USL Premier Development League (PDL) amateur soccer starts in Austin in May, 2008. The Austin Aztex organization have a formal partnership agreement with Stoke City FC, of the English Football League Championship.

The Austin Aztex U23 team will be taking on the PDL’s Mid South Division this season, including 2007 PDL Champions, the Laredo Heat.

2008 Mid South Division PDL Teams

	Baton Rouge Capitals Olympia Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA 7 hour drive (440 miles) from Austin Founded in 2007; placed 6th in division last season official website — Wikipedia page — USLSoccer.com page
	DFW Tornados Pennington Field, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX 3 hour drive (200 miles) from Austin Founded in 1986; placed 3rd in division last season official website — Wikipedia page — USLSoccer.com page
	El Paso Patriots Patriot Stadium, El Paso, TX 8 hour drive (570 miles) from Austin Founded in 1989; placed 2nd in division last season official website — Wikipedia page — USLSoccer.com page
	Houston Leones Soccer World Center, Richmond, TX 2.5 hour drive (150 miles) from Austin Founded in 2008 official website — Wikipedia page — USLSoccer.com page
	Laredo Heat Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX 3.5 hour drive (235 miles) from Austin Founded in 2004; placed 1st in division, PDL champions last season official website — Wikipedia page — USLSoccer.com page
	Mississippi Brilla Robert P. Longabaugh Field, Clinton, MS 8.5 hour drive (580 miles) from Austin Founded in 2006; placed 4th in division last season official website — Wikipedia page — USLSoccer.com page
	New Orleans Shell Shockers Pan American Stadium in City Park, New Orleans, LA 8 hour drive (510 miles) from Austin Founded in 2003; placed 5th in division last season official website — Wikipedia page — USLSoccer.com page

About the USL Premier Development League

The top U23 men’s amateur league in North America lives in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the development ground for elite players. The 2008 campaign features a 67-team format within four conferences, consisting of 16 regular season matches, 8 home and 8 away.

The schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and various exhibitions. Players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest-levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment within their city. (from USLsoccer.com)