Fall Schedules

[Unregistered]

You are correct, we should be complaining about how bad it is that the Timbers have created this polarization between the top clubs in Oregon!!

For there to be polarization there have to be two opposites. The argument of who went which way is pointless, because their will always be disagreement. The reality however is neither side is innocent. OPL can be blamed for creating polarization just as much as the Timbers or OYSA can be blamed.

My question, does pointing fingers fix anything? We all just stand around like clowns pointing at the other guy...if the desire is to pull soccer back together quit wasting time talking about the past. Who cares. Let's not let this screwed up system last for another year.

[Unregistered]

Stupid and sexist is no way to go through life son.

Neither is humorless and uptight...

[Unregistered]

You are correct, we should be complaining about how bad it is that the Timbers have created this polarization between the top clubs in Oregon!!

The polarization has little to do with the clubs, the polarity is between the DOC egos who were formerly all a part of OPL.

The Boy's clubs all went OYSA and have worked into a pretty good structure with the Timbers Academy. This academy is not the Westside or Eastside academy it is outside of th eyouth club structure.

The DOC's at the Girls clubs (crossfire,Thusc, and FC) all insisted that they wanted to have their own academy structure. This is where ECNL fits in. The Anger between Tom, Fraser etc and OYSA was based around this issue. These OPL clubs didn't want to agree to a central girl's academy because then they would give up a huge cash-flow generator.

The polarity was never created "by the Timbers", that is simply OPL propaganda so they don't have to have any accountability for their side of the issue.

[Unregistered]

The polarization has little to do with the clubs, the polarity is between the DOC egos who were formerly all a part of OPL.

The Boy's clubs all went OYSA and have worked into a pretty good structure with the Timbers Academy. This academy is not the Westside or Eastside academy it is outside of th eyouth club structure.

The DOC's at the Girls clubs (crossfire,Thusc, and FC) all insisted that they wanted to have their own academy structure. This is where ECNL fits in. The Anger between Tom, Fraser etc and OYSA was based around this issue. These OPL clubs didn't want to agree to a central girl's academy because then they would give up a huge cash-flow generator.

The polarity was never created "by the Timbers", that is simply OPL propaganda so they don't have to have any accountability for their side of the issue.

That might be believable if not for the fact that ECNL was in the works long before OYSA was on the timbers radar, let alone a 'girls academy' was even a gleam in anyones eye.

[Unregistered]

That might be believable if not for the fact that ECNL was in the works long before OYSA was on the timbers radar, let alone a 'girls academy' was even a gleam in anyones eye.

You seem to have such deep insight into when certain conversations were started. Are you one of the primary actors, or are you just believing their story line?

The concept of ECNL has been around for a long time. THUSC unsuccessfully applied several times before their most recent application. It was only after the Timbers started getting more serious in talking about a girls academy that Tom decided "I must do whatever it takes to get ECNL." Who knows what kind of deals he made, but it is clear that his primary motive in getting ECNL was not "to better youth soccer" it was to punish and get revenge on the Timbers. The "polarization" has existed between Tom and Fraser and Gavin and John for far longer than between any soccer organization, it is just these old men are now using soccer clubs to fight their personal ego wars.

So who is dumber, them for doing this, or us as parents who allow such stupid petty arguments to screw up our kids youth soccer life?

[Unregistered]

You seem to have such deep insight into when certain conversations were started. Are you one of the primary actors, or are you just believing their story line?

The concept of ECNL has been around for a long time. THUSC unsuccessfully applied several times before their most recent application. It was only after the Timbers started getting more serious in talking about a girls academy that Tom decided "I must do whatever it takes to get ECNL." Who knows what kind of deals he made, but it is clear that his primary motive in getting ECNL was not "to better youth soccer" it was to punish and get revenge on the Timbers. The "polarization" has existed between Tom and Fraser and Gavin and John for far longer than between any soccer organization, it is just these old men are now using soccer clubs to fight their personal ego wars.

So who is dumber, them for doing this, or us as parents who allow such stupid petty arguments to screw up our kids youth soccer life?

Totally agree that these are stupid petty arguments. But screwing up my kid's youth soccer life? Not even close. She was OPL, now she's OYSA. She's on a team she loves with coaches who she respects and who are helping her grow as a player. Her team is competitive and playing in a competitive league. Yes, it would be more competitive if the split hadn't happened, but for her age group the split left a strong OYSA pool and a strong OPL pool so it's okay. She gets to do summer tournaments all over the western US and play teams stronger than any in Oregon. She is having fun and as long as she continues to have fun, we will support her in every way possible. That's what this is all about, for us at least. Eventually the powers that be in soccer will re-merge the leagues. Or not. Honestly we don't care because if our kid works hard enough and has the talent, good things will happen for her regardless of whether she is part of OPL or OYSA.

[Slow Xavi]

The polarization has little to do with the clubs, the polarity is between the DOC egos who were formerly all a part of OPL.

*****This academy is not the Westside or Eastside academy it is outside of th eyouth club structure.
*****

I'm not sure that is going to continue to be true; at some point you would think the Academy would go further down in ages; meaning Westside and maybe others become part of the Timbers (either cease to be 501(c)(3) or evolve in structure to support the Timbers). Not sure that is good or bad, but the concept of some of The TA clubs as independent is eroding and I don't know if it will continue.

*****
The DOC's at the Girls clubs (crossfire,Thusc, and FC) all insisted that they wanted to have their own academy structure. This is where ECNL fits in. The Anger between Tom, Fraser etc and OYSA was based around this issue. These OPL clubs didn't want to agree to a central girl's academy because then they would give up a huge cash-flow generator.

***

There is also an ideological argument at play here (that is part of the battle of ideas that exist between USYSA v. US Soccer): basically the US Club philosophy is that player development is best done through the clubs. OYSA/Timbers have articulated a more centralized model.

You are also missing:
-OPL's argument that the Timbers did not deliver promised content.
-Issues around the Timbers driving a league as well as clubs that participate in it and the potential conflicts (not in a technical legal perspective but in terms of brands being promoted). Along those lines - if the Timbers seek to consolidate clubs under their brand/direction, isn't reasonable for independent clubs who do not want that in their future to object to them dictating league policy?

*****
****
The polarity was never created "by the Timbers", that is simply OPL propaganda so they don't have to have any accountability for their side of the issue.

Don't know about that; go back and read some of the OYSA minutes before the most recent split. They (OYSA) had some pretty harsh things to say about the Timbers at that point. In fact the Timbers were quite successful in ticking off both the OYSA and OPL in 2013 (both alleging either breach or failure to delivery on Timbers' part in their respective agreements) until the new deal with the OYSA.

Timbers play to win; sometimes they are going to put their elbows up to do so. They are going to be a big part of the Oregon youth soccer world for a long time; however, that doesn't mean the state doesn't need independent voices/leagues/clubs and people willing to tell them "no".

At some point we all may be paying a Timbers' tax to play youth soccer - I am for my kids this fall - doesn't mean there isn't a good reason for soccer leaders in this state to push for some level of independence (at the league level/fostering independent clubs) from our MLS team.