Any good clubs out there?

[Unregistered]

It sounds like all clubs are pretty much blood suckers. Totally sucks. What happened to good days when kids just played. It seems like its all about money now. I feel sorry for the parents who can't afford soccer. Even the select clubs cost $600 or more it seems. Are there any other options for kids who want to play at a more competative level or do we all have to slit our wrist and do club ball? Totally sucks.

How about you add up the number of hours your coach spends with your child and divide that by how much you pay your club. That should put it into perspective for you.

[Unregistered]

$600?

Do you want a coach, do you want a field?

I think you are looking for Rec. soccer and I think you just volunteered to be the coach.

Too true!

[Unregistered]

Can I ask...What is the $495 membership fee for at FC Portland? If I understand it, you have to pay that to join their club to begin paying the yearly fees. Am I correct? What does it get you?

Also, just moving here from Utah, is there any info about MJ Tate at Bridlemile? My daughter will be 14 and he's the coach.

Any other suggestions on the west side of Portland?

[Unregistered]

Can I ask...What is the $495 membership fee for at FC Portland? If I understand it, you have to pay that to join their club to begin paying the yearly fees. Am I correct? What does it get you?

Also, just moving here from Utah, is there any info about MJ Tate at Bridlemile? My daughter will be 14 and he's the coach.

Any other suggestions on the west side of Portland?

If moving from Utah you may want to ask some of the DOC's from Utah about MJ

[Unregistered]

It sounds like all clubs are pretty much blood suckers. Totally sucks. What happened to good days when kids just played. It seems like its all about money now. I feel sorry for the parents who can't afford soccer. Even the select clubs cost $600 or more it seems. Are there any other options for kids who want to play at a more competative level or do we all have to slit our wrist and do club ball? Totally sucks.

We've done club soccer for quite a few years. We've also done the dad coached programs, specifically baseball. And I will take club soccer over the dad coached programs six days a week and twice on Sunday. If you want to ruin youth sports just have them coached by a group of overzealous dads who all think that their son is the next Tim Lincecum or Bryce Harper. And trust me, everyone who has experienced youth baseball in this area knows EXACTLY what I am talking about.

[Unregistered]

Can I ask...What is the $495 membership fee for at FC Portland? If I understand it, you have to pay that to join their club to begin paying the yearly fees. Am I correct? What does it get you?

Also, just moving here from Utah, is there any info about MJ Tate at Bridlemile? My daughter will be 14 and he's the coach.

Any other suggestions on the west side of Portland?

It's just FC's way of dividing up the fees into overhead (admin, fields, equipment, etc.) and training costs. It adds up to about the same as the other clubs.

[Unregistered]

Can I ask...What is the $495 membership fee for at FC Portland? If I understand it, you have to pay that to join their club to begin paying the yearly fees. Am I correct? What does it get you?

Also, just moving here from Utah, is there any info about MJ Tate at Bridlemile? My daughter will be 14 and he's the coach.

Any other suggestions on the west side of Portland?

MJ was fired from THUSC a couple of years ago. He accumulated 10+ red cards in a span of a few months. He has also been known to be verbally abusive to his players. MJ's teams perform well. So, it is your decision if you want someone like MJ coaching your child. I would never let my child play for him.

[Unregistered]

Reading through the policies is fairly helpful. Most clubs have their coaches and their bios listed. Travel policies vary a lot. Some clubs just want the kids to be at the field an hour early and don't care where you stay or how you get there...others have you travel, sleep, eat and play together and it usually adds to the travel cost, especially if you choose to want to travel to the tournament and watch your kid play. Good luck.

[Unregistered]

It sounds like all clubs are pretty much blood suckers. Totally sucks. What happened to good days when kids just played. It seems like its all about money now. I feel sorry for the parents who can't afford soccer. Even the select clubs cost $600 or more it seems. Are there any other options for kids who want to play at a more competative level or do we all have to slit our wrist and do club ball? Totally sucks.

Field rentals from cities, lights if you can get them, coaches pay - it all adds up. Our club the bulk of our cost goes right to the city.

[Unregistered]

Field rentals from cities, lights if you can get them, coaches pay - it all adds up. Our club the bulk of our cost goes right to the city.

If you want your kid to actually learn how to play soccer then you need to help him/her get on a club team with good players and a good coach. Cheaper options (Rec soccer, "clubs" who hire incompetent dads to coach) will be a big waste of time and money. Make sure the coach is a good communicator who has a successful record of developing soccer players (not the same as claiming to be the best team in their age group). Also, insist on a club that is organized, honest, and transparent about its fees and policies. My kids club charges about $1000 for a 12 month program. I figure each training session and game costs less than $10 each (and most last 2+ hours). You do the math. This is not out of line. My kids guitar lesson costs $45 for a 40 minute class. Most of the coaches they have had on club teams are excellent trainers and teachers of the game. Worth every penny so far (kids have played club for over 10 years). And one more thing... skip the part where you hire a private trainer. Soccer is a team sport. Kicking a ball around with an overpaid "coach" is a waste of time and money.

