Disappointed

[Unregistered]

OPL covered the fee and gave each team some money that traveled to US Club Nationals last year, OYSA hasn't helped teams with travel expenses for years.

Our team last played 2 summers ago and OYSA assisted in travel expenses then to New Mexico. How do you know they still arent ? Of course we went the way of the OPL and I cant speak of how it is now.

[Unregistered]

hey dip ****. had the OPL taken the deal to take over competitive soccer (and keep all the money) at the beginning of the season last year, there wouldnt be a qualifying tourney for you the OPL league would have been sanctioned.

had they taken the deal this fall/winter to do the same, there would be a qualifying tourney as the OPL league would have been sanctioned.

but since we didnt play in a OYSA sanctioned leagues, we now must if you want to play in their state cup. had they [OPL] taken either of the deals, your player would have already had an OYSA player card so no additional fee would have been required and the cost to play in a state cup would have been the same.

due to the OPL's greed and desire to see OYSA defunct and non-existant, we are all faced with this additional expense if we want to participate. The OPL is asking for costs less then what OYSA pays for it. Dont believe me, ask your DOC that very same question. Oh wait !!! They are a mutual benefits corp and only have to answer to themselves. you dont have the right to seek such a response, nor do they have any desire to answer it.

but it sounds like if you are playing with a BIG 8 club, the decision is already made where you will play next month.

OYSA has handed the OPL all of competitive soccer in our entire state. They only asked that they devise a plan so that it's fair to everyone (travel related) at the very top. Isnt that what we are now doing ?

Hostel much?!

[Unregistered]

Our team last played 2 summers ago and OYSA assisted in travel expenses then to New Mexico. How do you know they still arent ? Of course we went the way of the OPL and I cant speak of how it is now.

wow you are lucky...our team went to New Mexico and received nothing from OYSA.

[Unregistered]

Vegas Mayors Show Case Better Value

this is crazy to pay basically $1300 a team to play in the state cup. $300 player cards, $300 pre tournament and $700 for state cup. That is ridiculous.

How many Team mangers reading this think the up coming Mayor's Show case in Vegas is a better value even considering the travel expense?

[Unregistered]

The Ugly Truth

$300 for qualifying tournament, $700 for State Cup, PLUS $17 per player for player cards and the dates are the same as OPL State Cup so you cannot do both PLUS the cost of the State Finals being in Medford

My inderstanding is OPL was offered a lower state cup fee of about $600. OPL could also have set up their own qualifiers at a lower cost. Player card for this year would have been at $5.
Instead of unifying soccer OPL opted for the money and their continued desire to crush OYSA. When the truth comes out it is going to be a nightmare for OPL. They are slowly morphing into a version of OYSA bu one t not choosing to spend their ever increasing bank account. A really sad state of affairs. Members should be asking questions.

[Unregistered]

My inderstanding is OPL was offered a lower state cup fee of about $600. OPL could also have set up their own qualifiers at a lower cost. Player card for this year would have been at $5.
Instead of unifying soccer OPL opted for the money and their continued desire to crush OYSA. When the truth comes out it is going to be a nightmare for OPL. They are slowly morphing into a version of OYSA bu one t not choosing to spend their ever increasing bank account. A really sad state of affairs. Members should be asking questions.

To whom should we ask ? The OPL is not a public non profit that has to answer to it's customers. Your club will just say "it was the decision of the council" and push the blame onto the organization. Beating around the bush.

Unless we as a whole state take our state back and let a non-affliated party run it, there will always be favoritism, personal ego's and greed.

I for one (as I wasnt a believer then) have to say "you were right", to even the group of Portlanders that saw this from the very get go. OYSA might not be perfect, but at least it was fair to all and had the best interests (as best they could) of the kids playing.

[Unregistered]

To whom should we ask ? The OPL is not a public non profit that has to answer to it's customers. Your club will just say "it was the decision of the council" and push the blame onto the organization. Beating around the bush.

Unless we as a whole state take our state back and let a non-affliated party run it, there will always be favoritism, personal ego's and greed.

I for one (as I wasnt a believer then) have to say "you were right", to even the group of Portlanders that saw this from the very get go. OYSA might not be perfect, but at least it was fair to all and had the best interests (as best they could) of the kids playing.

