OYSA falling apart again

[Guest]

Here we go again with OYSA loosing the state. The girls teams have been moving away from OYSA for years to the ECNL, GA, DA and others.

Now the boys are going down a path of ECNL, ECRL and EAL.

Why can't OYSA keep teams and boys clubs?

[Guest]

Honestly, I think this has very little to do with OYSA. Yes, they are run like crap, but these teams would be leaving even if they were run well. The same thing is happening in WA and in each state. Teams aren't leaving the state associations due to being run poorly, but because those clubs feel they need to play in a regionalized league in order to serve their top players, and keep them from leaving to other clubs who are already in those leagues. If you have a boys program, and you were losing your top 5 players at U13/U14 to an ECNL club, you would want to join ECNL if you can in order to keep those players from leaving.

[Guest]

Honestly, I think this has very little to do with OYSA. Yes, they are run like crap, but these teams would be leaving even if they were run well. The same thing is happening in WA and in each state. Teams aren't leaving the state associations due to being run poorly, but because those clubs feel they need to play in a regionalized league in order to serve their top players, and keep them from leaving to other clubs who are already in those leagues. If you have a boys program, and you were losing your top 5 players at U13/U14 to an ECNL club, you would want to join ECNL if you can in order to keep those players from leaving.

Clubs designating recreational level Oregonian soccer players as 'top players' is the root cause of the league platform dysfunction.

These club clowns are always selling, with suckers always buying. Dolla, Dolla Bill baby.

Ex Pats and so called 'former pros' milking the clueless, Welcome to Oregon Club Soccer another day in paradise.

[Guest]

"Honestly, I think this has very little to do with OYSA. Yes, they are run like crap, but these teams would be leaving even if they were run well."

This is accurate. Many clubs, especially with regards to their boys' programs, chase new leagues for their A/B teams for marketing purposes. By playing in a different and supposedly higher-level league, they can recruit players instead of focusing on developing them. i.e. OPFC joining Elite 64, Elite Academy League, now ECRL. i.e. United PDX joining Elite 64, Elite Academy League, then ECNL. Regional leagues, higher cost, more travel... and often just a similar level of competition (teams from Idaho and Western Washington) to what they had in Oregon/OYSA for less money and travel.

These clubs say OYSA is "watered down" and not competitive enough, but in reality, it isn't watered down... it is splintered because these clubs are chasing other leagues with their A teams. In the end, they will likely end up playing the same Oregon teams but in a different league instead of OYSA (similar teams different league name). i.e. Oregon/Idaho ECRL league

Several of these clubs are also looking to join leagues that designate them as the best "elite" clubs in the area, even if their A teams are currently playing in Premier Silver or Division 1 of OYSA i.e. Eastside Timbers :)

They want to be in an isolated league with barriers to entry for other clubs. They want to block out competition from clubs such as Santos, Saints, Mid Valley Soccer Club, etc. These clubs may not be consistently in Premier Gold across all age-groups, but they do have the occasional team/age-group that is very competitive.

OYSA has plenty of room for improvement, and they have had a lot of turnover in their board and staff, but these clubs would be looking for other leagues even if OYSA was run well. i.e. For years clubs complained about the OYSA / Timbers contract as an excuse for wanting to leave. Even after OYSA severed ties and left the contract, those same clubs were still trying to send their best teams to other leagues. Portland clubs also complained about travel to Bend, Medford, etc. OYSA regionalized play for everything under Premier. Those same clubs still want to leave.

Oregon has a history of blowing up one state association just for all the same clubs to join another about every 10-12 years. It just alternates from USYS to US Club to USYS to US Club each time. Oregon soccer spinning its wheels, not moving forward.

[Guest]

This is to do with the egos of DOCs and nothing to do with OYSA.

[Guest]

I don't think this foray of the Oregon teams into ECRL will impact OYSA in any way. It's 3 weekends of games for 4-6 clubs. They will still play in OYSA league and state cup. They won't have enough games otherwise. Look at how UPDX girls side operated this year. Same deal.

[Guest]

"Honestly, I think this has very little to do with OYSA. Yes, they are run like crap, but these teams would be leaving even if they were run well."

This is accurate. Many clubs, especially with regards to their boys' programs, chase new leagues for their A/B teams for marketing purposes. By playing in a different and supposedly higher-level league, they can recruit players instead of focusing on developing them. i.e. OPFC joining Elite 64, Elite Academy League, now ECRL. i.e. United PDX joining Elite 64, Elite Academy League, then ECNL. Regional leagues, higher cost, more travel... and often just a similar level of competition (teams from Idaho and Western Washington) to what they had in Oregon/OYSA for less money and travel.

These clubs say OYSA is "watered down" and not competitive enough, but in reality, it isn't watered down... it is splintered because these clubs are chasing other leagues with their A teams. In the end, they will likely end up playing the same Oregon teams but in a different league instead of OYSA (similar teams different league name). i.e. Oregon/Idaho ECRL league

Several of these clubs are also looking to join leagues that designate them as the best "elite" clubs in the area, even if their A teams are currently playing in Premier Silver or Division 1 of OYSA i.e. Eastside Timbers :)

They want to be in an isolated league with barriers to entry for other clubs. They want to block out competition from clubs such as Santos, Saints, Mid Valley Soccer Club, etc. These clubs may not be consistently in Premier Gold across all age-groups, but they do have the occasional team/age-group that is very competitive.

OYSA has plenty of room for improvement, and they have had a lot of turnover in their board and staff, but these clubs would be looking for other leagues even if OYSA was run well. i.e. For years clubs complained about the OYSA / Timbers contract as an excuse for wanting to leave. Even after OYSA severed ties and left the contract, those same clubs were still trying to send their best teams to other leagues. Portland clubs also complained about travel to Bend, Medford, etc. OYSA regionalized play for everything under Premier. Those same clubs still want to leave.

