USL News Release
Thursday, February 17, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues released the divisional alignment and schedule for the Premier Development League today, with the 512-game regular season getting underway the weekend of April 30-May 1.
Nine new teams have joined the PDL for 2011, including the Akron Metro FC Summit Assault, Fredericksburg Hotspur, Hamilton FC Rage, FC Jax Destroyers, North Sound SeaWolves, RGV Grandes, River City Rovers and WSA Winnipeg. Also new to the PDL for 2011 are the Real Maryland Monarchs, who spent their three previous seasons in the USL Second Division.
A trio of teams have announced name changes, including the Chivas El Paso Patriots (El Paso Patriots), Jersey Express (Ironbound Express) and Virginia Beach Piranhas (Hampton Roads Piranhas).
The defending PDL champion Portland Timbers U23s, the first team in the PDL’s 15-year history to finish as undefeated champions, open their 2011 campaign on Friday, May 6, when they play host to the Victoria Highlanders. The Thunder Bay Chill, Portland’s opponent in the 2010 championship game, open at WSA Winnipeg on May 28.
The PDL will feature 64 teams in four geographic conferences and nine divisions. The Eastern Conference features three divisions while the Southern, Central and Western Conferences feature two divisions each. PDL clubs will play 16-game schedules in 2011, eight home and eight away.
The season concludes on Sunday, July 24, with 54 teams in action the final weekend as playoff spots are decided. The full 2011 PDL postseason format will be announced at a later date.
2011 PDL Alignment
Western Conference Northwest Division Abbotsford Mariners Kitsap Pumas Portland Timbers U23 North Sound SeaWolves Tacoma Tide Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Victoria Highlanders Washington Crossfire Southwest Division BYU Cougars Fresno Fuego Hollywood United Hitmen Los Angeles Legends Ogden Outlaws Orange County Blue Star Southern California Seahorses Ventura County Fusion
| Central Conference |
| Great Lakes Division |
| Akron Summit Assault |
| Chicago Fire |
| Cincinnati Kings |
| Forest City London |
| Hamilton FC Rage |
| Indiana Invaders |
| Michigan Bucks |
| River City Rovers |
| Toronto Lynx |
| Heartland Division |
| Des Moines Menace |
| Kansas City Brass |
| Real Colorado Foxes |
| Springfield Demize |
| St. Louis Lions |
| Thunder Bay Chill |
| WSA Winnipeg |
| Southern Conference |
| Mid South Division |
| Baton Rouge Capitals |
| Chivas El Paso Patriots |
| Laredo Heat |
| New Orleans Jesters |
| RGV Grandes FC |
| West Texas United Sockers |
| Southeast Division |
| Central Florida Kraze |
| FC Jax Destroyers |
| Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy |
| IMG Bradenton Academics |
| Mississippi Brilla |
| Nashville Metros |
| Eastern Conference |
| Northeast Division |
| MPS Portland Phoenix |
| New Hampshire Phantoms |
| Ottawa Fury |
| Vermont Voltage |
| Western Mass Pioneers |
| Mid Atlantic Division |
| Bermuda Hogges |
| Brooklyn Knights |
| Central Jersey Spartans |
| Jersey Express |
| Long Island Rough Riders |
| New Jersey Rangers |
| Ocean City Nor’easters |
| Reading United AC |
| Westchester Flames |
| South Atlantic Division |
| Carolina Dynamo |
| Fredericksburg Hotspur |
| Northern Virginia Royals |
| Real Maryland Monarchs |
| Virginia Beach Piranhas |
| West Virginia Chaos |
The top U23 men’s league in North America, 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.