How is it in the "best interest of the kids playing" to be paying such high salaries to all those involved? How many people does it take to run OYSA compared to all the other state organizations? They made money off the kids plain and simple. They listened to all the rec leagues and not to the competitive.

OYSA was about money and profit and not the kids. They did nothing for Oregon soccer and created no new options for premier level kids. NWCL has been great for Oregon and has brought the competition up. That's what Oregon needs.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE] How is it in the "best interest of the kids playing" to be paying such high salaries to all those involved? /QUOTE] You must be unemployed and Im sorry for that. But do you think that the OPL doesnt pay it's staff or distribute money to it's 8 members ? Wake Up. Where do you think all the money they make goes ? Nobody is/was getting rich at OYSA. Look at their financial statements. Oh but wait, we cant look at the OPL's cause it's just not your right to do so. I guess well never know what they actually do with theirs. I dont see them building any new fields. I dont see them holding any coaching license courses, I dont see them supporting rec clubs that build the foundation of the competitive clubs/leagues. I dont even see them with their own Elite players league (i.e. ODP). Frankly they dont do ****, except take our money and provide the same exact thing we had before and tell us it's "new and improved"

How many people does it take to run OYSA compared to all the other state organizations?

OYSA i think now has 5.5 people to run all the activities they do. Washington alone has 18, Utah has 8 and those were the first two I looked at.

They made money off the kids plain and simple.

And you dont think that OPL doesnt ? What does the OPL do to give back ? OYSA provides coach training and licenses. The same licenses their leader enjoy showing off to all of us, Top Soccer and ODP. What does the OPL do directly for your club (rec, competitive or handicapped) ? NOTHING !!!!

They listened to all the rec leagues and not to the competitive.

Competitive soccer makes up 10% of all the kids playing and Rec generates 10x the amount of money state wide to all the clubs. Shouldnt they listen to the masses ? Where do you think these competitive players came from ? Recreation Soccer ! This is where it all begins. Competitive soccer doesnt need OYSA to succeed. They are professional organizations ran by brilliant people with years and experience and "A" licensed DOC's. They are way smart enough to do it on their own.

NWCL has been great for Oregon and has brought the competition up. That's what Oregon needs.

Why does the NWCL need the OPL ? OYSA has the FWRL, made of teams from all over the western half of the US and all you have to do is buy a player card for all your team members and league fees. Way better competition then just those teams up North. You didnt bring up ECNL, oh probably it's because the OPL doesnt have any say so in it and neither does OYSA. It's probably way better by far of both the previous mentioned leagues, but OREGON doesnt have a club authorized to play there.

Go home, stir your cool-aid a lil and add some more sugar.

[Unregistered]

Not so fast

How is it in the "best interest of the kids playing" to be paying such high salaries to all those involved? How many people does it take to run OYSA compared to all the other state organizations? They made money off the kids plain and simple. They listened to all the rec leagues and not to the competitive.

OYSA was about money and profit and not the kids. They did nothing for Oregon soccer and created no new options for premier level kids. NWCL has been great for Oregon and has brought the competition up. That's what Oregon needs.

And they admit of being wrong. They are down to 3 staff members and have reduced fees for both rec and comp. At least OYSA cares about the rec players .OPL is driven only by comp. this was abvious by the OPL offer to OYSA of $4 a player card and zero for state cup profit. Now you tell me who is about the money. The Boards of the OPL clubs should be ashamed of what the OPL Docs are doing. I was also told only one club opposed this current direction of the opl.

[Unregistered]

And they admit of being wrong. They are down to 3 staff members and have reduced fees for both rec and comp. At least OYSA cares about the rec players .OPL is driven only by comp. this was abvious by the OPL offer to OYSA of $4 a player card and zero for state cup profit. Now you tell me who is about the money. The Boards of the OPL clubs should be ashamed of what the OPL Docs are doing. I was also told only one club opposed this current direction of the opl.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF OPL WAS TO OFFER SOMETHING OTHER THAN REC!!

OYSA has been overly Rec minded. OYSA is a great organization. They are all about providing every kid a chance to play. While fulfilling this mission, they lost site of the ever expanding need to try new things with the competitive level of things.

