Goal Lines Magazine - Issue 13 - March 2017

OREGON YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION’S MONTHLY MAGAZINE

ISSUE #13

GOAL LINES IT’S COMPLICATED! If you’re new to soccer in Oregon, how things work is not exactly what you might call ‘easy to understand’. Some are uniquely Oregon, and some are the same all over the country. There are different entities and different programs.

There’s competitive, and recreational. There’s more acronyms than you can imagine: ODP, RTC, DA, Academy, PTTL, OYSA, AYSO, USC, NSCAA, USSF. And there is a professional MLS club that you’ve probably heard of, in the mix, too.

So where do you fit within the landscape? Where is your club playing, and what options are available to you.

This issue is all about clarification, and what you need to know about soccer…wherever you live!

Watch the game AND meet-and-greet with the team beforehand! Only 30 regular tickets and 20 meet and greets available!

IT’S COMPLICATED! SO WE’RE GOING TO TRY TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOU!

The world of soccer is a wild one. There are many different organizations and enterprises throughout. Over the next (what seems like 4,000 pages!) we’ll try to break down everyone’s relationship throughout the state. Buckle up, it’s about to get crazy!

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNING BODY The Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world governing body of soccer. FIFA is responsible for the organization of the major world tournaments, most notably of which is the World Cup, which happens every four years. There is a mens and women world cup.

FIFA was founded in 1904 to oversee the international competition between eight European countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. It’s headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland and it has 211 member national organizations, divided into six regional confederations shown below.

Contrary to popular belief, FIFA does not solely control the rules of soccer around the world. It is responsible for the organization of a number of tournaments and their promotion, which generate revenue from sponsorship. In 2013, FIFA had annual revenues of $1.3B, and has been embroiled in financial scandals over the past several years.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? Well, technically is doesn’t actually have a direct say in the Oregon landscape but as it oversees all international activities, there is a trickle down effect that does play a part.

For example, one of their member associations is US Soccer, which clearly has an effect, and so by default, we are all affected in some way by the changes and regulations at the top of the pyramid.

WHERE IT FITS TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN FIFA sits atop the heap

THE CONFEDERATION OF NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CONCACAF is the continental governing body for association football in North America, that includes Central America and the Caribbean regions. Three South American entities—the independent nations of Guyana and Suriname and the French department of French Guiana—are also members. CONCACAF's primary functions are to organize competitions for national teams and clubs, and to conduct Men's World Cup and Women's World Cup qualifying tournaments.

CONCACAF is the third-most successful FIFA confederation. Mexico dominated CONCACAF men's competition early on and has since won the most Gold Cups since the beginning of the tournament in its current format. The Mexican national team is the only CONCACAF team to win an official FIFA tournament by winning the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. They have also reached the Round of 16 for the past 6 World Cups. While the U.S. is the only country outside of Europe and South America to receive a medal in the World Cup, finishing third in 1930, they also reached the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals and the 2009 Confederations Cup final.

Between them, Mexico and the U.S. have won all but one of the editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In recent years Costa Rica has become a power in the region and in 2014 became the 4th CONCACAF country after the United States, Cuba, and Mexico to make the World Cup quarterfinals. The United States has been very successful in the women's game, being the only CONCACAF member to win any of the three major worldwide competitions in women's football—the World Cup (3), the Olympics (4), and the Algarve Cup (10).

WHERE IT FITS ONE OF SIX CONCACAF is just one of six federations worldwide. The others are UEFA (Europe), CAF (Africa), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Small islands in the Pacific), AFC (Asia and Australia).

US SOCCER The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), commonly referred to as U.S. Soccer, is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States.

With headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, the FIFA member governs U.S. amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, beach soccer, futsal, and Paralympic national teams. U.S. Soccer sanctions referees and soccer tournaments for most soccer leagues in the United States. The U.S. Soccer Federation also administers and operates the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which was first held in 1914.

U.S. Soccer was originally known as the United States Football Association. It formed on April 5, 1913 and on August 15 of that year was accepted as one of the earliest member organizations of FIFA and the first from North and Central America. The affiliation was temporary and at the following year's FIFA Congress in 1914, the USFA, as it was abbreviated at the time, was accepted as a full FIFA member. The governing body of the sport in the United States added the word "soccer" to its name in 1945, when it became the United States Soccer Football Association. It dropped the word football from its name in 1974 to become known as the United States Soccer Federation.

U.S. Soccer has hosted several global soccer tournaments, including the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1999 and 2003, and the Summer Olympics in 1984 and 1996.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? US Soccer has a direct influence in everything in Oregon, through their role as the governing body for everything soccer-related in the US, and as the overseeing agency over US Youth Soccer (see next page!).

