Would love to see a PDL or Second Division Team in Baltimore. Problem is I don't know if there is a strong group out there that could effectively organize and run a team. Facilities may be an issue as well. I was thinking maybe Ripken Stadium up in Aberdeen, but I'm not sure if it could support soccer or if that is too far away for a team to make a go of it.

A game between the Maryland College All-Stars and Harrisburg City Islanders had a good draw for not being very well advertised. I believe there were about 2500 fans in attendance. This match was held at Harford Community College in Bel Air, MD last spring. Baltimore could do well considering the Baltimroe Blast MISL team averages over 7K a game. The problem is that there is no owner in this area and there will not be any time soon. I have worked with a couple prospective owners and all have shown they are only in it to make monster money.

Unless Ed Hale, owner of the Baltimore Blast and 1st Marineer Bank, decides to run a team, don't ever plan on Baltimore joining the USL at any level.

What Billy B said. He hit the nail right on the head.

From the Crystal Palace website:

This is a link to the complete article (registration required).

I'm not sure to which division the "top of the pyramid" translates, but my guess if it's top of an academy, it would be PDL, but who knows, maybe they are interested in a professional side too.

Here's the article from the USL site. Yes, it is the PDL.

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/131471.html

This is a nice move...one that I'd expect to see duplicated by other non American clubs in the next few years. With clubs like Crystal Palace comming into the PDL it only helps to give even more credability to the PDL & USL.

Wow.

As a native Baltimoran and Marylander, I am trhilled to hear this news. I am looking forward to supporting the club.

This is a very pleasant surprise...

I have a feeling that this is a sign of things to come....

European clubs are constantly looking for additional ways to grow their fanbase and, at the end of the day, make money. I think this is an excellent way to do that...

HOWEVER....I don't think I necessarily want to see the USA turn into Europe's AAA system (if I may use a baseball term). Where it's just "Watford USA vs. Leeds United USA" games everywhere.

If this helps the popularity of American soccer, that's always a plus...but at the same time, I'd like to see us do it largely on our own. A few teams like this will certainly be a plus, but I just hope it's not something we see all the time...I'd like to see the USA develop it's own history and legacy.

Interesting... I will support them as long as I'm in the Baltimore area. It seems they will be playing in the same area are the Chesapeake Dragons... and we saw how that all worked out.

Just FYI...

Crystal Palace USA website