What is the Premier Development League (PDL)
Player development is the cornerstone of USL's vision of advancing soccer in every community
across North America. Since its inception in 1986, USL has led the way in creating environments
focused on player development,and the USL PDL serves this purpose. Designed to help prepare
players for professional careers,the focus of the USL PDL is to provide top college and high school
players with the opportunity to compete in a professionalized setting while maintaining their college
eligibility. By providing this opportunities,the USL PDL has become the top destination for college
players and elite youth players during the summer months. Due in part to its fonding as a regional
indoor league in the south west US, the USL PDL has teams in over 60% of the 25 largest
Hispanic markets in the US.
The top under 23 men's and women amateur league in North America lives in the USL Premier
Development League (pdl). The PDL format features four conferences, consisting of 16 regular
season games, 8 home and 8away. The schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt
US Open Cup and exhibition games. The Rattlers play in the Southwest Division of the Western
Conference. The Southwestern Division is the largest in the PDL with 9 teams competing, Ogden
Outlaws, BYU Cougars, Fresno Fuego, Ventura Fusion, Hollywood United Hitmen, Los Angeles
Legends, the Southern California SeaHorses and the Orange Counts Blue Stars. United Sports Int.
and the Lancaster Rattlers are dedicate to bringing professional soccer to the Antelope Valley. The
Rattlers are an affiliate of F.C. New York a Professional team in Garden City New York and will
open its first season in 2011 Under US Soccer division 2 and in the United Soccer Leagues
Division 1. The Rattlers will act as a feeder team for F.C.New York therefore giving a direct
avenue to the Professional ranks with in the United Soccer Leagues. The PDL will provide a
proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest levels of the game, while providing
affordable family entertainment with Lancaster and the surrounding areas.
