“Bribery” and Ethics violations in ECNL/GDA/OYSA

[Unregistered]

So if you are getting something that is "largely free," you give up your right to complain or criticize. Either move on and pay for something better quality or live with your choice and remember you get what you (don't) pay for.

where's the TS "like" button for this comment?

[Unregistered]

Well there's the flaw in your thinking right there. Portland is a soccer-mad city, with amazing facilities, and dog crap for quality in terms of coaching and clubs.

And those extra books you have been reading on player development qualifies you as an expert in coaching and clubs?

BTW, what amazing facilities are you talking about?

[Unregistered]

It is not really a ethics issue. It was a business transaction and everyone knew what is up. It is not like he was hiding what he was trying to do.

It becomes an “ethics issue” once TA (who is supposed to be above being bought) caves and allows what happened. Why even play that game and ruin your limited integrity you have with this those that are in the know at the younger ages???....

[Unregistered]

I'm sorry but as a non-Portland parent this seems so ridiculous. You live in a city with literally a half dozen good club options. If this dad did all you say, why on earth would you stay with this club?

You parents in a large metro area have the power to force clubs to be ethical. If they aren't, take your business elsewhere. If enough of you do that, the unethical clubs are run out of town and the ethical ones are rewarded.

I can see this being an issue in an outlying area like Bend or Eugene or Medford - where a parent has one premier club option within a reasonable driving distance. But to allow yourselves to be held hostage when you have so many other good choices speaks to your foolishness, not the dishonesty of the clubs.

Agree if it was just clubs doing this but it’s our mls club doing it with its youth academy- a huge difference

[Unregistered]

So if you are getting something that is "largely free," you give up your right to complain or criticize. Either move on and pay for something better quality or live with your choice and remember you get what you (don't) pay for.

Problem is, just like the college scandal, many undeserving kids are being given that exposure and ill gotten label and opportunity at the expense of other more deserving kids...it’s not free by the way for anyone who wants it and it’s not free- Ben paid millions for it

[Unregistered]

Problem is, just like the college scandal, many undeserving kids are being given that exposure and ill gotten label and opportunity at the expense of other more deserving kids...it’s not free by the way for anyone who wants it and it’s not free- Ben paid millions for it

Unethical influence of parents goes all the way down from the big college scandal to local clubs. The DA and ECNL expose players for college and other elite opportunities. Giving/selling opportunities to players who haven’t earned it at training & on the pitch is just plain wrong. And stupid. It’ll bite you in the butt.

[Unregistered]

And those extra books you have been reading on player development qualifies you as an expert in coaching and clubs?

BTW, what amazing facilities are you talking about?

You should get out more. Go check out the number of accessible training surfaces in other cities, and then come back and see if you don't consider this community among the top 10percent.

And if you think the club and coaching offerings here are good, that's just another case of you needing to get out more. Portland is a decade behind. If that's not obvious to you, it's either because you don't know anything about top-level youth soccer or you have a vested interest in the clubs here.

[Unregistered]

You should get out more. Go check out the number of accessible training surfaces in other cities, and then come back and see if you don't consider this community among the top 10percent.

And if you think the club and coaching offerings here are good, that's just another case of you needing to get out more. Portland is a decade behind. If that's not obvious to you, it's either because you don't know anything about top-level youth soccer or you have a vested interest in the clubs here.

Not OP, but have you seen what Crossfire has access to in Washington, or the facilities some of the Texas clubs have (where land is cheep)? There are a handful of clubs in this area with decent facilities, but they pail in comparison to what some of the super clubs in this country have.

Will let you 2 argue over local coaching v. everywhere else - seems impossible to prove one way or another.

[Unregistered]

Per capita, Portland has extremely competitive facilities. Anyone complaining about training surfaces is probably just looking for more revenue.

Facilities is like number 35 on the list of what's wrong in Portland.

[Unregistered]

Per capita, Portland has extremely competitive facilities. Anyone complaining about training surfaces is probably just looking for more revenue.

Facilities is like number 35 on the list of what's wrong in Portland.

There is nothing like what Crossfire has (60 acres) here in Oregon. Gives them certainty in programming and an incredible cash machine . . . it is a big part of why they are a super club.

There is a reason Oregon hasn't hosted a regional competition of any size in many years (think the last one was a US Club competition) - we have some nice fields, but not supersized facilities that make supersized clubs.

[Unregistered]

Gives them certainty in programming and an incredible cash machine . . .

And there it is. Always about more revenue.

[Unregistered]

And there it is. Always about more revenue.

Well, Crossfire is the best club in the NW and they have lots of money and a huge facility.

They also have Oregon's very own Jim Rilatt coaching there (formerly of Eastside and FC).

$$ and facilities are important contributor to soccer, outside of playing in the schoolyard.

[Unregistered]

You should get out more. Go check out the number of accessible training surfaces in other cities, and then come back and see if you don't consider this community among the top 10percent.

And if you think the club and coaching offerings here are good, that's just another case of you needing to get out more. Portland is a decade behind. If that's not obvious to you, it's either because you don't know anything about top-level youth soccer or you have a vested interest in the clubs here.

How many clubs have access to these "amazing" facilities? Do you know how hard it is to get field time if you are not Crossfire, THUSC, or one of the TA Clubs?

You just need to go up to Seattle to see comparable facilities. 60 Acres, Marymoor, Grasslawn, Starfire, etc...

The clubs and coaching here is not great, but I also hear tons of people in other areas complaining about there club coaching as well. I am sure there are some really good coaches out there, but they have to be making more than Oregon coaches. Unless you are a DOC, it is impossible to make a career coaching club soccer in Oregon.

[Unregistered]

Well, Crossfire is the best club in the NW and they have lots of money and a huge facility.

They also have Oregon's very own Jim Rilatt coaching there (formerly of Eastside and FC).

$$ and facilities are important contributor to soccer, outside of playing in the schoolyard.

How often do you think they train at this huge facility? There are no lights at 60 Acres.

Do you think 60 Acres below to Crossfire?

http://www.60acres.org/aboutUs.html

[Unregistered]

Per capita, Portland has extremely competitive facilities. Anyone complaining about training surfaces is probably just looking for more revenue.

Facilities is like number 35 on the list of what's wrong in Portland.

I am not complaining. Just saying that it is on par with most other places.

Who has access to the nicer facilities? If you are on the west side of town and are not a part of Westside and THUSC then good luck with getting field time.

The Timbers training facility in Beaverton is really nice also, but who is training there?