2016 PDL Ownership Prospectus by Joel Nash

WELCOME TO THE PDL EXPERIENCE The PDL embarks upon the 2016 season and the beginning of new era of pre-professional soccer in the U.S. and Canada. The league’s new look and reinforced vision consistently reiterate the vital role of the PDL in the landscape of the global game. As North America’s preeminent pre-professional league, the PDL continues to provide the elite platform for those pursuing professional

careers

domestically

and

internationally.

Throughout the United States and Canada, 67 PDL franchises continue to provide the elite amateur player the opportunity to train and compete at the highest level while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The PDL is more than the leading national U23 league…the PDL is the defined and proven pathway for players to progress to the professional ranks of soccer while becoming a staple within the community in which the team operates.

PDL THE BRAND Point The collegiate player Point Start of an amateur’s future with the PDL Shield A sign post providing direction to the future

Path The journey from amateur to pro

Red and Blue North American Colors

Star PDL’s commitment to turn its players into stars

Point The ultimate goal of becoming a professional player

Horizon The future of PDL players onto their path to Pro

PDL BY THE NUMBERS 70

Percentage of all MLS draftees who have PDL experience

Players taken in the 2016 MLS Super Draft participated in the PDL

Total number of players within the PDL

MLS and ULS clubs with existing PDL team operations and affiliations

Teams participating in the 2016 PDL season

Number of PDL players signed to homegrown contracts between 2015-2016

PDL alumni who have been selected over the past 6 years in the MLS Super Draft

Direct berths into the US Open Cup in 2015

Total league attendance since inaugural 1998 season

246

2,169

3,923,429

Countries represented by PDL players

Average age of the PDL player

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE PDL Larry Sunderland, Youth Technical Director, Portland Timbers

Darin Van Tassel (Owner, South Georgia Tormenta, PDL)

“We [Chicago Fire] felt that over a certain period of time we would be grooming our Homegrown guys through the PDL, that they were going to be draft picks. We felt that buy doing it this way we would have a steady stream of guys coming through our Homegrown system, through the PDL and into the firs team. And I think [Harry] Shipp and [Chris] Ritter is just the start of that.”

“To be able to offer a minor-league sports experience in the summer for our community says so much about how our area has arrived. We’re excited for the opportunity and look forward to being a part of the PDL.

Mayor Greg Goodnight, City of Kokomo, Indiana

Brian Wiese, Head Coach, Georgetown University

“I’m obviously very excited. This league has been around for 22 years. It’s well established throughout the country and Canada. We hopefully will be seeing teams from Winnipeg and St. Louis to come here and play in Kokomo. I think most people have seen how soccer has become prominent throughout the country and the state. I see that only growing in popularity.”

“The USL represents one of the top sports organizations in North America, and the PDL is a league with a proven record of developing homegrown talent. Ultimately, we’d love to establish ourselves as a premier PDL franchise, ascend the USL ranks, and build a soccer facility locally that we can call our own.”

For us, the PDL setup is ideal. We encourage [our players], we spend a lot of spring sitting with the players asking “where are you playing this summer,” and “how will you get your games?” The three-months we don’t have them during the summer needs to be filled and the PDL has filled that gap well. It leads to a great lead-in to our pre-season cycle. The college model with the PDL jigsaws together for as good as calendar as you want.

Eric Miller, U.S. U20 International and Portland Timbers U-23

Callum Irving, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23

“The Timbers U-23s treated us super-well, we got to play in the stadium a couple of times in front of the Timbers Army. A couple of guys got to train with the first team a lot, so it was great to play with Caleb [Porter] and kind of see all those great players who play for them, Valeri and Nagbe and all those guys, how they operate on a day-to-day basis.”

“Games are huge in our development…you are going to need games, in a league like that, that has such a close affiliation that is going to provide toplevel games for our development is fantastic.”

LEAGUE FOOTPRINT

PDL PATH2PRO DEVELOPMENT MODEL The PDL serves as the platform for the development of future professional both domestically and internationally. The league provides the elite collegiate-aged player the opportunity to train and compete in a professional-like environment, simulating that of the professional ranks.

PDL

USL

Men’s U23 Amateur Pre-Professional

MLS

Men’s Professional

PDL ALUMNI SIGNED TO HOMEGROWN CONTRACTS 2015-2016

2015 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. / Sunderland A.F.C. 2014 USMNT World Cup selection 2013 MLS All-Star 2013 MLS Rookie of the Year Finalist 2013 U-20 World Cup USMNT member 2012 Seattle Sounders U23 (PDL) 2012 PDL All-League Selection (PDL) 2011-2012 Akron (NCAA) 2007 & 2008 Super Y League

Men’s Professional

Dubbed the “Path2Pro,” the PDL is the foundation of player development to the professional ranks including the USL and Major League Soccer. Each league utilizes the PDL for player development differently on a club-by-club basis. For instance, a Major League Soccer club will operate or affiliate with a PDL organization in order to provide their players the opportunity to obtain the precious training time needed in order to qualify for homegrown status. Similarly, USL clubs will utilize the PDL for player identification. In addition to player initiatives, the PDL provides both organizations with the opportunity to extend their brands and initiatives further into the market of operation.

