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 67 teams competing in four conferences, split into ten 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 players do not receive payment, the PDL prides itself on its professionalism in terms of 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.
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.
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, Colorado Rapids U23's, Atlanta Silverbacks U23's, Cary RailHawks U23's, Portland Timbers U23's, Richmond Kickers Future, 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.
2008 Teams
States with PDL teams are highlighted in red.
Central Conference
Great Lakes Division
Heartland Division
Midwest Division
Eastern Conference
Mid Atlantic Division
New England Division
Northeast Division
Southern Conference
Mid South Division
Southeast Division
Western Conference
Northwest Division
Southwest Division
Announced 2009 Expansion Teams
Stadia
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Great Lakes Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Heartland Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Midwest Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Mid-Atlantic Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Mid South Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL New England Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Northeast Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Northwest Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Southeast Division |
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Current Stadiums in the USL PDL Southwest Division |
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Champions
Teams with best regular season record
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
- Robbie Findley, Boulder Rapids Reserve, 2005-06
- Sean Franklin, San Fernando Valley Quakes, 2006-07
- Herculez Gomez, San Diego Gauchos, 2003
- Brad Guzan, Chicago Fire Premier, 2003-04
- Kamani Hill, Orange County Blue Star/San Fernando Valley Quakes, 2005-06
- Patrick Ianni, Southern California Seahorses, 2005
- Vedad Ibišević, St. Louis Strikers/Chicago Fire Premier 2003-04
- Jürgen Klinsmann, Orange County Blue Star, 2003
- Sacha Kljestan, Orange County Blue Star, 2005
- Pete Marino, Cocoa Expos, 2003-06
- Drew Moor, Chicago Fire Premier, 2004
- Pat Noonan, Michigan Bucks, 2002
- Michael Parkhurst, Bradenton Academics, 2003
- Heath Pearce, Bradenton Academics, 2004
- Troy Perkins, Cape Cod Crusaders, 2002-03
- Robbie Rogers, Orange County Blue Star, 2005
- Chris Rolfe, Chicago Fire Premier, 2004
- Jonathan Spector, Chicago Fire Premier, 2003
- Craig Waibel, Spokane Shadow, 1997-98
- Jeremiah White, Ocean City Barons, 2003
- Eric Wynalda, Bakersfield Brigade, 2007-08
Average Attendance
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
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
External links
References
Comments
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