PDL News Release
Friday, January 31, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – The PDL released its 2014 alignment and schedule today, with the 448-game regular season getting underway on Saturday, May 3. Among the exciting developments for the PDL in 2014 is the addition of a pair of MLS-affiliated clubs.
A total of eight new teams have joined the PDL for 2014, with the Montreal Impact U23 and San Jose Earthquakes of MLS leading the trend of professional clubs placing teams in the PDL. A pair of USL PRO clubs also have added to their developmental structure for 2014, with the Cincinnati Dutch Lions (Dayton Dutch Lions) and Pittsburgh Riverhounds U23 also making their debuts.
The Albuquerque Sol F.C. and Las Vegas Mobsters continue the PDL’s expansion push in the southwest U.S., while Floridians F.C. joins the Southeast Division and Oregon-based Lane United FC joins the Northwest Division.
The defending PDL champion Austin Aztex open their 2014 season when they welcome the Houston Dutch Lions to House Park on Saturday, May 10. The regular season runs through Sunday, July 20, with the playoffs – featuring 19 teams – slated to kick off the following week. The 2014 PDL Championship presented by Nike will once again feature the four conference champions with the host to be determined.
Several teams have announced name changes including F.A. Euro (F.A. Euro – New York Magic), the Midland/Odessa Sockers (West Texas Sockers), NJ LUSO Parma (NJ LUSO Rangers) and Puget Sound Gunners FC (North Sound SeaWolves).
PDL clubs will again play 14-game schedules in 2014, seven home and seven away.
The PDL will feature 64 teams in four geographic conferences and 10 divisions, with the Mountain Division added to the Western Conference following the additions of Albuquerque and Las Vegas. The Eastern and Western conferences feature three divisions while the Southern and Central contain two divisions each.
Several divisional alignment shifts have seen the Chicago Inferno join the Heartland Division, the Mississippi Brilla join the Mid South Division, the Northern Virginia Royals join the Mid Atlantic Division, the River City Rovers join the South Atlantic Division and the Westchester Flames join the Northeast Division, while the BYU Cougars, FC Tucson and the Real Colorado Foxes join the new Mountain Division.
YouTube Live will serve as the official video platform for the PDL in 2014. Live games from throughout the league as well as team highlights and weekly league videos will provide fans a front row seat during the season. Select games will be available live for fans to view for free on the largest global video sharing site. Some of the features YouTube Live will present to fans during live games include DVR, chat, full HD support, and social media interactivity. Fans are encouraged to subscribe for free to the team-specific YouTube channels. Please visit http://www.uslsoccer.com/connect for links to team accounts.