The 2002 USL Premier Development League season was the 8th PDL season. The season began in April 2002 and ended in August 2002. Cape Cod Crusaders finished the season as national champions, beating Boulder Rapids Reserve 2-1 in the PDL Championship game. Des Moines Menace finished with the best regular season record in the league, winning 15 out of their 18 games, suffering no losses, and finishing with a +49 goal difference. Changes from 2001 Name changes Boulder Nova became Boulder Rapids Reserve Lafayette Lightning became Austin Lightning San Fernando Valley Heroes became Los Angeles Heroes New franchises Twelve teams joined the league this year, including eight brand new franchises: Promoted The Calgary Storm were promoted to the A-League. The New York Freedom and Westchester Flames were promoted to USL Pro Select. Folding Eight teams left the league prior to the beginning of the season: Colorado Springs Ascent - Colorado Springs, Colorado Miami Strike Force - Miami, Florida North Jersey Imperials - Paramus, New Jersey Okanagan Predators - Kelowna, British Columbia San Gabriel Valley Highlanders - Glendale, California Twin Cities Phoenix - Edina, Minnesota West Dallas Kings - Dallas, Texas Wichita Jets - Wichita, Kansas Standings Central Conference Great Lakes Division Heartland Division Eastern Conference Mid Atlantic Division Northeast Division Southern Conference Mid South Division Southeast Division Western Conference Northwest Division Southwest Division Playoffs References 2002 4 2002 in Canadian soccer