2009 PDL season

The 2009 USL Premier Development League season was the 15th season of the PDL. The regular season began on May 1, 2009, and ended on July 19, 2009. The league consisted of 68 teams across eight divisions with the elimination of the Midwest and New England divisions. The PDL Championship Game was held on August 8, 2009, and was broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel in the United States.
Ventura County Fusion finished the season as national champions, beating Chicago Fire Premier 2–1 in the PDL Championship game in Ventura, California on August 8, 2009.
Reading Rage finished with the best regular season record in the league, winning 13 out of their 16 games, suffering just one loss, and finishing with a +41 goal difference.
Reading Rage striker Aaron Wheeler was the league's top scorer and MVP, knocking in 17 goals, while his teammate Jon Ports led the league with 10 assists. Mississippi Brilla goalkeeper Josh Pantazelos enjoyed the best goalkeeping statistics, with a goals against average of 0.615 on the season, including 8 shutouts.

Changes From 2008

Name Changes

Cary Railhawks U23's changed their name to the Cary Clarets to reflect their new association with English Championship team Burnley.
New Orleans Shell Shockers rebranded themselves as the New Orleans Jesters, having terminated their sponsorship deal with the Shell Oil Company.

New Franchises

Eleven franchises have been announced as joining the league this year:

Team name

Metro area

Location

Previous affiliation

On hiatus

One team went on hiatus due to home stadium renovations:
*Vermont Voltage – St. Albans, Vermont

Folding

Nine teams have been announced as leaving the league prior to the beginning of the season:
*Atlanta Silverbacks U23's – Chamblee, Georgia
*Cape Cod Crusaders – Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
*Colorado Rapids U23's – Boulder, Colorado
*Palm Beach Pumas – Wellington, Florida
*Richmond Kickers Future – Richmond, Virginia
*San Fernando Valley Quakes – Woodland Hills, California
*San Francisco Seals – San Francisco, California
*San Jose Frogs – San Jose, California
*West Michigan Edge – Kentwood, Michigan

Standings

In 2009, there was a more balanced 8 divisions. The top 3 from each division qualified for the play-offs, with the division champion receiving a bye through the first round.

Legend

Team won the Division Title

Team qualified for playoff berth

Central Conference

Great Lakes Division

Heartland Division

Eastern Conference

Mid Atlantic Division

Northeast Division

Southern Conference

Mid South Division

''Note: Austin finish in third place as a result of winning the head-to-head season series 2–0–1 against El Paso.''

Southeast Division

Western Conference

Northwest Division

Southwest Division

Playoffs

Format

The top three teams from each division earn playoff bids. The division champion earns a bye to the Division Finals and the rights to host. The second place team will host the third place team in the Division Semifinals either at their home field or at the division champion's field. The two notable exceptions were the Chicago Fire Premier hosting Forest City London in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Ventura County Fusion hosting the Los Angeles Legends, despite Los Angeles having the higher seed.

Divisional Semifinals

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Divisional Finals

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Conference Finals

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PDL Semifinals

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Award Winners and Finalists

The awards finalists, Goalkeeper of the Year, and All-League teams were announced on August 4, 2009, with the winners announced on August 6.

Most Valuable Player

U19 Player of the Year

Defender of the Year

Goalkeeper of the Year

Jimmy Maurer, Chicago Fire Premier

Coach of the Year

All-League and All-Conference Teams

Central Conference

F: Andre Akpan, CHI; Teal Bunbury, ROC; Tom Oatley*, KAL
M: Dave Hertel*, MIC; Nolan Intermoia, TB; Brad Stisser, COL
D: Anthony Di Biase, LON; Bonivenger Misiko*, FW; Wilson Neto, TB; Brian Wurst, KC
G: Jimmy Maurer*, CHI
Honorable Mention: Justin Ferguson, D, SPR; Saidi Isaac, F, IND; David Mueller, D, SL; Armin Mujdzic, F, DM; Yoram Mwila, M, CLE; Kyle Segebart, D, CIN; Jordan Webb, M, TOR

Eastern Conference

F: Cody Arnoux, CAR; Adam Arthur, WV; Aaron Wheeler*, REA
M: Will Beague*, OTT; Adam Gazda, REA; Zach Loyd, CAR
D: Brien Chamney, OTT; Christian Ibeagha*, CRY; Rich Martinez, LI; Sheanon Williams, CAR
G: Tunde Ogunbiyi, OCC
Honorable Mention: Frank Alesci, M, BRK; Zachary Carr, G, NJ; Kevon Harris, M, HR; Sean Kelley, G, NV; Michael Konicoff, M, WCH; Jerrod Laventure, F, NWK; Ken Manaham, G, FRB; Matthew Marcin, M, RI; Timothy Murray, G, NH; Ian Stowe, M, VIR

Southern Conference

F: Zak Boggs, BRD; Salvador Luna, RGV; Debola Ogunseye*, MIS
M: Danny Galvan, LAR;Greg Mulamba, LAR; Gary Stopforth, NO
D: Jamie Cunningham, AUS; Dwyane Demmin, MIS; Thomas Wharf, PAN; Chris Williams*, NO
G: Ryan Cooper, LAR
Honorable Mention: Jay Ambrosy, M, HOU; Lief Craddock, G, WTU; Janrai Gravely, G, DFW; Tommy Krizanovic, F, CF; Wilfrid Loizeau, M, ATL; Felipe Lowall, M, BR; Ryan McDonald, D, NAS; Jorge Muniz, G, EP

Western Conference

F: Rory Agu, TAC; Brent Whitfield, LA; Ryan Youngblood, POR
M: Ely Allen, SEA; Tomislav Colic, SC; Michael Farfan, LA; Armando Ochoa*, HU
D: Nick Cardenas, OGD; Mark Lee, KIT; Dan Scott*, SEA
G: Dustyn Brim, KIT
Honorable Mention: Richie Bindrup, M, BYU; Zach Brunner, G, LAN; Jason Devinish, M, VIC; Gagandeep Dosanjh, M, VAN; Eddie Gutierrez, M, FRE; Anthony Hamilton, F, VEN; Jacob Hustedt, M, BAK; Kristjan Johannson, G, ABB; Kristopher Minton, G, ORC; Vinicius Oliveira, F, YAK; John Prugh, F, SPO; Steve Reese, G, CSC
* ''denotes All-League selection''