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2013 USL PDL status

msilverstein47

By msilverstein47
in Canadian Teams & Leagues

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BringBackTheBlizzard Newbie

BringBackTheBlizzard

Posted
Posted
According to the PDL website it says that Hamilton FC is now K-W United FC and will be playing games @ Laurier's Stadium can anyone confirm this because I live in Kitchener and this is news to me.

It's definitely on the league's official website as you say so looks legit to me:

http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/689320.html

Several teams have announced name changes including IMG Academy Bradenton (IMG Bradenton Academics), K-W United FC (Hamilton FC Rage), the NJ LUSO Rangers FC (New Jersey Rangers), the S.C. United Bantams (Palmetto FC Bantams) and VSI Tampa Bay FC (VSI Tampa Flames).

I doubt an American based organization could come up with a name like K-W United FC by mistake.

http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/teamdirectory/index_E.html

[TABLE=width: 100%]

[TR=bgcolor: #C0C0C0]

[TD]Central Conference[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #CCCCCC]

[TD]Great Lakes Division[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Chicago Fire[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Chicago Inferno[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Forest City London[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]K-W United FC[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Michigan Bucks[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]River City Rovers[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Toronto Lynx[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE=width: 100%]

[TR=bgcolor: #CCCCCC]

[TD]Heartland Division[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Des Moines Menace[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Kansas City Brass[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Real Colorado Foxes[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Springfield Demize[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]St. Louis Lions[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Thunder Bay Chill[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]WSA Winnipeg[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE=width: 100%]

[TR=bgcolor: #CCCCCC]

[TD]Eastern Conference

Northeast Division[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]CFC Azul[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]GPS Portland Phoenix[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Ottawa Fury[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Real Boston Rams[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Seacoast United Phantoms[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Vermont Voltage[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Western Mass Pioneers[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE=width: 100%]

[TR=bgcolor: #C0C0C0]

[TD]Western Conference[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #CCCCCC]

[TD]Northwest Division[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Kitsap Pumas[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]North Sound SeaWolves FC[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Portland Timbers U-23s[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Sounders FC U23[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #E0E0E0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Victoria Highlanders FC[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=bgcolor: #F0F0F0]

[TD=class: textsmall]Washington Crossfire[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Looks like the team in Abbotsford is the only one that didn't make it back for 2013.

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canadianfoot Newbie

canadianfoot

Posted
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Wonder if it means that in the Northwest Division another team(maybe Canadian) can step in? Would definitely be great to have another Canadian team to replace Abby. I realize there is no real money(except you loose Real Dollars) to be made. But hopefully someone can setup some organization that can last and make an impact. Interesting that Surrey with 450k population doesn't have any soccer team in the USL Pyramid. Mind you they would need some infrastructure, or play in Newton Athletic Park maybe for now, or Cloverdale...

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dobar dan Newbie

dobar dan

Posted
Posted

No surprise to see the PDL team leave Hamilton, it was always going to be a tough market to survive in, after a couple of years and hundred's of thousands of dollars later, I guess reality set in. With No fan base, and with BTS gone (City owned facility) they had to play out of McMaster, big rental fee, they where always doomed. K-W might be a better market depending on who the new partners are and the plan, Kitchener - Waterloo, like Hamilton are very ethnic based cities, will they support this group, only time will tell.

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maccaliam Experienced

maccaliam

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Like, in general, not just in Canada? Because USL PRO Orlando City has a U-23 team in the USL PDL; there might be others but that's the only one I remember offhand.

Yeah, anywhere. I am just curious as I was thinking a reserve/U23/academy-type-team would be good for a USL Pro side. It could allow younger, developing players who still want to go NCAA route to train with pro players without losing their NCAA eligibility, perhaps making their step up after university easier (plus it would give said players a link to the pro club meaning they may return even if another option is available to them).

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Neil M Brown Newbie

Neil M Brown

Posted
Posted

A formal press conference was held today to officially announce KW United FC (relocated Hamilton FC franchise) which will operate in the PDL and W-League.

Press release is below:

NEW SOCCER TEAM STARTING IN WATERLOO REGION

K-W United FC will kick off PDL and W-League campaigns in May 2013

K-W United FC News Release – www.kwunitedfc.com

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Waterloo, ON – K-W United FC was formally presented to the public Wednesday

afternoon as the newest PDL/W-League franchise to commence play for the 2013

season. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Core Lifestyle

and Recreation Complex in Kitchener. K-W United FC is the new moniker of the

former Hamilton FC Rage, which has been participating in the PDL and W-League

since 2010.

