With the wrap up of the 2014 college season, many success stories have emerged including FC LONDON players who have made a significant impact at their U.S. colleges. Combine that with some significant announcements at the United Soccer Leagues (USL) annual general meeting, and the 2015 season is already off to a fantastic start.
As we look ahead to the 2015 season, the USL-Premier Development League (PDL), is still regarded as the top amateur league in North America with 65 teams competing for the championship title. No fewer than seven new franchises have emerged, including several who are linked directly to Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs. FC LONDON, which plays in the Great Lakes Division with the 2014 PDL champion Michigan Bucks, recruits local, national and international players annually from NAIA, NCAA, CIS and OUA university and college leagues.
FC LONDON alum James Pucci, a 5-foot-7 fan favourite, scored a staggering 27 goals in 18 games with Davis & Elkins in NCAA D-II and has been named as one of the top 10 college players who may go at the top of the MLS SuperDraft. Defender Sam Orritt, originally from Doncaster, England, picked up second team all-star honours with 10th- ranked Limestone, becoming the first player in team history to earn All-American status in consecutive seasons. Another team leader from the 2014 season, midfielder Yannis Becker, finished first in the NCAA D-II league in shots per game (85 total, 4.47 per game) and was selected to the All-South Central Region first team.
As the FC LONDON squad for 2015 is being assembled, it’s great to see that the quality fans saw on the field is some of the finest on the continent. Further, alumnus Reece Richardson, a 6-foot-7 keeper who was on the 2012 championship team, has signed a professional contract with the Michigan-based Muskegon Risers in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).
After attending the USL meetings in Clearwater, Florida, management and coaches are eyeing what should be one of the most exciting seasons for London soccer in 2015.
“We’re really excited about the year ahead, including a schedule which will see our games move to Saturday nights throughout June and July,” said FC LONDON Head Coach Martin Painter. “This will allow us to focus on interaction with youth programs throughout the region and raise the bar for soccer by creating programs where every Saturday is a soccer day capped with an FC LONDON home game.”
On the business operations side, charity events, sponsorship, staffing, venue and equipment selection are all underway as FC LONDON looks to continue its reputation as a quality entertainment option in the London sports landscape.
“This league never fails to impress, and the new affiliations with MLS teams is something that brings a new level of competition to the field,” said Ian Campbell, CEO of FC LONDON. “Between the college successes, professional signings and the continual growth of the sport across the country, it couldn’t be a better time for FC LONDON to bring top-quality soccer and sports entertainment to the city.”
— Submitted by FC LONDON
