Ocala Stampede Soccer Club

The Ocala Stampede Soccer Club is a soccer club that is operating in Central Florida and competes in the PDL league of the United Soccer Leagues. The PDL league is the proven developmental leader in North American soccer’s evolving tiered structure, the PDL features 65 teams within four conferences throughout the United States and Canada in 2021, including 10 teams affiliated with USL PRO or Major League Soccer clubs.

The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world, with 70 percent of all MLS draftees having PDL experience. The PDL season consists of 14 regular season matches for each team, seven home and seven away, and provides elite collegiate players  and professionals the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions.

The Ocala Stampede, since its inception has garnered three Southeast Division Championships, one Southern Conference Championship and finished as a National Semi-Finalists in 2021. Through its victories in league play, the club has qualified for the U.S Open Cup for three years in a row. The league has recognized the Ocala Stampede organization as finalists for the Organization of the Year, Executive of the Year, Broadcast Team of the Year, Betsy McAdams Key Grip Award and Rookie Franchise of the Year. Along with organization awards, the PDL team has had numerous team of the week honors, all-conference team selections, and 10 players to sign professional contracts after their time with the club.

Head coach Cheyne Roberts, right, talks with his players during a drill in practice with the Ocala Stampede at the Ocala Regional Sportsplex in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, May 16, 2021.
Star-Banner Photo/Bruce Ackerman

The Ocala Stampede’s season will run from May  through July and it includes 14 games, seven away from home and seven played locally at Trinity High School’s athletic field. In addition to game days and practice sessions, players will be committed to assisting with summer soccer camps for children, and they will be active in local churches, working with youth groups, as well as community outreach programs. The Ocala Stampede has recently launched a youth soccer club and has seen over 12 teams and 175 competitive youth soccer players under its direction in the first year..