“The Timbers and OPL share a common vision in playing a key role in the development of Oregon’s youth soccer players and soccer community,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers general manager. “Our youth programs, the Timbers Academy and OPL all share a similar philosophy in player development, and we look forward to working with them.”

Founded in 2008, the OPL features more than 45 member clubs across Oregon and offers competitive youth soccer leagues and tournaments for boys and girls at the U-11 to U-18 age levels. Each of the three adidas Timbers Alliance clubs – Eastside Timbers, Vancouver United Timbers and Westside Timbers – are members of the OPL.

“We are delighted to formalize our relationship with the Timbers,” said Oregon Premier Council President John Bain. “Our goal as a league is to provide high-level development and competitive opportunities for our players, teams and clubs, and by aligning with the Timbers, there is no better partner to help us continue that mission."

The Portland Timbers OPL State Cup is an annual club tournament competition, featuring group play and knockout rounds to determine state champions for both boys and girls at various age levels. The tournament concludes Saturday with a series of finals at Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex in Beaverton, Ore. OPL State Cup winners from the U-13 to U-17 age groups have the opportunity to advance to the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup this summer.

Member clubs of the OPL share the common goal of shaping Oregon youth soccer at the highest levels. The OPL was designed to provide a positive, value-based environment for the participants within its programs, while offering high-level development and competitive opportunities for its players, teams and clubs.

Also included in the partnership, the Timbers will be the presenting partner of the OPL’s Premier Divisions starting this fall. The Premier Divisions are affiliated with U.S. Club Soccer’s National Premier League.

The tournament so far has seen upsets galore, with only 5 of last year's 12 eligible champions competing on Saturday to defend their titles. Here are the matchups: 

Under 11 Girls
Eastside United FC Aston Villa v Lake Oswego SC Dynasty

Under 11 Boys
FC Portland 2000B Navy v Westside Metros Thunder

Under 12 Girls
FC Portland 1999G Navy v Tualatin Hills United SC Zirconium

Under 12 Boys
Westside Metros Barca v FC Portland 1999B Navy

Under 13 Girls
Tualatin Hills United SC Onyx v Oregon Rush 98 Girls Nike

Under 13 Boys
Eastside United FC Bayern v NorthEast United Gamba

Under 14 Girls
Eastside United FC Valencia v Westside Metros 97G Usonians

Under 14 Boys
Eastside United FC Boca Red v FC Portland 1997B Navy

Under 15 Girls
OSSA 96 Blue I v FC Portland 1996G Navy

Under 15 Boys
FC Portland 1996B Navy v Westside Metros Forza

Under 16 Girls
OSSA 95 Blue v Tualatin Hills United SC Sodium

Under 16 Boys
OSSA 95 Green v FC Portland 1995B Navy

Under 17 Girls
FC Portland 1994G Navy v OSSA 94 Blue

Under 17 Boys
FC Portland 1994B Navy v Westside Metros Timbers

Under 18 Girls
Eugene Metro FC 93 Spirit v FC Portland 1993G Navy

Under 18 Boys
Eastside United FC Manchester United v OSSA 93 Green

Games kickoff at 9am, and continue throughout the day, concluding with the 4:30 kickoff of the Under 14 age groups. Best of luck to everyone Saturday! 
 

The Oregon Premier League is a dedicated, professional association devoted to providing a top-tier competitive development environment for Oregon youth soccer players, their teams and the clubs that share the goal of shaping the sport at the highest levels.  The OPL is designed to continue to provide a positive, value-based environment for the participants within its programs. To achieve that vision, in part, the OPL aligns with professionals who share in, embrace and demonstrate their commitment to this value system. Conversely, the OPL consciously avoids or limits contact with those, either within or outside of the state of Oregon, who do not demonstrate a respect for the integrity and vision set forth when the OPL’s mission was created and its organization was formed.

History shows that the OPL works diligently and honorably when pursuing partnerships.  Some have worked well, and others have not. However, throughout each discussion and at the forefront of each decision, the OPL continues to sustain a vigorous and vibrant process whereby the best interests of youth soccer within the state are maintained for the long term. In addition, the OPL continues to faithfully adhere to the values and bylaws of the US Soccer Federation and US Club Soccer, and continues to remain in good standing with both of its national certifying organizations.

