Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III USL PRO Announces Academy Rules Teams able to carry as many as 5 academy players TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO announced it is expanding its roster sizes today to allow teams to carry as many as five academy players on their rosters in USL PRO competition. USL PRO teams currently have a roster size of 26 players, and will now be able provide important exposure to a professional environment to up-and-coming talent. Additionally, MLS teams affiliated with USL PRO clubs will be able to use the academy player slots for their own academy players. Players must meet several requirements in order to qualify for an academy player slot: they must be younger than 21 at the start of the current season; they can’t have competed collegiately; they must never have signed as a professional. Additionally, the player must either be from a club’s region, an affiliate youth team or from an MLS affiliate. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/697017.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Lions Take Victory Against Rowdies Watson, Chin get goals Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com Saturday, February 23, 2013 KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A first-half penalty conversion by midfielder Jamie Watson and second half strike by forward Dennis Chin was all Orlando needed on Saturday night, with the Lions topping cross-state rival the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0 in the conclusion of the 2013 Disney Pro Soccer Classic. In a prelude to the inaugural “I-4 Derby” held on March 9 and 30, Orlando got the best of the Tampa Bay, finishing seventh overall in the tournament. Despite the 2-0 win, Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath still sees room for improvement moving forward for his club. “The two-nil win is always nice because it pleases our supporters, but it was not an enjoyable 90 minutes to watch,” said Heath. “I don’t say that very often http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/697850.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Orlando To Host Fluminense Brazilian giant to visit Citrus Bowl on June 22 Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com Monday, February 25, 2013 ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City SC, in cooperation with Fluminense Football Club, is proud to announce an international friendly between the two teams on Saturday, June 22, at the Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The announcement comes off the heels of new Brazilian Owner Flavio Augusto da Silva making a significant investment in Orlando City last week, exhibiting the Lion’s strong new ties with the country of Brazil. “We are delighted to be hosting the reigning Brazilian Champions, Fluminense,” said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. “They are one of the very best teams in all of Brazil and have a host of world-class players in their squad. I’m sure it will be a great spectacle for our fans.” http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/698159.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Orlando Defeats Tampa Bay Earn 3-2 victory in opening game of 'I-4 Derby' Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com Saturday, March 9, 2013 ORLANDO, Fla. — Despite being down a goal at halftime, Orlando City rallied back to beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-2 in the first leg of the I-4 Derby sponsored by United World Soccer at the Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl on Saturday night. The Lions scored in the 49th, 58th and 70th minutes and withstood a late score by the Rowdies to complete the comeback victory. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/701746.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Orlando mayor confirms purchase of downtown land for soccer-specific stadium ORLANDO’S MAYOR OFFICIALLY UNVEILS SOCCER STADIUM PLANS: Huge news coming out of Orlando, as Mayor Buddy Dyer confirmed the City has spent $8.2 million on purchasing land to give to Orlando City Soccer Club for a new soccer-specific stadium. The plot of land sits in a prime downtown location, and Dyer believes the lure of MLS and the redevelopment of that area made his decision an easy one. "That's the perfect location," said Dyer. “That block is where we put the soccer stadium.” According to the report from WFTV Orlando, Orlando City will spend between $80-100 million to build the stadium and construction could start as early as December 2013. A huge breakthrough, it seems, in the club's aim to make it as an MLS expansion franchise. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...y-has-purchased-prime-plot-downtown-land-socc
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Sacramento To Host Norwich City EPL club to be part of Sacramento Soccer Day on July 18 Day event, taking place July 18, 2013. Multiple exhibition matches will be played during Sacramento Soccer Day, one of which will feature Norwich City Football Club, part of the English Premier League. This will mark the first time in history that an EPL team has played in Sacramento. During the event Warren Smith, president of Sac Pro Soccer, will be joined by his team to announce the official team name, color palette, shield and scarf of the Sac Pro Soccer team, which are currently being selected during a three-month, three-part naming contest that is involving the Sacramento community and soccer fans. “Sacramento Soccer Day will be a celebration of the rich history and bright future soccer has here in Sacramento,” said Graham Smith, technical director of Sac Pro Soccer. “Having Norwich City join us for the event is very exciting and shows just how great of a place this city is for the soccer community.” http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/715684.