There are four main sub-organizations within the US Soccer pyramid. US Youth Soccer is the biggest of the main four (which OYSA is a member of), and then US Club, Adult Soccer and AYSO. We’ve featured them in this issue, too, so you can see the relationships.

As US Soccer makes changes to it’s rules and regulations, the other organizations below them follow suit!

WHERE IT FITS

GOVERNING BODY IN THE US US Soccer is one of 35 associations in CONCACAF. The others are: Anguilla, Barbados, Canada, Curacao, Grenada, Honduras, Nicaragua, St Lucia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama, St Vincent and the Grenadines, US Virgin Islands, Aruba, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Montserrat, St Kitts, and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

US YOUTH SOCCER The United States Youth Soccer Association (U.S. Youth Soccer or USYSA) is the youth affiliate and member of U.S. Soccer, the governing body for soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer includes 55 state youth soccer associations, that are direct members of the federation, one per state except for California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, which each have two state associations.

US Youth Soccer is a non-profit organization whose stated mission is to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth through soccer at all levels of age and competition; to make soccer fun; and to instill in young players a lifelong passion for the sport.

The US Youth Soccer membership is divided into four regions, each with a Director elected to the board. The US Youth Soccer membership is divided into four regions for the purpose of competition. The regions are essentially East (Region I), Midwest (Region II), South (Region III) and West (Region IV).

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? US Youth Soccer has a direct effect on how things operate in Oregon. They feed down from US Soccer, and manage the tournaments that a lot of our clubs are involved with. It’s something that affects the way we manage tournaments, our calendar, and even some of the rules that have been implemented.

WHERE IT FITS

HANDLES THE YOUTH GAME IN THE US US Youth Soccer is divided up into 4 regions to help with competition management.

USYS REGIONS Within US Youth Soccer, mainly for the purposes of tournament organization, the US is divided up into four regions. Those four regions compete within themselves, and the winners of each tournament go on to ‘regionals’.

There are 13 states in Region IV, but 14 associations, as California is divided into two: north and south, due to population.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? We play in the Region IV tournaments of the National Championship Series (State Cup) and the Presidents Cup. We have our state wide tournament, and then the winners go on to ‘Regionals’ which includes the other 11 state representatives. The winners of Regionals then go on to play in the Nationals.

WHERE IT FITS

REGION IV This is the western most region, and geographically the largest.

OREGON YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION (THAT’S US!) The Oregon Youth Soccer Association is the state association member for US Youth Soccer, and is a registered non-profit with the IRS. Located in Beaverton, OYSA runs the leagues, cups, and other miscellaneous tournaments. We have 73 member clubs divided into 9 districts, each with their own representative on the Board of Directors. We have around 50,000 kids playing under our umbrella, as well as approximately 8,000 coaches and administrators.

Of these players approximately 80% are recreational players, which is our base and priority. The other 20% make up our competitive leagues (see below) and cups.

With a full-time staff of just 4 people, as well as a part-time Technical Director, and Referee Development Manager, we manage the day-to-day running of the Timbers/Thorns Leagues, the State Cup, Presidents Cup, Founders Cup, Rec Cup, TOPSoccer as well as the coordination of regional teams and any national tournament participation.

We also coordinate insurance, and liability protections for all of our members, which is incredibly important for many of our clubs.

We are also the sole provider of Coaching Education for US Soccer within the state. We have multiple licenses being conducted at any given time, and have thousands of coaches that have gone through the formal education process under our auspices.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? Well, we ARE the Oregon landscape, technically. There are some other organizations within the state that all under the US Soccer umbrella but we have the direct registration with US Soccer through US Youth Soccer, and are recognized as the main organization in the state.

We also have a partnership with the Portland Timbers and Thorns as its relates to league management. Their name is on the leagues we administer for them. The Portland Timbers and Thorns leagues run in the Fall, Winter and Spring and are the main competitive leagues within the state.

WHERE IT FITS

THIS IS US!!!

We are a member of Region IV along with 13 other associations.

MEMBER CLUBS For the 2016/2017 seasonal year we had 73 member clubs in the Oregon Youth Soccer Association.

They’re divided into 9 districts and vary in size significantly. We have clubs that have thousands of players registered within them, and then several clubs that have less than a hundred.

The benefits of being a member club are significant, and for a small yearly fee per player, we are able to offer a great deal of services to those clubs members.

Those services includes, but are not limited to, supplemental medical insurance, Affinity online registration software for free, , league scheduling software, referee scheduling software, Oregon Youth Soccer Association staff services, US Soccer registration, referee training and mentoring, annual background checks for adults, free coaching education, director and officer liability insurance, free copy of Goal Lines Magazine, are able to enter teams into any US Youth Soccer tournaments or competitions, can host sanctioned tournaments, receive a vote at our Annual General Meeting, and are listed as a source for new parents on our website!