“We are thrilled to bring a PDL and W-League franchise to the Waterloo Region.” said

Barry MacLean, President of K-W United FC. “The sport has grown dramatically in this

area and we expect these teams to be a springboard for our best local talent.”

An integral part of the club’s move to the K-W area was the enthusiastic support from the community.

An official partnership was announced with Kitchener Soccer Club to coincide with the inaugural season of K-W United

FC. " The Kitchener Soccer Club is very proud and excited to have formed an alliance with the K-W United FC.” Said

Frank Hivert, President of Kitchener Soccer Club. “It aligns very well with our strategic vision and it will be key in our

goal to provide better development programs for our soccer players and coaches for both our house league and

competitive teams."

Wilfrid Laurier University will host training and game day operations out of University Stadium in Waterloo as well as

provide administrative and marketing assistance. "Laurier is proud to be the home of K-W United FC," stated Director

Athletics and Recreation Peter Baxter. "Our partnership marks University Stadium as the destination for high

performance soccer; in the Summer with K-W United FC and in the Fall with the Laurier Golden Hawks."

In extending a warm welcome to the KW United FC, Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr noted: “This news speaks directly to

the strength of community support for this sport, the forward-thinking vision of the Kitchener Soccer Club and the

tireless work the club does in this region. This alliance will offer exciting opportunities for the many talented – and

budding – soccer players in our community.”

The men’s PDL team will include a 14 game regular season schedule and take part in the Great Lakes Division of the

Central Conference. They kick off their season with a 3 game road trip commencing in Louisville, KY against River

City May 23. K-W United FC Director of Football Brett Mosen will continue as Head Coach of the PDL side. “I’m

looking forward to building a team that this community will be proud of.”

The women’s W-League team is scheduled to participate in a 12 game schedule out of the 6-team Central Conference.

They begin their season at home against local rivals London Gryphons on May 22. The formal appointment of a Head

Coach will be announced next week.

Tim Holt, President of United Soccer Leagues: "The launch of K-W United further strengthens what is already an

exceptional representation of PDL and W-League teams within Ontario that features both our reigning PDL (FC

London) and W-League (Ottawa Fury) Champions. Under the leadership of Barry MacLean and Brett Mosen, the club

will immediately provide opportunities for elite, aspiring professional players in Kitchener and Waterloo to develop and

perform on a North American stage. Not only will K-W United and its players entertain local soccer fans on the field

throughout the summer, but through their involvement in the soccer community year-round this club will serve to

elevate the sport in the area by establishing a clear pathway for the area's top players."

Premier Development League

The top developmental men’s league in North America, the PDL features 65 teams within four conferences across the

United States and Canada. The PDL season consists of 14 regular season matches for each team, eight home and

eight away, and provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining

their eligibility. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout

the world, including six players taken in the top 10 of the 2013 MLS Superdraft and 27 players overall.

W-league

The first and longest-standing women’s league in North America, the W-League represents the highest level of

women’s soccer in Canada. The league features 25 teams in four regional conferences playing 10 to 12 regular

season matches. Elite amateur players have the opportunity to compete in the W-League while maintaining their

collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for female

players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans across North America.

United Soccer Leagues

USL has become the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America by building on the vision,

commitment, and passion of players, fans and investors. Now in its third decade of operation, USL continues to be a

driving force in the growth of soccer in the United States, Canada and Caribbean. USL provides a clearly defined path

for the progression of male and female soccer players beginning at the youth level (Super Y-League/Super-20

League), continuing through the amateur level (PDL/W-League) and up to the professional level, both outdoor and

indoor (USL PRO/MISL). A platform for countless players to reach for their dreams each year, USL is devoted to

developing the sport at the grassroots level in every community across the region.

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ThiKu Newbie

ThiKu

Posted
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Mariners FC Abbotsford has removed all PDL info from their site. Now appears to be a u21 team in the PCSL. I don't suspect it will take Abbotsford long to have a PCSL senior team. Not listed on the PDL web site any longer either. They had a good run though, I think.

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Macksam Mentor

Macksam

Posted
Posted
According to the PDL website it says that Hamilton FC is now K-W United FC and will be playing games @ Laurier's Stadium can anyone confirm this because I live in Kitchener and this is news to me.