As we enter the month of April, your OPL continues to stay focused on what’s happening on the field. While there may be the inevitable distractions here and there, the OPL remains busy managing both winter and spring leagues to successful conclusions, preparing for both OPL State Cup and Directors Cup tournaments, and even planning for tryouts for the Portland Timbers Development Academy (July) and this year’s fall league (May).

In closing this month’s news update, the OPL would like to welcome the over 200 teams  that have registered for the 2012 OPL State Cup and Director’s Cup tournaments, representing an increase of 25% over last year. Good luck to all players, teams, and coaches!

From an administrative point of view, the OPL continues to work diligently to provide every single member with the best youth soccer experience, in the most efficient and economical ways possible. For example, the OPL has developed strong relationships with both of the national youth soccer governing organizations - US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer - and their representatives. The OPL continues to pro-actively explore win- win partnerships with these organizations, and within the past month alone, we’ve authored and proposed mutually beneficial partnership agreements to both organizations.

The month of March also marks the beginning of another soccer season - Major League Soccer. OPL continues to represent our membership by developing an strong working relationships with the Portland Timbers organization. The OPL is currently working with the Timbers to support the formation, selection, and coaching of the U18 and U16 Development Academy teams. The OPL is excited to participate in the inaugural season of the Timbers development academy teams, and we fully expect that the majority of players selected will be from OPL member clubs. And just in case there were any doubts, OPL clubs will wholeheartedly encourage their players who are interested in trying out for the development academy teams, to do so. Good luck to all players who’ve been selected for the academy pools thus far!

In closing this news update, the OPL wishes to thank its members for their support, and to reiterate our pledge to continue to pursue partners both nationally and locally, who share our vision and who also understand the value of keeping the focus on providing the best soccer experience for the players, in the most efficient way possible. As always, the most up-to-date information about the OPL is found on our website, www.oregonpremierleague.com. Please visit often to see the latest OPL news about member clubs, standings & schedules, tournaments, and much more.

Good luck to all players as you prepare for OPL tournaments and the Portland Timbers Development Academy teams!

Sincerely,

Your Oregon Premier League 

The document reflects specific areas or platforms that clubs and club leadership should be targeting for growth, change, and improvement within the organization. It is intended to be a roadmap for club development, a pathway to sharing best practices, and to provoke thought, discussion and action regarding ways to expand and improve programs and services.

The Youth Club Standards were developed with the advice and assistance of U.S. Soccer technical staff, technical leaders from clubs throughout the country, and the US Club Soccer Board of Directors and staff. The standards will continue to grow and evolve over time, reflecting the ever-changing environment of club soccer in the United States.

“The establishment of club standards is critically tied to the player development process, because clubs that are better structured, organized and led eventually develop better players,” said Phil Wright, Chairman of US Club Soccer’s Board of Directors. “US Club Soccer is committed to the development and support of clubs throughout the country in order to elevate the standard of the sport in the United States.”

The complete document is available here and can be accessed at usclubsoccer.org via the clubs tab.

The Youth Club Standards document outlines expectations and goals for clubs in areas as diverse as facilities, operations, coaching education, and more. In addition, the document provides three different levels of standards:

Minimum Requirements: These are the basic minimum expectations a club should meet to qualify as a youth soccer club under US Club Soccer. These standards are set out as minimum requirements, without which it is virtually impossible to operate as a true soccer club.

Base Club Standards: These are standards that should be met, or be within the scope of the strategic growth plan, for the majority of youth soccer clubs across the country. The base club standards will cover a wide spectrum of clubs of various competitive levels. Differentiations between these clubs will not only be reflected in their size and mission, but also in the number of these standards met, the degree by which they are met, and the quality of the service or resources provided by the club and its staff within each standard.

National Premier Leagues (NPL) Standards: These are the standards that should be met by the top developmental clubs in the country in order for these organizations to truly be considered professional talent development organizations, and are supplements and additions to the Base Club Standards. Within US Club Soccer, top clubs participate in the National Premier Leagues (NPLs); for this reason, these standards are referred to as NPL Standards. These standards are considered when reviewing applicants to the NPL and in the on-going evaluation of current member clubs in the NPL. NPL clubs are expected to meet all minimum requirements and basic club standards, and make consistent progress in achieving new NPL standards each year.

It should be noted that the U.S. Soccer Federation has developed its own specific standards for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, and standards are currently being developed by the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) for its teams.

US Club Soccer will continue to expand its club development efforts and educational programming with new initiatives that will be closely aligned with these standards.