DeAndre Yedlin

The PDL provides professional teams (USL/MLS) with opportunities to further the technical development of the players within their system. The technical benefits of operating a team within the PDL are numerous. From player development to increasing the club’s recruitment efforts, the PDL is a versatile property, and is vital to the successful identification and analysis of potential first-team players for the organization. Operating a PDL team permits a club or professional team to: • Increase the club’s player development pool for potential homegrown player status • Provide opportunities for those players on trial to obtain experience with the club • Establish a platform for further player development and evaluation • Further identify unknown players through league play, thus extending the club’s recruiting reach

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

PLAYER PROFILE: C.J. SAPONG

PDL - Fredericksburg Gunners (2009) PDL - Reading United AC (2010) MLS - Sporting Kansas City (2011) USL - Loan from Sporting Kansas City to Orlando City (2013) MLS - Sorting Kansas City (2014-2015) MLS - Philadelphia Union (2016) Selected witht the 10th pick in the 2011 MLS Super Draft by Sporting Kansas City, the former Fredericksburg Gunner and Reading United AC standout quickly made his presence known to the league. With his first MLS goal in his MLS debut against CS Chivas USA, Sapong’s path to stardom began with a rookie season that included five regular-season goals, one playoff goal and the MLS Rookie of the Year honors. Sopong has become another PDL success story following former PDL players and U.S. internationals Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson and Sascha Kljestan.

Sporting Kansas City’s C.J. Sapong, selected 10th overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, benefitted from the USL professional structure having competed within USL, the PDL and the Super-20 League. © 2016 United Soccer Leagues, LLC, All rights reserved.

KEKUTA MANNEH Vancouver Whitecaps

Midfielder/Forward

Height: 5’9” Weight: 150 lbs

Birthplace: Bakau, The Gambia Hometown: Austin, Texas

Selected fourth overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, Manneh spent the 2012 season with the PDL’s Austin Aztex. In his lone season with the Austin Aztex, Manneh boasted 12 regular season caps with 10 starts and seven goals. His peak performance included a single-match four-goal performance in the regular season, while the 2012 post-season featured three goals in two matches. A member of the Gambian U-20 men’s national team, Kekuta career relocated him to Texas where we entered the USSDA after a stint in the Gambia Football Assocation League First Division. As a member of Lonstar SC, Manneh earned multiple honors as he competed at multiple age leges including 24 goals in 23 matches for the Lonstar SC U-17/18 squard.

ANDREW WENGER Houston Dynamo

Midfielder

Height: 6’0” Weight: 185 lbs

Birthplace: Lancaster, PA

Hometown: Lititz, PA

The overall No. 1 pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, Wenger is a product of PA Classics and alumni of Reading United AC of the PDL. His MLS journey includes quality minutes with the Montreal Impact, Philadelphia Union and Houston Dynamo. Wenger has two caps with the U.S. U-20 National Team (2008) and was a member of the U-17 U.S. National Team (2007). During Wenger’s first season in MLS, he appeared in 23 matches, started seven matches and scored four goals with the Montreal Impact. Wender is a heavily decorated alum of Duke University and winner of the 2011 MAC Hermann Trophy. © 2016 United Soccer Leagues, LLC, All rights reserved.

MLS PARTNERSHIP The USL - MLS partnership continues to extend the depth of the soccer landscape in North America. The 2016 USL season will feature 29 clubs - 11 of which are owned and operated by MLS clubs. Whether in the club’s home market or in a satellite location, the clubs’ focus remains on creating and maintaining a rabid fanbase while preparing players for the first team. In contrast to the MLS ownership of USL clubs, nine MLS clubs have established affiliations with USL clubs for the 2016 season. Additionally, nine USL clubs will enter the 2016 season with MLS affiliates. The affiliate relationship provides the opportunity for a minimum of four (4) MLS players to be sent to the USL affiliate on a season-long loan, while also offering and joint commercial initiatives between the two clubs.

2016 MLS CLUBS OWNING AND OPERATING USL CLUBS

Harry Shipp

Height: 5’9” Weight: 145 lbs University: Notre Dame

CAREER 2016 Montreal Impact (MLS) 2015 Ranked #6 on MLS 24 Under 24 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year Finalist 2014 MLS Fair Play Finalist 2013 Chicago Fire (MLS) 2011-2012 Chicago Fire Premier (PDL) 2011-2012 Notre Dame (NCAA) 2009-2010 Chicago Fire Academy

MLS & USL TEAMS WITH PDL AFFILIATIONS

2016 USL - MLS AFFILIATIONS

LEAGUE STRUCTURE COMPOSITION

67 Teams, 10 Divisions, 4 Conferences

SEASON CALENDAR

The PDL season operates from May – July, culminating with the PDL playoffs and championship in August. The league schedule works in concert with NCAA report dates for athletes to return to their universities in order to prepare for the upcoming season.

