Puerto Rico Soccer League

Infobox football league

pixels = 120
country = Puerto Rico
confed = CONCACAF|
founded = 2008
teams = 8
relegation =
levels = |
domest_cup =
confed_cup = CFU Club Championship
CONCACAF Champions League|
champions = "First season in progress"
season = 2008|
most successful club = |
website = http://www.prsoccer.orgThe Puerto Rico Soccer League or PRSL is an association football league in Puerto Rico. It is the first unified football league in the island's history, and has a total of 8 teams. Football has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this is an attempt to further develop the game on the island.

History

Creation and preparation

The league was created on May 14, 2008, and will hold its first tournament on 2008, starting on June 28 and ending in October, the league will play a total of 56 games. The league will develop a Second Division, which will feature 18 teams, and will start relegation and promotion for the 2011-12 season. The federation's president also said they will create a Third Division for amateurs and a Fourth Division for U-17 teams.

The League will start in 2009 with an "Apertura" and "Clausura" system like the one used in Argentina and Mexico. The Apertura will be played from September to December, while the Clausura from January to April. [ [http://www.prsoccer.org/ Puerto Rico Soccer League ] ]

Many of the member clubs are affiliated to larger clubs in more established football leagues around the globe. The teams in the league receive promotion from several international clubs, including Club Atlético River Plate, Fluminense Football Club, Sevilla FC and Pachuca C.F. [cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/noticia/otros/acciondeportiva/equipos_jugaran_con_emblemas_del_sevilla,_river_plate,_fluminense_y_pachuca/199179| title=Equipos jugarán con emblemas del Sevilla, River Plate, Fluminense y Pachuca| publisher=Primera Hora| language=Spanish| date=2008-06-10| accessdate=2008-06-12] The league's president Miguel Roca has stated that there is a possibility that two more teams will be included in the 2009 season. [cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/noticia/otros/acciondeportiva/comienza_liga_profesional_de_futbol_en_puerto_rico/205213| title=Comienza Liga profesional de fútbol en Puerto Rico| author=Jorge J. Muñiz Ortiz| publisher=Primera Hora| language=Spanish| date=2008-06-27| accessdate=2008-06-27]

2008 season

The league's first season was inagurated on June 28, 2008, with a game between Atléticos de San Juan and Club Atletico River Plate Puerto Rico. [cite web| url=http://www.prsoccer.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=2| title=Ponce River Plate Derrota 2-0 a San Juan en inicio de la PRSL| author=Octavio Benítez | publisher=Puerto Rico Soccer League| language=Spanish| date=2008-06-29| accessdate=2008-07-05] During this weekend the league's second division debuted with a parallel schelude. [cite web| url=http://www.vocero.com/noticias.asp?s=Deportes&n=115062| title=Acción ganadora en la segunda división de PRSL| publisher="El Vocero"| date=2008-07-01| accessdate=2008-07-01]

First Division Teams and Stadiums

All the stadiums (with the exception of the converted Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium) used in the league are primarily baseball stadiums, modified for football. There are long-term plans for construction of football specific stadiums.

econd Division

The Second Division is divided in 3 Groups of 6 teams each. Relegation and promotion between the First and Second Divisions is expected to start in 2011. Some of the teams in Second Division are reserve teams of most of clubs in First Division. All but Atléticos de San Juan have a Second team.

Presidents

* Mike Roca 2008-"current"

References

External links

[http://www.elnuevodia.com/diario/noticia/futbol/deportes/nace_liga_de_futbol_profesional_en_puerto_rico/405002]
[http://www.fedefutbolpr.com/noticias/may08.html]
[http://www.elnuevodia.com/diario/noticia/futbol/deportes/nace_una_liga_profesional/405189]
* [http://www.futbolpuertorico.com/ Futbol de Puerto Rico]

ee also

* Puerto Rican Football Federation
* Puerto Rico national football team
* Association Football in Puerto Rico
* Puerto Rico Islanders

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