ABOUT US CLUB SOCCER:

US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization committed to the development and support of soccer clubs and players in the United States. A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer offers youth and adult player and staff registration, integrated competition platforms at the recreational and competitive levels, as well as a variety of other programming, including the id² National Player Identification and Development Program.

Unique to US Club Soccer is the ability of member clubs to unite youth and adult programs under one organizational umbrella, creating a “members for life” culture within each club. Additionally, US Club Soccer’s philosophy of maximum flexibility improves the player development environment.

The Oregon Premier League would like to extend a hearty congratulations to the players who have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level, as well as recognize their clubs for nurturing their talent and helping them accomplish a major milestone in their lives.  We will continue to update this page as more commitments are reported to us. 

Basin United SC (Southern Oregon)
Brooke Stewart - Chico State

FC Portland (Portland)
Lydia Anderson - Cal Poly SLO
Rebekah Carrasquer - Boise State
Kaitlynn Durham - Westmont 
Kallina Haase - College of Saint Rose 
Teegan Koster - Montana State University Billings 
Olivia Lovell - Oregon State  
Kelsey Peck - Whitman College
Michaela Phillips - College of Saint Rose
Cassandra Ripley - Central Washington
Erin Saxton - University of Neveda Reno 
Rebecca Sikora - Portland State 
Sheaffer Skadsen - University of Arizona
Hannah Smith - Montana State University - Billings
Kayla Vera - Southeastern Louisana University 

Oregon Rush (Bend)
Tash Anderson - Walla Walla Community College 
Rhianna Aylward - Wellesley College 
Maryn Beutler- Oregon
Hayley Estopare - Arizona 
Zoe Kilmer - Redlands 
Torie Morris - Portland State University  
Kristen Parr - Oregon
Courtney Shearer - Seattle Pacific
Madison Shore - Western Oregon 

OSSA (Portland)
Casey Baldwin – Carrol College 
Maddy Chase – Northern Colorado 
Mele Cortez – University of Idaho 
Mackenzie Hopkins – Butler
Kellyn Nelson – Gonzaga 
Whitney Pitalo – USC 
Anna-Marie Popma – Boise State 
Anna Stewart – Portland State 
Lauren Wallburg – Cal State Baptist
Jeremy Winston - Cal Poly

Westside Metros (Beaverton)
Alicia Alarcon-Evans - Concordia
Ariel Kanable - Concordia
McKayla Madison - Concordia

US Club Soccer recently launched the online home of the organization’s newly-formed NPL, at www.nationalpremierleagues.com, with links and information to all the leagues around the country.

Scheduled to kick off in the fall, the NPL includes many of the nation’s top clubs in geographically-based leagues, with each independently-operated NPL linked with the others under the same technical guidelines, philosophies and structure. Additionally, every NPL will include an integrated Player Development Program within US Club Soccer’s id² Program to provide additional exposure and development opportunities for the top players within the NPL. Most importantly, every NPL is led by a Technical Advisory Committee consisting of the Directors of Coaching from each member club.

Winners of each NPL will advance to the National Premier Leagues Champions Cup, where national champions will be crowned. The inaugural event is scheduled for July 2012.

• Properly-structured youth soccer clubs are the vehicle through which player development does and must occur in the United States.

• Clubs should play in leagues that provide meaningful games, allow establishment of the proper training-to-game ratio, and eliminate calendar congestion.

• National Premier Leagues, as well as the best clubs, should be integrated in US Club Soccer’s id² national identification and development program, include Player Development Programs in select local markets, and work closely with U.S. Soccer staff regarding player identification, and player and coach development. 

A complete presentation on the vision, structure and future of the National Premier Leagues can be found on the NPL website. This presentation also includes an overview of the Player Development Programs created for each National Premier League.

About the Oregon Premier League: 
The Oregon Premier League is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive soccer in Oregon. Sanctioned by US Club Soccer, the OPL offers a wide range of competitive divisions for U11-U18, and partners with our clubs to offer U10 developmental leagues. The OPL hosts the Oregon Premier League State Cup once per year for U12-U18  teams, and a Director’s Cup twice per year (U11-U14, and U15-U18). The OPL is also a founding partner of the Northwest Champions League and the Pacific Coast Super Cup. 

About US Club Soccer:
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. A member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, US Club Soccer has grown to include member clubs and leagues in all 50 states. In addition to sanctioning and administering tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup. US Club Soccer also directs its own player identification and development program – id².

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