PDL STADIUM REQUIREMENTS

Seating Capacity - 1,000 Minimum Field Dimensions - 106 YDS x 66 YDS

GOVERNANCE

PDL owners maintain an active role in governing the league through the PDL executive committee. Each PDL division elects one executive committee member, and the committee is responsible for developing strategy and establishing policies related to the league.

The PDL regular season consists of 14 matches for each team, seven home and seven away. Teams TRAVEL qualifying for post-season playoffs may compete PDL is a North American league which features a regional travel model in order to reduce team in four additional matches. expenses.

2016 PDL ALIGNMENT WESTERN CONFERENCE Northwest Division Alberta (Canada) Oregon Washington Central Pacific Division California Nevada Utah Southwest Division California Arizona

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Mid South Division Missouri Mississippi New Mexico Oklahoma Texas Southeast Division Florida

CENTRAL CONFERENCE Great Lakes Division Kentucky Michigan Ohio Ontario (Canada) Pennsylvania Heartland Division Illinois Indiana Iowa Manitoba (Canada) Missouri Ontario (Canada)

EASTERN CONFERENCE South Atlantic Division Georgia North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee West Virginia

Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New Hampshire New York

Mid Atlantic Division Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia Northeast Division

10 9

U.S. OPEN CUP SUCCESS Granted 19 direct berths into the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the PDL continues to display itself as the proving ground of elite amateur soocer. Recent success found within the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup featured 75% of the 2013 PDL participants advancing to the second round of competition. Within the second round, four PDL teams defeated professional sides and advanced to the third round which integrates teams from Major League Soccer.

“It’s going to be great. We’re all really looking forward to the chance to have a shot at an MLS team. I don’t know how many of their starters that they’ll play, but just being on the field against a team that boasts players like Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill; those are guys I watched on TV growing up. And I’m a big Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was always one of my favorite players growing up, so just playing a team where he’s on the roster there is just an unbelievable opportunity for me personally, and we’re all really excited to get the chance at it. It’s exciting to be in a tournament like this where you’re playing against teams that are higher up in the hierarchy in professional soccer in America, and you get chances to play against guys that are in spots that you hope to be in when you get out of college. It’s exciting to play against those guys, and it’s absolutely a great opportunity to try and prove yourself at a little bit higher level and see what you can do.” - Steve Neumann (PDL - Reading United, MLS New England Revolution)

Steve Neumann

The Des Moines Menace starting 11 at Sporting Park prior to their 2013 U.S. Open Cup third-round appearance versus Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer. Photo by Gary Rohman. © 2016 United Soccer Leagues, LLC, All rights reserved.

FROM DREAM TO REALITY PDL teams may take advantage of the extensive portfolio of premium team services provided by the league office in order to facilitate efficient operations while focusing on revenue generation.

PREMIUM TEAM SERVICES: FRANCHISE TRAINING

Prior to your first season of competition your administration and staff attend a comprehensive on-site training program designed to assist you with establishing and standardizing procedures and techniques for the daily operation of your team and your subsequent training of your personnel.

LEAGUE MANUALS

Licensed use of comprehensive manuals developed by PDL and its partners.

MARKETING MANUALS

Each PDL team receives a customized marketing manual designed to assist the team in promotion of their efforts. The manual provides an solution to easily create marketing and advertising materials for various events, promotions as well as standard business needs.

BEST PRACTICES MANUALS

USL provides teams with best promotional practices from the sports industry. Easily adapted, the best practices manual allows teams to enhance their game-day environment.

TICKET SALES MANUALS

PDL provides teams with a customized ticket sales manual in order to increase revenue, simplify the ticketing operation and sales process. The ticket sales manuals assists PDL franchise with fan development and community interaction.

MARKETING SERVICES

National strategic partners to provide instant credibility and additional support. Unique branded marketing materials adaptable for individual team use and promotion in the local community

NEW MEDIA

The support provided by the league office provides PDL teams with unrivaled service and support across digital and social media platforms which focus on increasing the visibility and profile of your team.

