PDL Feature
Friday, May 2, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – The PDL’s Western Conference has a new look for the new season, with a third division added and a number of teams set to make their debut. The Victoria Highlanders FC claimed the conference title for the first time last season, but will again face a strong test from the rest of the Northwest Division, while the Fresno Fuego will look to remain on top of the Southwest.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
Kitsap Pumas – After missing the playoffs for the first time in club history a season ago, the Pumas will look to rebound under new coach Andrew Chapman. The club’s leading scorer a season ago, Neil Shaffer, has moved on to join USL PRO’s Harrisburg City Islanders, but some good pieces remain including Sebastiaan Jansen, who had three goals and two assists last season, and former Michigan Bucks All-League selection Tommy Catalano.
Lane United FC – A newcomer to the division in Eugene, Ore., Lane United has had a strong build-up off the field in anticipation of their first season. Head coach John Galas also appears to have put together a solid squad, which includes Oregon State goalkeeper Matt Bersano and Gonzaga’s Connor Bevans, who had four goals and four assists last fall as a sophomore.
Portland Timbers U-23s – The runner-up to Victoria a season ago, the Timbers U-23s have retooled after the departure of All-Conference goalkeeper David Meves, but look set to have another strong season. Michigan State’s Fatai Alashe will be a player to watch, while North Carolina’s Brendan Moore arrives as a candidate to replace Meves after recording 10 shutouts in 20 appearances for the Tar Heels last fall.
Puget Sound Gunners FC – Formerly the North Sound SeaWolves, the Gunners will be led by Jimmy Ball as they look to make a move up the division standings. Ball will have some strong pieces to work with, including former Washington Crossfire goalkeeper Spencer Richey and returning midfielder Brady Ballew, who had four goals to finish tied for the team-high a season ago.
Sounders FC U23 – The Sounders claimed arguably the biggest signing in the division when they added U.S. U20 international and former Sounders Academy standout Jordan Morris to their squad this season, but the side has a lot of depth and will likely challenge for the division title. N.C. State defender Clement Simonin arrives after previously playing for the Carolina Dynamo, and will provide a threat at set pieces after his four goals and three assists for the Wolfpack last fall.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 – The Whitecaps U-23 fell on penalties to the Timbers U-23s in last season’s playoffs, and will hope to make another run at the division title with a strong returning squad. Niall Cousens led the side with eight goals and four assists a season ago, and the Whitecaps U-23 have also added 2013 All-Conference selection Brett Levis from Victoria to add to their scoring punch. One other player to watch is Ali Musse, formerly of WSA Winnipeg, who arrives for the new season.
Victoria Highlanders FC – The defending conference champions have returned many of the key pieces from last season’s roster, with Jordan Hughes back in the fold after finishing tied with the departed Brett Levis with nine goals in 2013. Cam Hundal makes the reverse trip to Victoria from Vancouver after four goals and four assists for the Whitecaps U-23 last summer, while Blair Sturrock returns for another season.
Washington Crossfire – The Crossfire were competitive throughout the 2013 season, but struggled for goals at times to finish only about North Sound. Christian Roldan returns for the new season, however, and could be looked to for an offensive boost after he scored three goals in his six appearances last season. Robbie Tice, who arrives from Ocala, should provide assistance after helping the Stampede to a division title a season ago.
MOUNTAIN DIVISION
Albuquerque Sol F.C. – The Sol have put together a solid roster for their inaugural season, and are set to have five former members of the Colorado Rapids Academy join them as they compete in the newly-formed Mountain Division. Travis Campbell brings PDL experience from FC Tucson, while former New Mexico midfielder Lawrence Robledo will likely be a key player.
BYU Cougars – The Cougars could contend for the playoffs for the first time since 2007 in their new division, with a number of key players returning to Chris Watkins’ side for the new season. Among them is Blake Frischknecht, who had two goals and five assists last summer, while Colby Bauer will look to help tighten up his side’s defense after making 12 appearances last season.
FC Tucson – After a strong first season that saw its make the playoffs, Tucson fell back in 2013 to finish fifth in the Southwest Division. The side does return a number of good players, however, with Louisville’s Ricardo Velasco back with the side after leading the Cardinals with seven goals and nine assists last fall. Goalkeeper Dallas Jaye also returns after posting a 0.857 goals against-average a season ago.
Las Vegas Mobsters – The Mobsters have drawn from local talent to build their inaugural squad, with experienced coach Tony Asquith having players such as UNLV’s Salvador Bernal and Julian Portugal set to suit up in Las Vegas this summer. Bernal and Portugal were the key playmakers for the Rebels last fall, as Bernal finished the season with four goals and five assists, and Portugal a team-high six assists.
Real Colorado Foxes – A power in the Central Conference’s Heartland Division, the Foxes make the jump to the west with another strong squad. Veteran Lorne Donaldson returns to the side, as does goalkeeper Miguel Rosales after a 2013 season that saw him record a 1.083 goals against-average. The big question for the side will be to replace the scoring of All-Conference selection Oliver Gore, but if that can be managed, another playoff berth should be in the offing.
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Fresno Fuego – The defending division champions had another outstanding summer at Chukchansi Park, but saw their playoffs end at the first hurdle as they lost to the Portland Timbers U-23s. Scoring standout Paul Islas is back with the side after earning All-Conference honors a season ago, and the team will also be boosted by the return of attacking midfielder Jose Cuevas.
LA Misioneros FC – The Misioneros made a strong jump forward with their third-place finish a season ago, and will hope to contend for a playoff place this summer. Defender Jose Ortega returns after a strong summer in 2013, but the key to making the next step will likely be improving an offense that scored only 16 goals last season.
OC Pateadores Blues – The Blues finished bottom of the Southwest Division a season ago, but have boosted their squad with the addition of North Carolina’s Andy Craven and Elon defender Nathan Diehl, who made 22 starts for the Phoenix, recording three assists, this past fall.
San Jose Earthquakes U23 – A new addition to the league, the Earthquakes U23 have a strong roster as they look to contend immediately for a playoff berth. Among those on the squad are Cal’s Seth Casiple, who helped Austin claim the PDL championship a season ago, Georgetown’s Tom Skelly, and UC Davis’ Matt Sheldon, who had six goals this past fall.
Southern California Seahorses – The Seahorses will look to improve on a season that saw them take only two victories, and have a number of new faces on their roster for the new season. Among them is Whittier College’s Francis Maxwell, who had 12 goals to lead his side this past fall, and will be expected to provide a boost to the Seahorses attack this summer.
Ventura County Fusion – The Fusion were denied a second consecutive division crown, but will be well equipped to make another trip to the playoffs this season with a side that includes former Nottingham Forest Academy product Peter Gregory. Cal Poly’s Chase Minter returns to the side after three goals and four assists a season ago, while UCLA’s Jordan Vale joins the side for the new season.