Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City is proud to announce it has acquired a controlling interest in the USL Premier Development League’s Central Florida Kraze.
Founded in 1999, the Kraze have been one of the PDL’s strongest franchises. In 2004, the Kraze won their first Southeast Division title, and then continued on to win the overall PDL National Championship in the same season. The Kraze remain the only Florida-based team to win a PDL title. In total, the Kraze made six playoff appearances, four U.S. Open Cup appearances, and won two Southeast Division titles.
“Today we are announcing a key piece in our development strategy with the incorporation of the Kraze PDL team in the Orlando City family,” said Orlando City Owner/President Phil Rawlins. “The new team, Orlando City Under 23s, will give us a tremendous platform to assess and develop young talent for our pro team. We also could not be working with better people, with a better track record at the Under-23 level, than Joe Avallone, and the Kraze organization. We are excited about the 2012 season.”
Leading the U-23s will be Head Coach Joe Avallone. Avallone has been the coach of the Kraze since 1999. In his 13 years as a PDL Head Coach, Avallone has never had a losing season. Joining Avallone from the Kraze organization is General Manager Terry Garzon, who will also retain his GM position with the U-23s. Daniel Russo will assist Garzon with team management and player personnel duties.
“Orlando City is the top soccer organization in Orlando,” said Avallone. “It’s about structure, getting the structure right. Putting the Kraze together with Orlando City, renaming them, is really a no-brainer because it is the right thing to do for soccer in Orlando. It’s the right thing to do for the game.”
Avallone will implement the championship winning system and style of play designed by Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath, creating an integrated path of player development from the U-23 team to the USL PRO club.
“We’re delighted to get involved with the PDL side,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We had great success with the PDL in Austin, so this is the natural growth of the club here in Orlando. It gives us the opportunity to find potential players for the future.”
“We’ll approach the PDL club in the same manner we do the USL PRO side - we want to win the league, be the best team in the league. There’s a lot of talent in Florida. This gives those players in Florida who want to go pro to play and train in a professional environment and give them an opportunity to experience what it takes.”
Announcements regarding PDL tryouts, schedules, and game locations will come at a later date.