BYU Plays First PDL Home Games This Weekend
Jarom Jordan
jarom.jordan@byu.edu
Brady Marshall, Toni Niccoli and the Cougars look to win this weekend at home. (BYU Photo)
Click Here for the PDF Game Notes
PROVO, Utah (May 18, 2010) -- Following a 2-2 tie in front of 3,500 fans in Provo last Wednesday against the U21 Mexican national team, BYU will play its first Premier Development League home games this weekend. Friday, May 21 the Cougars host the Los Angeles Legends and the Lancaster Rattlers on Saturday, May 22. Both games start at 8 p.m. MT and both will air live on BYUtv and www.byu.tv
"We know L.A. is a great team," said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. "They were the better team last year. We're excited to have them at home. We'll see how the chips fall. We're lucking we tied (Lancaster) at home last year. They are a good team. Like every team in our league, they are certainly good enough to beat us. We've got to come ready to go."
"We have to win (this weekend)," said freshman midfielder, Kip Critchlow. "We're in a good spot right now. These are must win games. We've got to come out and play well."
BYU is 0-0-1 after tying Orange County in the Cougars only PDL game of the season so far.
This is only the second meeting between the Los Angeles and Brigham Young. May 16, 2009 the Legends defeated the Cougars at Ayala Stadium Field. Sean Alvarado ('7) and Skyler Thuresson ('38) scored for LA.
The Legends have played four home games to start the year, going 1-2-1. LA tied Orange County 2-2, lost to Southern California 1-0, tied Fresno 2-2, and beat 2009 Southwest Division runner-up, Hollywood 3-0.
Lancaster is 0-1-2 after a 5-0 loss to the PDL Champion, Ventury County Fusion and ties with Hollywood (2-2) and Orange County (1-1). All three games were at home. BYU is 1-0-1 against the Rattlers after winning 1-0 on the road and tying 3-3 at home in 2009.
PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
After winning seven club national championships, Brigham Young University joined the Premier Development League in 2003. The Cougars reached the elite eight in 2006 and 2007. The PDL is the top U23 men’s league in North America and features 68 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada. The PDL season consists of 16 regular season matches for each team, eight home and eight away. The PDL provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. BYU is the first and only university to own a franchise in the PDL. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League has proven to be an important stepping stone for top professionals now playing around the world.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS ONLINE
Check out the Cougars on twitter at www.twitter.com/byusoccer or on the official website at :www.byusoccer.com.
QUICK FACTS
Who: BYU Cougars vs. Los Angeles Legends
When: Friday, May 21 at 8 p.m.
Where: Provo, UT (The Stadium at South Field)
Broadcast Info: BYUtv or www.byu.tv
Who: BYU Cougars vs. Lancaster Rattlers
When: Saturday, May 22 at 8 p.m.
Where: Provo, UT (The Stadium at South Field)
Broadcast Info: BYUtv or www.byu.tv