They are both great! They are both flawed, but they are both needed. They need to work together, not separate and not as one, but as partners.

[Unregistered]

And they admit of being wrong. They are down to 3 staff members and have reduced fees for both rec and comp. At least OYSA cares about the rec players .OPL is driven only by comp. this was abvious by the OPL offer to OYSA of $4 a player card and zero for state cup profit. Now you tell me who is about the money. The Boards of the OPL clubs should be ashamed of what the OPL Docs are doing. I was also told only one club opposed this current direction of the opl.

Yes OPL is driven by competitive soccer. That was the whole point of the OPL. They wanted to give the premier level teams choices and allow the premier level clubs to decide what is best for them, not the rec clubs. You know nothing of what OYSA or the OPL has done as far as decision making about joining forces again. I could say the exact opposite. I could say the OPL wanted back in with OYSA but OYSA denied them. It's all hearsay on this forum.

OPL is great for Oregon soccer. OYSA only attempted to make changes after the OPL was a success. OYSA State Cup will be even more of a joke this year if OPL teams are not in it.

[Unregistered]

Yes OPL is driven by competitive soccer. That was the whole point of the OPL. They wanted to give the premier level teams choices and allow the premier level clubs to decide what is best for them, not the rec clubs. You know nothing of what OYSA or the OPL has done as far as decision making about joining forces again. I could say the exact opposite. I could say the OPL wanted back in with OYSA but OYSA denied them. It's all hearsay on this forum.

OPL is great for Oregon soccer. OYSA only attempted to make changes after the OPL was a success. OYSA State Cup will be even more of a joke this year if OPL teams are not in it.

>>> +1

[Unregistered]

OYSA State Cup will be even more of a joke this year if OPL teams are not in it.

The same can be said for the OPL state cup. what does it mean ? Nothing, cause it doesnt go anywhere or get you anything and never will.

Nothing has changed in the Oregon scheme of competitive soccer since the OPL departure.

1. Premier level teams are still having home/away games

2. The costs to operate the OPL and it's leagues are less then that of OYSA, yet the costs to us as parents are the same.

3. The same refs that were/are reffing OPL games, also ref OYSA games.

4. The same fields OPL play on, are the same fields OYSA plays on.

5. The same teams (almost all of them) that were playing in OYSA are now playing in the OPL. Albeit a few more have migrated across the river from Washington, but the same can be said for OYSA's leagues too.

6. The NWCL could have also happened under OYSA, but they have the FWRL. It's filled with teams from across the western 13 states. NWCL is Washington only.

Tell me exactly what it is the the OPL has done to make competitive soccer better for our players in Oregon ?

Do they operate an elite level playing program (like ODP) ? ID2 is not their program, nor does it happen more then a weekend twice a year.

Do they hold competitive coaching clinics for the clubs that participate in their league ?

Do they offer coaching license clinics to further enhance the level of training to the youth in our state ?

Im all ears and am awaiting someones factual response.

The OPC was created by OYSA to act as a sounding board to the organization. They all got together and instead of helping the organization, they found ways to help themselves instead.

[Unregistered]

Try this

The same can be said for the OPL state cup. what does it mean ? Nothing, cause it doesnt go anywhere or get you anything and never will.

Nothing has changed in the Oregon scheme of competitive soccer since the OPL departure.

1. Premier level teams are still having home/away games

2. The costs to operate the OPL and it's leagues are less then that of OYSA, yet the costs to us as parents are the same.

3. The same refs that were/are reffing OPL games, also ref OYSA games.

4. The same fields OPL play on, are the same fields OYSA plays on.

5. The same teams (almost all of them) that were playing in OYSA are now playing in the OPL. Albeit a few more have migrated across the river from Washington, but the same can be said for OYSA's leagues too.

6. The NWCL could have also happened under OYSA, but they have the FWRL. It's filled with teams from across the western 13 states. NWCL is Washington only.

Tell me exactly what it is the the OPL has done to make competitive soccer better for our players in Oregon ?

Do they operate an elite level playing program (like ODP) ? ID2 is not their program, nor does it happen more then a weekend twice a year.

