OPL Oregon Cup

[Unregistered]

The problem, thanks to OPL, is that NO state champion in Oregon can claim next Spring that they are the best. However, the OYSA state champs go on to play the best from other states. The OPL state champs play second rate teams from other states. If your kids' team then go on to win a fictional national championship with US Club Soccer next year, are you then agreeing that your young but competitive kids will be less than thrilled knowing they have not played against the best? I'm pretty sure they will be ecstatic and I'm equally sure that no parents will be running saying, "congrats kid, you won the national championship but unfortunately you only beat second rate teams from other states."

Yes, my kids have already mentioned that they know if they make it to Nationals that they won't be playing the best and they're disappointed in that. But they at least have a chance of being Oregon State champs, and the legit champs. They're saddened that they can't go to regionals but are happy because of the NWCL and the chance for Surf Cup. They also realize this will probably work itself out in the next year or so and with the Timbers Academy coming up it won't matter.

[Unregistered]

Wait

The problem, thanks to OPL, is that NO state champion in Oregon can claim next Spring that they are the best. However, the OYSA state champs go on to play the best from other states. The OPL state champs play second rate teams from other states. If your kids' team then go on to win a fictional national championship with US Club Soccer."

Ok let’s really look at it.

If you want to be the best, a true national champion you can't play in Oregon. The US Development Academy has that. So if you are looking to truly be the best hit the I-5 and go north to Crossfire.

Most of us live here in Oregon. The best league in Oregon is the OPL. The OPL teams have dominated Boys and Girls soccer for years with the occasional exceptions from Bend, Salem ect.

US Club Nationals and there Sanctioned Tournaments have over taken USYSA regional’s and national tournament.
This isn't all bad for Oregon. There are players that live in areas of the state that would never have the opportunity to play in regional or national tournament. With the big clubs going to the OPL and all their other leagues they now have the opportunity.

The split between the OPL and OYSA is the best thing that ever happened in Oregon, and at the end of the year there are going to be a ton of happy players. First the OYSA teams that win the OYSA state cups are going to be happy. With very few exceptions these teams just couldn't compete with the OPL teams. The OPL teams are going to be happy playing in the OPL and NWCL and going to the US Club Nationals, they can't compete in the development academy.

[Unregistered]

What a load...

Yes, my kids have already mentioned that they know if they make it to Nationals that they won't be playing the best and they're disappointed in that. But they at least have a chance of being Oregon State champs, and the legit champs. They're saddened that they can't go to regionals but are happy because of the NWCL and the chance for Surf Cup. They also realize this will probably work itself out in the next year or so and with the Timbers Academy coming up it won't matter.

Come on everyone wake up and smell the coffee, this whole chain is so thinly masked that it is surprising mire people aren't calling out the OPL parents for their desperate attempt to justify their decisions. If you are worried you made the wrong decision the reality is the only choice is to wait and see what happens. I seriously challenge the statement of the OPL champions being the legit state champions, to be legitimate you have to face all comers no matter what size. Not just win in a self elected league.

The saddest thing is while the kids are the ones impacted they likely care about little of this tripe. The kids I know (highly competitive BTW) want to play. They want to be challenged. They have loved their experiences at regionals, and wouldn't give those up. Will they feel like their accomplishments are worth less next spring, absolutely not. It is not their fault certain teams have decided to go their own way.

So OPL parents if the tripe helps you feel better, I guess no one can stop you, but do you really know what matters to your kids, or is this more about your egos?

[Unregistered]

Yes, my kids have already mentioned that they know if they make it to Nationals that they won't be playing the best and they're disappointed in that. But they at least have a chance of being Oregon State champs, and the legit champs. They're saddened that they can't go to regionals but are happy because of the NWCL and the chance for Surf Cup. They also realize this will probably work itself out in the next year or so and with the Timbers Academy coming up it won't matter.

"Legit state champions" when they don't participate in a state wide tourney? Good luck selling that. Maybe your kids would prefer NWCL and perhaps Surf Cup (long shot) over Regionals, but I highly doubt most do.

[Unregistered]

Come on everyone wake up and smell the coffee, this whole chain is so thinly masked that it is surprising mire people aren't calling out the OPL parents for their desperate attempt to justify their decisions. If you are worried you made the wrong decision the reality is the only choice is to wait and see what happens.

I don't know ANY OPL parents that feel they need to justify their decision or ANY that regret going to the OPL. They are playing the toughest competition in Oregon and some great teams in Washington with a chance to go to Surf Cup and Nationals, still playing ODP and have the Timbers Academy to look forward to. Sounds like an all around great plan.

[Unregistered]

Ok let’s really look at it.

If you want to be the best, a true national champion you can't play in Oregon. The US Development Academy has that. So if you are looking to truly be the best hit the I-5 and go north to Crossfire.

