Timbers Lemmings LOL

[Unregistered]

Okay. I'm a Westside mom and I wish you would have stayed with the first sentence.

We don't need anymore trash talk for any players, their families, and their coaches, for any clubs. Come on people. Quit with the bragging rights bantor. We need one another to ensure that these kids have places to play and people supporting them in their aspirations.

I have sons and daughters and I've been involved in the recruitment process for a lot of years. Just be happy for the time with your kids. While you're at it, be happy for other people's kids too. Thank you for the time shared watching all of our players.

Nice post.

[Unregistered]

Do the research and create your own list. It's that easy.

I know enough good athletes to prove you wrong.

There is no list because you need names of actual players to make the list. One good thing though, TA clubs save a lot of time and money not having to make lists.

[Unregistered]

FC Portland used to be better.

Even if FCP is not as good as it used to be (and I'd argue you are wrong), they haven't slipped nearly as much as the TA clubs - all of which are complete rubbish anymore.

[Unregistered]

FC Portland used to be better.

They should start trying tobfocus on development instead of relying on recruiting.

[Unregistered]

They should start trying tobfocus on development instead of relying on recruiting.

No recruiting necessary at FCP and CU. Everyone knows, but not all will admit, that those 2 clubs are the absolute best choices for female soccer players - for development, for level of competition, for college placement. Players ditch their "starter" clubs and move to FCP and CU in droves each year, or at least try to. Many don't make the cut and have to go back to their starter clubs but that's OK. The starter (read Timbers) clubs fill a nice niche for the oversized, underdeveloped players.

[Unregistered]

No recruiting necessary at FCP and CU. Everyone knows, but not all will admit, that those 2 clubs are the absolute best choices for female soccer players - for development, for level of competition, for college placement. Players ditch their "starter" clubs and move to FCP and CU in droves each year, or at least try to. Many don't make the cut and have to go back to their starter clubs but that's OK. The starter (read Timbers) clubs fill a nice niche for the oversized, underdeveloped players.

Oregon clubs over the last 25 years have earned their reputation of what type of players and families they attract. Clubs switching league platforms is merely a club choice that doesn't change any reputation or history of non-achievement or achievement for said club.

Instead questions persist what does winning an OYSA state cup actually mean today? or an entire club being fodder in a US Club sanctioned league does that mean they really stink?

Unfortunately, with such a dysfunctional landscape of competitive platforms available to clubs and players it's very difficult to figure out if any Oregon Club team is relevant at any level. Some league choices have demonstrated our local clubs are light years behind other areas of the NW, West Coast and the contiguous USA.

History tells us when all clubs played under the USYS banner Oregon did produce National Level boys teams and some girls teams that could compete regionally but never advance out of Region IV as champs.

The only constant measure available is the type of colleges that are selecting oregonians and the amount of athletic aid boys & girls from Oregon Clubs.

Which has been much less impressive over the last 10 years when all the insanity and dysfunction began, folks it aint getting better anytime soon in this fractured mess of expensive travel and no top college players being developed by any Oregon club.

The Timbers DA at u16 & u18 have become the most elite club for boys but still don't get all the top players and must recruit players from across the USA to keep up with other academy programs

Maybe the Portland Thorns GDA will clean up this current mess and finally bring back an elite level of play for girls and development.

If not, enjoy creating your own reality of how things are.

Cavemen, Lemmings, SuperStars, Trust Fund Soccer, Frequent Flyer rewards, Acroynms and more Acroynms...

[Unregistered]

Oregon clubs over the last 25 years have earned their reputation of what type of players and families they attract. Clubs switching league platforms is merely a club choice that doesn't change any reputation or history of non-achievement or achievement for said club.

Instead questions persist what does winning an OYSA state cup actually mean today? or an entire club being fodder in a US Club sanctioned league does that mean they really stink?

Unfortunately, with such a dysfunctional landscape of competitive platforms available to clubs and players it's very difficult to figure out if any Oregon Club team is relevant at any level. Some league choices have demonstrated our local clubs are light years behind other areas of the NW, West Coast and the contiguous USA.

History tells us when all clubs played under the USYS banner Oregon did produce National Level boys teams and some girls teams that could compete regionally but never advance out of Region IV as champs.

The only constant measure available is the type of colleges that are selecting oregonians and the amount of athletic aid boys & girls from Oregon Clubs.

Which has been much less impressive over the last 10 years when all the insanity and dysfunction began, folks it aint getting better anytime soon in this fractured mess of expensive travel and no top college players being developed by any Oregon club.

The Timbers DA at u16 & u18 have become the most elite club for boys but still don't get all the top players and must recruit players from across the USA to keep up with other academy programs

Maybe the Portland Thorns GDA will clean up this current mess and finally bring back an elite level of play for girls and development.

If not, enjoy creating your own reality of how things are.

Cavemen, Lemmings, SuperStars, Trust Fund Soccer, Frequent Flyer rewards, Acroynms and more Acroynms...

Well stated.
I have become increasingly frustrated with the fragmentation and specialization of youth soccer in Oregon over the past five years especially. Every since the Timbers Alliance started we have seen a decline in opportunities for teams to compete and individuals to stand out.
I'm not saying Timbers Alliance teams suck, just that the division that started with them and has continued with Timbers Academy, Thorns Academy, ECNL, GDA, DA, etc... has created a toxic environment in Oregon youth soccer. I don't know if it's as bad elsewhere because I only see other teams at tournaments and showcases, mostly in the Western region and don't spend a lot of time lamenting with the other teams parents.