CLEARFIELD — Mike Hickman's dream is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality.
Hickman, who created a Premier Development League team because of his love for soccer, has been working feverishly to get ready for the PDL season, which begins in May.
"The excitement's getting there," said Hickman.
His squad, the Ogden Outlaws, are beginning to take shape. They recently held try-outs and have put together the bulk of the roster. Additionally, the Outlaws recently announced they'll play home matches at Ogden High School, instead of Lindquist Field.
Although the bulk of Ogden's roster will be composed of collegiate players that played high school soccer in Utah, the Outlaws will have several others who are from out-of-state.
Hickman couldn't confirm any specific names because their amateur status must first be confirmed by PDL officials. However, Winthrop University, a Division 1 school in South Carolina, sent out a press release saying three of its players would be on the Outlaws roster this summer.
Those three are Dustin Bybee, Will Nova and Sean Weron.
It's also rumored that Ogden will tap into the University of Redlands connection.
All those players will have home matches at Ogden High School. Originally, the team planned to hold its home games at Lindquist Field, home to the Ogden Raptors, a minor-league baseball team.
After agreeing to let Hickman use the facility for home matches, however, Raptors officials became leery of the arrangement, saying there were too many scheduling conflicts.
Faced with the prospect of finding alternative sites for some of his home matches, Hickman instead opted to find another venue.
For now, he's content with Ogden High School. But, if his team is successful, what about the future?
"Eventually, we'd like to get to something that's permanent," said Hickman.
Things aren't too bad, though. In addition to finalizing deals with several sponsors, they've actually sold a handful of season tickets, and Hickman's doing what he can to keep the team in the spotlight in Ogden.
"It's important to try to stay in the forefront of the community," said Hickman.
To that end, he's done things like purchase ad time on Spanish-language radio stations.
All of which Hickman hopes will bring a successful product to northern Utah. The Outlaws will compete alongside BYU in the Northwest Division. Hickman doesn't think it will take too long for on-the-field success during the three-month season.
"Can we compete right away?" he asked. "I think so."
Hickman's in the process of finalizing details for at least one exhibition with Real Salt Lake, which will occur sometime in May.
According to Hickman, he's received confirmation with RSL officials for one match, and he's hoping to play another game with the MLS team later in the season.
ENDLINES: The Outlaws are looking for volunteers who are willing to help staff home games. Responsibilities would include things like stadium setup, sales and security. Contact the team at 801-476-4276 or visit www.ogdenoutlaws.com . . . The team is also looking for families to host players.
Ogden Outlaws 2006 schedule
May 13 — BYU
May 20 — at Abbotsford
May 21 — at Cascade
May 26 — Yakima
May 27 — Spokane
June 3 — BYU
June 9 — Cascade
June 10 — Abbotsford
June 23 — at Colorado Springs
June 24 — at Boulder Rapids Reserve
July 1 — at BYU
July 7 — Colorado Springs
July 8 — Boulder Rapids Reserve
July 11 — at BYU
July 14 — at Storm
July 15 — at Southern California
Note: Home matches will be played at Ogden High School.