TAMPA, Fla. – The PDL announced Thursday it has awarded a new franchise in Tennessee, the Tri-Cities FC Otters, which joins the league for the 2016 season. The team’s unveiling took place Thursday night at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City, Tenn.
“We’re thrilled that the PDL is returning to the Tennessee region, which is the type of market where a community can really embrace a PDL team,” PDL Director Todd Eason said. “A number of USL and MLS players have played in our league in this state, and there is some strong amateur talent here looking to develop into professional players. We look forward to a longstanding relationship with Tri-Cities FC as the organization prepares for its inaugural PDL season.”

The Tri-Cities region incorporates Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol, in the northeast corridor of Tennessee.

Tri-Cities FC Owner Michael Balluff and Head Coach David Strickland announced the Otters organization, which will play in the South Atlantic Division.

“The Otters will make an immediate impact on the Tri-Cities in many ways,” Balluff said. “The Otters will be in a developmental level at the top of the soccer league, which gives kids athletes to see as role models. On another level, the team will provide a fan-friendly form of entertainment in our community and will be a nice addition to Johnson City.”

The team will play its home games at Kermit-Tipton Stadium from May to July.

“On a regional and national level, the team will represent the community positively on and off the field,” Balluff said. “We are predicting a large impact as fans from throughout the region will travel to see our regular-season matches as well as exhibition matches. The city and businesses of the area will gain economic growth from the Otters.”

The highest level of amateur soccer in North America, the PDL has a history dating back more than two decades that has helped top-level players rise to the professional ranks. Among the PDL’s alumni are players such as U.S. Men’s National Team members Brad Guzan, DeAndre Yedlin, Gyasi Zardes and Geoff Cameron. More than 200 PDL alumni competed in the 2015 Major League Soccer season, with another group of league alumni set to begin their professional paths following the 2016 MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore, Md.

The PDL has provided  a major development platform for future professional players, with 12 of the league’s current membership being owned and operated by an MLS or USL club, or holding a partnership with an MLS or USL club. Seventy percent of the players selected in the MLS SuperDraft over the past seven years are PDL alumni, while Homegrown Players such as Gyasi Zardes, Harry Shipp, Darwin Jones and Jay Chapman also competed in the league on their path to the professional ranks.

The PDL has received strong support from both Major League Soccer and the USL as it provides a proven pathway to the professional ranks for top college-aged players in North America.