PDL Ownership Prospectus by Joel Nash

OWNERSHIP PROSPECTUS

WELCOME TO THE PDL EXPERIENCE The PDL is the leader in pre-professional soccer in the U.S. and Canada. The League holds a vital role as it continues to provide the elite platform for those pursuing professional careers domestically and internationally. Throughout the United States and Canada, PDL franchises continue to provide the elite amateur player the opportunity to train and compete at the highest level while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. With ownership of teams coming from the likes of MLS and USL franchises as well as leading business and sports individuals, the PDL serves as the leading development platform for the game both on and off the field. The PDL is more than the leading national U23 leagueâ&#x20AC;Śthe 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.

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

Red and Blue North American Colors Path The journey from amateur to pro 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

Total number of players within the PDL

MLS and USL clubs with existing PDL team operations and affiliations

Teams participating in the 2017 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 2017

Total league attendance since inaugural 1998 season

300+

2,169

4 MILLION+

Players taken in the 2017 MLS Super Draft participated in the PDL

Countries represented by PDL players

Average age of the PDL player

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE PDL Brendan Burke, Head Coach, Bethlehem Steel

“Reading United and the PDL is a key aspect of our organizational structure. Reading United has evolved into a landing spot for academy players that don’t make it straight to the professional ranks. PDL players regularly train with the USL squad and understand that there are real opportunities for consistent success. Not only do we bring up players through PDL, but coaches as well. I can’t wrap my head around why everyone doesn’t have PDL.”

Rob Elliott, Head Coach and Head Scout, New York Red Bulls

“As the head of scouting, my primary role is to identify and evaluate potential players for the club both internationally and domestically. Coaching the PDL team provides a good environment for me to not only evaluate our PDL team but also all the other PDL teams that we play during the season and gives us a good starting point heading into the college players that we have an interest in.”

Jeremy Ebobisse, 2017 4th Overall MLS SuperDraft Pick “The PDL gave me the platform to continue my playing at a time when a lot of people take a break,” U.S. Under-20 National Team member Ebobisse, selected by the Portland Timbers, said at the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, “and we had such a good blend of a lot of college players looking to keep playing at a high level, so having these games week in, week out against top-quality opponents, some of them are here now or already in MLS, I think that was really beneficial for me.”

Darin Van Tassel (Owner, South Georgia Tormenta, PDL) “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. “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.”

Brian Wiese, Head Coach, Georgetown University 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.

Tim Schmoll, New York Red Bulls II “That time with the U-23s left the most positive impression possible on me in terms of how the club operates and my motivation to continue to be a part of the club. It was great getting out here and training every day with a very serious staff and very serious players so I couldn’t have asked for a better summer experience. “

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.

Jordan Morris

PDL

USL

Men’s U23 Amateur Pre-Professional

MLS

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.

PDL ALUMNI SIGNED TO HOMEGROWN CONTRACTS 2015-2016

Seattle Sounders Academy (2012-2013) 54 Matches Stanford Cardinal (2013-2015) Seattle Sounders U-23 (2014-2016) United States Men’s National Team (2014-Present) Seattle Sounders (January 2016) 2016 MLS All-Star Game (July 2016) 2016 MLS Rookie of the Year (November 2016) 2016 MLS Cup Champion Seattle Sounders (December 2016)

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: KEEGAN ROSENBERRY Philadelphia Union Academy (2011-2012) 90 Matches Georgetown Hoyas (2012-2015) Reading United (2014-2015) Philadelphia Union (January 2016) 2016 MLS All-Star Game (July 2016) Second-place 2016 MLS Rookie of the Year (November 2016) First U.S. Men’s National Team Call-up (January 2017)

Selected No. 3 overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union, the Reading United AC standout defender shined in his first professional season. Rosenberry was the only field player across MLS to play all 3,060 minutes, becoming the fourth rookie field player in MLS history to play every minute of every regular season game. The right back finished his rookie campaign with two goals and two assists and ended the season ranked among the league’s top 20 in tackles (78) and interceptions (88). Rosenberry, ranked No. 1 on the final edition of the 2015 PDL Top Prospects list, has become another PDL success story following alums Brad Guzan, Sacha Kljestan, Matt Hedges and Jordan Morris.

ANDREW WENGER

KEKUTA MANNEH Vancouver Whitecaps Height: 5’9” Weight: 150 lbs

Houston Dynamo

Midfielder/Forward

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 Association League First Division. As a member of Lonestar SC, Manneh earned multiple honors as he competed at multiple age levels including 24 goals in 23 matches for the Lonestar SC U-17/18 squad.

Height: 6’0” Weight: 185 lbs

Midfielder 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. Wenger is a heavily decorated alum of Duke University and winner of the 2011 MAC Hermann Trophy.

PROFESSIONAL CONNECTION MLS & USL TEAMS WITH PDL AFFILIATIONS The PDL establishes a critical bridge between the amateur player and their professional ambition. A total of 13 MLS and USL clubs (right) own or are affiliated with PDL franchises - the highest total in the league’s 22-year history. With a record number of professional clubs recognizing the importance of fielding an Under-23 development team, the PDL continues to be the best platform for development in North America.

U23

MLS PARTNERSHIP PDL PLAYERS IN MLS

The PDL plays a foundational role for all MLS teams, helping serve as a catalyst in a playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey to the professional game. As seen previously, whether a player travels from an MLS or USL affiliate/owned team, or competes for an independent team, the PDL provides national exposure for players to reach their pinnacle. Path to Pro becomes reality through these numbers.

LEAGUE STRUCTURE SEASON CALENDAR

GOVERNANCE

The PDL regular season consists of 14 matches for each team, seven home and seven away. Teams qualifying for post-season playoffs may compete in four additional matches.

TRAVEL

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 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.

PDL is a North American league which features a regional travel model in order to reduce team expenses.

TEAMS

PDL STADIUM REQUIREMENTS Seating Capacity - 1,000 Minimum Field Dimensions - 110 YDS x 68 YDS

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

72 10

Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New Hampshire New York

Mid Atlantic Division Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia Northeast Division

DIVISIONS

CONFERENCES 12

U.S. OPEN CUP SUCCESS Granted 21 berths into the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the PDL continues to display itself as the proving ground of elite amateur soccer. 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. © 2017 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, whether recalling the Portland Timbers U23’s historic undefeated season, Austin Aztec’s sold out crowd of 4,253 in 2013 where they also lifted their first title or the recent dominance from the Michigan Bucks, the PDL Championship continues to bring the pinnacle excitement to the League.

PDL FAN ENGAGEMENT

USLPDL.COM

The primary source for 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

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 start-up capital requirements.

“The formula for what works in the Premier Development League is a simple one, because sports and economic development provide a wonderful path for any community to build bridges to reach to new heights. So when you add the globe’s most popular sport with the Path to Pro vision of the PDL, amazing can happen -- especially when the club can attract over 2100 fans per game as we did in our inaugural season!. Our fans get to know our players and will certainly follow them as they climb the professional soccer ladder. And in the end, our city and entire region benefit from the feather in the cap that comes with the professional attitudes emerging in our hometown.”

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

CAMPS & CLINICS

TICKETING

MERCHANDISING

-Darin Van Tassel Owner: South Georgia Tormenta

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: Joel Nash Director, Business Development joel.nash@uslsoccer.com 813.514.1749 PDL 1715 N. Westshore Blvd., Suite 825 Tampa, FL 33607 USA www.uslpdl.com