River City Rovers News Release -- www.roverssoccer.com
Thursday, May 16, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The River City Rovers will host Forest City London, the reigning PDL champions, in their regular-season opener this Saturday night at the Rovers’ new home stadium, the Shelby County Athletic Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“This is an extraordinary event,” said Rovers coach Muhamed Fazlagic. “The Rovers are only three years in the PDL and already we are opening the season against the national champions.”
For most of its second season in 2012, the Rovers sat in second place in the PDL's Great Lakes Division, even defeating the Michigan Bucks -- the PDL’s regular-season champion. London edged out River City for second place, and then made a remarkable run through the PDL playoffs, defeating the Carolina Dynamo 2-1 in Greensboro, N.C. in the 2012 PDL Championship Game. The PDL is the fourth-tier of organized soccer in the United States, with the Great Lakes Division’s standard of competition being consistently among the highest in the league.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to see such competitive soccer right here in Kentucky,” said Rovers Executive Director Pete Laventis.
Admission for Saturday's season-opener is $7. In honor of Armed Forces Day, active military with ID are free. Free water bottles will be given to the first 100 fans.
The Rovers, one of 65 teams in the PDL nationwide, showcase the finest area players who currently play for independent club and college soccer teams. Already recognized for its diversity, the Rovers have featured local players from the University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, Centre College, Notre Dame, Bellarmine, as well as international players from Africa, Ireland, Mexico and Germany.