Do they hold competitive coaching clinics for the clubs that participate in their league ?

Do they offer coaching license clinics to further enhance the level of training to the youth in our state ?

Im all ears and am awaiting someones factual response.

The OPC was created by OYSA to act as a sounding board to the organization. They all got together and instead of helping the organization, they found ways to help themselves instead.

Get like minded individuals to attend both board meetings and hold the "adults" accountable. If as you say one side is being unreasonable then they need to be exposed for their unreasonableness.

Yes there is no good reason the two organizations can't co-exist with the OPL board running competitive soccer under the guidance of OYSA. To do this a few ego's need to step back and do what is right for Oregon soccer not just one club or OYSA.

A reunited organization could then embark upon a goal of acquiring and building three regional training facilities (North, South & East) . In the South and East that may mean simply mean taking over existing facilities and operating them at a higher level. However, in the Metro area that means getting enough land to build 12+ plus outdoor fields and one full size indoor facility. One only has to look at the revenue generated at all of the out of state facilities we regularly travel to realize that they are/can be money makers. This facility will also provide the opportunity improve the quality of play and coaching, not to mention cut back on the need to travel at least one time a year as we could then host a prestigious tourney of our own.

Ah but all of this will require a drop in testosterone level among the two parties and assumes they could have a VISON for Oregon soccer beyond their own little slice so maybe I just dreaming!

[Unregistered]

Not no more

You know nothing of what OYSA or the OPL has done as far as decision making about joining forces again. I could say the exact opposite. I could say the OPL wanted back in with OYSA but OYSA denied them. It's all hearsay on this forum.

This copied directly from OYSA's main page http://www.oregonyouthsoccer.org/ass..._Letter_V4.pdf

__________________________________________________ ______________________

March 3, 2012

Open Letter to Youth Soccer Club Presidents in Oregon

Oregon Youth Soccer has worked diligently to reunite youth soccer in Oregon from the moment the Oregon Premier League (OPL) was formed. This division left many premier and classic teams without the ability to play home games, but more importantly it has divided our relatively small number of competitive teams; diminishing the depth, balance and developmental effectiveness of each league.

Not much progress was made the first year – the Oregon Premier Council (OPC), the organization that formed to run the OPL, was intent on “getting a year under their belt” before they considered other options. OYSA focused on adapting to new market forces and trying to be more flexible and open to new ways of doing things. We lowered our recreational member dues from $13 to $9 and $11, depending on age and lowering our competitive member dues from $28 to $17 (US Club Soccer charges $18). Our membership also approved a bylaw change that limited policy development to the board, thereby preventing recreational clubs from establishing competitive policies and vice-versa. We also eliminated the small-sided requirement for U11 games.

The leadership of OYSA has met multiple times with the leadership of the OPC this past year to try to work out an agreement that would reunify soccer in Oregon. As recently as a few weeks ago, OYSA had proposed and/or agreed to the following:
• Lower dues/player card fees for the balance of the current seasonal year for competitive players on teams in the OPL who also registered with OYSA to play in a sanctioned league that would qualify them for the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series
• Competitive dues for all players next year of $17. It is important to note that the fees are being paid to a local organization not some organization on the East Coast. These dollars are being reinvested in the local soccer community through programs or services
• Set reasonable caps on player dues and tournament fees that could not be exceeded without a vote of the affected membership.
• Next year, the OPL would be an OYSA sanctioned league and would qualify teams for the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series
• OYSA would perform certain administrative functions to ensure, at a minimum, compliance with the eligibility requirements of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and would work closely with the OPC regarding these requirements
• OYSA would not operate sponsored leagues in competition with the OPC
• OYSA would work with OPL and establish a State Cup/Presidents Cup Advisory Committee that would make all of the operational decisions regarding State Cup and Presidents Cup, including the calendar, bracketing, seeding, venue, fees and budget
• Competitive calendar would be coordinated with ODP, OPL and State Tournaments
• Provide financial subsidies of $500 to $1,000 per team that advances to Far West Regionals
• Pay the entry fees to Far West Regionals for advancing teams
• Project significantly reduced State Cup and Presidents Cup fees due to increased participation
• Share, with limited exceptions, 50% of all surplus revenue generated from both the Oregon State Cup and Presidents Cup with the OPC (it should be noted that OYSA will be losing substantial revenue from divesting from our PML and spring leagues)

