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Richmond Kickers Beat Wilmington Hammerheads In Shootout
Richmond's Pascale makes crucial save in fifth round

Wilmington Hammerheads News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com

Harrisburg City Islanders Advance Past LA Blues
Welker scores twice in 3-2 victory in Division Semifinal

Harrisburg City Islanders News Release -- www.cityislanders.com

Rochester Rhinos Sweep Into Division Final
Kissi has goal, assist in 4-0 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com

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Orlando Advances Past Charleston
Overtime goals by Chin, Neal send Lions into Division Final

http://www.uslsoccer.com/scripts/run...+32669299+7657

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USL PRO Division Finals Set
Top seeds move on to host American, National Division Finals

Friday, August 26, 2011
NATIONAL DIVISION FINAL
Rochester Rhinos vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
7:30 p.m.
Sahlen’s Stadium, Rochester, N.Y.

Saturday, August 27, 2011
AMERICAN DIVISION FINAL
Orlando City vs. Richmond Kickers
7:30 p.m.
Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.



http://www.usllive.com/

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Orlando, Harrisburg To Meet For Title

USL PRO Championship to be decided on FOX Soccer

TAMPA, Fla. – Orlando City will face the Harrisburg City Islanders for the USL PRO Championship after both sides advanced from their respective division finals this weekend. The Lions will host the contest at the Florida Citrus Bowl on Saturday night, with the game set to be aired by FOX Soccer at 7 p.m. EDT.

The City Islanders were the first side to book their place in the championship game with a 2-1 victory against the Rochester Rhinos in the National Division Final on Friday night at Sahlen’s Stadium. In a hard-fought affair, first-half goals by Stephen Basso and David Schofield were enough for Harrisburg to advance to its first USL championship game since 2007, their only prior trip to a title game.

The City Islanders won that contest in a penalty shootout, 8-7 against the Richmond Kickers after the two teams had played to a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime.

The Lions reached the championship game with a 3-0 victory against the Kickers in the American Division Final on Saturday night in front of an electric crowd of 8,304 fans at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Luke Boden and Jerome Mecheck each scored in the first half for Orlando, which will be making its first appearance in a USL championship game.

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/556865.html

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USL PRO All-League Teams Announced
Orlando City leads the pack with six honorees


TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO honored the top performers from an exciting and successful 2011 regular season today, naming the All-League First and Second Teams as chosen through a vote of team management.

The finalists for Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced on Wednesday, August 31, with the awards being presented at the USL PRO Championship Media Luncheon on Friday, September 2 in Orlando.


2011 USL PRO All-League First Team
GK – Miguel Gallardo, Orlando City
D – Nelson Akwari, Los Angeles Blues
D – Gareth Evans, Wilmington Hammerheads
D – Rob Valentino, Orlando City
D – William Yomby, Richmond Kickers
MF – Yordany Alvarez, Orlando City
MF – Jorge Herrera, Charlotte Eagles
MF – Luke Mulholland, Wilmington Hammerheads
F – Jhonny Arteaga, F.C. New York
F – Matt Delicâte, Richmond Kickers
F – Maxwell Griffin, Orlando City

2011 USL PRO All-League Second Team
GK – Neal Kitson, Rochester Rhinos
D – George Dublin, Antigua Barracuda
D – Colin Falvey, Charleston Battery
D – Kyle Hoffer, F.C. New York
D – Troy Roberts, Rochester Rhinos
MF – Lewis Neal, Orlando City
MF – Lawson Robinson, Antigua Barracuda
MF – Jamie Watson, Orlando City
F – Jose Angulo, Harrisburg City Islanders
F – George Davis IV, Dayton Dutch Lions
F – Jason Yeisley, Pittsburgh Riverhounds

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/557472.html

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USL PRO Combine Heads to Florida
Sixth Edition to be presented by Umbro in Bradenton, Florida


TAMPA, Fla. – The 2012 USL PRO Combine is set for January 26-29, 2012 at the internationally recognized IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida. The USL PRO Combine provides an opportunity for elite men’s soccer players to showcase their talents for both domestic and international scouts and professional coaches.

The annual event, now in its sixth year, will feature 102 of the top players from North America and abroad hoping to land a professional contract. To date, nearly 150 participants (including 20 from 2011) have gone on to sign professional contracts with USL, MLS and international squads since the debut of the combine in 2006. The event attracts the top talent from throughout North America, with a majority of the participants coming from the USL PDL, North America’s leading developmental league for men’s professional soccer.

The USL PRO Combine will once again be led by USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor, who will oversee a comprehensive curriculum that challenges participants while providing coaches with the proper environment for evaluation. Coaches expected to participate in the event will include MLS staff coaches and several current PDL head coaches.

