K-W United FC is in elite company.

The black and blue crew was crowned champions in one of the toughest soccer leagues in North America Sunday evening after edging the New York Red Bulls U23 squad 4-3 in the Premier Development League final at the Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash.

In doing so, United became just the third Canadian franchise to win the title in the league's 20-year history, joining the Thunder Bay Chill (2008) and Forest City London (2012).

"It's a huge accomplishment for us," said club president Barry MacLean. "We've achieved great things this year."

Coming out on top of the PDL is no easy feat.

The league caters to top end college players and young internationals looking to make a leap to higher levels so roster turnover is high.

Moreover, the outfit is massive with 63 teams from coast to coast in Canada and the United States. Squads cram in 14 games in about two months and have to take five playoff games - often in hostile territory - to win it all.

"We're playing against teams that have Major League Soccer backing from a player and financial standpoint," said MacLean. "So to come out on top was huge for us and the community."

United took out two such MLS affiliated clubs on the weekend during their title run. On Friday, it was a tense 1-0 victory against Seattle's Sounders FC U23. Midfielder Julian Buscher scored the winner off a free kick in stoppage time to set up a clash with the Red Bulls on Sunday.

And United came out strong.

Markers by Ben Polk, Joel Perez and Jarek Whiteman-Asiamah gave the Canadian club a commanding 3-0 at the break.

New York captain Scott Thomsen cut into the lead before Finnish midfield Juuso Pasanen restored the three goal cushion.

Red Bulls goals off the boots of Rhys Williams and Steven Echevarria made it a match in the waning minutes but United keeper Nathan Ingham - who stopped a second half penalty kick - remained sharp.

The Florida Gulf Coast University backstopper was named the tournament's most valuable player for his efforts.

"It was a pretty stressful second half," said United rookie coach Chris Pozniak, a former Canadian national with 24 caps. "Relief was the first feeling when it ended and then elation for the victory.

"I'm not just proud of them for winning but for the way they stepped up toward the end of the season and showed some real character."

United went on a 14-0-1 run after dropping two of their first four games. Pozniak says the team received a shot in the arm when several key players joined the fray a few games into the season after finishing summer university courses.

Among the reinforcements was Polk, who led the club in scoring with nine goals in 12 regular season games. The Syracuse University student left Sunday's final soon after scoring after he rolled his ankle.

United came to Waterloo Region just three years ago from Hamilton and has qualified for the playoffs the past two seasons.

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MacLean figures about half the squad should be back next summer. He's hoping Pozniak will return too, though the skipper is uncommitted at this time since the season is still nine months away.

"Soccer in the Kitchener-Waterloo community should get a huge boost from it (the win)," said MacLean. "It should be also great for the kids to have role models and see what is achievable if they put the work in."

- K-W United FC wins North American soccer title