Myrtle Beach Mutiny Join PDL, Strengthen Carolina Contingent
November 29, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The Myrtle Beach Mutiny become the third expansion club based in the Carolinas to join the Premier Development League ahead of the 2017 season.
Founded in 2011 and owned by Coast Futbol Alliance, the Mutiny join the league alongside Tobacco Road FC and Wilmington Hammerheads FC, who have both been announced as expansion franchises.
Myrtle Beach Joins PDL in 2017
"The PDL strives to add the highest performers both on and off the field, and so we are thrilled to have the Myrtle Beach Mutiny join the league, as they will provide a quality development platform for top-caliber, college-aged players in an attractive city," PDL Director Todd Eason said. "As a league that provides opportunities for franchises to grow and improve, we are excited to help the Mutiny achieve their goals."
With the additions of the Mutiny, Hammerheads and Tobacco Road, six PDL franchises based in the Carolinas - including the Charlotte Eagles, Carolina Dynamo and SC United Bantams - are set to compete in the 2017 PDL regular season.
Kyle Russell and Ross Morgan will lead the Mutiny for a second consecutive year. Russell is the Associate Head Coach at Coastal Carolina University, while Morgan has a UEFA A license and is the current Director of Coaching for Coast FA.
"Making the move to the PDL was a difficult decision but one that is very exciting," Coast FA Executive Director Heyward Gulledge said. "We feel that there will be natural rivalries from day one due to the number of PDL teams from the Carolinas. We will see current college teammates become adversaries for the summer months when they put on a kit from Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Charlotte or Greensboro. Our roster will include collegiate players, international players and a handful of our most talented U-19 and U-18 players from Coast FA. We are looking forward to a fantastic first season in the PDL."
To learn more about the Mutiny, visit mbmutiny.com and follow the club on Twitter and Facebook.
For more than two decades, the PDL has served as a major development platform for high-caliber players looking to rise to the professional ranks. Currently, 12 PDL franchises, including Nashville SC U23, Sounders FC U23 and New York Red Bulls U23, are owned and operated by an MLS or USL club, or holding a partnership with an MLS or USL club.
Among the PDL alumni include 2016 Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year Jordan Morris and 2016 MLS Defender of the Year Matt Hedges, as well as U.S. Men's National Team members DeAndre Yedlin, Brad Guzan, Sacha Kljestan, Darlington Nagbe, Perry Kitchen, Steve Birnbaum and Geoff Cameron.
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PDL
The proven developmental leader in North American soccer's evolving tiered structure, the 2016 PDL season featured 67 teams within four conferences throughout the United States and Canada. Twelve of the PDL's current members are owned and operated by a Major League Soccer or United Soccer League club. 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 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.
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- Myrtle Beach Mutiny Join PDL, Strengthen Carolina Contingent - USL
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