Our financial position with the OPC was simple – We did not want the arrangement to add to our operating deficit and we wanted an equal share of any surplus revenue from the State and Presidents Cups. The reason we want to avoid losing money on the reunification is also simple; we have a responsibility to provide a variety of services to the youth soccer community throughout the state. To do this, we have a fiduciary responsibility to have a business model that allows us to do that. Over the past two years we have reduced staff from 13 full time equivalents to 3.5 and made other reductions in salaries, benefits and services. We had a surplus last year, but are projecting a modest deficit for this year and next. We simply cannot afford to lose more money and professionally fulfill our obligations to our membership.

The revenue sharing was in recognition that the OPC would no longer have revenue from their two tournaments and the fact that the OYSA State Cup and Presidents Cup are the property of US Youth Soccer and the responsibility of OYSA. It should also be noted that the OPC would make substantial additional revenue from up to 200 teams joining their leagues that had previously played in our Portland Metro and spring leagues. OYSA would receive additional revenue from player dues, only a fraction of which comes from the eight clubs that comprise the OPC. This additional revenue would roughly offset OYSA’s loss of revenue from not operating leagues anymore plus what we currently receive from State and Presidents Cup. We believe this would have an overall neutral impact on our budget, a positive financial impact for the OPC, and any excess funds from new player dues (since they come from competitive members) would be used to reduce State Cup and Presidents Cup fees and fund other expenses related to the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, including subsidies to teams advancing to US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions.

The new model basically had the OPC running the primary competitive leagues in the state, with other competitive leagues in the state being administered by clubs in the central valley and southern Oregon. The clubs within the OPC, along with other clubs participating in State and Presidents Cup, would make the operational decisions affecting those events. In short, the OPC would have absolute control of their premier leagues and largest competitive leagues in the state (as well as all of the revenue), would have significant control of operational issues of State and Presidents Cup (as well as half of the surplus revenue). Further, all competitive teams would be able to play together in the same league and every team in every OYSA sanctioned league (including the OPL) would be eligible for the OYSA State and Presidents Cups.

Since OYSA would no longer be running competitive leagues and would delegate significant operational responsibility to cup committees, OYSA would be able to refocus its energies and attention to supporting the recreational community, helping to develop strong players, coaches and clubs that are the overwhelming majority of our membership and also the foundation of all youth soccer in the state. OYSA is committed to greatly increasing our coaching clinics and coach education throughout the state, the vast majority of which is for novice recreational coaches – soccer moms and dads.

It is our understanding that the OPC has recently voted not to reunite with OYSA and US Youth Soccer. Indeed, there appear to be additional efforts underway to divide soccer in Oregon even further. It is a free market – players, teams and clubs are free to choose where they want to affiliate. Except for $2 that are passed through to National Organizations and about $4.50 that is used for online registration, player accident and club liability insurance, the dues that are paid to OYSA stays in Oregon to benefit the youth game here at home.

We are sharing this letter because we believe we can accomplish more together than we can apart. We also believe it is important for you to know the facts about what we were, and are still willing to do to achieve reunification.

Teams from some of the eight OPC clubs have contacted us and expressed a desire to play in our Tournament Qualifying League so they can qualify for our State Cup or Presidents Cup this year. Other teams that have played in the OPL from clubs outside of the eight OPC clubs have expressed the same desire. If you have teams wanting to be part of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, we welcome their participation. (Note that the OYSA Tournament Qualifying League is not the only option remaining that would qualify teams for these tournaments. Other OYSA sanctioned competitive leagues may also qualify teams if operated in accordance with National Championship Series and President Cup rules.)

More importantly, we remain committed to work to reunify youth soccer in Oregon. We welcome your ideas, input and assistance to help bring us together. We believe this matter can be resolved quickly and begin the steps to reunification of soccer in Oregon.

Yours in Soccer,



Chuck Keers Matt Madeira
Executive Director, Oregon Youth Soccer President, Oregon Youth Soccer