The 2012 PDL season (North American U23 league) is not one that London will soon forget. FC LONDON (7-5-4) finished the regular season second in the Great Lakes Division 16 points back from PDL-leading Michigan Bucks (13-1-2). Nevertheless, the team went on a tear in the post-season knocking off four division champions (Thunder Bay Chill, Michigan Bucks, Seattle Sounders, and Carolina Dynamo) on their way to the Club’s first Championship title in Greensboro, North Carolina.
In its 4th season in the league, FC LONDON has made the playoffs all 4 years. The team is made up of local London, Ontario players combined with top players from the NCAA and NAIA leagues in the US. With a tight 16 game schedule, the team plays 8 home games in London, and travels to other cities to play other teams in the Great Lakes Division including Chicago Fire U23, Michigan Bucks, Cincinatti Kings, Toronto Lynx and River City Rovers (Louisville, KY).
The team showed incredible resilience through the post-season, playing from behind in the National Semi-Final and Final. "We got great character on the team," said FC LONDON’s leading scorer 19 year old striker Jordan Ayris (Fairfield University) who scored the game winning goal and was named MVP of the Championship match. FC London consistently attributed their success through the season to teamwork.
Coach Painter could not be more proud, “There’s 73 teams in the North American League, 16 teams make the playoffs, and then to win our last four games on very good, come-from-behind performances — I don’t think you can get much better than that.”
The club was excited about the London community’s support this summer. “We were thrilled to host a playoff game at home and the turnout was amazing,” said owner Ian Campbell of the semi-final hosted at Cove Rd in front of over 2000 fans. “Local and national media picked up on our story, and hits to our Facebook, Twitter, and website also skyrocketed. It is exciting to see the support for what we are doing with FC London.”
The organization hopes to build on the season’s successes both on and off the field. Campbell’s wish list includes a soccer stadium and on-going development of the youth program. Painter’s focus remains on the squad with the opportunity to recruit from top players for next season. Painter expects about half the team to be returning so fans can expect an exciting mix of familiar faces and fresh talent on the field for 2013.
