LVU Makes Jump to PDL!
TAMPA, Fla. - The PDL welcomed its first new addition for the 2015 season today with one of the most successful men's amateur teams in the U.S., the Lehigh Valley United Sonic, announcing their move to the top U23 men's league in North America.
The Sonic bring an impressive resume with them as they make the step up to the PDL, including three consecutive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup appearances, a trip to the national amateur finals in 2012, and a pair of NPSL titles (2008 & 2012).
The LVU Sonic will operate in partnership with the well-respected LVU youth club and will be led by Greg Ramos and Dave Weitzman, with Matt McTish serving as general manager. The Lehigh Valley United youth club brings a long resume of success in developing top players and teams, with a 2013 USYS U19 McGuire Cup championship and a 2014 USYS U18 national finalist berth among the club's accomplishments.
"The PDL prides itself on providing the highest level of competition for U23 players in North America, and the addition of a team with the history of success that the Lehigh Valley United Sonic possesses will only continue to strengthen the league," USL President Tim Holt said. "Greg Ramos and Dave Weitzman have done a wonderful job of developing young talent in the Greater Lehigh Valley market, and we expect them to immediately perform at a high level in the PDL, on and off the field."
The Greater Lehigh Valley is the third largest market in Pennsylvania and serves as a hotbed for amateur and professional sports, with affiliates of the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia Phillies already thriving in the area. The Sonic will announce their home venue and tryout dates in the coming months.
"We are extremely excited to connect the LVU Sonic PDL team to the many soccer fans in the Lehigh Valley and North Eastern Pennsylvania next summer," said Ramos, Executive Director of Soccer Operation for Lehigh Valley United. "This region is a proven market for minor league professional sports franchises. The LVU Sonic's participation in the PDL brings us one step closer to our goal of bringing professional soccer to the Lehigh Valley."
The top U23 men's league in North America, the PDL provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.
PDL
The proven developmental leader in North American soccer's evolving tiered structure, the 2014 PDL featured 64 teams within four conferences throughout the United States and Canada, including 12 teams affiliated with USL PRO or Major League Soccer clubs. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world, with 70 percent of all MLS draftees having PDL experience. The PDL season consists of 14 regular season matches for each team, seven home and seven away, and provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions.
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PDL Public Relations - Jay Preble / Nicholas Murray / Stacy Shanks - Tampa, FL - 813.963.3909 - Twitter: @USLPDL