Future of OR Soccer

[Unregistered]

"There is no room to move games around, so if you need a change, you can ask but I am not making any promises."

Wow, that sounds really accommodating!

This is the problem when people are not willing to take the time to educate themselves or think big picture.

1. A lot of games to schedule in a short period of time. If you will look, you would notice that no games were scheduled on the front and back end of spring break. Furthermore, no game scheduled on Easter.

2. One would have to assume that there is a limited number of fields available due to State Cup, lacrosse, and Spring washed out grass fields.

All in all, there hve been NO problems I have seen in my experiences with OPL Fall or Spring scheduling. I would bet they have some wiggle room for a serious request but state this firmly to deter the ridiculous requests. If you have been involved in any tournament or league, you would know well what I speak of in terms of ridiculous requests. Ask Chinook Cup about trying to accomodate scheduling and see where it got them.....

[Unregistered]

I know it's not easy to make scheduling changes but I think the point is that the new master will have the same problems as the old one (and seems even more power hungry).

No one HAS really said how OPL is supposed to be better (except for Portland clubs having less travel). Is that the extent of it?

[Unregistered]

First of all, no one is jumping up and down (unless you are). Second, fairness is something that is taken into account in all levels of sporting events. You're really missing something fundamental if you don't realize that.

Fairness point: To level the playing field so OPL maintains credibility of who "really" deserves to finish first in any bracket a home/away game needs to be played. If the OPL does not want to travel, then don't invite teams to OPL from outside the Portland Metro Area.

My point is just saying it isn't fair without formulating the argument is not enough.

To say that "business based arguments" are the only ones that should be listened to for managing youth soccer is completely off-base.Again, my butt is firmly planted in my chair, although I could use some coffee.

Business based arguments is one avenue. I don't think I said it was the "only one". There are others, as the fairness argument above.

I look forward to seeing you present your case at the OPL meeting. I wish you luck and hope you can change things for the better.

[Unregistered]

I know it's not easy to make scheduling changes but I think the point is that the new master will have the same problems as the old one (and seems even more power hungry).

No one HAS really said how OPL is supposed to be better (except for Portland clubs having less travel). Is that the extent of it?

Didn't a bunch of State Cup games just get rescheduled due to snow in Bend. If OPL is Portland Metro fields only they would not have to deal with these occurrances.

[Unregistered]

No one HAS really said how OPL is supposed to be better (except for Portland clubs having less travel). Is that the extent of it?

I believe that is what we will be hearing in the public forum. Only a few have had experiences with OPL over the last two years, if you had a child that played U-11.

What is needed is for people who have a serious interest to appear at the forum. Arrive with an open mind, but critical. Listen to what is presented and then hard intelligent, sound, and probing questions. None of us can determine the long term answer without taking the time to hear the vision and plans of both organizations. Then educated decisions can be made.

And if anyone is able to make it, maybe they could post a synopsis of what was presented?

[Unregistered]

Didn't a bunch of State Cup games just get rescheduled due to snow in Bend. If OPL is Portland Metro fields only they would not have to deal with these occurrances.

Which is a necessity I suppose given their difficulty rescheduling games!

[Unregistered]

Sorry that was missing a word and not clear

........and then "ASK" hard intelligent, sound, and probing questions. None of us can determine the long term answer without taking the time to hear the vision and plans of both organizations

[Unregistered]

I believe that is what we will be hearing in the public forum. Only a few have had experiences with OPL over the last two years, if you had a child that played U-11.

You're telling me that this organization has been running for two years and I need to attend a forum in Lake Oswego to find out what it has to offer over OYSA? I'm sorry but that's unacceptable. Is it some big secret or something?

[Unregistered]

Is it really what the customers want or is what the club's/coaches want? In the 5+ years my child has played competitive soccer, I have never heard any of our parents or players complaining about the travel. Quite the contrary.

Scheduling, is another subject.

[Unregistered]

It is my understanding that OPL wants to pull out of OYSA. That would mean that your child would not be able to play in State Cup and that means no USYSA Regionals. For the tops teams that is what they are playing for. Don't let anyone fool you to think the US Club Soccer Regionals is anywhere near as prestigous of a competition. Anyone can enter that. This is totally unfair to the players. Keep you egos intact and work with OYSA and not against them.

[Unregistered]

Look at this forum. It is dominated by fans/parents of U-14 and U-15. I bet you have not heard much of OPL and their vision, because the majority of people on this forum have no idea. So just chill and wait for someone to fill us in.

Those that might be passionate about soccer and concerned for its future here in Oregon might be willing to attend to hear them out. You have spoken and are not, great for you.

[Unregistered]

Keep you egos intact and work with OYSA and not against them.

Do we know that OYSA, a bunch of people of whom many have no soccer background, have kept their egos in check and have been willing to work with the clubs?
This cuts both ways.

And it appears to be more than one or two clubs fed up with the OYSA regime. Where there is smoke there is usually fire.

[Unregistered]

Is it really what the customers want or is what the club's/coaches want? In the 5+ years my child has played competitive soccer, I have never heard any of our parents or players complaining about the travel. Quite the contrary.

Scheduling, is another subject.

I guess that depends on the team and where you travel. I have had kids playing club for 7+ years and a consistent complaint was traveling to southern oregon for games. The complaints were voiced to the club coach/manager level when OYSA makes it worse by messing up and schedules a Portland team for a game in Medford on Saturday with another game in Portland Sunday.

[Unregistered]

Didn't a bunch of State Cup games just get rescheduled due to snow in Bend. If OPL is Portland Metro fields only they would not have to deal with these occurrances.

Hazardous travel conditions coming over the passes, not the conditions in Bend. Would have worked the same the other way. I would have to assume the very few times that happens in a year is not a basis for forming a new league.

[Unregistered]

I'm a U14 parent but I have other kids that are getting ready to play competitive soccer. Still, this OPL forum annoys me because without any information beforehand, it's kind of a joke. Why can't they post some information on their webpage? They took the time to post a PDF that has just about zero content. How am I supposed to go there and ask meaningful questions if I don't know anything going in? Is there some legitimate reason we have to wait until this forum to learn anything about OPL?