How much is the PDL helping?

[Sevin]

One of the many slams against college soccer has been the limited number of games. How much do you think the extra 20 or so quality (?) games they get in the summer are helping? Let's face it, until MLS starts to offer more money for these kids to turn pro, many of them won't, at least not with the blessings of thier families.

[turnaround]

From what I've seen, PDL is helping, but one must first understand that PDL is not solely a developmental league for college players.

For the most part, PDL is a high level of play, but more college kids need to be playing.

I'm not alone in saying that I believe PDL rosters should be exclusively for college players. I would give each team 3 exemptions for older/non-college players, but that's it.

[NC_ODP02]

I have a feeling soon they will have to handle 16 year olds in the PDL. Face it...the youth grows in number and in skill every year, and the older guys are taking a step down to the youth every year as well. I am not sayin that this will happen...but I believe younger players will take over PDL soon....

I also have a question....is PDL the next step from the Super Y League?

[Dr Jay]

[i]

I also have a question....is PDL the next step from the Super Y League? [/B]


In some areas of the country, it is. The Boston Bulldogs U-18 team won the Y-league National title last year and 3 of the team's players are on this years Cape Cod Crusader team. I certainly think it is the intent of MassPro soccer (the organization that runs the Crusaders, the Boston Bulldogs, and the Boston Renegades) to make a seamless pyramid of development.

[Sevin]

I know a few of the guys that are with the U20 team in Houston, for instance played with PDL teams this year. Does anybody have any idea who is playing where? Since these teams are scattered about the country it seems like a good way for us to be able to see them and maybe share info here. I realize that the season is over this year but, the Championship game is on this weekend on FSW and I'd be curious to know what prospects or overlooks are playing in that game. Regarding the list, I know that Ricardo Clark played with The Fire Reserves. Anybody else?

[turnaround]

check the college and amateur board. Sandon has a thread on this.

[The Wanderer]

Short term before MLS reserve teams the PDL needs to be for 17-22 year olds. Of course the numbers are limited because of proximity to their colllege, etc.

[inferno man]

Originally posted by The Wanderer
Short term before MLS reserve teams the PDL needs to be for 17-22 year olds. Of course the numbers are limited because of proximity to their colllege, etc.

Smaller towns may not have enough u23's to be competitive with larger areas. Their equalizer can be older players mixed in.

In turn, the college players get to compete against these older players which is one of the complaints about college soccer.

Then, if there are more PDL teams then less traveling is required and the teams are more affordable.