PLAYER REGISTRATION

Player registration system that adheres to all USSF, CSA, FIFA registration procedures and NCAA Regulations

COMMUNICATIONS

Each member of PDL receives dedicated support from the league office in the form of media relations, social media, statistics, publications, broadcasting, photography, etc. The dedicated support department tirelessly promotes the activities of each PDL team.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

USL employs a full-time national technical director to support teams and set curriculum for league activities

COMPETITIVE / TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Full access to the USL national technical director as well as hosting of player showcases, combines and identification camps to expose the league’s most advanced players

OPERATIONS

Experienced staff that includes an executive management team supported by communications, creative services, new media, finance, marketing, player registration, and operations department

MEETINGS / SEMINARS

In order to promote best practice sharing, conduct league business meetings and provide valuable informative sessions for PDL teams, USL organizes the Annual General Meeting.

MINIMUM STANDARDS

Enforcement of quality control and minimum standards of all teams to maximize the consistency of product regardless of market

OFFICIATING

Support staff that assists in processing referee assignments and evaluation with federations

AFFILIATION

PDL has direct affiliations with the U.S. Soccer Federation and Canadian Soccer Association.

CLUB GROWTH

An integrated system of leagues from elite youth to high-level professional, allowing your club to grow within our organization

PREMIUM MATCH BALLS

Each PDL team will receive 16 premium quality match balls for use in all regular season and post season USL matches. The cost of these balls, valued at $1,500-$2,000, is covered by the league..

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY/OPERATIONS MANUALS

As a member of PDL, all teams receive the right to utilize registered league marks, slogans and approved intellectual property for the promotion of the franchise.

PDL CHAMPIONSHIP The culmination of the PDL season, the championship event features four teams vying for the trophy and bragging rights. As the capstone to each spectacular season of competition and athletic display, the event provides the opportunity for thousands to view the future professionals of tomorrow in an intimate environment. The PDL Championship boasts a storied history, including the Portland Timbers U-23â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic undefeated season with 16 wins, only to be followed by the 2013 PDL Championship (pictured below) which featured a sold-out crowd of 4,253 at House Park in Austin that watched the Austin Aztex earn their first PDL title. The tradition continued again in 2014 as the host team, the Michigan Bucks, took home the league hardware in front of more than 2,200 fans.

PDL FAN ENGAGEMENT

USLPDL.COM

The primary source fo all PDL news, USLPDL.COM provides viewers with unlimited access to: • Rosters & Player Profiles • Player Rankings • Schedules & Standings • Scores & Statistics • Breaking News • Feature Stories • Video Clips • Club Administration

SOCIAL MEDIA

VIDEO

The PDL focuses on fan The PDL utilizes YouTube to engagement through a plethora distribute PDL video content of digital platforms including: globally. Each PDL team has the opportunity to stream all • Facebook matches in high-definition for • Twitter free via the league’s YouTube • SnapChat platform. • Instagram

GENERATING REVENUE PDL teams have at their disposal a multitude of revenue-generating opportunities. When combined with proactive PDL marketing programs and corporate partnership recruitment efforts targeted at providing direct support to the teams in terms of expense reduction, the opportunity for revenue generation grows exponentially.

PARKING & CONCESSIONS

LOCAL RADIO & TV

STADIUM NAMING RIGHTS

YOUTH ACADEMY

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

TEAM TOURS

TICKETING

MERCHANDISING

CAMPS & CLINICS

ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE

BUSINESS MODEL

Providing a path to profitability is the goal for the PDL and its teams. The PDL franchise financial model has been designed to provide team owners with a path to achieving profitability through cost containment methods. The PDL provides attainable team ownership through reasonable franchise acquisition and startup capital requirements.

“The PDL has proven to be the model for developmental soccer in North America for over two decades and should continue to work in both large and small markets for years to come. In the diversified world of professional and high end amateur sports in 2014, it is amazing that similar models can be highly successful in cities of several million people as well as towns of less than 100,000. Bringing top soccer talent to cities all over the US and Canada for less than the price of a movie makes this model unique. The high entertainment value also attracts local and national sponsors at a fraction of what they would pay to be involved with other higher end sports franchises.. The PDL teams cater to their communities and provide local heroes to all the young soccer players in the area aspiring to fulfill their dreams of one day playing professional soccer.” - Dan Duggan (Michigan Bucks) © 2016 United Soccer Leagues, LLC, All rights reserved.

As the preeminent pre-professional league in North America, the PDL provides... • High value, low-cost investment • Attainable team ownership through reasonable franchise acquisition and start-up capital requirements • Unparalleled premium team services targeted at efficient team operations and revenue generation • A sustainable financial model through operational cost containment • A vertically integrated professional structure providing the opportunity for player development at supporting competition levels • Proactive league management and administration which allows your team to focus on the operational success of the organization on and off the field of play

CONTACT: Steven Short Vice President, Business Development steven.short@uslsoccer.com 1.813.269.1359 PDL 1715 N. Westshore Blvd., Suite 825 Tampa, FL 33607 USA www.uslpdl.com © 2016 United Soccer Leagues, LLC, All rights reserved. Confidential: do not copy or redistribute.