Northern Virginia Royals News Release -- www.novafc.org
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. – With the start of the 2011 United Soccer Leagues season only weeks away, the three Virginia franchises mutually announced today the start of a regional competition to determine the top men’s and women’s amateur teams in the state. The Fredericksburg, Virginia Beach, and Northern Virginia W-League and Premier Development League teams will vie for the annual Commonwealth Cup title.
The Fredericksburg area returns to USL action this summer with the launch of the men’s Hotspurs and the women’s Impact. Established under the banner of the mainstay youth club FASA, the Impact and Hotspurs already show signs of being top contenders in the league.
Historic powerhouse Hampton Roads Piranhas enter their sixteenth year under a slightly different moniker. The Piranhas now specify Virginia Beach as their home, reflecting their long-time commitment and relationship with the vacation community.
The Northern Virginia Majestics (W-League) begin their 2011 campaign following a losing record the previous year. The Majestics hope a new blend of returning players and some international signees will boost their success this year. The Royals (PDL) take the field this summer under new head coach Richie Burke to improve upon their 6-6-4 mark in 2010.
The cup champion from the W-League will be determined by results in both the six game home and away series between the three clubs. Due to an odd number of match-ups scheduled in the South Atlantic Division, the PDL state title will utilize the scores from the first home and away series between each team. The USL tiebreaker ranked system would be implemented if a winner cannot be decided strictly from match result points.
The USL Premier Development League features 64 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada. The PDL provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The USL Premier Development League has proven to be an important stepping stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.
The first and longest-standing women’s league in North America, the W-League is USL’s highest level of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. In addition to featuring international and professional stars, elite amateur players have the opportunity to compete on amateur teams in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for female players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans across North America.