We do have certain clubs that are registered with us as affiliates. This meant they either registered too late, or do not meet our requirements (at the time) for full member status.

MEMBERSHIP FEES For the 2017/2018 season, our member clubs will see a fee increase. This is the first time in over 12 years we’ve needed to raise fees as the cost of insurance continues to rise.

Our U8 and below recreational player pays only $11 per year to register with OYSA Our U9 to U18 recreational player pays only $13 per year to register with OYSA Our U11 - U19 competitive players pay only $24 per year to register with OYSA Our coaches and admins (adult members) pay only $13 to register with OYSA.

The fees listed above are the only fees you pay to OYSA for your membership.

WHERE IT FITS

73 MEMBER CLUBS OYSA had 73 member clubs in 2016, located in every corner of the state.

THE OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR SOCCER US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers.

The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. The goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family. How do you participate? Contact your local US Youth Soccer State Association office to find out more about getting involved with a local US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer program.

You can find State Association by contacting your respective US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Committee member.

TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement which is, in part, "to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition." There are thousands of children with disabilities who need, and can be provided with, the opportunity to play soccer through the TOPSoccer program.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? We have eight programs in Oregon that fall under the top soccer program. Click on the name to email the director.

ALBANY Beaverton Clackamas Eugene Gresham Medford Milton Freewater St Helens

WHERE IT FITS

8 LOCATIONS We have 8 TOPSoccer programs located throughout the state. They’re easy to setup, and everything is free!

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Each summer the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) crowns a boys and girls national champion in each of its seven age divisions (Under 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19). The finals are a culmination of a year-long series of competitions at the state and regional levels. The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation, while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships serves as the crown jewel of competitive youth soccer as the nation's top 88 youth soccer teams, in the Under-13 through Under-19 Boys and Girls brackets, compete for the US Youth Soccer National Championship title.

A form of the US Youth Soccer National Championships were first held in 1935 and, after adding age groups throughout the years, reached the present format in 2013.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? We provide the State Cup as a National Championship series qualifier at the age groups listed above.

WHERE IT FITS

THE NATTY! The State Cup is run as part of the national championship series in Oregon

PRESIDENTS CUP The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is designed for those teams seeking additional challenges to play against teams of similar abilities for a national title. The cup provides a progressive, competitive experience to teams that might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie and community from the state to regional to national levels of US Youth Soccer.

US Youth Soccer Regional Presidents Cup events will determine the regional qualifiers that will compete in the US Youth National Presidents Cup. Regional winners in the Under-13 through Under-17 groups, both boys and girls, will vie for the national title.

Note: The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is a separate series of events from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? We provide the State Cup as a National Championship series qualifier at the age groups listed above.

WHERE IT FITS

PRESIDENTS CUP We run the Presidents Cup in Oregon, and it is traditionally for our second tier teams who do not enter State Cup.

THE OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a national program run under the auspices of US Youth Soccer. Its mission is to identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which in turn aids the development of elite youth soccer players in representing their state, region, and country in soccer competitions.

The Portland Timbers and Thorns are contracted by Oregon Youth Soccer to administer their ODP program and make technical decisions. It is a significant stage of both the Portland Timbers and Thorns development pyramid, and the training groups are also referred to as; Academy Reserve teams or Pre-Academy teams respectfully.

These collaborative programs aim to identify and develop the top players in Oregon and SW Washington (both boys and girls) to prepare them as student/athletes for exposure to regional and national ODP programs, as well as collegiate and potentially professional soccer settings.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? ODP participation does not mean that the players cannot participate on their club team. On the contrary, Timbers-Thorns-ODP participation, whether at the pool, state, regional, or national level, is concurrent with club team participation.

A mutually agreed upon training calendar is implemented. Participation at this elite level provides many advantages for the clubs too, such as exposure. The advantages of player development outweigh any conflicts this might pose and indeed criteria will be produced to protect the club from poaching or recruiting within the soccer year.

Typically teams are pooled into larger groups for training purposes, and then after 6 months of training as a group, 23 are selected from each age group to represent Oregon at the ODP Region IV championships.

WHERE IT FITS

ODP The Olympic Development Program is sanctioned and granted to OYSA, and we contract out the Timbers to run it for us.

DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY The U.S. Soccer Development Academy program provides education, resources, and support to impact everyday club environments in order to develop world-class players.

Following a comprehensive review of elite player development in the United States and around the world, U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007. The Academy Program's philosophy is based on increased training, less total games, and more meaningful games using international rules of competition.

The Academy has 150 total clubs, comprised of teams across five age groups: U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15/16, and U-17/18. The Academy is currently in the process of expanding its programming to include a Girls' Development Academy that will begin in Fall 2017.

