The 2000 USL Premier Development League

USL Premier Development League

The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...

 season was the 6th PDL season. The season began in April 2000 and ended in August 2000.

Chicago Sockers

Chicago Sockers

Professional TeamChicago Sockers were an American soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues, played at a professional level in the USISL Pro League, USISL Select League and USISL D-3 Pro League as the Chicago Stingers until 1999, when they chose to relegate...

 finished the season as national champions, beating Mid-Michigan Bucks 1-0 in the PDL Championship game. Westchester Flames

Westchester Flames

Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...

 had finished with the best regular season record in the league, winning 15 out of their 18 games, suffering just three losses, and finishing with a +26 goal difference.

Rules

This is the first year that the PDL used ties in the standings, whereas previous seasons employed a shootout.

Name Changes

The following teams changed their name:

• The West Michigan Explosion became the West Michigan Edge
  West Michigan Edge
  West Michigan Edge was an American soccer team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...
  
  .

New Teams

10 New teams were added, including 8 expansion teams:

Team Name	Metro Area	Location	Previous Affiliation
Alabama Saints	Birmingham area Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...	Birmingham, AL Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...	returned from hiatus
Boulder Nova	Boulder area Boulder, Colorado Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...	Boulder, CO Boulder, Colorado Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...	expansion
Broward County Wolfpack	Broward County area Broward County, Florida -2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...	Fort Lauderdale, FL Fort Lauderdale, Florida Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...	expansion
Dayton Gems Dayton Gemini Dayton Gemini, originally known as Dayton Gems, were an American soccer team, founded in 2000, who were members of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise was...	Dayton Area Dayton, Ohio Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...	Dayton, OH Dayton, Ohio Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...	expansion
New Brunswick Brigade	Saint John Area Saint John, New Brunswick City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...	Saint John Saint John, New Brunswick City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043... , New Brunswick New Brunswick New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...	expansion
North Jersey Imperials North Jersey Imperials The North Jersey Imperials were a soccer club based in Paramus, New Jersey. They played in the United Soccer Leagues between 1994 and 2001. The Imperials were the first pro team of US national team goalkeeper Tim Howard....	North Jersey area North Jersey North Jersey is a colloquial term, with no precise consensus definition, for the northern portion of the U.S. state of New Jersey. A straightforward, noncolloquial term for the region is northern New Jersey.- Two-portion approaches :...	Paramus, NJ Paramus, New Jersey Paramus is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 26,342. A suburb of New York City, Paramus is located between 15–20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan and approximately west of Upper Manhattan.Paramus is one of...	from D3 Pro League USL Second Division The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
Palm Beach Pumas Palm Beach Pumas Palm Beach Pumas was an American soccer team based in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. Founded in 2000, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...	Palm Beach area Palm Beach, Florida The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...	Palm Beach, FL Palm Beach, Florida The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...	expansion
South Florida Future	Southwest Florida area Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is a region of Florida , United States located along its gulf coast, south of the Tampa Bay area, west of Lake Okeechobee and mostly north of the Everglades...	Sarasota, FL Sarasota, Florida Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...	returned from hiatus
Tampa Bay Hawks Tampa Bay Hawks Tampa Bay Hawks was an American soccer team, founded in 2000, who were members of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Hawks played their home...	Tampa Bay Area Tampa Bay Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...	Palm Harbor, FL Palm Harbor, Florida Palm Harbor is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 59,248.-Culture:...	expansion
Thunder Bay Chill Thunder Bay Chill Thunder Bay Chill is a Canadian soccer team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games...	Thunder Bay Area Thunder Bay District, Ontario Thunder Bay District is a district and census division in Northwestern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. The district seat is Thunder Bay....	Thunder Bay Thunder Bay -In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario... , Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....	expansion

Folding

Eight teams folded before the season:

• Clarksville Gunners
• Jackson Chargers
  Jackson Chargers
  The Jackson Chargers were an American soccer team which played in the PDL....
  
  
• Miami Tango
  Miami Tango
  The Miami Tango were an American soccer team based around Miami, Florida.They joined the USISL PDSL in 1998, replacing the Miami Breakers, who had been promoted to the D-3 Pro League. For the 1999 season, the team played simultaneously with the Breakers, who had been relegated after one season...
  
  
• New York Capital District Shockers
• Orlando Nighthawks
  Orlando Nighthawks
  The Orlando Nighthawks were a soccer club that competed in the USL Premier Development League from 1997 to 1999. The club started as the Daytona Tigers and became the Orlando Nighthawks in 1998. The team's head coach was Steve Richards. He was assisted by Gerry Queen. The team's general manager was...
  
