HAMPTON, NH – The Seacoast United Phantoms have announced their game schedule for the 2012 season in the Premier Development League. During their 2011 campaign, the first under the “Seacoast United Phantoms” name, the squad finished a very successful season as Northeast Division Champions and advanced to the PDL’s Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
The team will return to Portsmouth High School as their home venue for the spring/summer. The football/soccer stadium saw major upgrades last summer with the installation of new turf during the spring, then renovation of the stands at the end of July. Phantoms’ 2011 leading scorer Chris Tsonis (8 goals/2 assists, 18 points) will be joined by a full compliment of returning players, with the addition of new faces to add further competition for roster spots.
“After a successful first season I am hoping that the experience we gained will propel the Seacoast United PDL team to greater things this coming year,” commented head coach Iain Scott. “Our aim is to continue to follow the Club’s philosophy of utilizing players who have come through the Club’s successful youth system and open doors for other players within New England.”
The Phantoms will face new competition in 2012 with the addition of regional franchises CFC Azul from Connecticut, and Boston Victory and Worcester Hydra from Massachusetts. Those three clubs join the Western Mass Pioneers, Ottawa Fury (Canada), Vermont Voltage, and GPS Portland Phoenix to round out the Northeast Division of the PDL’s Eastern Conference.
Home games include several dates over holiday weekends, including the Saturday, May 26th matchup with Ottawa that will be showcased as a part of the Seacoast United Nate Hardy Memorial Day Tournament running that weekend at the Club’s Outdoor Complex in Epping, NH. The Phantoms play host to visiting Vermont on Saturday, June 16th over Father’s Day weekend, and to Boston Victory on Thursday, July 5th.
The full 2012 schedule can be viewed on the Seacoast United Phantoms website here. Tickets for all home games will be available for sale as of April 1st, 2012.
Follow the Seacoast United Phantoms minor league teams in the PDL, NPSL, and WPSL on the Seacoast United website at www.seacoastunited.com/phantoms.