The Academy Program focuses on positively impacting everyday club environments to assist in maximizing youth player development across the country. The Academy values individual development of elite players over winning trophies and titles. The Academy sets the standard for elite environments for youth soccer clubs nationwide and is a part of U.S. Soccer's global leadership position in youth soccer that will impact thousands of players.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? There are seven clubs currently running teams in the Development Academy for US Soccer. These individual teams do not feature in any of the OYSA tournaments or leagues.

These clubs are Washington Timbers, Westside Timbers, FC Portland, Crossfire, Capital FC Timbers, BSC Portland, and Eastside Timbers.

WHERE IT FITS DEVELOPMENT FIRST The DA is sanctioned directly with US Soccer. OYSA has no involvement or jurisdiction over this.

ELITE CLUBS NATIONAL LEAGUE (ECNL) The ECNL was founded in 2009 by forward-thinking Directors of Coaching across the country who saw a need for change in and special commitment to improving the daily environment for American elite female youth soccer players. These Directors came together and collaborated to build what would become the top female youth development platform in the world. The grass roots leadership and cooperation was unprecedented in American youth soccer, and the ECNL continues to be the most progressive and innovative development platform in the country.

In the seventh season, 2015-16, the ECNL expanded to 79 member clubs, with limited conference re-alignment. The competition structure remained the same for the ECNL Playoffs with three tiers: Champions League, North American Cup and Showcase Cup. The Champions League structure changed slightly with the addition of the quarterfinal game at the ECNL Playoffs, while both the North American Cup and Showcase Cup stayed the same with knockout style brackets, with 16 teams competing in each for a chance to be crowned champion in Oceanside, CA. The winners of each quarterfinal game in the Champions League advanced to the ECNL Final Four, held in Germantown, MD.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? We only have two clubs currently involved in ECNL play here in Oregon. One is FC Portland, and the other is Crossfire United. Neither of these individual teams play in the Portland Thorns league within Oregon Youth Soccer.

WHERE IT FITS ECNL This is run through US Club soccer.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league, sanctioned by U.S. Soccer, that represents the sport's highest level in both the United States and Canada. MLS constitutes one of the major professional sports leagues of the United States and Canada.

The league is composed of 22 teams—19 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada. The MLS regular season runs from March to October, with each team playing 34 games; the team with the best record is awarded the Supporters' Shield. The postseason includes twelve teams competing in the MLS Cup Playoffs through November and December, culminating in the championship game, the MLS Cup. MLS teams also play in other domestic competitions against teams from other divisions in the U.S. Open Cup and in the Canadian Championship. MLS teams also compete against continental rivals in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Major League Soccer was founded in 1993 as part of the United States' successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The first season took place in 1996 with ten teams. MLS experienced financial and operational struggles in its first few years: The league lost millions of dollars, teams played in mostly empty American football stadiums, and two teams folded in 2002. Since then, MLS has expanded to 22 teams, owners built soccer-specific stadiums, average MLS attendance exceeds that of the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Basketball Association (NBA), MLS secured national TV contracts, and the league is now profitable.

Instead of operating as an association of independently owned teams, MLS is a single entity in which each team is owned and controlled by the league's investors. The investor-operators control their teams as owners control teams in other leagues, and are commonly (but inaccurately) referred to as the team's owners. The league has a fixed membership, like most sports leagues in the United States and Canada, which makes it one of the world's few soccer leagues that does not use promotion and relegation, a practice that is uncommon in the two countries. MLS headquarters is located in New York City.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? The Portland Timbers are the MLS franchise in Oregon, and can be found on the next page

WHERE IT FITS

THE PROS This is run by US Soccer and is recognized as the USA’s premier soccer league

PORTLAND TIMBERS The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon. The Timbers compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The team began play in 2011 as an expansion team. The club is the fourth soccer franchise based in Portland to share the legacy of the Timbers name, which originated with the original team, in the North American Soccer League in 1975.

In the 2013 MLS season, the Timbers finished first in the Western Conference, clinching both their first-ever playoff appearance and CONCACAF Champions League berth. In the 2015 playoffs, Portland won the Western Conference final and advanced to MLS Cup 2015, where they defeated Columbus Crew SC 2–1, winning their first MLS Cup trophy.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? The Portland Timbers, Thorns FC and Oregon Youth Soccer Association have a new integrated and innovative youth development program, which has become the foundation of the state’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) and the Portland Timbers of MLS' youth academy. The program provides elite youth players advanced training and competitive opportunities throughout Oregon.

The Timbers and Thorns have established a 10-year partnership with Oregon Youth Soccer to help align and grow the game of soccer in Oregon and SW Washington. Two years into the relationship, Oregon Youth Soccer has the largest membership numbers in history as we work together to promote the growth of the game for players, coaches, referees and parents.

