The 2002 USL Premier Development League season was the 8th PDL season. The season began in April 2002 and ended in August 2002.
Cape Cod Crusaders finished the season as national champions, beating Boulder Rapids Reserve 2–1 in the PDL Championship game. Des Moines Menace finished with the best regular season record in the league, winning 15 out of their 18 games, suffering no losses, and finishing with a +49 goal difference.
Changes from 2001 Name changes Boulder Nova became Boulder Rapids Reserve Lafayette Lightning became Austin Lightning San Fernando Valley Heroes became Los Angeles Heroes
New franchises Twelve teams joined the league this year, including eight brand new franchises: Team name Metro area Location Previous affiliation Calgary Storm Select Calgary area Calgary, Alberta expansion Chico Rooks northern Sacramento Valley area Chico, CA previously in D3 Pro Houston Toros Houston area Houston, TX expansion Memphis Express Memphis area Memphis, TN expansion Nashville Metros Nashville area Nashville, TN previously in A-League Raleigh CASL Elite Raleigh area Cary, NC expansion Rhode Island Stingrays Providence area East Providence, RI previously in D3 Pro Richmond Kickers Future Richmond area Richmond, VA expansion Santa Barbara Sharks Santa Barbara area Santa Barbara, CA expansion Williamsburg Legacy Williamsburg area Williamsburg, VA expansion Wisconsin Rebels Fox River Valley area Menasha, WI returned from hiatus Worcester Kings Worcester area Worcester, MA expansion
Promoted The Calgary Storm were promoted to the A-League. The New York Freedom and Westchester Flames were promoted to USL Pro Select.
Folding Eight teams left the league prior to the beginning of the season: Colorado Springs Ascent - Colorado Springs, Colorado Miami Strike Force - Miami, Florida North Jersey Imperials - Paramus, New Jersey Okanagan Predators - Kelowna, British Columbia San Gabriel Valley Highlanders - Glendale, California Twin Cities Phoenix - Edina, Minnesota West Dallas Kings - Dallas, Texas Wichita Jets - Wichita, Kansas
Standings LegendDivision champion Team qualified for playoff berthTeam folded during the season
Central Conference Great Lakes Division
Heartland Division
Eastern Conference Mid Atlantic Division
Northeast Division
Southern Conference Mid South Division
Southeast Division
Western Conference Northwest Division
Southwest Division
Playoffs United Soccer Leagues (RSSSF)
Conference semifinals
Conference Finals
National Semifinals
PDL Championship Game
References