DFW Tornados

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The DFW Tornados Congratulate
Jay Needham and Daniel Woolard!!

The DFW Tornados Semi-Professional men’s PDL team sent 7 players to the United Soccer League (USL) Professional Combine. The Tornados had the most players invited to the combine of any of the 62 Premier Development League (PDL) teams in North America!

Head Coach Paul Robinson and owner Jim Mertz are very excited that the Tornados are able to provide the opportunity for their players to play professional soccer.

Jay Needham and Daniel Woolard are two of our players who took advantage of this opportunity. Both are heading to Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. Needham has been drafted by D.C. United and Woolard has been drafted by Chicago Fire.

DFW Tornados —SMU defender JAY NEEDHAM (Ft. Worth, Texas) was selected sixth in the third round of the 2007 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, which was held Friday in Indianapolis, Indiana. DC United selected Needham, who was the 32nd pick overall.

DFW Tornados — MSU defender DANIEL WOOLARD (Bedford, Texas) has been selected 47th in the 2007 Major League supplemental Soccer Draft.

	DFW Tornados Men's PDL Tryouts Begin March 2007!!

	The DFW Tornados Semi-Professional outdoor team plays in The Premier Development League (PDL). The PDL, which is part of the United Soccer League (USL), is the top U23 men’s amateur league in North America. The League is designed for players ages 17 – 24 and is considered the development ground for elite players. Players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. Our players are selected during a competitive try-out and come from all areas of the world. Over 150 players participated in our 2006 tryouts. PDL games offer a high level of exciting soccer at a very affordable price and are great events for our Club members and local families to attend. Our PDL team is locally owned by Jim Mertz of Mid-Cities Pro Sports. Jim is actively involved in increasing the visibility of the sport of soccer in our area and offers great support to the DFW Tornados youth players and Academy soccer teams. Paul Robinson is the Head Coach of our PDL team and is also the head coach for our U19, U17 and U14 boy’s teams.

	United Soccer League PDL Season Format:

	The league features a 59-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 matches with premier college programs and MLS teams. 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.

	DFW Tornados PDL NEWS:

	The DFW Tornados Men’s Semi-Professional outdoor PDL team is preparing for its third season! After a 2nd place finish in the 2006 PDL Southern Conference, Mid South Division, the Tornados are gunning for a first place finish and another opportunity in the Play-offs. Recruitment is well underway for the DFW Tornados 2007 PDL tryouts. We expect to exceed the 150 players that participated in the 2006 tryouts! The Summer 2007 PDL tryouts are fast approaching and will begin February 2007. The exact dates of tryouts will be announced in January.

	DFW Tornados 2006 PDL Player Highlights:

	Our Current DFW Tornado PDL players have been playing very well for their collegiate teams. We’ve had seven of our PDL players invited to the USL Player Selection Combine, which takes place in Tampa on Dec 17. Our players will be scouted at this Combine for positions with Major League Soccer (MLS) and USL A-League teams. Our European partner, Chelsea FC will have their own scout in attendance as well. The players being scouted are: Cole Sweetser, Keegan Hudson, Dillon Vedrall, Jeff Densk, Ryan Wellman, David Stockton, De Andre Allen. Keegan Hudson is currently in England training with Crawley Town and Three Bridges FC. Jay Needham has been selected as one of only 58 players to go into the MLS Draft, which takes place in January 2007. Jay has also been selected as one of the three finalists to receive the Missouri Athletic Club Herman Trophy, the highest individual honor a player can receive in intercollegiate soccer. On a sad note our captain Trent Abbott received a bad Knee injury and we wish him a speedy Recovery. We wish all the DFW Tornados PDL players all the very best!!

	SCHEDULE OF GAMES AND HOME VENUE:

	All regular season Home Games will be played at Pennington Stadium at 1501 Central Drive in Bedford, just west of Central Drive and ¼ mile south of Highway 183 (W. Airport Freeway). Games begin in May and continue through July. The schedule will be posted on www.DFWTornados.org by the end of March. A map to the stadium is also located on the Maps page of our website.

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