The collaborative program between the Timbers, Thorns and OYSA provides the state with a nationally recognized boy’s and girl's ODP program as well as a top-flight academy system to develop home-grown talent. The new program is designed to coexist with youth clubs and share in player development, allowing players to stay connected to their local clubs. The Portland Timbers and Thorns FC are also running competitive leagues and tournaments in conjunction with Oregon Youth Soccer.

These competitive youth leagues run across the state of Oregon and SW Washington, in conjunction with Oregon Youth Soccer. The leagues provided range from U11 through U19 for both boys and girls. All clubs playing in the same development system allows the Timbers/Thorns to create very balanced and competitive divisions.

WHERE IT FITS HOME TOWN! The Timbers are the local MLS club

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE The United Soccer League (USL), formerly known as USL Pro, is a professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada that began its inaugural season in 2011. USL is sanctioned as a Division II Professional League by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer), placing it under Major League Soccer (Division I) and equal to the North American Soccer League (also Division II) in the hierarchy.

The league is owned and operated by United Soccer Leagues (USL) and was formed as result of the organization's merger of the old USL First and Second Divisions, following the controversial 2010 season which saw neither the USL First Division nor the North American Soccer League (NASL) receive sanctioning from the USSF, resulting in the temporary USSF Division 2 Pro League. The merger is meant to consolidate USL's position within the American professional soccer landscape and focus on stability, commercial growth and the professional development of soccer in four main regions throughout the United States and Canada.

In January 2013, USL and MLS reached an agreement to integrate USL Pro league competition with the MLS Reserve League, primarily to improve player development in North America, strengthen league competition and build ties between divisions in the American soccer pyramid. This multi-year deal encourages MLS and USL Pro team affiliations and player loans, aiming to have more games for teams and developing players. As of October 2016, 20 USL teams are affiliated to MLS teams.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? We have only 1 team in the United Soccer League and that is the reserve team for the Portland Timbers, commonly referred to as T2.

T2 was founded in 2014, and is coached by head coach and UofP alum, Andrew Gregor.

WHERE IT FITS SECOND TIER The USL is considered the USA’s second tier professional league.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE The Premier Development League (commonly known as the PDL) is a development league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the United States soccer league system.

It is currently considered the top-level men's amateur soccer competition in the United States, although it has no official designation as such from US Soccer.

The league has 76 teams competing in four conferences, split into ten regional divisions. Unofficially, it is considered to be the fourth tier of competition, behind Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer League.

With USL Pro re-branding as the United Soccer League in February 2015, the PDL dropped the "USL" descriptor from their name, simply operating as the "Premier Development League".

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? Oregon has TWO teams in the PDL, and they both play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.

The first is the Timbers U23 team, coached by Aaron Lewis. They were formed in 2003 before the Timbers were an MLS club.

The second is Lane United, which located down in Eugene Oregon, and is coached by our very own grassroots coordinator, John Galas. They were formed in 2013, and are the second youngest club in the division. The Executive Director, Dave Galas (bother of John, and Board member for OYSA) was last year’s PDL Executive of the Year.

WHERE IT FITS THIRD TIER The PDL is considered the USA’s third tier professional league.

PORTLAND THORNS The Portland Thorns FC is an American professional women's soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. Established in 2012, the team began play in 2013 in the (then) eight-team National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) that receives support from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). The Portland franchise is owned by Peregrine Sports LLC, which also owns the Portland Timbers. The Thorns, the Houston Dash, and the Orlando Pride are the only NWSL teams with Major League Soccer affiliation.

In its inaugural season, the Portland Thorns FC placed third during the regular season and won the first ever NWSL championship game. On September 25, 2016, Portland Thorns FC won the 2016 NWSL Shield after beginning the 20 game season with a 12-game unbeaten streak.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? The Portland Timbers, Thorns FC and Oregon Youth Soccer Association have a new integrated and innovative youth development program, which has become the foundation of the state’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) and the Portland Timbers of MLS' youth academy. The program provides elite youth players advanced training and competitive opportunities throughout Oregon.

The Timbers and Thorns have established a 10-year partnership with Oregon Youth Soccer to help align and grow the game of soccer in Oregon and SW Washington. Two years into the relationship, Oregon Youth Soccer has the largest membership numbers in history as we work together to promote the growth of the game for players, coaches, referees and parents.

The collaborative program between the Timbers, Thorns and OYSA provides the state with a nationally recognized boy’s and girl's ODP program as well as a top-flight academy system to develop home-grown talent. The new program is designed to coexist with youth clubs and share in player development, allowing players to stay connected to their local clubs. The Portland Timbers and Thorns FC are also running competitive leagues and tournaments in conjunction with Oregon Youth Soccer.

