April 10, 2010

RedStorm soccer members to play for local semipro team

Rio Grande --- Some members of the University of Rio Grande men's soccer program will be involved with a local semi-professional team out of Charleston, WV known as the West Virginia Chaos.

The West Virginia Chaos PDL franchise is a soccer club that competes in the National PDL League consisting of 68 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada. Elite players have the ability to participate in the PDL throughout the summer months in a highly competitive setting while maintaining their college eligibility. The USL Premier Development League has proven to be the source of many top players now applying their trade in professional leagues within the United States and around the world.

The University of Rio Grande will have a number of players joining the West Virginia Chaos PDL team with the chance to further their career playing professionally. The Chaos Franchise is the nearest semi-professional soccer organization to Rio Grande and hopes to attract local community support.

With costs of $50,000 a year to run a PDL franchise, the West Virginia Chaos is statistically the third poorest club in the league making it hard to provide players with the needs they deserve as future professional soccer players.

The Chaos team is looking to build on an exciting season in 2009. Adam Mitchell of York, England has been named Head Coach.  Joining Mitchell as a part of the coaching staff is Rio Grande assistant coach Jamie Davies. Davies has helped Rio Grande reach the NAIA National Championship game in 2008 and a Final Four spot in the NAIA Nationals in 2009.

Davies will not be alone; he will have some key components with him from those outstanding Rio Grande teams. Marc Young, a central defender from England, will provide the backbone for the Chaos while Jordan Lower from South Webster, OH will utilize his tremendous quickness and athleticism in the nets for the Chaos. Both players are hoping to shine in the same way they have done for Rio Grande.

"I am excited about the 2010 season after securing some of Rio Grande's finest prospects," Davies said. "Marc Young and Jordan Lower are highly talented individuals that have been part of the successful soccer program here in Rio Grande and will be representing not only the school, but also the community of Rio Grande."

"These players have the ability to play professional soccer in the United States and the West Virginia Chaos will provide a great stepping stone for them into the professional ranks," Davies said.

In addition to playing games and practicing the Chaos PDL players and staff offer affordable clinics and camps for both beginner and experienced players.

The team is very active in community circles as well. They visit local schools, the players will make special appearances within the community, and the team will work with community organizations (i.e. Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity).

The Chaos is much more than a soccer team. The West Virginia Chaos PDL is working towards building better and stronger relationships with the community as a means to give back while they develop tomorrow's soccer players.

The team is having a Community Fun Night at Bob Evans in Rio Grande on Monday night from 4-9 p.m. 

The West Virginia Chaos season kicks off on May 8th in New Jersey and will play until July 26. The schedule is as follows:

Home games are played at Schoenbaum Stadium which is on Coonskin Drive, Charleston.

2010 West Virginia Chaos PDL Schedule

May 8th - WVCHAOS @ Ironbound Express 7:00 PM

May 9th - WVCHCHAOS @ New Jersey 3:00 PM

May 20th - Reading @ WVCHAOS -  Schoenbaum Stadium, Charleston, WV 7:30 PM

May 22nd - Central Jersey @ WVCHAOS -  Schoenbaum Stadium, Charleston, WV 7:30 PM

June 12th - Ocean City @ WVCHAOS -  Schoenbaum Stadium, Charleston, WV7:30 PM

June 19th WVCHAOS @ Reading7:30 PM

June 20th WVCHAOS @ Northern Virginia TBD

June 26th WVCHAOS @ Carolina 7:30 PM

June 27th WVCHAOS @ Hampton Roads 5:30 PM

July 2nd Northern Virginia @ WVCHAOS -  Schoenbaum Stadium, Charleston, WV 7:30 PM

July 8th Carolina @ WVCHAOS -  Schoenbaum Stadium, Charleston, WV 7:30 PM

July 9th New Jersey @ WVCHAOS -  Schoenbaum Stadium, Charleston, WV 7:30 PM

July 17th Hampton Roads @ WVCHAOS -  Schoenbaum Stadium, Charleston, WV 7:30 PM

July 23rd WVCHAOS @ Central Jersey 7:30 PM

July 24th WVCHAOS @ Ocean City 7:00 PM

July 26th Bermuda @ WVCHAOS - Schoenbaum Stadium, Charleston, WV 7:30 PM

All information about the team can found on the website; www.westvirginiachaossoccer.comor on www.uslsoccer.comand click on PDL for more club information.