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USL Premier Development League

USL Premier Development League
Football League
NameUSL Premier Development League
CountriesUnited States
Canada
Bermuda
ConfederationUS Soccer
Founded1995
Divisions9
Number of teams64
Levels4 (US), 4 (CA)
Promotion toNone
Relegation toNone
Domestic cupLamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Current championsKitsap Pumas
Most championshipsCape Cod Crusaders
Central Coast Roadrunners
Chicago Sockers
(2 titles each)
TV partnersFox Soccer Channel

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The USL Premier Development League (commonly known as the PDL) is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid. It is currently the top level men's amateur soccer competition in the United States, and has 64 teams competing in four conferences, split into nine regional divisions; unofficially, it is considered to be the fourth tier of competition, behind Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League and the USL Professional Division, and roughly equal with the National Premier Soccer League.

The Kitsap Pumas are the reigning PDL champions, having beaten Laredo Heat 1-0 in the 2011 PDL Championship game on August 6, 2011.

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 players who are paid for their performances, 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. What this also means, however, is that PDL-Pro teams cannot have any active NCAA players on their rosters, but may employ NAIA and community college players, ex-NCAA players who have already graduated, or other local players who do not play college soccer at all.

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.

USL Premier Development League Video

Go inside the PDL's New Orleans Jesters in the latest episode of "Getting to NOLA."
4.85 min. | 5.0 user rating
Des Moines Menace vs Rochester Thunder May 9th, 2009 Valley Stadim West Des Moines, IA
2.10 min. | 5.0 user rating
Des Moines Menace vs Springfield Demize July 11th, 2009 Valley Stadium West Des Moines, IA
2.15 min. | 0 user rating
On May 21, 2011, Midfielder John Sosa set a Menace franchise record with four assists in a single game.
2.77 min. | 5.0 user rating
Des Moines Menace vs Springfield Demize May 13th, 2009 Cooper Stadium Springfield, MO
1.70 min. | 0 user rating
The 2009 Season was an incredible season here are the big time plays from the season. After starting the season 3-0-4, the Menace went on to win 8 of their last nine games. Casey Mann was also named the PDL Coach of the year in his final year with the Menace.
8.75 min. | 5.0 user rating
Timbers U-23s defender/midfielder Sean Morris recaps the team's scoreless draw against rival the Kitsap Pumas last weekend. He also talks about the Timbers U-23s recent defensive play, posting back-to-back shutouts.
1.40 min. | 0 user rating
Ventura Fusion vs. LA Legends July 24, 2010
8.23 min. | 0 user rating
Des Moines Menace vs Real Colorado Foxes May 16th, 2009 Valley Staduim West Des Moines, IA
2.00 min. | 0 user rating
Playing Experience: Kyle Roelke has played all over the world, including training with Ross County of the Scottish First Division, Inverness Caledonian Thistle of the Scottish Premiership and Afturelding of the Icelandic Soccer League. In the winter of 2008, he traveled to Xelaju, Guatemala to play. Most recently, Roelke played professionally for the Carolina Giants in Puerto Rico. He also saw action with two PDL teams, the Nashville Metros, where he was a two-year captain and four-year starter, and the Indiana Invaders. Roelke was a three year starter at Belmont University, leading the conference in shutouts and goals against average his senior year. Hight: 6'3" Weight: 215lbs Email: krsoccer2@aol.com
1.77 min. | 0 user rating

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UNC and Dynamo alumni headed for MLS in 2011 - Greensboro News & Record Tweet this news
Greensboro News & Record--McCarthy and Anibaba played for the Carolina Dynamo during the 2010 -USL Premier Development League- season. All three Tar Heels will participate in the MLS ... - Date : Fri, 31 Dec 2010 08:02:54 GMT+00:00
FASA announces University of Mary Washington Stadium as home field for PDL & W ... - Potomac Soccer Wire Tweet this news
Potomac Soccer Wire--The recently announced Fredericksburg Area Soccer Association's -Premier Development League- and W-League teams will play their home games at ... - Date : Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:34:18 GMT+00:00
USL to pick up majority stake in Maha distiller - Financial Express Tweet this news
Financial Express--Additionally, -PDL- has a 30 KLPD absolute alcohol plant and a letter of intent for bottling Indian made foreign liquor from grain. -USL- share price, however, ... - Date : Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:40:01 GMT+00:00
Ex-Spartan Dave Hertel named All-League in first full pro soccer season - MLive.com Tweet this news
MLive.com--After the 2009 -PDL- season, Bucks manager Gary Parsons put him in touch with the Real Maryland Monarchs of the -USL- Second Division, and Hertel signed a ... - Date : Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:04:11 GMT+00:00
M&A deals of the day - India Infoline.com Tweet this news
India Infoline.com---...- will also make an offer for the acquisition of 26,77640 equity shares of Rs.1Q each representing 20% of the fully paid-up equity share capital of -PDL-. ... - Date : Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:18:14 GMT+00:00
United Breweries to fold in Millennium Alcobev, other arms - Daily News & Analysis Tweet this news
Daily News & Analysis--It is buying -PDL- equity at Rs101 per share, which is a premium of more than 40% over Tuesday's closing price, and will make an open offer for a further 20% ... - Date : Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:37:04 GMT+00:00
Rochester Rhinos open U.S. Open Cup play tonight - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Tweet this news
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle--The -PDL- is one level below -USL--2 and two beneath the Rhinos, who are coming off Saturday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace Baltimore. Rochester is 6-0 against ... - Date : Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:20:20 GMT+00:00
Coming Up in the TC - Victoria Times Colonist Tweet this news
Victoria Times Colonist--For a full wrapup of the -USL Premier Development League- game, go to timescolonist.com/sports. Veteran actors Duncan Regehr and Thea Gill have made a ... - Date : Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:49:43 GMT+00:00

USL Premier Development League seasons

1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

United Soccer Leagues seasons

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Soccer in the United States

OverviewUnited States Soccer Federation, League system, History, Hall of Fame, Clubs, Champions, Venues (Stadia by capacity, SSS)
National teamsMen's team, Men's U-23 team, Men's U-20 team, Men's U-17 team, MNT Stats
LeaguesMLS, D2 Pro League, USL First Division, NASL, USL Second Division, PDL, USL Super-20, USASA, MISL, PASL-Pro, PASL-Premier, NPSL, PCSL
Cup CompetitionsOpen Cup, MLS Cup, Southwest Cup, George F. Donnelly Cup
College soccerNCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA Championship
Women's national teamsWomen's team, Women's U-23 team, Women's U-20 team, Women's U-17 team
Women's leaguesWPS, W-League, WPSL

Soccer in Canada

OverviewCanada Soccer Association, League system, History, Hall of Fame, Clubs, Coaches, Venues (SSS), All competitions
National teamsMen, Women, Men's U-20, Men's youth teams
LeaguesMajor League Soccer, USSF Division 2, NASL, USL First Division, Canadian Soccer League, PDL, Super-20, PCSL, CMISL, W-League, Y-League
CISAtlantic University Sport, Quebec Student Sports Federation, Ontario University Athletics, Canada West Universities Athletic Association
CCAAAtlantic Colleges Athletic Association, Quebec Student Sports Federation, Ontario Colleges Athletic Association, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, British Columbia Colleges Athletic Association
Cup CompetitionsOpen Cup, Challenge Cup, C-NA ST, Canadian Championship, Rogers Cup, Victoria Challenge Cup, CIS Men's Soccer Championship, CCAA Championship, Canada Games



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