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III USL, TopDrawerSoccer Ink Partnership Agreement includes exchange of content, advertising Thursday, May 2, 2013 TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues has entered into a multi-tiered marketing agreement with TopDrawerSoccer.com that will allow the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues to work closely with the top provider of news, scores and rankings for pre-professional soccer in North America. The relationship will greatly increase USL’s presence on TopDrawerSoccer.com, including weekly USL Olympic Development Program rankings, W-League and PDL Player of the Week awards and identification of current and former USL players within the TDS youth and collegiate player profiles. “Partnering with TopDrawerSoccer.com is a natural fit as we are both focused on the development of soccer throughout North America,” USL President Tim Holt said. “The profile of TopDrawerSoccer.com continues to grow throughout youth and college soccer, and much of their target audience is already part of our system of leagues. We look forward to working with TopDrawerSoccer.com to continue to raise the profile of amateur soccer.” Launching during the 2013 season, the USL ODP rankings will allow top Super Y-League players to track their ODP nominations throughout the season, with a spot at the 2014 SYL ODP National Camps the ultimate goal. The rankings will be hosted on TopDrawerSoccer.com along with regular USL Youth, PDL and W-League content. http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/715761.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Deal for new soccer stadium gets closer Stadium deal would include 2 phases ORLANDO, Fla. —After two wins during the U.S. Open Cup, the Orlando City soccer club is close to joining Major League Soccer, a source told WESH 2 News. The source told WESH 2 News sports anchorman Larry Ridley that the team and Orlando officials were close to finalizing a new soccer stadium deal that would include two phases. The plan is expected to be presented before July's All-Star Game in Kansas City. The new soccer stadium would be built near Amway Center. The first phase would cost about $80 million and have no roof overhang for fans in the end zones, as well as less air conditioning than originally planned and three suites instead of four. The stadium would also have 17,500 seats instead of 19,000. Read more: http://www.wesh.com/news/sports/dea.../20583610/-/1eck1k/-/index.html#ixzz2WQZQpgEt
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Orlando Edged By Fluminense Brazilian champion takes 4-3 win in front of 11,127 Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com Saturday, June 22, 2013 ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City fell to Brazil's Fluminense FC 4-3 on Saturday night in front of 11,127 fans at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl, an international friendly club record for attendance. The mark was previously set back in July of 2011 against the English Premier League’s Newcastle United with 10,889. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/731484.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Riverhounds To Host Wigan Athletic Announce addition of Shallenberger to club's ownership Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release -- www.riverhounds.com Tuesday, June 25, 2013 PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are pleased to announce the addition of Terry “Tuffy” Shallenberger to the club’s ownership in a move that will immediately position the club to become one of the nation’s benchmark professional organizations. An extremely successful business owner in the field of construction project management, the 46-year-old Shallenberger has played a key role in the development of soccer facilities in his hometown of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Shallenberger began discussions with The Riverhounds Academy management out of an interest in bringing the technical training model to young players from the Connellsville area. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/732463.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Sacramento Announces Preki As Coach Former USMNT standout was 2007 MLS Coach of the Year SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Professional Soccer, LLC (Sac Pro Soccer), today announced signing Predrag Radosavlijevic, better known as Preki, as head coach for the team’s 2014 inaugural season. Best known for scoring a game-winning goal for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) over world power Brazil in 1998, Preki has more than 15 years of experience as a national and international player. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/737885.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Sacramento Reveals Crest, Colors Republic FC unveiled in front of more than 14,000 fans Sacramento Republic FC News Release -- www.sacrepublicfc.com Thursday, July 18, 2013 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Professional Soccer, LLC (Sac Pro Soccer) today announced the official name, crest, and color palette for the new Sacramento Professional United Soccer Leagues Pro (USL Pro) team. The USL Pro team will be named Sacramento Republic Football Club (FC). Sacramento Republic FC will host a series of exhibition matches throughout the remainder of 2013 and play its inaugural season in 2014. The following explains the meaning behind the name and all components http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/739107.