The 2001 USL Premier Development League season was the 7th PDL season. The season began in April 2001 and ended in August 2001.
Westchester Flames finished the season as national champions, beating Calgary Storm 3–1 in the PDL Championship game. Calgary Storm finished with the best regular season record in the league, winning 18 out of their 20 games, suffering no losses, and finishing with a +38 goal difference.
Changes from the 2000 season Name changes The Colorado Comets changed their name to the Denver Cougars. The Colorado Springs Stampede changed their name to the Colorado Springs Ascent The Dayton Gems changed their name to the Dayton Gemini. The Miami Tango changed their name to the Miami Strike Force. The Texas Rattlers (formerly of the USISL D-3 Pro League) changed their name to the Texas Spurs. The Twin Cities Tornado changed their name to the Twin Cities Phoenix.
New teams 11 teams were added for the season, including 8 expansion teams: Team name Metro area Location Previous affiliation Calgary StormCalgary areaCalgary, ABexpansion Cape Cod CrusadersCape Cod areaHyannis, MAfrom USISL D-3 Pro League Chesapeake DragonsBaltimore-Washington areaGermantown, MDexpansion Chicago Eagles SelectChicago areaChicago, ILexpansion Chicago Fire ReservesChicago areaChicago, ILexpansion Jersey FalconsNorth Jersey areaJersey City, NJexpansion Okanagan PredatorsOkanagan Valley areaKelowna, BCexpansion Orange County Blue StarOrange County areaIrvine, CAfrom A-League Southern California SeahorsesLos Angeles Metro areaLa Mirada, CAexpansion Texas SpursDallas-Fort Worth areaBedford, TXfrom USISL D-3 Pro League West Dallas KingsDallas-Fort Worth areaDallas, TXexpansion
Went on hiatus The Wisconsin Rebels went on hiatus for the season, and would return in 2002.
Folded 11 teams folded before the season: Abbotsford 86ers Select Alabama Saints Broward County Wolfpack Central Jersey Riptide Chicago Sockers Lexington Bluegrass Bandits Nevada Zephyrs New Brunswick Brigade Rockford Raptors South Florida Future Willamette Valley Firebirds
Standings LegendDivision champion Team qualified for playoff berth
Central Conference Great Lakes Division
Heartland Division
Mid-South Division
Eastern Conference Northeast Division
Southeast Division
Western Conference Rocky Mountain Division
Northwest Division
Southwest Division
Playoffs
Third place game United Soccer Leagues (RSSSF)
Conference semifinals
Conference Finals
National Semifinals
Third Place Match
PDL Championship Game
Championship MVP: Evaud Thompson Westchester Flames
Awards Year End Awards Scoring Champion: Beau Brown (Lafayette Lightning) 46 Points (21 Goals, 4 Assists) Golden Boot: Beau Brown (Lafayette Lightning) (21 Goals) Assists Champion: Chris Veselka (Lafayette Lightning) (13 Assists) GAA Champion: Lars Hirschfeld (Calgary Storm) 0.46 GAA MVP: Beau Brown (Lafayette Lightning) Rookie of the Year: TJ Rolfing (Sioux Falls Spitfire) Defender of the Year: Burch Wylie (Texas Spurs) Goalkeeper of the Year: Lars Hirschfeld (Calgary Storm)Coach of the Year: Bret Hall (Chicago Fire Reserves)
All-League First Team
F: Beau Brown (LAF) (League MVP, Scoring Champion, and Golden Boot); James Farrell (VER) ; Luis González (MIA) M: Patrick Shamu (TEX); Leo Peirano (IND); TJ Rolfing (SFS) (Rookie of the Year); Mike Mariscalco (KAL) D: Burch Wylie (TEX) (Defender of the Year); Matt Bobo (CHI); Dustin Branan (TCP) G: Lars Hirschfeld (CAL) (Goalkeeper of the Year and GAA Champion) All-League Second Team
F: Paul Snape (MMB); Arshak Abyanli (SFV); Radoslav Bojovic (WES) M: Anthony Maher (WME); David Atkinson (COA); Danny Risch (CCR); Chris Veselka (LAF) (Assists Champion) D: Ryan Hammer (KAL); Roger Groome (CAS); Gary Sullivan (BRO) G: Jeff Richey (SFS)
All-Tournament Team F: Barry Lavety (DMM); Radoslav Bojovic (WES); Evaud Thompson (WES) (Championship Game MVP) M: Oliver Medina (WES); Damir Jesic (CAL); Dan Watson (SFS); Nicolas Reyes (CAL) D: Omar Chavez (WES); Jamie Auvigne (CAL); John Fosu (SFS) G: Lars Hirschfeld (CAL)
References