Deep in the heart of Texas this weekend, the Thunder?Bay Chill will seek their second Premier Development League championship in six seasons.
What a season it has been.
For the first time since joining the league, the 12-1-1 Chill finished atop the standings.
Only once since 1997 has a team finished first and gone on to win the title. Ironically enough the Chill were on the losing end of the 2010 championship game, falling to the undefeated Portland Timbers U23 squad.
The Chill have past history on their side.
Their first championship was won in Texas, at the expense of the Laredo Heat in 2008.
A pair of veterans from the club, American Nolan Intermoia and homegrown goalie Stephen Paterson, remain from that championship squad.
Year after year coach Tony Colistro puts together a team that competes with the best in North America. They`ve been to four Final Fours in the past six seasons, a record unmatched in the PDL.
Best of luck to the Chill in Austin,?Texas, where they`ll take on the Victoria Highlanders FC in Friday`s semifinal. The winner will take on Austin or Ocean City in Sunday’s final.
This may be the best team Colistro has put together to date, and that’s saying a lot given their past accomplisments.
