About PDL
The Bantams began play in 2012 in the USL’s Premier Development League (PDL), which is the top amateur league in America. The premier developmental men’s league in North America, the 2013 PDL featured 64 teams within four conferences throughout the United States and Canada.
TEAM SCHEDULE AND COMMITMENT
This is a serious league and commitment is required.
Season - the PDL season runs basically as follows:
January - Tryouts and Team Selection
May - Practice begins and runs every weekday (except game days) until the last game of the season in July
May - Games begin as easly as May 6 and run until July 14
July - Conference championships (July 22-24) and Semifinals (July 30)
August 6 - PDL National Championship
Games - We compete in the Eastern Conference which includes opponents from West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. We play each team home and away. Travel arrangements will be provided for players selected for the games. The team also will play in several exhibition games, including one versus the Charleston Battery USL Pro team.
Cost: Tryout cost is $85 for new players and $50 for returning players. Players selected to the Practice Squad will have a $350 season fee to participate.
All players are required to secure at least one sponsorship for the team to assist in fundraising.
In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions.
About the PDL
The proven developmental leader in North American soccer's evolving tiered structure, the PDL features 67 teams within four conferences throughout the United States and Canada in 2015, including 10 teams affiliated with USL 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.