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Report: Orlando moves one step closer to MLS reality with stadium funding pledge from government Orlando may be one step closer to getting the soccer-specific stadium the city's team has been dreaming of. A report from the Orlando Sentinel Thursday indicated that city and county officials have ironed out a deal to include funding in a soccer-specific stadium as part of a wide-ranging financial package to build and renovate multiple arts and sports venues in the area. The government would reportedly pledge $20 million to the soccer stadium, with $30 million apparently coming from Orlando City SC, whose ownership has made the team's MLS ambition very clear. The article estimates the stadium would cost $85 million altogether, so it would appear there is still $35 million in funding left to be determined. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...loser-mls-reality-stadium-funding-pledge-gove
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Toronto FC may have a USL Pro partner in relocating Toronto Lynx The Toronto Lynx are exploring the option of a move to the city of Hamilton and the new Tim Hortons Field. Along with the relocation the club would make a return to USL Pro as well as strike up a partnership agreement with Toronto FC. http://www.reddit.com/tb/1kgzgn
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Richmond Kickers Claim Regular-Season Title Delicate scores both goals in victory against Orlando http://www.uslsoccer.com/scripts/ru...ay E 47116 News/Display/ 22375 58092651 13492
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III It's August, and it's playoff time. Not in MLS, of course, but a trophy race begins next Saturday two tiers down in USL PRO. Based strictly on seeding, the Richmond Kickers are favorites after winning the regular-season title, but 2011 champions Orlando City SC will have something to say about that along with current title holders Charleston Battery. You can find the quarterfinal schedule below. All matches are streamed live on USLNation.com. 2013 USL PRO PLAYOFFS Saturday, August 24 (Quarterfinals) • No. 4 Harrisburg vs. No. 5 Charlotte, 2 pm ET, Skyline Sports Complex • No. 1 Richmond vs. No. 8 Dayton, 7 pm ET, City Stadium • No. 2 Orlando vs. No. 7 Pittsburgh, 7:30 pm ET, Florida Citrus Bowl • No. 3 Charleston vs. No. 6 Los Angeles, 7:30 pm ET, Blackbaud Stadium
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III USL PRO Playoffs Kick Off Saturday Road to USL PRO Championship begins No. 1 Richmond Kickers vs. No. 8 Dayton Dutch Lions Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium After only losing once in the regular season the Kickers face a side in Dayton that it has never lost to, going 7-0-1 in its previous meetings in the league and U.S. Open Cup. The Kickers’ success was fueled by the stingiest defense in USL PRO, which only conceded 24 goals in 26 games, and a balanced attack that saw no-one score double-digit goals, but six players score at least four goals. Joseph Ngwenya led the way with nine goals and five assists, with Brian Ownby recording seven goals and six assists on loan from the Houston Dynamo. While Richmond clinched the regular-season title in the penultimate game of the season, Dayton needed victory in its final contest against Harrisburg Saturday to claim its first postseason berth in club history. Goals by leading scorer Gibson Bardsley (nine goals, seven assists), Eli Garner and Brandon Swartzendruber gave the Dutch Lions a 3-1 win, but they will need to find a way to accomplish another first and advance to the semifinals. No. 2 Orlando City vs. No. 7 Pittsburgh Riverhounds Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Florida Citrus Bowl After falling short of a third consecutive regular-season championship, Orlando City is aiming to win its second USL PRO Championship in three seasons, but it will be tested by a Pittsburgh Riverhounds side that won the season series against the Lions. Pittsburgh was one of two teams to go into the Florida Citrus Bowl and take victory in the regular season, something Adrian Heath’s side will aim to reverse with the help of 2012 Most Valuable Player Kevin Molino and Dennis Chin. The Riverhounds, meanwhile, are coming off a solid 1-1 draw with Richmond in their final game of the season, a contest that saw Jose Angulo record his 15th goal of the season. Angulo and Matt Dallman (12 assists) were pivotal players throughout the regular season for Pittsburgh, but a defense led by Andrew Marshall and Rich Costanzo that shut out Orlando in both meetings in the regular season may be the key to Saturday’s quarterfinal. No. 3 Charleston Battery vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Blues Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Blackbaud Stadium The Charleston Battery begin the defense of their championship at Blackbaud Stadium, where they finished with a record of 9-1-4 this season. Among those nine victories was a 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Blues that saw Dane Kelly score one of his team-leading 11 goals, and the Battery will look to him and Nicki Paterson, who returns after sitting out the final game of the regular season due to suspension, to lead the team into the semifinals. The Blues will pose a threat, however, as they make the trip east in their return to the postseason. Matt Fondy scored twice as Los Angeles took a 2-1 win against Charleston in California earlier this month, and has been outstanding since rejoining the team with 10 goals in 10 games. Battery Player of the Year Colin Falvey and the rest of the Charleston defense