Pacesetter SC News Release - www.pacesettersoccer.net
Monday, February 25, 2013
TOLEDO, Ohio - Pacesetter Soccer Club is excited to announce a partnership with Aston Villa Football Club of the English Premier League. It is the first agreement of its kind for Pacesetter and Aston Villa, with the Pacesetter Villa Super-20 League team kicking off its inaugural season in May of 2013. 
As the premier U20 men’s league, the Super-20 League provides the platform for top 17- to 20-year-olds in the United States and Canada to compete at the elite level. While serving as a reserve team system for Major League Soccer and the PDL, the Super-20 League features teams competing in regional divisions consisting of 7-10 regular season matches throughout the summer months.
The 2012 Midwest Division included teams from the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer along with the Toronto Lynx, Dayton Dutch Lions, WAZA, Cincinnati United Premier, Alliance Academy and Kings Soccer Academy. The Super-20 League is the leading avenue for players to progress to the professional ranks.
"The partnership is an exciting opportunity for both Pacesetter Soccer Club and Aston Villa" said Jimmy Walker, Executive Director of Coaching at Pacesetter Soccer Club. "Aston Villa Football Club is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in England and was a founder member of the English Football League, established in 1874. They have had a massive history winning the European Cup, the English League Championship along with multiple FA and League Cups. Aston Villa is one of the top five teams in the history of the English Premier League and it is fantastic for the Ohio community and American soccer that this link has been formed."
The Partnership will include Pacesetter Villa wearing the official Aston Villa uniform. The inaugural season will kick off in May and the agreement will also serve as a potential scouting network between top American under-20 players and Aston Villa, with the hopes of one day seeing a local player in the English Premier League.
“We’re very happy to support Pacesetter Soccer Club and we wish Pacesetter Villa Super-20 every success when the season kicks off in May," Aston Villa Chief Executive Paul Faulkner said. "James Walker and his family have had a long association with Aston Villa and this new venture is really exciting. The club already has strong links with the U.S., with Brad Guzan our current No. 1 goalkeeper and Brad Friedel, amongst others, also having played an important role for us in recent times, and we hope that an association such as this could pave the way for other American players to join Villa in the future.”
Pacesetter Soccer Club is ranked the No. 1 club in Ohio North featuring boys and girls teams from the ages of 8-20. Since 1980 the Pacesetter Soccer Club has fielded teams that have competed on regional and national levels. The club has provided soccer expertise and excellence to Ohio Soccer players during the past 30 years. Many Pacesetter alumni have gone on to play in college, professionally and at the national team level.
Official Aston Villa merchandise is available for purchase immediately for all soccer enthusiasts and supporters in the U.S. For all purchasing information click on the following link http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/Shopping. In addition to the online store, you can get all the latest news and information on the Aston Villa official website www.avfc.co.uk and you can also follow Villa on Facebook at www.facebook.com/avfcofficial.