These competitive youth leagues run across the state of Oregon and SW Washington, in conjunction with Oregon Youth Soccer. The leagues provided range from U11 through U19 for both boys and girls. All clubs playing in the same development system allows the Timbers/Thorns to create very balanced and competitive divisions.

WHERE IT FITS BEST IN THE WORLD The Thorns are a professional women’s team in the USA. They are the best supported women’s team in any sport, in the world.

AFFINITY SPORTS Since its inception in 2002, Affinity Sports has focused on continuous technology improvements to become the nation’s largest integrated data management and compliance software solutions provider to sports associations and their member clubs, leagues, tournaments and teams.

In August 2016, Affinity Sports joined the DICK’s Sporting Goods family of businesses. Together with Blue Sombrero, a leader in online registration, web design and schedule management for youth sport and recreation leagues, DICK’S Sporting Goods is creating a single solution for youth sports organizations nationwide, powered by DICK’S Team Sports HQ.

Dick Stack, founder of DICK’S Sporting Goods, believed that sports play a vital role in teaching our children fundamental values like a strong work ethic, teamwork and good sportsmanship. And, he understood that supporting the organizations that make youth sports possible is the best way to promote those values.

Today, that legacy continues, with DICK’S Sporting Goods strongly supporting youth sports in the communities where we live, work and play.

Affinity Sports interacts with and assists more than 1.2 million players, 250,000 administrators and 4,500 leagues and clubs through 18 US Youth Soccer State Associations and 10 US Adult Soccer State Associations. This year through its Community Youth Sports Program, DICK’S Sporting Goods will donate thousands of coach’s equipment kits to youth sports organizations – reaching over a million young athletes.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE OREGON LANDSCAPE? Affinity Sports is the chosen partner for registration services for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association. Either by directly registering though it, or my upload, every single player within OYSA’s membership comes through affinity.

They are an extremely important partner for us.

OREGON YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION JOINS CELTIC’S INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Celtic Soccer Academy is delighted to announce that they have added Oregon Youth Soccer Association (OYSA) to their ever growing International Partnership Program.

This unique, first of its kind, long term partnership with OYSA will involve the sharing of club methodologies, coach education and it will also present members with the opportunity to visit Glasgow, Scotland to experience what life is like for an academy player at Celtic Football Club. (full press release on next page)

OREGON YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION JOINS CELTIC’S INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Cel$c Soccer Academy is delighted to announce that they have added Oregon Youth Soccer Associa$on (OYSA) to their ever growing Interna$onal Partnership Program. This unique, first of its kind, long term partnership with OYSA will involve the sharing of club methodologies, coach educa$on and it will also present members with the opportunity to visit Glasgow, Scotland to experience Cel$c Football Club. OYSA will also have the chance to send coaches to Cel$c Football Club to aJend the renowned Interna$onal Coaches Conven$on in Glasgow and receive a behind the scenes look at how Cel$c develops young players to reach their poten$al.

OYSA boasts an impressive membership of over 65,000 and their hard work and dedica$on within the area of the Northwest United States was a major factor in the Cel$c Soccer Academy partnering with them.

OYSA says: ‘The Oregon Youth Soccer Associa$on is excited to partner with the world renowned Glasgow Cel$c FC. Over the past year we have worked closely with Cel$c FC to design a rela$onship that will focus on con$nued development opportuni$es for our coaches. Cel$c FC has a rich history of player and coach development in Scotland and here in the U.S. We look forward to working with their staff in new and crea$ve ways.’

Cel$c Soccer Academy Manager Willie McNab added: ‘We are delighted to add Oregon Youth Soccer Associa$on to our Interna$onal Partnership Program and it again emphasizes our commitment to building rela$onships across the globe. This partnership with OYSA is the first partnership that Cel$c FC has with a State Associa$on and OYSA is a very ambi$ous and progressive organiza$on and we are looking forward to a long and prosperous partnership with them.

CORNER 461 DAYS!

BY THE NUMBERS:

It’s a new year, and we’ve (thankfully) forgotten all about 2016! One thing that lingered all off season

2-2-0 record

however was the fact that we were the only MLS club without a road win.

We opened up with a fine win against Minnesota, and then travelled to one of the hardest places to play in all of MLS…the Stub Hub Center, home of the Galaxy. And we came away with the win! That’s 461 days of league play between wins. Diego Chara got the goal that won it, and got the monkey-

6 goals for 1 goals against 1,930 miles travelled this season so far

off-our-back early in the season as we hopefully go on a tear now and show the rest of the MLS that

for away games (round trip)

last year was just a blip on the screen, and we are a force to be reckoned with.