  
• Silicon Valley Ambassadors
  Silicon Valley Ambassadors
  The Silicon Valley Ambassadors were an American soccer team based in Los Altos Hills, California that played in the USISL. The club played in the USISL Premier League, Western Conference, Southwest Division in 1998-1999. General manager and club owner was Silvian Centiu. head coach Joe Silveira...
  
  
• Sioux City Breeze
  Sioux City Breeze
  The Sioux City Breeze were a soccer club based in Sioux City, Iowa. The club began in the USISL and moved to the USISL Premier League in 1995.-Year-by-year:...
  
  
• Tucson Amigos
  Tucson Amigos
  The Tucson Amigos were a soccer club based in Tucson, Arizona that competed in the SISL, USISL and United Soccer Leagues. Founder of the Tucson Amigos was Dennis Archer a local business owner of the Tucson Amigos Indoor Soccer Center.-Year-by-year:...
  
  

Standings

Orange denotes regular season champion and bye into PDL Semifinals.

Blue denotes division champion.

Green denotes clinched playoff spot.

Great Lakes Division

Place	Team	P	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Bonus	Points
1	Mid-Michigan Bucks	18	14	3	1	64	21	+43	14	71
2	Dayton Gems	18	9	8	1	37	35	+2	7	44
3	West Michigan Edge West Michigan Edge West Michigan Edge was an American soccer team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...	18	9	9	0	32	38	-6	7	43
4	Kalamazoo Kingdom Kalamazoo Kingdom Kalamazoo Kingdom were an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Kingdom folded their...	18	9	9	0	37	37	0	7	43
5	Indiana Invaders Indiana Invaders Indiana Invaders is an American soccer team based in South Bend, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...	18	8	10	0	35	43	-8	5	37
6	Lexington Bluegrass Bandits Lexington Bluegrass Bandits Lexington Bluegrass Bandits were an American soccer team that played in Lexington, Kentucky.They joined the USISL in 1994, and moved to the USISL Pro League in 1995. They were relegated to the USISL Premier League the next year.-Year-by-year:...	18	5	13	0	26	47	-21	5	25

Heartland Division

Place	Team	P	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Bonus	Points
1	Chicago Sockers Chicago Sockers Professional TeamChicago Sockers were an American soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues, played at a professional level in the USISL Pro League, USISL Select League and USISL D-3 Pro League as the Chicago Stingers until 1999, when they chose to relegate...	18	13	5	0	45	17	+28	10	62
2	Rockford Raptors Rockford Raptors The Rockford Raptors were an American soccer team based in Rockford, Illinois. The team began in the USISL and moved to the USISL Pro League in 1995. In 1999, the team was relegated to the Premier Development League....	18	9	7	2	38	35	+3	8	46
3	Des Moines Menace Des Moines Menace Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at Valley...	19	10	8	0	63	28	+35	5	45
4	Wisconsin Rebels Wisconsin Rebels Wisconsin Rebels were an American soccer team, founded in 1998, originally as the Fox River Rebels. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was...	18	9	8	1	34	25	+9	6	43
5	Twin Cities Tornado	18	7	9	2	26	33	-7	2	32
6	Thunder Bay Chill Thunder Bay Chill Thunder Bay Chill is a Canadian soccer team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games...	18	4	13	1	20	49	-29	2	19

Provisional Teams

Place	Team	P	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Bonus	Points
1	Louisiana Outlaws *	12	5	5	2	25	25	0	5	27
2	Alabama Saints *	7	1	4	2	6	14	-8	1	7
3	Central Jersey Riptide Central Jersey Riptide Central Jersey Riptide were an American soccer team that played in Clark, New Jersey.They joined the USISL Pro League in 1996, but were relegated to the USL PDL in 1999. They became a provisional team the next season and then folded after the end of the season.-Year-by-year:...  *	10	1	9	0	10	31	-21	1	5

Northeast Division

Place	Team	P	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Bonus	Points
1	Westchester Flames Westchester Flames Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...	18	15	3	0	47	21	+26	10	70
2	Vermont Voltage Vermont Voltage Vermont Voltage is an American soccer team based in St. Albans, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference, having spent the 2009 season on...	18	11	6	1	37	22	+15	8	53
3	New York Freedom New York Freedom The New York Freedom are a defunct American soccer club based in New York, New York.-Year-by-year:...	18	10	7	1	45	24	+21	8	49
4	Brooklyn Knights Brooklyn Knights Brooklyn Knights is an American soccer team based in New York, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games at the...	18	9	8	1	30	32	-2	4	41
5	North Jersey Imperials North Jersey Imperials The North Jersey Imperials were a soccer club based in Paramus, New Jersey. They played in the United Soccer Leagues between 1994 and 2001. The Imperials were the first pro team of US national team goalkeeper Tim Howard....	18	7	11	0	38	49	-11	6	34
6	New Brunswick Brigade	18	2	15	1	22	56	-34	1	10

