DFW Tornados Press Release - www.dfwtornados.org
Monday, March 02, 2009
EULESS, TX – The oldest club in United Soccer Leagues system of 125 clubs, the 23-year old DFW Tornados of the Premier Development League announced today that tryouts for their unprecedented 27th season of play will kick off this Saturday, March 7 at Covenant Church Soccer Complex in Colleyville Texas.
The Tornados’ tryout phase will run through the following day, Sunday, March 8, and will continue the following weekend, Saturday, March 14 before concluding on Sunday, March 15. The tryout is open to highly talented players currently playing college soccer in state or other states, as well as to all other players who feel they have outstanding talent. Tryout Info [+]
“I am very excited about the large number of returning players we have,” said Tornados’ Head Coach Paul Robinson. “We have been recruiting very heavily and we are expecting the same great try out as last year with over 120 players attending over the two weekends.”
Following last season’s 6-7-3 season in which the Tornados pushed their USL club record to 270-180-10, DFW will be looking to return to the playoff picture for the first time since the 2004 season. One of the most formidable divisions in the 68-team PDL, the Mid South Division is home to the Laredo Heat, who has been to the PDL Final in each of the past three seasons.
Playing dual seasons during USL’s indoor era, the Tornados won two championships between 1986 and 1989. The Tornados also appeared in the PDL Championship during the 1989 season. DFW played a five-year stint in USL’s Second Division from 1995-2000, advancing to the final six in 1996.
Outside of their team history, DFW has also given rise to a plethora of professional careers. Most recently, Bruno Guarda, who played with the Tornados for four years was awarded Generation Adidas status and now plays for FC Dallas in MLS. Chris Hamilton, who played for the DFW Tornados for one year, returned to Scotland to play in the Scottish professional League Division I for Sterling Albion.
From the 2007 season, Shea Salinas, a two-year man for the Tornados, was drafted by MLS San Jose Earthquakes. Sean Clancy now plays for Burscough United, Jon Goulding for Leigh RMI, and Stuart Robinson for Three Bridges FC, all in the UK.
From the 2006 season, defender Jay Needham was drafted by D.C. United of MLS and later went on to play for Puerto Rico Islanders. Daniel Woolard was drafted by MLS Chicago Fire and Ryan Wilman was drafted by USL First Division side Rochester Rhinos.
