southern California Seahorses, 2005, U.S. international
Vedad Ibišević, St. Louis Strikers/Chicago Fire Premier 2003-2004, Bosnian international
Will Johnson, Chicago Fire Premier 2003-2005, Canadian international
Jürgen Klinsmann, Orange County Blue Star, 2003, German international
Sacha Kljestan, Orange County Blue Star, 2005, U.S. international
Patrick Leduc, Twin Cities Tornado, 1998-1999, Canadian international
Pete Marino, Cocoa Expos, 2003-2006, U.S. international
Drew Moor, Chicago Fire Premier, 2004, U.S. international
Chance Myers, Ventura County Fusion, 2007, #1 Pick in 2008 MLS SuperDraft
Olivier Occean, Vermont Voltage, 2002-2003, Canadian international
Pat Noonan, Michigan Bucks, 2002, U.S. international
Michael Parkhurst, Bradenton Academics, 2003, U.S. international
Logan Pause, Raleigh CASL Elite, 2002, U.S. international
Heath Pearce, Bradenton Academics, 2004, U.S. international
Troy Perkins, Cape Cod Crusaders, 2002-2003, U.S. international
Luis Robles, Boulder Rapids Reserve, 2003-2004, U.S. international
Robbie Rogers, Orange County Blue Star, 2005, U.S. international
Chris Rolfe, Chicago Fire Premier, 2004, U.S. international
Jonathan Spector, Chicago Fire Premier, 2001, U.S. international
Craig Waibel, Spokane Shadow, 1997-1998, U.S. international
Jeremiah White, Ocean City Barons, 2003, U.S. international
Eric Wynalda, Bakersfield Brigade, 2007-2008, U.S. international
Steve Zakuani, Cleveland Internationals, 2008, #1 Pick in 2009 MLS SuperDraft

[edit] Average Attendance

[edit] Regular season

2007: 516
2006: 561
2005: 503
2004: 455
2003: 492
2002: 463
2001: 410
2000: 423
1999: 385
1998: 317
1997: 304
1996: 256
1995: 290

[edit] Playoffs

2007:
2006: 895
2005: 912
2004: 877
2003: 703
2002: 560
2001: 530
2000: 481
1999: 407
1998: 416
1997: 397
1996: 218
1995: 182

[edit] External links

Official PDL site

[edit] References

^ http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/295716.html

[0] ttp://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/295716.html

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