Southeast Division

Place	Team	P	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Bonus	Points
1	Tampa Bay Hawks Tampa Bay Hawks Tampa Bay Hawks was an American soccer team, founded in 2000, who were members of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Hawks played their home...	18	12	5	1	52	35	+17	9	58
2	Bradenton Academics Bradenton Academics The Bradenton Academics are an American soccer team based in Bradenton, Florida, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.The team is associated with...	18	11	6	1	43	27	+16	8	53
3	Cocoa Expos Cocoa Expos Cocoa Expos was an American soccer team, founded in 1993. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home matches at...	18	11	6	1	38	27	+11	6	51
4	Central Florida Kraze Central Florida Kraze Orlando City U-23 is an American soccer team based in Lake Mary, Florida, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...	18	10	6	2	46	34	+12	8	50
5	Palm Beach Pumas Palm Beach Pumas Palm Beach Pumas was an American soccer team based in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. Founded in 2000, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...	18	8	8	2	39	43	-4	7	41
6	South Florida Future	18	8	10	0	30	43	-13	3	35
7	Broward County Wolfpack	18	4	12	2	36	56	-20	7	25
8	Miami Breakers Miami Strike Force The Miami Strike Force were an American soccer team based around Miami, Florida.They joined the USISL PDSL as the Miami Tango in 1996 , and became the Miami Breakers in the next season. The moved up to the USISL D-3 Pro League in 1998. For the 1999 season, the team was relegated back to the PDL...	18	3	14	1	27	46	-19	5	18

Rocky Mountain Division

Place	Team	P	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Bonus	Points
1	Colorado Comets Colorado Comets The Colorado Comets were an American soccer club based in Denver, Colorado founded in 1985 which later competed in the SISL and USISL.-History:...	18	12	5	1	51	29	+22	7	56
2	Wichita Jets Wichita Jets Wichita Jets are a defunct soccer club that played in the 2000 USL Premier Development League season. They played in Wichita, Kansas....	18	8	8	2	46	60	-26	7	41
3	Boulder Nova	18	8	9	1	38	32	+6	7	41
4	Kansas City Brass Kansas City Brass Kansas City Brass is an American soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games on...	18	5	11	2	41	56	-15	6	28
5	Colorado Springs Stampede	18	5	11	2	27	46	-19	3	25

Northwest Division

Place	Team	P	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Bonus	Points
1	Yakima Reds Yakima Reds Yakima Reds was an American soccer team based in Yakima, Washington, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference...	18	12	5	1	59	29	+30	11	60
2	Spokane Shadow Spokane Shadow Spokane Shadow was an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when the franchise was terminated by the PDL after the 10-year old artificial turf at their home...	18	11	4	3	43	36	+6	7	54
3	Seattle Sounders Select	18	11	6	1	33	28	+5	6	51
4	Abbotsford 86ers Select	18	8	9	1	49	44	+5	9	42
5	Cascade Surge Cascade Surge Cascade Surge was an American soccer team based in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played its home games...	18	5	11	2	34	28	+6	6	28
6	Willamette Valley Firebirds Willamette Valley Firebirds Willamette Valley Firebirds were an American soccer team that played in Corvallis, Oregon.They began as the Palo Alto Firebirds based in Palo Alto, California. They moved to San Jose, California in 1994 and became the Silicon Valley Firebirds. They were renamed the Portland Firebirds after they...	18	3	15	0	28	71	-43	4	16

Southwest Division

Place	Team	P	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Bonus	Points
1	San Fernando Valley Heroes	18	11	7	0	57	48	+9	12	56
2	Central Coast Roadrunners Central Coast Roadrunners Central Coast Roadrunners were an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise rights were transferred to the...	18	11	7	0	51	39	+12	9	53
3	Nevada Zephyrs	18	7	11	0	32	43	-11	4	32
4	San Gabriel Valley Highlanders San Gabriel Valley Highlanders San Gabriel Valley Highlanders were an American soccer team, founded in 1997 by a group of Armenian American businessmen and soccer fans as a competitive branch of the locally-based Ararat Soccer Club...	18	4	14	0	35	66	-31	4	20

Format

Mid-Michigan won the PDL Regular Season title and a bye to the National Semi-Finals. This moved Dayton up to the Great Lakes Division first place spot and allowed West Michigan into the playoffs, taking the second place spot for the division.

For the Central and Eastern divisions, the top seeds from each division face the second place team from the opposite division. For the Western Conference, the division champion with the most points will play the wild card, while the two remaining division champions play each other.

Conference Playoffs

PDL Championship