[Unregistered]

And one more thing... skip the part where you hire a private trainer. Soccer is a team sport. Kicking a ball around with an overpaid "coach" is a waste of time and money.

I disagree. I hired a coach for private training and my DD flourished. She made huge strides in her development that year and now she is entertaining offers from multiple D1 schools. Best money we ever spent on soccer. I believe there is an entire thread dedicated to the subject.

[Unregistered]

Can I ask...What is the $495 membership fee for at FC Portland? If I understand it, you have to pay that to join their club to begin paying the yearly fees. Am I correct? What does it get you?

Also, just moving here from Utah, is there any info about MJ Tate at Bridlemile? My daughter will be 14 and he's the coach.

Any other suggestions on the west side of Portland?

As far at the Bridlemile coach goes, I personally have not seen him coach nor do I know anything about his time with other clubs here. Bridlemile is a newer club and some teams have done well. The competitive side of Bridlemile was created to accommodate the needs of the its community; families that had experiences with other clubs but wanted to have an option closer to home. My daughter's very successful Westside team had several players that switched to Bridlemile when their former rec coach convinced them to come play for the new club's first season. That team had a lot of success.

Honestly, if you live in the Bridlemile area, then you should consider Bridlemile, THUSC, Westside, where most training areas are closer. If the drive further west doesn't bother you then consider FC Portland. All offer solid options. No club bashing here as I have many years of experience with players and families across this area.

Also, there is much discussion about fees. All clubs have to pay for field rental space, league fees, lights for night training and games, refs, coaching salaries (some clubs pay a lot and others pay moderate to low pay), and some admin costs. Some clubs include their town tournament and state cup in their fees. Operational overhead, training and game equipment, liability insurance, player cards, background checks, banking, USCS and USYSA membership, etc.

Since FC has a full office staff and a large operating space to cover, I imagine that these items are covered under its membership fee?

Some people talk about the good old days when kids could just play on a field on their own and possibly play in pick-up games. Those days are long gone because fields are allocated through schools, churches and parks/rec departments, and involve youth classi and rec soccer, adult soccer, high school and church group soccer, and other sports. Everyone has to pay for rental space, field maintenance, and unfortunately because of our litigious society, we are mandated to provide proof of liability insurance coverage (Certificate of Liability Insurance).

Best of luck to you and your family, and welcome to Portland!

[Unregistered]

As far at the Bridlemile coach goes, I personally have not seen him coach nor do I know anything about his time with other clubs here. Bridlemile is a newer club and some teams have done well. The competitive side of Bridlemile was created to accommodate the needs of the its community; families that had experiences with other clubs but wanted to have an option closer to home. My daughter's very successful Westside team had several players that switched to Bridlemile when their former rec coach convinced them to come play for the new club's first season. That team had a lot of success.

Honestly, if you live in the Bridlemile area, then you should consider Bridlemile, THUSC, Westside, where most training areas are closer. If the drive further west doesn't bother you then consider FC Portland. All offer solid options. No club bashing here as I have many years of experience with players and families across this area.

Also, there is much discussion about fees. All clubs have to pay for field rental space, league fees, lights for night training and games, refs, coaching salaries (some clubs pay a lot and others pay moderate to low pay), and some admin costs. Some clubs include their town tournament and state cup in their fees. Operational overhead, training and game equipment, liability insurance, player cards, background checks, banking, USCS and USYSA membership, etc.

Since FC has a full office staff and a large operating space to cover, I imagine that these items are covered under its membership fee?

Some people talk about the good old days when kids could just play on a field on their own and possibly play in pick-up games. Those days are long gone because fields are allocated through schools, churches and parks/rec departments, and involve youth classi and rec soccer, adult soccer, high school and church group soccer, and other sports. Everyone has to pay for rental space, field maintenance, and unfortunately because of our litigious society, we are mandated to provide proof of liability insurance coverage (Certificate of Liability Insurance).

Best of luck to you and your family, and welcome to Portland!

You're far to level headed for this board. Good job.

[Unregistered]

Can I ask...What is the $495 membership fee for at FC Portland? If I understand it, you have to pay that to join their club to begin paying the yearly fees. Am I correct? What does it get you?

Also, just moving here from Utah, is there any info about MJ Tate at Bridlemile? My daughter will be 14 and he's the coach.

Any other suggestions on the west side of Portland?

You can try out for the FC Portland team. There will be some available spots. Several players are moving to THUSC and LO.

[Unregistered]

MJ was fired from THUSC a couple of years ago. He accumulated 10+ red cards in a span of a few months. He has also been known to be verbally abusive to his players. MJ's teams perform well. So, it is your decision if you want someone like MJ coaching your child. I would never let my child play for him.

MJ's teams perform well??

They lost all of their games in U13 in the Fall and Spring.

You can lose and get yelled at all season. Sounds like fun. Where do I sign up?