Top scorers - Adi/Valeri (2 goals)

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Check out our favorite Timbers videos this month that you may not have seen

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT OPPONENT

Here are the most recent match highlights from our favorite team

Saturday, March 18th

Providence Park

7:30pm PST

GRASSROOTS COORDINATOR: JOHN GALAS All of our Grassroots Coordinators have extensive coaching background around the state of Oregon, and elsewhere so they bring unique experiences to their particular region.

John is one of our most experienced and successful Grassroots coordinators. Holder of the USSF A license he is also the head coach of the Lane United FC team, but the highlight of his career so far is being Assistant Coach when the Thorns won their first NWSL title in 2013.

CONTINUING YOUR SOCCER EDUCATION There is an old cliche we use as coaches, continually preaching to our players to 'become students of the game'. We live in a soccer era now where access to games on television and live matches are readily accessible. Soccer on television is no longer an anomaly, it is the norm. Players have access to not only live matches, but highlight shows, YouTube clips, vines etc.. We are almost inundated with content and a daily basis.

I would encourage every youth coach in the state of Oregon to continue to mandate that your players watch games on television, and in

person. In this state alone, we have access to some of the best quality soccer in the country right in our backyard. If you are in the Portland area, the opportunities are abundant, from the MLS Timbers, and USL’s T2 to the Thorns, to watching quality Division I soccer at the University of Portland. Timbers and Thorns matches are unparalleled in the US in regard to quality and fan experience and University of Portland's iconic soccer culture is second to none in the NCAA and should be fully taken advantage of as new head coach Nick Carlin-Voight rebuilds the program.

Further down the I-5 corridor, you can make a stop in beautiful Corvallis Oregon and immerse yourself in two quality Pac-12 teams'

Oregon State Men's and Women's soccer programs. Both programs are stacked with talent, and having the opportunity to watch them play against the likes of other Pac-12 powerhouses like Stanford, UCLA, Cal is a unique experience. 40 miles south of Corvallis, you also have the opportunity to catch the University of Oregon Women's soccer program in action at Pape Field hosting some of the nations' premier college programs in UCLA, Stanford, USC, Cal among others. Oregon is littered with wonderful programs, at all levels. Corban University men's soccer program, the men's and women's programs at Concordia University in Portland continue to impress, and NAIA Southern Oregon University is worth watching if you have the opportunity.

Some of the most talented young men and women play in the state of Oregon or will come through and play in the state Oregon this fall,

and it is our responsibility as coaches to encourage and nurture our players' development. We must facilitate their education through training, watching games and studying the game. Encourage them to not only be fans of the game, but to observe a player in their respective position. We must challenge them to think critically about the game, it will only enhance their development. I hope all of you will spend the time this fall and take your respective teams to games around the state, wether it be the professionals in Portland, or the collegiate players across the state, this will only help in their long term development and increase their "soccer IQ". There is no better way to spend the Spring in Oregon than watching quality soccer on display in our wonderful state.

May 15-21, 2017 Croatia Trip includes: 6 Nights 4-star accommodation & half board All ground transportation Croatian Federation tour & souvenir 10-hour UEFA Coaching Course certificate U17 Euro Semi-Final Tickets UEFA Euro’s souvenir NK Istra first team training & game Croatian Winery Tour & Dinner Plus many other cultural experiences

For more details contact: msmith@timbers.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING NEAR YOU? Looking to improve your coaching knowledge base? Thinking of moving onto the next level, or maybe just a refresher course before the season? What about other soccer-related events?

Check out the schedule of events near you. Coaching and referee courses are asterisked in red!

To register for a coaching course, simply click the course listing to be taken to the registration page

PORTLAND METRO AREA ★Providence Park 3/18 Timbers vs. Houston

SOUTHERN OREGON ★Grants Pass 3/18 Grade 8 Referee course

CENTRAL OREGON ★Salem 3/18 Grade 8 Referee course

★Providence Park 4/2 Timbers vs. Houston

★Bend 3/25 Grade 8 Referee course

★Beaverton 4/8 Grade 8 Referee course

★Florence 4/2 Grade 9 Referee Course

★Providence Park 4/15 Timbers vs. Sporting KC

★Providence Park 4/15 Thorns vs. Orlando

★ Providence Park 4/22 Timbers vs. Vancouver

★Providence Park 4/29 Thorns vs. Chicago Red Stars

★Providence Park 5/6 Thorns vs. Seattle Reign

★ Providence Park 5/14 Timbers vs. Atlanta

★Portland, 6/11 USSF ‘C’ License

Click team badge for their full game schedule

What are you doing around the state? What does your team look like? Got a crazy picture for us? Want everyone to see what it’s like playing at your club? Well, now’s your chance! Click the submit button and send us your pics.

