Foot in U.S., But Eyes On England

Crystal Palace's Md. Outpost Is Here to Send Players There

By Steven Goff

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 22, 2007; Page E01Washington Post Staff WriterTuesday, May 22, 2007; Page E01

If you did not know any better, you might think the Washington area's newest pro soccer team had just relocated from the south end of London.

The name (Crystal Palace), the colors (red and blue), the crest (an eagle perched atop a ball) and the jersey sponsor (a Dubai logistics firm) are the same as those belonging to a 102-year-old club. And if you listen closely, you will surely detect a few English accents on the pitch.

Photos Historic Club Reaches Across the Pond Crystal Palace USA, a a feeder club founded last year for the purpose of developing players for its parent club in London, is trying to make a name for itself in the crowded sports landscape. What Is Crystal Palace? Location: London. Founded: 1905. Stadium: Selhurst Park (cap. 26,309). Results: Palace was 18-17-11 this season and finished 12th out of 24 clubs in the Championship division, the second level of English soccer. Its last appearance in the top-flight Premiership came in 2004-05, but a bottom-three finish sent it back to the Championship the following season. Palace has won its division only three times and reached the FA Cup final, the oldest and most prestigious club competition in the world, just once: a 1990 loss to Manchester United. Notable Players: F Peter Simpson (1929-35), D Jim Cannon (1972-88), F Ian Wright (1985-92), MF Geoff Thomas (1987-93), GK Nigel Martyn (1989-96), F Andrew Johnson (2002-06). Notable Coaches: Edmund Goodman (1907-25), Terry Venables (1976-80, 1998-99), Steve Coppell (1984-93, 1995-96, 1997-98, 1999-2000). Owner: Englishman Simon Jordan, 39, has owned the club and served as chairman for seven years after making a fortune in the cellular phone business. He took charge of the stadium last year. His brother, Dominic, is vice chairman. U.S. Players: In 2001-02, D Gregg Berhalter made 21 appearances and F Jovan Kirovski scored five goals in 39 matches. Save & Share Article What's This? Digg Google del.icio.us Yahoo! Reddit Facebook

What you have discovered, though, is not the Crystal Palace, which has wallowed in England's second or third tier for much of its unglamorous existence -- but Crystal Palace USA, a feeder club founded last year for the purpose of developing players and expanding a humble brand name in a country where only major European and Latin American clubs, such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and Boca Juniors, have nurtured loyal followings.

In addition to running a youth academy, the local branch has a senior squad that competes in the United Soccer Leagues' second division, a 10-team circuit on the third level of the U.S. pro system with clubs scattered from New Hampshire to Bermuda.

The local office is in White Marsh, Md., just north of Baltimore, the training grounds at Johns Hopkins University and the primary home field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. So far the club has had a difficult go of it competitively, losing its first four matches before defeating the Wilmington (N.C.) Hammerheads, 3-0, on Saturday, but its backers are taking a broad approach.

"We've done fantastically well to get to where we are," said Dominic Jordan, vice chairman of the London organization and brother of Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan. "Longevity is important to us. We don't want to be in today and out tomorrow. We want to ensure a proper structure, a proper agenda, proper support."

The only other European club as heavily involved in American pro soccer is Alaves of Spain, which operates the San Francisco-based California Victory in the USL's 12-team first division.

What Crystal Palace and Alaves have done is akin to a Major League Baseball team launching a formal program in Latin America, only the soccer clubs are also fielding the equivalent of a Class AA or AAA baseball team in a modestly competitive league.

For Crystal Palace USA, winning games is perhaps secondary to developing top-caliber players, offering them to the parent club or selling their rights to teams elsewhere in Europe or MLS.

"Palace sees America as a real breeding ground," said