Next to Academy Director Gio Savarese, the Cosmos only have three full-time employees on staff. And though they are a talented and committed crew, it’s far from the army of workers that pulled off a thrilling tournament last year. While the Cosmos Copa NYC still remains a possibility, hard to imagine at this point and it doesn’t look promising for their participation in the USL PDL either. The Cosmos U23 squad made an exciting entry into the PDL last season, playing a number of exhibition games with the intention of joining the league full-time this season. But it appears that they won’t be fielding a team this year. They have been removed from the league’s list of teams. Again, not surprising, but what does this mean for the Cosmos? Yes, they are losing fans, but fans can always be lured back, right? That remains to be seen. But now they are losing talent – the players they had hoped to be part of the first Cosmos squad to play in MLS someday. Chivas USA has confirmed that they have signed Marvin Iraheta, a 19 year-old El Salvadoran who had played for the New York Cosmos PDL exhibition team. He was one of the stars of the Cosmos development program, and featured prominently in their 6-0 loss to Manchester United during the Scholes Testimonial. My compatriot Cesar Diaz did an in-depth interview with the kid. This is good new for Iraheta, and Chivas USA. But it’s bad news for the Cosmos and their new owners, Sela Sport. While they silently wait for MLS to secure them a stadium, all the hard work they had invested in – developing fans and players alike – is steadily eroding away. A Cosmos PDL side not only would give fans something to sink their teeth into, but more importantly it would keep the senior talent from the Cosmos Academy engaged until an MLS franchise can be secured.
Looks like another team in Florida; Panama City. Didn't there used to be a team there with the same name a couple seasons ago? http://boxscorenews.com/panama-city-beach-pirates-joins-usl-pdl-p31223-68.htm
I believe they announced one and then it didn't come to fruition and Fuerstein ripped USL for not caring about American soccer because they didn't put out a two-page press release about the reasons Panama City's PDL team didn't take the field that year.
http://www.panamacitybeachpirates.com/ According to team website, the SE Division is as follows: Mississippi Brilla FC Jax Destroyers Ocala Stampede Orlando City U-23 Braedenton Academics Tampa VSI Academy Ft. Lauderdale Schultz Academy PCB Pirates
And next year we get Cape Coral, which would likely push Mississippi Brilla to the Mid-South Division unless a team folds. Speaking of, what the hell happened to Nashville Metros? They've dropped off the face of the Earth.
At least there's good explanation for the Kraze "not being there". An even bigger mystery is the Metros not being there. What the Hell happened?
Maybe they've gone north to the division with the teams from the Carolinas, or Kentucky/Illinois/Indiana.
I think ideally you would see them in the same division as Louisville and St. Louis. But when did sence have anything to do with how things work in life. Although it's nice to see that both Chicago teams are actually in the same division. Which is different then the last time there was 2 PDL teams in Chicagoland.
Ocala Stampede's website is up, and they have a schedule. Speaks for itself, really. They'll fit right in with Brilla. They have two home sites apparently. One will indeed be Trinity High School in Ocala. Hopefully they draw the field a little wider, which they can do. The other site is listed as "Villages". I have absolutely no clue where they'd be playing in The Villages. As for PCB Pirates, they'll be playing at Arnold High School in Panama City Beach.
I saw the new FC Tucson website this weekend. Should be up and running before the Desert Cup starts, so middle February. Also, its all but a done deal on where there going to play this season. http://www.kinosportscomplex.com/samlenapark.html I believe its this lighted field. I'll have to confirm. Tucson High School is no longer an option. (beer sales)
Yes. Stands (bleachers) and a beer garden. It may be the wrong field though, but they're set on a lighted field at the Kino Complex.
2008 USL Guide lists something called "Gavlak Stadium" as their home field, which is apparently the same one at that high school.
Here's the announcement for Chicago Inferno. Orginally it was thought that this group was joining the NPSL and then joined the PDL. It's an existing club that has a Open team in the National Soccer League of Chicago and also a U23 team. Both teams have done pretty well the past two year progressing out the state in both the Open Cup and national U23 cup. http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/591558.html club link http://www.infernosc.com/index.html
I think this might be # 13. Pretty sure no one has mentioned this group before. Who would have thought of another team in West Virginia. http://www.register-herald.com/todayssportsfront/x1669697130/King-s-Warriors-to-begin-play-in-May
USL's 4 year plan. That is interesting. I wonder, they still have to pay the annual fees to USL too, right?