STEVE MECKEL OYSA BOARD MEMBER: 1995 - 2017 Steve Meckel has been an influential member of the local soccer community for as long as I can remember. He was on the OYSA board of directors even before I coached my first recreational team. And by that count alone, he has continuously served our community for more than 22 years. I can think of only a handful of people in Portland who have contributed as much to the sport of youth soccer as Steve.

His name appears on the board roster of the 1995 AGM and Steve is the only member of that board who was still active in 2017. During that time, Steve Meckel held at least 3 different positions on the board and saw at least 5 board presidents come and go.

I first met Steve at an AGM meeting, about 2003. There, he walked me through the process of making a proposal to amend our bylaws. That experience demonstrated two of the qualities of Steve’s character that I most respect; his dedication to the game and his unflappable patience.

More than anyone that I know, Steve personifies the institutional memory of the OYSA. He has a thorough understanding of our mission, bylaws and policies. He knows why we exist and how we operate. He has a deep respect for our membership and constantly reminds the board that OYSA exists to serve that membership.

And Steve was a voice for reason on the board. He was present throughout the departure and return of many of our competitive clubs and the formation of the OPL. He did not always agree with the choices made by the board at that time, but he steadfastly supported the process that was followed to reach those decisions. And as painful as that process was, he did not panic as our membership declined. Steve knew, that if we made the correct decisions for the sport of soccer, those clubs would return. And they did.

And finally, I would like to say that Steve Meckel always put the game and OYSA ahead of his own plans and personal ambitions. He never viewed his position on the board as a stepping stone to something greater. And he was never one to focus the attention on himself. Steve is a model for selfless humility from whom we can all learn.

Steve Meckel retired as president of the OYSA Board of Directors, at the 2017 AGM of the OYSA. His thoughtful presence on the board and unfailing support for the office staff will be missed.

Thank you, Steve, for your many years of service to the soccer community of Oregon. And for the sake of the players, their families and for the good of the game, we hope that you will remain engaged with the beautiful game in the years ahead.

With warm regards and great respect.

John Thomas At Large Director of OYSA

US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers.

The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family.

How do you participate?

Check out the list below of areas where clubs already have a TOPSoccer program running or contact your club about starting one. We can help you, too, to set up and run a program within your club, and ALL FEES ARE WAIVED for the TOPSoccer program by the Oregon

EXISTING PROGRAMS Click on any name to email the director of that program.

Albany

Beaverton

Clackamas

Eugene

Gresham

Medford

Milton Freewater

St Helens

State Chair (OYSA)

Youth Soccer Association.

SELECT GROUP OF REFS TRAVEL TO SEATTLE FOR TESTING

Every spring the top-level referees in the country convene to undergo an annual fitness test and video instruction. This spring was no different. A select group of referees from Oregon traveled north to Seattle to take part in this annual event. The stakes are high as those who pass the fitness test are eligible to be assigned NPSL, NWSL and USL matches throughout the country.

Formerly known as the ‘Pro Clinic’, this event marks the beginning of a long journey for many individuals. The group from Oregon has trained day after day in order to pass the rigorous test. It is comprised of a series of short sprints, long sprints and jogs which make up the 10-lap test.

April 1st, Oregon will have a similar event designed for those officiating US Soccer Development Academy matches here in Oregon. This event will feature the same test but not as stringent passing requirements. While those up and coming referees strive to be selected to Seattle, those attending here in Oregon have just as much to prove.

The Oregon Referee Committee along with OYSA has selected those individuals who show promise, drive and commitment as a referee. Being selected is an honor, but is also hard work. Congratulations to all selected!

WHERE’S VINNY? WHAT’S VINNY BEEN UP TO THIS MONTH? Vinny, the OYSA van, has been resting this month after the monster from last year with the Boise trip and all. The highlight really was getting an oil change!

Simon has Ruby inside the van this month, and it’s a very enlightening conversation. Ruby is a 9-year old who plays soccer and we wanted to chat to her about what soccer is all

FOLLOW VINNY ON TWITTER

INSIDE VINNY!

about, what’s important, and what the roles of the other participants are. It’s hilarious!

If there is someone you’d like to see Inside Vinny next month, don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll come to you and do the interview. Know someone who is doing the right thing in your area? Let us know!

WHAT’S IN VINNY’S GLOVE BOX! Like we said, Vinny gets around. A lot.

This month, Ruby is in there, and it’s all about why kids play soccer, and what is important to them.

Click the badge to the right to answer questions about the video and be entered to win a group of T2 tickets to an upcoming match.

ROAD LOG So far this month Vinny has logged over 1,000 miles visiting different places around the state.

CLUBS/PLACES VISITED:

Scappoose, Liberty Stadium,

Hillsboro, The Dalles, and Washington Timbers.