USL News Release
Thursday, December 15, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues is pleased to announce that FC Tucson will join the USL PDL for the 2012 season. Based in Arizona, FC Tucson was established more than a year ago and played an independent schedule in 2011. Through this, and the establishment of the club’s Desert Diamond Cup, FC Tucson has already established itself strongly in the local soccer community.
“We are extremely excited to add an established team such as FC Tucson, which has already proven to be a success on and off the field, to the PDL,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “The managing partners at FC Tucson – Greg Foster, Chris Keeney, Jonathan Pearlman and Rick Schantz – are true professionals who have proven to the soccer community that they operate in a first-class manner, both at the team level and through the Desert Diamond Cup. We look forward to watching FC Tucson become one of the benchmark teams in the PDL.”
FC Tucson is run by FC Tucson Events, LLC, a group founded by four managing partners in 2010 to demonstrate that soccer is a highly desirable sport in Arizona, a tremendous business opportunity for ownership and affiliated partners, a multi-cultural tourism attraction and a much-needed source of pride and enthusiasm for the Tucson area.
“Playing in the PDL legitimizes FC Tucson for our fans,” said Schantz, FC Tucson managing partner and head coach. “USL is the one of the most respected leagues in the U.S. and we are proud to be a part of something so organized. This will also benefit our young players by giving them a chance to play against some of the best talent in the country as well as be seen regularly by professional clubs.”
While playing as an independent team last season, FC Tucson still drew large local crowds to its matches. Now that FC Tucson has joined the PDL, the soccer club can build a foundation for a future professional team in the Tucson market.
In addition to running FC Tucson, the group will also host the 2012 FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, a preseason tournament that features four Major League Soccer teams: New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy. The four-day, eight-game event will be hosted in Tucson and be held from February 22 to March 3 with doubleheaders on February 22, February 25, February 29 and March 3.
“FC Tucson is proud to host these four legendary MLS teams to compete in this year’s FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup,” said Keeney, FC Tucson managing partner. “These highly successful franchises have visionary owners, tremendous athletes, and passionate fan bases. We look forward to welcoming them to Tucson to train, compete and enjoy our world-class amenities. This tournament will be a celebration for soccer fans throughout the great state of Arizona, Northern Mexico and all across the United States.”
The top developmental men’s league in North America, the PDL featured 64 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada in 2011. The PDL provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to college players, it has also grown into the premier North American league for players trying to earn a spot in the professional ranks.
The PDL saw another large group of its alumni make the move into professional soccer this year with 37 of the 54 players selected in the 2011 Major League Soccer SuperDraft having previously played in the PDL. A remarkable eight of the first 10 selections in the draft had PDL experience, with former Reading United standout C.J. Sapong being named the MLS Rookie of the Year.
“FC Tucson is committed to being an entertaining and competitive team in our first season and beyond,” said Pearlman, FC Tucson managing partner and technical director. “Our squad will have a great mix of local standout players, as well as stars from top programs representing all levels of collegiate soccer. FC Tucson management and coaches are committed to help young players improve their game, and create opportunities for those players who wish to compete at the highest levels of soccer.”
Announcements regarding FC Tucson’s 2012 regular season schedule, which will consist of 16 games, and the location of the team’s home field for the upcoming season will be made at a future date.