MPS brings new PDL Franchise to Maine
MPS Portland Phoenix to take the field in 2010

Maine Premier Soccer is pleased to officially announce that they will join the United Soccer Leagues PDL for the 2010 season. As part of Maine Premier Soccer, the PDL franchise will take the field under the MPS Portland Phoenix moniker and will be coached by General Manager, and former Cape Cod Crusaders PDL Head Coach, Paul Baber.

“We are excited to enter a new chapter of PDL existence with the new franchise in Maine and the expansion of the MPS Portland Phoenix brand,” said Maine Premier Soccer General Manager Paul Baber. “We will look to build upon MPS’s previous history of excellence in the PDL as we take the field in 2010.”

The MPS PDL franchise has also established itself as one of the leading clubs for moving players into the professional ranks of USL, MLS and many countries across Europe. In recent years, players who represented MPS at the PDL level include Troy Perkins (former MLS All-Star), Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe United, England), Dan Stratford (Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Scotland) and Joseph Ngwenya (former MLS Cup winner).

“As a PDL franchise, we have become a conveyor belt for players graduating from the collegiate ranks into professional teams both in the US and abroad,” said Baber. “The MPS Portland Phoenix will look to identify the best local talent and couple them with standout players from across the nation as we look to achieve success on the field right from the offset.”

MPS Portland Phoenix has established itself as a leading club in the USL Super-Y League within its first year of existence. In 2009, the U15 and U17 boy’s teams qualified for the National Finals to be held later this month in Tampa, FL. In the recent USL club rankings, the Phoenix was placed 11th in the nation. On the women’s side, the club are pleased to confirm the launch of a U20 team, competing in the Super 20 League, giving the girls side of the program a full pathway.

“The PDL franchise is the top layer of our club pyramid as we look to provide a clear pathway to players to move through our development system,” said Baber. “We look forward to the next chapter of success as we welcome interested players into tryouts in preparation for 2010.”

At this exciting time the club is also seeking to recruit the next batch of elite youth players. Super Y try-outs for the U13 – U18 teams take place on Saturday November 14th at Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland. There is also a make up try-out on Monday November 16th at Deering HS. For further information visit www.mainepremiersoccer.com or call Premier Teams Director Ally Bain on (207) 878-5780.

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Robbie Forsyth
Academy Director
MPS Portland Phoenix

Office: (207) 878-5780
Cell: (207) 632-5563
www.mainepremiersoccer.com
rforsyth@mainepremiersoccer.com

Portland Sports Complex
512 Warren Ave
Portland
04103

MPS Portland Phoenix Announce 2010 PDL & Women’s Super 20 Tryouts
PDL franchise will act as reserve program for Tampa Bay Rowdies

Portland, 3nd February 2010; The MPS Portland Phoenix is delighted to announce that they will hold tryouts for the inaugural season of the PDL men’s team from 3.30 - 6.00pm on Saturday March 20th at Memorial Stadium (Deering HS, Portland).

The PDL franchise will act as a true reserve program for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a professional team from the newly formed NASL.

“We are very excited about entering a new chapter at the MPS Portland Phoenix as we plan our assault on the PDL in 2010,” said Maine Premier Soccer General Manager Paul Baber. “During the tryout period, we will be looking for players who can not only compete for the MPS Portland Phoenix, but who also show the potential to move on to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.”

The MPS Portland Phoenix will be led by former MPS Cape Cod Crusaders Head Coach Paul Baber who was part of the coaching staff who won back to back PDL National Championships in 2003 and 2004.

To register for the PDL Tryouts, please visit www.mainepremiersoccer.com click on the PDL tryout tab (left). Players must register prior to March 1st, with those players accepted for tryout being notified by March 8th.

On the female side the club are also pleased to announce a new first team. MPS Portland Phoenix U20W will compete in the New England Division of the USL Super 20 League.

The Women’s Super 20 Tryouts take place on February 20th, 2:30 – 4pm at Portland Sports Complex. To register please contact abain@mainepremiersoccer.com with your name, contact details and playing experience.

For more information on the MPS Portland Phoenix, please contact Paul Baber on (207) 878-5780 or pbaber@mainepremiersoccer.com.