will need to be focused to withstand the threat of Fondy and Chris Cortez (nine goals) as the Blues try to spring an upset. No. 4 Harrisburg City Islanders vs. No. 5 Charlotte Eagles Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, Skyline Sports Complex The Harrisburg City Islanders host the Charlotte Eagles in a contest that saw both teams take victory on the road in the regular season. Harrisburg, in fact, struggled at times at home, posting a better away record (7-4-1) than at the friendly confines of Skyline Sports Complex (7-6-1). Despite that, the City Islanders will be hopeful of moving on as their strong attacking duo of Sainey Touray and Lucky Mkosana (28 points apiece) lead what the club hopes will be a return to the USL PRO Championship Game. The Eagles, meanwhile, were solid on the road throughout the regular season, going 3-2-7 on their travels. Led by Jorge Herrera (10 goals, four assists) and rookie Christian Ramirez (eight goals, five assists), the Eagles have also been boosted offensively in the latter part of the season by Drew Yates, with the former Maryland standout having recorded six assists to lead the team. Charlotte is hoping to replicate its 2-1 victory in Harrisburg earlier this month, while the City Islanders are hoping for a repeat of their 4-0 victory in Charlotte on June 1 as both look to advance to the semifinals. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/749756.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Kickers Edge Past Dutch Lions Ngwenya scores only goal as Richmond advances http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/750079.html Lions Too Much For Riverhounds Early goals key 5-0 victory in quarterfinals of playoffs http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/750095.html Battery Hold Off Blues Charleston advances to semifinals with 2-1 victory http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/750085.html Eagles Advance Against City Islanders Herrera, Ramirez lead Charlotte to 3-1 victory in playoffs http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/750044.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Semifinals Set In USL PRO Playoffs Richmond, Orlando, Charleston, Charlotte take victory No. 2 Orlando City vs. No. 3 Charleston Battery Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando City and the Charleston Battery meet for the second time in three seasons in the USL PRO Playoffs, with the Lions coming in off an impressive 5-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the quarterfinals. The defending champion Battery, meanwhile, will try to claim their first victory in club history at the Florida Citrus Bowl after earning a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Blues Saturday night. Orlando holds the edge in the all-time series between the teams, including a 3-1 extra time victory in the 2011 USL PRO Playoffs. This season the teams played to a 1-1 draw in Charleston before the Lions took a 2-1 victory in Orlando in their last meeting on July 11. Both games were full of action, with the Battery outshooting the Lions in both contests, only for standout goalkeeping by Jon Kempin (12 saves in two games) to help lead the Lions to four points from a possible six. No. 1 Richmond Kickers vs. No. 5 Charlotte Eagles Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium One of the longest-running rivalries in USL history will continue as the Richmond Kickers host the Charlotte Eagles after edging past the Dayton Dutch Lions 1-0 on a goal by Joseph Ngwenya in the quarterfinals Saturday night. The Eagles advanced to the semifinals with the only road victory of the opening round of the playoffs, with Jorge Herrera and Christian Ramirez each finding the net to continue their strong seasons for Charlotte. The Kickers hold a 22-11-10 edge in the rivalry’s history, with both clubs in their 21st seasons. Their first meeting in the regular season at City Stadium proved to be a classic that ended in a 3-3 draw, with Richmond taking a 2-0 halftime lead before the Eagles stormed back to take the lead in the 90th minute on a goal by Shaun Francis. The Kickers responded deep in stoppage time, however, as Conor Shanosky scored to earn his side a point. Richmond edged past the Eagles in Charlotte in their last meeting on August 2 as Ngwenya scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory, but Charlotte, which lost just twice on the road all season, is hopeful of bringing the Kickers’ dream season to an end. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/751755.html
Re: Minor League Soccer - Division III Eagles Rally To Upset Kickers Take 2-1 victory to earn place in championship game http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/752021.html Lions Advance Against Battery Orlando holds off defending champion in 3-2 semifinal victory http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/751940.html USL PRO Championship Game Set Orlando to host Charlotte at the Florida Citrus Bowl TAMPA, Fla. – The participants for the 2013 USL PRO Championship Game were set on Saturday night, with No. 2-seed Orlando City set to host the No. 5-seed Charlotte Eagles for the title on Saturday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Florida Citrus Bowl after a pair of thrilling semifinals this weekend. Orlando City will host the USL PRO Championship Game for the second time after the Lions took a 3-2 victory against the defending champion Charleston Battery on Friday night. The Eagles, meanwhile, upset the regular-season champion Richmond Kickers 2-1 on Saturday night to continue their outstanding postseason run. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72013 L3/Display E NDX NDX 752025