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/572481.html

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Orlando City Returns To Disney
Sporting KC also to compete at 2012 Soccer Classic


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Major League Soccer Eastern Conference top seed Sporting Kansas City and USL PRO champions Orlando City Soccer are among the first teams to enter the 2012 Disney Pro Soccer Classic at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

Sporting KC, which plays the Colorado Rapids Nov. 2 for a spot in the MLS Eastern Conference Championship, has been the Cinderella team of Major League Soccer this season with their worst-to-first run. Sporting KC is arguably the hottest team in MLS today and anchors what is expected to be another strong Disney Pro Soccer Classic field, Feb. 24-March 3, at Disney.

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/575837.html

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Texas Dutch Lions Join USL PDL
Will add W-League franchise in 2013


TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced today that Texas Dutch Lions FC will join the PDL for the 2012 season and will operate a team in the W-League starting in 2013. The club is an affiliate partner of FC Twente, a former winner of the Dutch Premier League and KNVB Cup, and the Dutch Lions FC, who operate teams in USL PRO and the W-League as well as a youth academy in Dayton, Ohio. It is also the intent of the organization to acquire a USL PRO team to begin competition as early as the 2013 season.

“We expect the Texas Dutch Lions will prove to be a model organization for USL” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “By establishing both PDL and W-League teams, the Texas Dutch Lions will give every youth soccer player in North Houston something to aspire to by offering an opportunity to play at the next level.”

The club intends to develop top-level PDL and W-League teams while providing youth players from the North Houston communities of The Woodlands and Conroe with the opportunity to develop in a professional environment.

The Texas Dutch Lions will also operate the Dutch Lions FC youth development program in Texas, based on the Dutch youth development philosophy promoted by FC Twente. The FC Twente youth academy was voted best academy in Holland in 2007 and 2008, while the professional club captured the Dutch Premier League title in 2010 and the KNVB Cup in 2011.

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/580298.html

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Riverhounds Announce Stadium Plans
Soccer-specific $7.5 million stadium opening this summer


USL News Release

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL PRO announced today they will join forces with Highmark and West Penn Allegheny Health System to play a key role in the construction of a $7.5 million stadium to serve as a home field for the franchise. The stadium will be constructed in Station Square, Pittsburgh’s preeminent mixed-use entertainment complex, with a completion date set for summer 2012.

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/589757.html

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USL PRO 2012 Schedule Released
League alignment, playoff format also announced


USL News Release

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO announced its 2012 regular season alignment and schedule Wednesday, with the 132-game regular season slated to kick off on Friday, April 6. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Antigua Barracuda will officially get the season underway at Sticky Wicket Stadium on April 6, and also highlighting the kickoff weekend is the opener for 2011 USL PRO champion Orlando City, which visits the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, April 7.

SCHEDULE
http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/schedules/index_E.html

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USL PRO Combine Players Announced
Opening 97 players selected to attend at IMG Academies


Thursday, January 19, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced today the first 97 players who have had their applications accepted for the USL PRO Combine, scheduled for January 26-29 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Among the players who will get the opportunity to be evaluated by USL PRO clubs, and other professional clubs such as Sweden’s Malmö FF, are 58 former USL PDL players looking to make the jump to the professional ranks.

2012 USL PRO Combine Players List
http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/docs/2012%2...20INVITEES.pdf

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Orlando City Signs John Rooney
Midfielder joins Lions from New York Red Bulls


Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com

Thursday, January 26, 2012

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City announced today the signing of English midfielder John Rooney, pending USSF approval. Rooney is a versatile midfielder capable of playing multiple positions, giving the Lions additional depth to an already strong midfield corps.

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/593347.html

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Blues Announce Preseason Exhibitions
Will face Mexico U20 Team, Irapuato FC at Titan Stadium


Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.labluesprosoccer.com

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Los Angeles Blues are excited to announce they will be taking on The Mexican U-20 national team on February 25 and the stars of Mexican club Irapuato FC on March 10. Both high-profile international exhibition matches will be played at the Blues’ home, Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium, and are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. PT.

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/596717.html

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Orlando Earns Draw With Union
Griffin's late goal results in 1-1 draw to open preseason


Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com

Saturday, February 18, 2012

ORLANDO, Fla. - “Our Hearts Beat Red,” the slogan for Orlando City's first official preseason match, was certainly a fitting name for a game that had the entire crowd’s heart pounding at the end as the Lions earned a 1-1 draw against Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union. Max Griffin scored the tying goal in added time in front of 5,963 City fans, starting out Orlando’s preseason on a positive note.

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/599789.html