By John Marrello
Thunder Bay, ON – The Thunder Bay Chill (11-3-2) received some welcomed news this morning when the PDL awarded them one of two National Semi Finals this coming weekend.
The Chill just returned from Pontiac, MI where they defeated KW United and the Des Moines Menace by 2-0 scores won their 5th Central Conference Championship in club history. The Chill will face FC Golden State Force from Pasadena, CA in one of two semifinals this Saturday at tbaytel place at Fort William Stadium. Game time is 7:30 pm.
The Force (12-1-3) won the Southwest division with 33 points and beat Portland Timbers U23 and Fresno Fuego to claim their first Western Conference Championship in only their second season in the league.
The Charlotte Eagles (11-3-2) the Eastern Conference Champions will host Southern Conference Champion Mississippi Brilla (11-2-3) in the other PDL National Semi Final on Saturday in Charlotte, NC. It took the Eagles penalty shootouts in games against Seacoast United Phantoms and Long Island Rough Riders to get them to the semifinals. Mississippi defeated SIMA Aguilas and FC Miami City to earn the Southern Conference Championship.
Tickets for Saturday’s game are available from the Chill box office at $10 advance pricing for Adults $12 at the door). Seniors are $8 and youth are $5.
The Chill last hosted a PDL National Semifinal in 2008 when they defeated Vancouver Whitecaps Residency to play in the PDL Championship game in Laredo, TX where they won their first National title. “We are very excited to host this National Semifinal at home for our fans and our sponsors”, said Chill Director of Operations Tony Colistro. “We have hosted the conference championship in 2010 and 2013 since 2008, but this game means so much to our organization, and our City. We want to thank the PDL for allowing us the opportunity to host,” he continued.
The Thunder Bay Chill plays in the 72 team prospect focused Premier Development League (PDL) which is the top developmental men’s league in North America.