I agree with this. I have a quick question though. Do Oregon teams typically compete well vs Crossfire at the younger age groups, say U11 and U12?

[Unregistered]

"Legit state champions" when they don't participate in a state wide tourney? Good luck selling that. Maybe your kids would prefer NWCL and perhaps Surf Cup (long shot) over Regionals, but I highly doubt most do.

Surf Cup is not a long shot for some of the Oregon teams. I believe many will do great in the NWCL.

[Unregistered]

So let me get this straight; you're saying that this years U15 OR Rush team, a team that didn't get past the Semi's at U14, will make it past the U15 quarterfinals at Regionals this year? They may have a great time but my money is that they don't make it past bracket play. Not saying their not a top team in Oregon, but they've NEVER played in the USYSA Regionals. Rude awakening at best. Feel free to disagree, just my opinion.

I'm not a player and certainly don't feel it appropriate to make guarantees on behalf of young girls. Past the quarters? Who knows. Depends on the draw, injuries, and on and on. I do know, however, that they will do very well if they get through the State and would not be "bait." You seem to believe that these girls haven't experienced high quality play outside of Oregon by not having played in USYSA Regionals. Most of them are way beyond having "rude awakenings." At least three quarters of the girls on the team have played against the best in the West in various tourneys (including SoCal and NoCal and AZ, individually or as a team), know the caliber of players and teams around the West, won't be intimidated by the quality of play, and will represent the state well.

[Unregistered]

Surf Cup is not a long shot for some of the Oregon teams. I believe many will do great in the NWCL.

Not disagreeing, but only so many teams can go. I ask this in all sincerity - would your kid prefer to be playing in USYSA Regionals if his/her team does well or Surf Cup if his/her team does well?

[Unregistered]

Not disagreeing, but only so many teams can go. I ask this in all sincerity - would your kid prefer to be playing in USYSA Regionals if his/her team does well or Surf Cup if his/her team does well?

Winners of the NWCL automatically get a bid to Surf Cup. I have no problem with sending my child to Surf Cup instead of Regionals. Am I saddened that we can't go to Regionals.... of course. But we made our choice and I am more than happy with it. I trust our DOC and my child is getting many, many opportunities to play teams from California, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, etc. Luckily my child is still young so maybe in time OPL and OYSA can work something out.

[SodiumFan[2]]

I'm not a player and certainly don't feel it appropriate to make guarantees on behalf of young girls. Past the quarters? Who knows. Depends on the draw, injuries, and on and on. I do know, however, that they will do very well if they get through the State and would not be "bait." You seem to believe that these girls haven't experienced high quality play outside of Oregon by not having played in USYSA Regionals. Most of them are way beyond having "rude awakenings." At least three quarters of the girls on the team have played against the best in the West in various tourneys (including SoCal and NoCal and AZ, individually or as a team), know the caliber of players and teams around the West, won't be intimidated by the quality of play, and will represent the state well.

Again, just my opinion. I was addressing the post that said this team would do as well or better than any team at USYSA Regionals this year. (Hence the quoted post) I pointed out that they didn't make it past the Semi finals in Oregon's State Cup last year and so how are they expecting to get past the USYSA Regionals quarterfinal round this year. Last years team from this age bracket, Sodium, lost in the Quarterfinals. If this poster is saying they will do better, then that means they will advance past the Quarterfinals. If you read my post then you will see that I agree they are a top team.

[Unregistered]

Winners of the NWCL automatically get a bid to Surf Cup. I have no problem with sending my child to Surf Cup instead of Regionals. Am I saddened that we can't go to Regionals.... of course. But we made our choice and I am more than happy with it. I trust our DOC and my child is getting many, many opportunities to play teams from California, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, etc. Luckily my child is still young so maybe in time OPL and OYSA can work something out.

Fair enough. At least, in my opinion, half the teams winning the NWCL will be from WA, meaning a lot of very good Oregon teams will be left out from anything other than in the watered down US Club Soccer tourney. It is frustrating to me to see so many drink the kool aid of OPL. Best of luck to your kids and hope you're right about some future arrangment.

[Unregistered]

I agree with this person. I would love to see how well my daughters team could do this year in state because they would be the favorite to win. But we chose this OPL club because it was the right fit for our daughter and we thought she would grow as a player and a person here. Playing another year of OYSA against poor comp was not going to help her so we made the choice and have to live with that. In the end I think she will be a better player and maybe have a shot at state down the road if the two sides can work it out. Nothing wrong with San Diego!!

[Unregistered]

True State Champion

Here is an idea. It looks like both the opl and oysa will crown their state champions about the same time.

Someone should host a one day tournament and invite the OYSA and OPL champs. Cost: field cost plus refs and nice trophy for the winner.

It would be a good warm up game for regional’s or whatever

[adidas]

They Can't

USYSA (oysa) and US Club (opl) insurance are not compatible, just a minor reason