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USL Premier Development League

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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 popular with U.S. college players since they can play in it during the summer months and still maintain their collegiate eligibility. A maximum of eight players on each team's 26-man roster can be over 23 years old, and at least three players on each team's roster must be 18 or younger.

Contents

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.

Current Events

The 2005 cup winner was the Des Moines Menace.

For 2006, the Northern Virginia Royals will move down from the USL Second Division, while the Virginia Beach Mariners and Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL First Division will field affiliates, the Virginia Beach Submariners and Atlanta Silverbacks U23, respectively. Expansion teams will be added in Delaware, Ogden (Utah), San Fernando Valley, and St. Louis. Memphis and Toledo leave the league. Nevada and Springfield will be relocated, with new franchises going to San Gabriel (California) -- playing as a Los Angeles franchise -- and San Francisco, where the Bay Seals will be revived.

2006 Teams

Central Conference

Great Lakes Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Great Lakes Division
Lemont Stadium (Chicago Fire Premier) | Edwards Field (Cleveland Internationals) | Hefner Field (Fort Wayne Fever) | Indiana Invaders Soccer Complex (Indiana Invaders) | Riverfront Stadium (Kalamazoo Kingdom) | Stoney Park (Michigan Bucks) | Hill Central Stadium (West Michigan Edge)

Heartland Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Heartland Division
INVESCO Field (Rapids Reserve) | Washburn Field (Colorado Springs Blizzard) | Waukee Stadium (Des Moines Menace) | Jewell Stadium (KC Brass) | McEaneany Field (Sioux Falls Spitfire) | Tony Galvin Soccer Complex (St. Louis Lions) | Chapples Park (Thunder Bay Chill)

Eastern Conference

Mid Atlantic Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Mid Atlantic Division
Total Sports Pavilion (NV Royals) | University of Richmond Stadium (Kickers Future) | Virginia Beach Sportsplex (VA Beach Submariners) | Laidley Field (WV Chaos) | Busch Field (Williamsburg Legacy)

New England Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL New England Division
Union College Field (Albany Admirals) | BHS Stadium Field (Cape Cod Crusaders) | Keith Harris Stadium (Ottawa Fury) | Pierce Memorial Field (Rhode Island Stingrays) | Collins-Perley Sports Complex (Vermont Voltage)

Northeast Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Northeast Division
Metropolitan Oval (Brooklyn Knights) | Kirkwood Soccer Complex (Delaware Dynasty) | Carey Stadium (Ocean City Barons) | Exeter High School (Reading Rage) | City Park Stadium (Westchester Flames F.C.)

Southern Conference

Mid South Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Mid South Division
Williamsburg County Reg. Park (Austin Lightning) | Richland Stadium (DFW Tornados) | Patriot Stadium (El Paso Patriots) | Student Activity Center (Laredo Heat) | Muss Bertolino Stadium (NO Shellshockers)

South Atlantic Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL South Atlantic Division
SAS Stadium (Raleigh Elite) | Silverbacks Park (Silverbacks U23) | Macpherson Stadium (Carolina Dynamo) | Ezell Park (Nashville Metros) | Patriots Park (Augusta FireBall)

Southeast Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Southeast Division
First Academy Stadium (Ajax Orlando) | IMG Soccer Academy (Bradenton Academics) | Kraze and Krush Stadium (Central Florida Kraze) | Cocoa Expo Sports Center (Cocoa Expos) | Falcon's Field (Palm Beach Pumas)

Western Conference

Northwest Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Northwest Division
Bateman Park (Abbotsford Rangers) | BYU South Stadium (BYU Cougars) | McCulloch Stadium (Cascade Surge) | Lindquist Field (Ogden Outlaws) | Curtis High School Stadium (Tacoma FC) | Marquette Stadium (Yakima Reds) | Spokane Shadow (not playing 2006)

Southwest Division

Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Southwest Division
BCHS Stadium (Bakersfield Brigade) | Johansen Stadium (California Gold) | FPU Stadium (Fresno Fuego) | A.P.U. - Cougar Stadium (Los Angeles Storm) | Various (OC Blue Star) | DeVore Stadium (San Diego Gauchos) | Re/Max Epicenter (SFV Quakes) | Negoesco Stadium (SF Seals) | La Mirada HS (SoCal Seahorses)

Complete team list

Average Attendance

Regular season

Playoffs


United Soccer Leagues
1st Division: Atlanta Silverbacks | Charleston Battery | Miami FC | Minnesota Thunder | Montreal Impact | Portland Timbers
Puerto Rico Islanders | Rochester Raging Rhinos | Seattle Sounders | Vancouver Whitecaps | Toronto Lynx | Virginia Beach Mariners
2nd Division: Charlotte Eagles | Cincinnati Kings | Harrisburg City Islanders | Long Island Rough Riders
New Hampshire Phantoms | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | Richmond Kickers | Western Mass Pioneers | Wilmington Hammerheads
Premier Development League | Super-20 League | Super Y-League | W-League

External links

 

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