The top U23 men’s amateur league in North America lives in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the developmental ground for elite players. The regular season will consist of 16 regular season matches, 8 home and 8 away. The schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and various exhibitions. Players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining the collegiate eligibility. The 
league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest levels of the game while providing affordable family entertainment within their community.
Next PDL and Super 20 tryouts will be held on 4/28/2012 GMU 10:30 AM
Additional dates
May 1st - 3rd (10:30am-12pm) field #3 (turf)
May 5th (10:30am-12pm) field #3 (turf)
May 8th (8:30 pm - 10:30pm) field #3 (turf)
May 10th (8:30 pm - 10:30pm) field #3 (turf)
If you are interested in a tryout complete the Online Registration select Tryout and send E mail to royalsgm@novafc.org. Also complete the PDL form and bring to tryout
George Mason University Turf Field
Rapidan Lane, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
The distances are approximate. Please read the directions all the way through as you will need to follow signs that will appear before the distance marked on the directions.
From Interstate 495 (Fairfax County):
Exit onto I-66 West towards Front Royal (Exit #49A).
Exit onto Route 123 South towards Fairfax (Exit #60).
Go through six traffic lights and take a RIGHT at the seventh light onto University Drive.
Go past Field House and take a LEFT on Rapidan Road.
Stadium Field will be on your left past Softball Stadium.
From Interstate 95 (Prince William County):
Exit onto Rte 123 North towards Occoquan/Lake Ridge.
Travel approximately 13.5 miles and enter the George Mason campus area.
Take a LEFT at the light onto University Drive.
Go past Field House and take a LEFT on Rapidan Road.
Stadium Field will be on your left past Softball Stadium.
United Soccer Leagues released the 2012 divisional alignment and schedule for the PDL this week, with the 584-game regular season getting underway on April 22 as LA Misioneros FC faces the Fresno Fuego.
The Northern Virginia Royals begin their 2012 season in May with three home games, opening up against local rival Fredericksburg Hotspur on Sunday May 27 at Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia. The Royals then continue their home stand facing the Virginia Beach Piranhas and the West Virginia Chaos in the subsequent weekends.
Northern Virginia closes the regular season on the road July 15th against new franchise Palmetto FC Bantams in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Thirteen new teams have joined the PDL for 2012, including the Austin Aztex, Baltimore Bohemians, Boston Victory, CFC Azul, Chicago Inferno, FC Tucson, Ocala Stampede, Palmetto FC Bantams, Panama City Beach Pirates, Texas Dutch Lions, Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors, VSI Tampa Flames and Worcester Hydra.
Several teams have announced name changes including the Sounders FC U23 (Tacoma Tide), El Paso Patriots (Chivas El Paso Patriots), Fraser Valley Mariners (Abbotsford Mariners), LA Misioneros FC (Los Angeles Legends), West Texas Sockers (West Texas United Sockers) and Seacoast United Phantoms (New Hampshire Phantoms).
Northern Virginia Royals goalkeeper Joel Helmick has been selected by the Colorado Rapids with the 14th pick in the fourth round of the 2012 Major League Soccer (MLS) Supplemental Draft. A native of Springfield, VA, Helmick is a six-year veteran of the Royals program, having played for the Premier Development League, Super 20 League, and Super Y-League squads over his Northern Virginia tenure.
A product of the Northern Virginia FC Super Y-League development program, Helmick served primary goalkeeping duties on the Royals PDL side in 2008. Helmick has previously played on the Royals U17, U18, and Super 20 teams.
A standout on Longwood University’s soccer team, Helmick was a four-year starter for the Lancers and posted a career 1.38 goals against average with 14 shutouts. Joel is the first Longwood player selected in the MLS Supplemental Draft.
