A Big Announcement Monday .....

... for soccer fans. In June, I offered this post about news that the Midland RockHounds management and ownership were in negotiation to purchase a PDL (Premier Development League) soccer franchise.

Last month, when our family went to a baseball game, our ticket-taker was none other than RockHounds GM Monty Hoppel. I asked him how the talks were going, and he replied that we could expect an announcement in September.

September's here ... and so is the announcement. "The Midland RockHounds will have a major announcement and open house for Premier Soccer in the Permian Basin on Monday, September 15th at Grande Communications Stadium starting at 7:00 PM."

The team is yet to be named ... apparently, they want your input on that.

At all levels, interest - and participation - in soccer is growing, you have rec leagues for the kiddos in both Odessa and Midland (where I would frequently bump into soccer dad Monty Hoppel), the high schools in both cities have boys' and girls' squads, club teams from both cities are at the top of regional competition (including Lubbock, Abilene and San Angelo) and are making inroads in Dallas and Arlington. Not as well known are the teams/leagues that have have grown around Mexican-American interest in the game - which included binational competition in the UNICOPA Tournament, last year in Midland. And don't forget the college level competition at UT-Permian Basin for both men and women.

A local Premier Development League franchise is a great addition to the mix.