PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE:
The Premier Development League (PDL) is one of the two-top amateur soccer leagues sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The league consists of 72 franchises in four conferences throughout the United States and Canada. The PDL is operated by the Division 2 United Soccer League (USL) and primarily is a place for college players to play in the summer while maintaining their NCAA eligibility.
There are four Texas clubs in the PDL….all of them new to the league this season: Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (Bryan), FC Cleburne, Houston FC and Texas United (Grand Prairie). These clubs are four of six that play in the Mid-South Division of the Southern Conference.
Brazos Valley Cavalry FC:
Date of Entrance into League: January 16, 2017
Head Coach: James Clarkson
Owner: Clutch Entertain
Stadium: Nutrabolt Stadium: Bryan, TX
2017 Opener: Thursday, May 25 @ Mississippi Brilla
Cleburne FC:
Date of Entrance into League: February 9, 2017
Head Coach: Paul Davenport
Owner: Neltex Sports Group
Stadium: The Depot at Cleburne Station: Cleburne, TX
2017 Opener: Saturday, May 13 @Oklahoma City Energy U23
Houston FC:
Date of Entrance into the League: February 3, 2017
Head Coach: Bruce Talbot
Owner: Jeff Fetzer
Stadium: Holloway Field at Rice University: Houston, TX
2017 Opener: Saturday, May 20 @ Oklahoma City Energy U23
Texas United:
Date of Entrance into League: February 9, 2017
Head Coach: Ryan Higginbotham
Owner: Neltex Sports Group
Stadium: AirHogs Stadium: Grand Prairie, TX
2017 Opener: Wednesday, May 17 vs. FC Cleburne
NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE:
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is the other of the top amateur soccer leagues. The league is the successor to the Men’s Premier Soccer League (MPSL), which was formed in 2002. The nationwide league is now nearing the entrance of its 100th team.
Six Texas clubs will play in the NPSL this season. All clubs play in the South Region. Five of them play in the Lone Star Conference and one (Dallas City FC) in the Heartland Conference.
South Region/Lone Star Conference:
Fort Worth Vaqueros (Ft. Worth):
Date of Entrance into League: 2014
Head Coach: Nick Stavrou
Owner: Michael Hitchcock
Stadium: Martin Field (Texas Wesleyan University) Ft. Worth, TX
2017 Opener: Saturday, May 13 vs. Tyler FC
Houston Dutch Lions (Conroe):
Date of Entrance into League: 2016 (Played 2014-15 in PDL)
Head Coach: Marco Pruis
Owner: Martin Kroeze
Stadium: HDL FC Soccer Facility: Conroe, TX
2017 Opener: Saturday, May 20 @ Ft. Worth Vaqueros
Houston Regals SCA (Houston):
Date of Entrance into League: Returned to the league in 2015
Head Coach: Danny Porlan
Owner: Miguel Landaverde
Stadium: KIPP High School: Houston, TX
2017 Opener: Saturday, May 13 vs. Shreveport Rafters
Midland-Odessa FC (Midland):
Date of Entrance into League: 2017 (Played 2009-16 in PDL)
Head Coach: Matt Barnes
Owners: Miles Prentice and Bob Richmond
Stadium: Grande Communications Stadium: Midland, TX
2017 Opener: Thursday, May 18 vs. Houston Regals SCA
Tyler FC (Tyler):
Date of Entrance into League: December 8, 2016
Head Coach: “Jojo” Juarez
Owners: Avila Family
Stadium: Brook Hill Stadium: Bullard, TX
2017 Opener: Saturday May 13 @ Ft. Worth Vaqueros
South Region/Heartland Conference:
Dallas City FC (Dallas):
Date of Entrance into League: 2013
Head Coach: Carlos Fernandes
Owner: DCFC Foundation
Stadium: Greenhill School: Addison, TX
2017 Opener: Saturday, May 6 vs. Little Rock Rangers
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Texas Soccer Journal 