Oregon has a history of blowing up one state association just for all the same clubs to join another about every 10-12 years. It just alternates from USYS to US Club to USYS to US Club each time. Oregon soccer spinning its wheels, not moving forward.

The current objective of most metro "clubs" is to pay individuals who have a fondness for being called paid soccer coaches, but lack actual coaching skills or experience. With the ease of creating a club in Oregon, without any real qualifications, these self-proclaimed soccer experts often join any new league or organization that would seem to give them some credibility, as they lack it in their coaching staff, players, or on-field performance. It's a dream for consumers, as they can easily sign up without discerning the true expertise of these clubs.

[Guest]

Nothings changing United pdx still has all their ecnl teams in OYSA as United black for both winter and state cup (so much for ecnl is better)

The same will happen with the rest . HS soccer will be more affected by all the players being burnt out playing 2 leagues all fall

[Guest]

This is all very interesting, because I often hear the anger/mocking/negatives about these big clubs looking to join these regional leagues. But there are a few truths here. First is that any club/business that wants to stay open for years and years to come needs to look to improve themselves. There are multiple ways to improve (and we have seen both success and failures--- think FC portland as a prime example of the negatives that can come with poor choices) there is coach development, updating/changing your technical development within the club for the players, also joining leagues that might push your players a bit more or gives them other opportunities. This goes on in every business out there. So why people are shocked that youth sports has gone this way is interesting to me.

Also, lets be honest that the market also dictates what clubs can do. If there wasn't a market for players who want to join these leagues, then we wouldn't see the number growing. They would just stay at their smaller local clubs and save the money. So instead of blaming the clubs/coaches, why not blame the parents? The clubs are merely doing what the parents are wanting and asking for. If all the NW elite ECNL girls left and played for Eastside, they would save a ton of money throughout the year and still would have their teams together and dominate OYSA. However, they don't do that, instead with all the options out there they are willing to pay a crazy amount through the year, and that is there choice. So why shouldn't a club offer that if there is a demand for that?

[Guest]

I don't think this foray of the Oregon teams into ECRL will impact OYSA in any way. It's 3 weekends of games for 4-6 clubs. They will still play in OYSA league and state cup. They won't have enough games otherwise. Look at how UPDX girls side operated this year. Same deal.

100% 3 weekends of games and that’s it. ECNL RL is NOT a full year round league. Teams will just play each other like they will during the OYSA league….they are going to be playing each other a lot….oh and when they travel to ID there will prob be OR vs OR games scheduled in ID lol

[Guest]

This is all very interesting, because I often hear the anger/mocking/negatives about these big clubs looking to join these regional leagues. But there are a few truths here. First is that any club/business that wants to stay open for years and years to come needs to look to improve themselves. There are multiple ways to improve (and we have seen both success and failures--- think FC portland as a prime example of the negatives that can come with poor choices) there is coach development, updating/changing your technical development within the club for the players, also joining leagues that might push your players a bit more or gives them other opportunities. This goes on in every business out there. So why people are shocked that youth sports has gone this way is interesting to me.

Also, lets be honest that the market also dictates what clubs can do. If there wasn't a market for players who want to join these leagues, then we wouldn't see the number growing. They would just stay at their smaller local clubs and save the money. So instead of blaming the clubs/coaches, why not blame the parents? The clubs are merely doing what the parents are wanting and asking for. If all the NW elite ECNL girls left and played for Eastside, they would save a ton of money throughout the year and still would have their teams together and dominate OYSA. However, they don't do that, instead with all the options out there they are willing to pay a crazy amount through the year, and that is there choice. So why shouldn't a club offer that if there is a demand for that?

So let's blame all the parents that can't even spell Soccer. Got it. Douche

[Guest]

So is ECRL a replacement for the USYS platforms (NL Pro, NW Regional Leage, Elite 64) or Yet Another Thing Player Do?

[Guest]

To the Board of Directors of the local recreational/classic clubs considering which league to join for their members: Dear [Recipient's Name], I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my opposition to the introduction of the Boys ERCL league, which is the ninth new league offering in the past three years. As a member of the community and someone who has been involved in recreational sports for some time, I am concerned about the increasing number of league options being introduced in such a short period of time. It seems that the focus is shifting towards creating more leagues instead of addressing the underlying issues, such as affordability and accessibility, that many recreational players face. While diversity and variety in sports offerings can be positive, the proliferation of new leagues without addressing the fundamental challenges faced by players, such as rising costs and limited access, may not be the best solution. It is important to prioritize the needs of the players and ensure that recreational sports remain accessible, inclusive, and affordable for everyone in our community. I urge you to consider the impact of introducing additional leagues and to prioritize finding solutions that address the core challenges faced by recreational players. By working together, we can create a sustainable and inclusive recreational sports environment that benefits all players. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely a parent of a player who you rate as one of the club best talent.

[Guest]

So is ECRL a replacement for the USYS platforms (NL Pro, NW Regional Leage, Elite 64) or Yet Another Thing Player Do?

Basically yes….with less games, and playing against a bunch of OR teams who you will play about 5 times in a year now

[Guest]

It’s all about the money. Rising costs and limited access. Anyone ever notice how all of the players at a club like, let’s say, OPFC, look the same, or are all, um, white? Wonder how much financial aid they actually give out and if that’s a factor in choosing their teams, esp in the younger age groups. I bet they barely give any spots to Latinx players who try out and are sometimes better than the returning players.