I was wondering why a team got formed in the K-W area until I realized it was just an existing team moving there. We shouldn't be sanctioning anymore PDL teams while we set up our own U-23 league.

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ted Mentor

ted

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I was wondering why a team got formed in the K-W area until I realized it was just an existing team moving there. We shouldn't be sanctioning anymore PDL teams while we set up our own U-23 league.

I believe the moratorium is still in place from the CSA and I do not believe that the Provincial Associations have the authority to sanction teams for cross-border leagues. Still lots of confusion for sure.

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ted Mentor

ted

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If the CSA wants to take the easy road ... just put more teams in the PDL. All of the development with none of the effort?

Yep, they could do that. Of course if you allow teams in the PDL then there is no reason not to let them into the USLPro which is part of the same organization.

This is why I do not understand the objections. It is dead easy from the CSA's perspective to simply sanction teams that wish to make the leap to an already existing D3 (USLPro). There is little to no risk for the CSA in approving these teams. From the Provincial Associations perspective they can either spend time and effort on a risky venture to create new leagues or change existing leagues or they can simply let individual teams take the risks on themselves.

As I have said elsewhere, this whole thing smacks of collective ego rather than a rational analysis of the best way to move forward.

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BringBackTheBlizzard Newbie

BringBackTheBlizzard

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It is dead easy from the CSA's perspective to simply sanction teams that wish to make the leap to an already existing D3 (USLPro).

As has been explained to you previously USL Pro is a much better fit for D2 in Canadian sanctioning standards terms and can not sensibly be compared to the only Canadian D3 league that is sanctioned at the moment which is the PLSQ in the greater Montreal area given air travel is often required for regular season games. Since the CSA have decided not to sanction any pro leagues of their own in future I suspect the moratorium on entry into fully pro USSF leagues is now history and there would be no objection to USL Pro entry. Time will tell obviously.

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ted Mentor

ted

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As has been explained to you previously USL Pro is a much better fit for D2 in Canadian sanctioning standards terms ...

And has been clearly explained to you repeatedly this is total bollocks. Since there is already a legitimate D2 operating in Canada with soon to be two teams you can stop saying nonsense. Why you obsess over this inflation is beyond me.

It is 2013 and Canadian teams now compete in North American-wide D1, D2 and D4 leagues. The days when we can pretend that something is a division higher because poor-little Canada is a soccer backwater are over.

What is so aggravating is that your delusional approach really has no bearing in this discussion. You can call the USLPro whatever you want. It does not change the facts on the ground or the idea that teams in better leagues than we have now would be a good thing.

So, to be totally clear, any further assertion on your part that the USLPro is anything other than a D3 is false, a lie, stubborn unwillingness to accept reality and therefore clearly trolling. Any further snide or derogatory comments such as are quoted at the top of this posting are therefore clearly abusive and as such it should be sufficient to have you suspended from this forum.

You are welcome to your opinion of their place in the structure but you are not welcome to berate me for stating facts.

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BringBackTheBlizzard Newbie

BringBackTheBlizzard

Posted
Posted
It is 2013 and Canadian teams now compete in North American-wide D1, D2 and D4 leagues...

The D1, D2, D3 and D4 sanctioning standards were drawn up and are administered by the USSF and are not something that is North American-wide, because there is also a separate sanctioning system used by the CSA which contains only D1, D2 and D3. After the Easton report the CSA decided to stop directly sanctioning any leagues, so now there is effectively only D3 in a Canada-only context with the provincial associations being in charge. The D3 standards used in Canada are completely different from the D3 standards of the USSF. One is provincial in scope with total team budgets of around $150k being the stated goal, while the other is continental in scope with teams operating at a fully pro level level and involves regular season air travel to Antigua. Given MLS is starting to use USL Pro as its reserve league there is an obvious path to Canadian participation in a USSF D3 league. If as seems likely all MLS teams wind up with affiliated USL Pro teams there would appear to be scope for at least three Canadian entries in future.

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ted Mentor

ted

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Posted
Given MLS is starting to use USL Pro as its reserve league there is an obvious path to Canadian participation in a USSF D3 league. If as seems likely all MLS teams wind up with affiliated USL Pro teams there would appear to be scope for at least three Canadian entries in future.

Hallelujah! He sees the light!

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