PDL Preview
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Southeast Division had a surprise winner in expansion franchise the Ocala Stampede last season, but it was runner-up Orlando City U23 that claimed the Southern Conference title after making a strong run through the playoffs before falling to the Carolina Dynamo. The Southeast saw a tough battle for the division’s second playoff place, with five teams finishing within four points of each other, and this season figures to be no different as teams such as VSI Tampa Bay FC, IMG Academy Bradenton, the Mississippi Brilla and the Panama City Beach Pirates look to advance to the postseason, with the SW Florida Adrenaline also aiming to challenge in their inaugural season.
Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy – While Schulz Academy was able to spring some surprises, among them defeating division champion Ocala, the club continued to have difficulties defensively, conceding 39 goals in 16 games. Former Florida Atlantic players Sean Hart and Vincent DiBullo return to the team, as does Kevin Bangai, who had two goals and two assists last summer. Goalkeeper Kent Freund arrives from Fort Hayes State University, looking to help the club’s defense, after recording a 1.59 goals-against average and .769 save percentage last fall.
IMG Academy Bradenton – After finishing one place out of the playoffs last season, IMG is aiming to make a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Marco Lobo is expected to return after scoring three goals a season ago, and the club has also been able to add players from this year’s USL PRO Combine, with former Orlando City U23 player Anthony Arico joining the side. Also arriving from Orlando is defender Joseph Toby, who played in all 16 games for the Lions last season. All-Big Ten selections Owen Griffith and Andrew Wolverton also arrive from Penn State.
Mississippi Brilla – The Brilla got off to a slow start in 2012, with defeats in their first three games proving too much to overcome as the club hit its stride late with victories in its last three outings to finish four points behind second-placed Orlando. The side does return a number of important players from a season ago, with leading scorer Felipe Silva back after recording 20 points, including nine goals, last summer. With a new head coach, Drew Courtney, the club has also added three players from NAIA champion Belhaven University, with Eduardo Cruz, Victor France, and Tom Gavin all expected to help the club attempt to return to the playoffs.
Ocala Stampede – After surprising many with a division title in their inaugural season, the Stampede are aiming to continue their success in both the league and the U.S. Open Cup this summer. Former Charlotte Eagles player Cheyne Roberts has become head coach following Matt Weston’s departure, and he has brought in some talented players. Among them is another former Eagle, Miguel Ferrer, while Kenny Hogg led the NCAA Division II with 29 goals for Palm Beach Atlantic last fall. Creighton goalkeeper Alex Bolowich also arrives after recording four shutouts in nine starts for the Bluejays last fall.
Orlando City U23 – The first season under the Orlando City umbrella was a strong one for the former Central Florida Kraze, with the club continuing to find success on the field while also sending players into USL PRO with the Lions this spring. While captain Jonathan Mendoza may have graduated to the next level, there is a strong returning group looking to earn another playoff berth and defend the Southern Conference title. Among those is Oumar Diakhite, who is also on the roster of the club’s USL PRO team, and Nicolas Russo, who had four goals from midfield a season ago. A new arrival to watch this summer will be Louisville’s Marlon Hairson, who is a candidate to be on the U.S. U20 squad this summer at the U20 World Cup in Turkey.
Panama City Beach Pirates – The Pirates had an up-and-down inaugural season, claiming some impressive wins, but not enough to stay in playoff contention. The squad this season returns some good defensive talent, including All-Southern Conference selection Taian de Souza, who played in every game in defense last summer. Drew Russell also returns for a second season with the club after making 15 appearances last year, but the team will need to find a replacement for midfielder David Malloy, who was outstanding while recording eight assists last summer to set up the club’s front-runners.
SW Florida Adrenaline – A new addition to the division, the Adrenaline are aiming to hit the ground running and will try to emulate the success of Ocala last season. The side has brought in some good talent, with Welsh midfielder Scott McCoubrey being joined by college players from throughout the state. Among those are Florida Gulf Coast’s William Morse, who had three goals and two assists for the Eagles last fall, while former Florida Tech goalkeeper Derrick Hackett returns to the side after competing in their exhibition season last summer.
VSI Tampa Bay FC – After finishing fourth in the club’s inaugural season, Tampa Bay has restocked its lineup looking to move up into the playoff places this summer. Among those joining the team are the University of South Florida’s Ricardo Webb, Samuel Hosseini and Stivan Salinas, whose speed could prove a challenge for opponents. Jack McVey, formerly of the New Jersey Rangers, joins the club after scoring nine goals and adding six assists last season, while former U.S. U17 international Tarik Salkicic will make the move to the PDL ahead of his first season with Tulsa.