C ONTACTS

Jeff VonHolle Assistant General Manager/ Director of Soccer Operations

Brian Smith Executive Director MEDIA RELEASE of Communications

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 11 2015 432.520.2255

SOCKERS SET TO BEGIN SEVENTH SEASON IN PDL 2015 Regular Season Schedule Announced

Entering the franchise’s seventh season in the Premier Development League, Sockers FC Sockers Earn Spot in U.S. Open Cup hopes to claim what it so narrowly missed last summer: a berth in the playoffs. For the first time in franchise history, Sockers FC has been “Our squad last season was so much fun to watch and cheer for,” said Jeff VonHolle, selected to participate in U.S. Soccer’s oldest and largest Sockers assistant general manager and director of operations. “Being so close to that annual event, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. playoff spot has only made us more committed to getting it this year.” The Sockers’ selection was based on their performance The Sockers today announced the route they will take on the path to that goal, as the team during the 2014 regular season (during which the team will open PDL play on the road versus the Albuquerque Sol on May 16. The Club’s home recorded the second-highest win total in franchise history). opener is two weeks later, May 30, against the Laredo Heat. The pairings for the first round will be announced April 8, The PDL schedule will again feature 14 games (seven home, seven away). Joining the with the Sockers’ first match on May 13 against, likely, an Sockers in the Mid-South division are longtime rivals Laredo, the Dutch Lions, and opponent from the USASA or NPSL. If the team advances, the Mississippi Brilla. The , winners of the division crown in 2014, have moved the level of competition will increase each round, culminating to the USL. with a match versus an MLS squad in the fourth round.

In order to maintain a balance in divisional play, the Sockers (and Laredo) will again play a The tournament bracket covers five months and runs home-and-home series against the Sol, while Houston and Mississippi twice face the concurrently with the Sockers’ regular and postseason Panama City Beach Pirates. PDL schedules. Currently, the PDL National Championship is slated for August 2, with the Open Cup final match on The top two teams in the Mid-South will qualify for the postseason. September 29 or 30.

After opening the summer with two road matches, the Sockers are home for nearly a month, The interleague tournament features clubs from every during which they will play six of the seven matches scheduled for Grande Communications professional league in the nation (, the . The team went 3-2-2 last season in the Permian Basin and is 20-15-11 all-time at North American Soccer League, and the USL), as well as home. teams from these amateur leagues: the Premier Development League, the National Premier Soccer League, the U.S. Adult The small number of teams in the Mid-South, combined with the geographic reach of the Soccer Association, U.S. Club Soccer, and the U.S. Specialty division, can create some scheduling quirks; this season, the Sockers have four consecutive Sports Association. matches against the Brilla (over a span of 11 days).

In addition to these regular season matches, the Sockers are participating for the first time Sockers Tryout Date Announced in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (see sidebar, right). The Sockers will be holding open tryouts for the 2015 squad 2015 Sockers FC PDL Schedule: on Saturday, March 14, at Grande Communications Stadium from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  Saturday May 16 at Albuquerque Sol  Saturday May 23 at Houston Dutch Lions Registration must be completed prior to March 14, and all registration must be completed online.  Saturday May 30 Laredo Heat (Home Opener/Cap Giveaway)

 Thursday June 4 Houston Dutch Lions (Thirsty Thursday) All players must bring their own equipment, including: cleats,  Saturday June 6 Houston Dutch Lions (Flag Giveaway) shin guards, shorts/training pants, and top.  Saturday June 20 Laredo Heat (T-Shirt Giveaway)  Thursday June 25 Mississippi Brilla (Thirsty Thursday) Date: March 14

 Saturday June 27 Mississippi Brilla (Cap Giveaway) Location: Grande Communications Stadium at the  Friday July 3 at Mississippi Brilla Scharbauer Sports Complex (801 N Loop 250 W, Midland)  Sunday July 5 at Mississippi Brilla  Friday July 10 at Laredo Heat Cost: $35  Monday July 13 Albuquerque Sol (Fan Appreciation Day) To Register: www.sockerscamps.com  Thursday July 16 at Laredo Heat  Saturday July 18 at Houston Dutch Lions More Information: www.sockersfc.org

*Home matches in RED BOLD **Home matches at Grande Communications Stadium Sockers FC … proudly presented by