听
The Victoria Highlanders suddenly find themselves undefeated.
The Kitsap Pumas beat Victoria 3-0 in their United Soccer League Premier Development League (PDL) opener last weekend in Washington state. The Pumas, however, were docked the three points earned in the victory because of using an ineligible player. Those three points have been awarded to the Highlanders.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not the way you want to get three points,鈥� Victoria head coach Dave Dew said. 鈥淏ut there are regulations in place. Everyone has to be held to the same standards, because it reflects on the league.鈥�
This is a circuit that strives to maintain its standards.
According to the PDL, 35 per cent of Major league Soccer professional players in 2015 were PDL alumni.
鈥淭he league takes violations of league rules very seriously,鈥� PDL director Todd Eason said in a statement.
鈥淜itsap was in violation of rostering more than the average player limit and playing a player that was not on the game-day line-up, therefore declaring this player illegal. [The rules] state that utilizing an illegal player results in a fine and a forfeiture of the game.
鈥淜itsap will lose the three points earned in the game, plus three additional points for using the illegal player.鈥�
Eight over-age [23 years and older] players are allowed on the active game roster in the PDL.
Last week鈥檚 fixture will go into the books as a 3-0 Victoria win over Kitsap, giving the Highlanders three points in the standings following one game played.
The Highlanders鈥� home opener at Centennial Stadium is Sunday at 2 p.m. against the Calgary Foothills.
