USL PDL News Release
Thursday, May 3, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL PDL season opens in earnest this weekend, with a 14-game slate across the continent seeing a number of clubs make their first appearances in the league, and the defending champions opening their new season on the road.
The PDL officially opened two weekends ago, as the Fresno Fuego faced the LA Misioneros during back-to-back weekends in a home-and-home series. The Fuego won both contests, with both Paul Islas and Alex Caceres scoring three goals apiece in the 4-1 and 3-1 victories.
This weekend, eight of the league’s 13 new teams take to the field for the first time, including three matches that pit new clubs against one another. On Saturday night, the CFC Azul host the Boston Victory in the Northeast Division at 7 p.m. ET, while in the Mid South Division the Austin Aztex travel to face the Texas Dutch Lions at 7:30 p.m. CT. Then on Sunday evening, the VSI Tampa Flames host the Ocala Stampede at 6 p.m. ET as they open their campaigns in the Southeast Division.
The 2011 PDL Champion Kitsap Pumas also open their season this weekend as they travel to face the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. PT. That contest is one of a number of key matchups that highlight the schedule, with the Real Colorado Foxes facing the Des Moines Menace in a pair of games at Valley Stadium on Friday and Saturday night. The two teams finished tied on points a season ago, with Des Moines reaching the playoffs after accumulating more wins, so fans should be in for a pair of thrilling contests.
Other new clubs making their debuts include FC Tucson, which opens its inaugural season in the Southwest Division with a trip to Fresno and Chukchansi Park on Saturday night at 7 p.m. PT. The Worcester Hydra get to open their season at home in the Northeast Division as they face the Seacoast United Phantoms on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Foley Stadium.
Elsewhere, a number of last season’s playoff teams open their seasons, with Orlando City U23 hosting Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy on Friday night at 7 p.m. The El Paso Patriots open on the road, making the trip to Midland, Texas to face the West Texas Sockers on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. CT, while the Ventura County Fusion host the LA Misioneros at Ventura College on Saturday night at 7 p.m. PT.
The regular season, which is scheduled to conclude the weekend of July 13-15, will see 73 teams competing across nine divisions. A record 16 teams will also participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with the first round scheduled for Tuesday, May 15. This year’s participants aim to continue the success of the Kitsap Pumas and Chicago Fire PDL in last season’s competition, with both reaching the third round and facing MLS competition.