With the 2018 PDL season just four days away, our four Games of the Week from the Eastern, Central, Southern and Western Conferences have been picked. Now you’ll have a chance to see how your predictions stand up to our PDL and Media Experts all season long, beginning with weeks one and two of PDL play!
Our Expert Picks series sees two PDL experts, a composite Media Pick made by voting from our six Media Experts and fans pick winners on four matches each week, one from each conference.
Colton Coreschi is the Coordinator of Communications and Social Media at the USL and currently covers the PDL.
Aaron Cranford is the Manager of Communications and Public Relations at the USL, has spent several years focused on the PDL and now focuses primarily on the upcoming USL Division III.
Our Media Experts consists of six members providing consistent coverage of various divisions of U.S. Soccer, who can be seen in the table below with their respective names and outlets.
Each week, one Media Expert will explain their selections. This week’s featured member is Johnny Wakefield of Soccer ‘n’ Sweet Tea.
Here’s a look at all of this week’s selections.
Match |
Fan Vote |
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Evergreen FC - 1
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#EVGVLB
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Lansing United - 2
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#LANVMIC
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FC Tucson - 2
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#TUCVABQ
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AHFC Royals - 4
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#CCVAHR
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This Week |
1-3 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 1-3 |
2018 Season |
1-3 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 1-3 |
Johnny Wakefield Managing Editor Soccer 'n' Sweet Tea |
Your locally-brewed, independent source for all things Carolina soccer, covering 12 clubs from the Appalachians to the Atlantic. |
Evergreen FC vs. Lionsbridge FC - “It’s a new year, so Evergreen FC might be able to rebound from their 1-11-2 record in 2017. But my bet is on a promising organization just outside the Carolinas in southeast Virginia to win their inaugural game in the PDL. Good luck in the South Atlantic this season, Lionsbridge FC!”
Lansing United vs. Michigan Bucks - “The Michigan Bucks are a perennial PDL powerhouse, finishing 10-1-3 and first in their division in 2017. Welcome to the league, Lansing United! Rough way to start for the newcomers. I’m picking the green-and-orange Bucks.”
AHFC Royals vs. Corpus Christi FC - “In the first true toss-up of the bunch, two 2018 expansion teams face off on the first week of the PDL season. Corpus Christi, Texas, is a better vacation spot than the AHFC Royals’ Houston, but CCFC has also been impressive in the buildup to this season, winning a preseason friendly against Houston FC 3-0. I’ll pick Corpus Christi FC in this one. Good luck to both.”
FC Tucson vs. Albuquerque Sol FC - “Last year’s records won’t necessarily tell the story in 2018, but this one seems predestined. First-place FC Tucson (9-2-3 in 2017) faces last-place Albuquerque Sol FC (2-10-2 in 2017). Arizona over New Mexico: I’m picking FC Tucson.”
In addition to our in-house PDL experts Aaron Cranford and Colton Coreschi, each match also includes a media selection. The media selection is determined by a composite vote from representatives of the six outlets which are outlined in the table below.
Name and Title |
Outlet |
Description |
|
Travis Clark Editor in Chief TopDrawerSoccer |
The number one spot for College, Youth National Team, Club and HS soccer. | ||
Kevin Johnston Managing Editor Soc Takes |
The beautiful game, minus the hot takes. Covering the game globally, including all the divisions of U.S. Soccer. | ||
Tommy Hodul Writer/Editor Midfield Press |
Bringing lower division soccer supporters news, analysis, podcasts and more. | ||
Jason Longshore Host Soccer Down Here |
Daily talk show from 9-11 a.m. ET Monday through Friday, covering soccer in the South. | ||
Jeff Organ Founder Texas Soccer Journal |
Texas Soccer Journal is a consolidated one-stop site for news and opinion about Texas soccer teams and players. | ||
Johnny Wakefield Managing Editor Soccer 'n' Sweet Tea |
Your locally-brewed, independent source for all things Carolina soccer, covering 12 clubs from the Appalachians to the Atlantic. |