1999 PDL season


The 1999 USL Premier Development League season was the 5th PDL season. The season began in April 1999 and ended in August 1999.
Chicago Sockers finished the season as national champions, beating Spokane Shadow 3-1 in the PDL Championship game. Jackson Chargers had finished with the best regular season record in the league, winning 14 out of their 16 games, suffering just two losses, and finishing with a +55 goal difference.

Changes from 1998 season

Name changes

18 teams were added for the season, including 7 expansion teams and four who had returned from hiatus.
TeamAreaLocationPrevious affiliation
Brooklyn KnightsBrooklyn areaBrooklyn, NYexpansion
Capital District ShockersNew York Capital District areaAlbany, NYfrom D-3 Pro League
Central Jersey RiptideCentral Jersey areaTrenton, NJfrom D-3 Pro League
Chicago SockersChicago areaChicago, ILfrom D-3 Pro League
Clarksville GunnersClarksville areaClarksville, TNexpansion
Lexington Bluegrass BanditsLexington areaLexington, KYreturned from hiatus
Miami BreakersMiami areaMiami, FLfrom D-3 Pro League
Nevada ZephyrsLas Vegas areaLas Vegas, NVexpansion
New York FreedomNew York City areaNew York, NYexpansion
Orlando NighthawksCentral Florida areaOrlando, FLfrom D-3 Pro League
Rockford RaptorsRockford areaRockford, ILfrom D-3 Pro League
San Fernando Valley HeroesLos Angeles areaLos Angeles, CAfrom D-3 Pro League
Team St. LouisSt. Louis areaSt. Louis, MOexpansion
Tucson AmigosTucson areaTucson, AZreturned from hiatus
Vermont VoltageVermont areaSt. Albans, VTfrom D-3 Pro League
Westchester FlamesSuburban Mainland New York areaNew Rochelle, NYexpansion
Wichita BlueWichita areaWichita, KSreturned from hiatus
Willamette Valley FirebirdsPortland areaPortland, ORreturned from hiatus

Teams leaving

5 teams folded after the 1998 Season:
Alabama Saints and South Florida Future went on hiatus for this season.
Okanagan Valley Challenge and Victoria Umbro Select returned to the PCSL, ending their associate membership. Abbotsford Athletes In Action and Seattle Hibernian retained their membership.

Standings

Central Conference

Great Lakes Division

Heartland Division

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

Southeast Division

Western Conference

Northwest Division

Southwest Division

Playoffs

Spokane hosted the Finals and received a bye to the National Semi-Finals.