The Premier Development League (PDL) kicks off the 2018 season with 74 teams spread across 11 divisions. Entering its 24th campaign, the league has continued to grow and stabilize lower division soccer across North America along with the NPSL.
The PDL is the development league for the USL (D2), and will soon have even stronger ties up the soccer ladder when USL launches a D3 league in 2019. D4 leagues provide opportunities for top collegiate players to continue their development in the summer, as well as game time for players who have fallen through the cracks at the D2 level.