REDMOND, WA—The Premier Development League (PDL) Washington Crossfire have apparently had their rights in the league sold to an unknown group in Vancouver, BC. If this is later confirmed by some sort of official announcement, it would be the second year in a row that a former Washington state PDL side has “moved” to Canada. In 2016 the Victoria Highlanders were rebooted in the PDL after they bought the league rights from the Issaquah Gunners (who had previously been the “North Sound SeaWolves,” and before that had a lengthy stretch as the “Yakima Reds.”)

PDL returning to Vancouver BC?

“The (Washington Crossfire) franchise has been sold to a group out of Vancouver, BC.,” former Washington Crossfire General Manager Gary Whitehouse tells goalWA.net. “I know nothing more than this as I left the club at the end of August to concentrate on only my advising business.”

This would leave Sounders U23 as the lone PDL club in the state of Washington. However, it would keep a club around in the PDL Northwest Division, which reached a high of 10 sides in 2009.

In 2016 the Northwest Division featured 7 clubs. The Kitsap Pumas have since left the PDL for the NPSL.

Of course it is possible, but seems rather unlikely, that Washington Crossfire would remain in the state.

The Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer shuttered their PDL side, the Whitecaps FC U-23 , after the 2014 season.

Open Cup spot vacated?

If they do head to Vancouver BC, they will create a bit of adjusting on behalf of the US Open Cup. In what could be their fateful final tweet, the Redmond-based club announced a win had qualified them for the American-based tournament.

https://twitter.com/WACrossfirePDL/status/754162056983482368

The Final Fate of Seattle Wolves FC?

Seattle Wolves FC played in the Pacific Coast Soccer League before joining the PDL back in 2009, the same year the Kitsap Pumas came into that league. In 2010 the Wolves merged into youth soccer giant Crossfire and became “Washington Crossfire” in the PDL.

Washington Crossfire has generally been competitive in the PDL, though they have high player turn-over year-to-year and don’t market the club, resulting in crowds of 100 or less for most matches over the years.