Facing competition from an expansion Major League Soccer team, the Toronto Lynx are leaving the first division of the United Soccer League to join the Premier Development League in 2007.
The PDL is one step below the USL's second division. Other Canadian PSL teams are the Ottawa Fury, Thunder Bay Chill and Abbotsford Rangers.
``Moving the Lynx to the PDL makes a lot of sense,'' Bruno Hartrell, the team's chief financial officer and part-owner, said in a statement Tuesday. ``It allows the club to direct its resources to continue building the solid base necessary for continued growth.''
Toronto FC, owned by Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, is slated to begin play in MLS next year.
The Lynx, along with the Toronto Lady Lynx who play in the W-League, will continue to play at Centennial Park Stadium in Toronto's west end.
The Lynx decision to leave the USL first division leaves the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact as the only Canadian teams. The Whitecaps won the 12-club league this season.
There were nine teams in the USL second division.
The Lynx spent 10 seasons in the A-League and USL first division.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
