OSSA is "Crossfire Oregon"

[Unregistered]

See you at try outs!!! Rumor has it WST's top girls' players are moving to Crossfire!

[Unregistered]

Oh yeah almost forgot Nike uniforms over Adidas any day of the week

[Unregistered]

Nike sucks

[Unregistered]

If so, then the poor current OSSA girls who will be relegated to the B team when the top players come over. Trust me, just saying you are ECNL doesn't make you good, a fact proven by OSSA's poor showing in State Cup. If OSSA does get an ECNL, then be prepared for top girls to come over and for the current girls to get relegated. Careful what you wish for because it may end up being the B team, basically right where you are today.

Exactly what age group at OSSA do you see a bunch of players being "relegated to the B team" when the top players come over? At the age groups I'm most familiar with at OSSA U16 and U17 right now there are very few players in Portland that would (will) make those teams or they would've already tried out in the past and done so. OSSA U17 was in the final, OSSA U16 had two of the four semifinal teams and won it. Do you see OSSA being weaker at the U15 level and that's where the new players will rush to?

Also being on a B team is not necessarily a bad thing if you have a strong A team and can do joint practices and share players for tournaments. In the past Crossfire has had multiple teams at each age group and it seems to work for them.You may get to work with different coaches and learn new things, you share facilities and resources. There is often the opportunity for more playing time on a B team and the chance to play multiple positions. Plus it might just make you work harder to get a spot of the A team.

The only people who seem to really care about being on the B team are the parents who have their egos hurt.

[Unregistered]

Exactly what age group at OSSA do you see a bunch of players being "relegated to the B team" when the top players come over? At the age groups I'm most familiar with at OSSA U16 and U17 right now there are very few players in Portland that would (will) make those teams or they would've already tried out in the past and done so. OSSA U17 was in the final, OSSA U16 had two of the four semifinal teams and won it. Do you see OSSA being weaker at the U15 level and that's where the new players will rush to?

Also being on a B team is not necessarily a bad thing if you have a strong A team and can do joint practices and share players for tournaments. In the past Crossfire has had multiple teams at each age group and it seems to work for them.You may get to work with different coaches and learn new things, you share facilities and resources. There is often the opportunity for more playing time on a B team and the chance to play multiple positions. Plus it might just make you work harder to get a spot of the A team.

The only people who seem to really care about being on the B team are the parents who have their egos hurt.

The "sister teams" concept NEVER works. Every club uses it in their sales pitch, but it's bs. A teams are A teams. They don't borrow players from their b tens for tourneys, they borrow them from other club's A teams.

[Unregistered]

Exactly what age group at OSSA do you see a bunch of players being "relegated to the B team" when the top players come over? At the age groups I'm most familiar with at OSSA U16 and U17 right now there are very few players in Portland that would (will) make those teams or they would've already tried out in the past and done so. OSSA U17 was in the final, OSSA U16 had two of the four semifinal teams and won it. Do you see OSSA being weaker at the U15 level and that's where the new players will rush to?

Also being on a B team is not necessarily a bad thing if you have a strong A team and can do joint practices and share players for tournaments. In the past Crossfire has had multiple teams at each age group and it seems to work for them.You may get to work with different coaches and learn new things, you share facilities and resources. There is often the opportunity for more playing time on a B team and the chance to play multiple positions. Plus it might just make you work harder to get a spot of the A team.

The only people who seem to really care about being on the B team are the parents who have their egos hurt.

I tend to disagree here. I hear what you are saying, but that is in a really big market. And often the B teams in Big markets are kids that want to play multiple sports. In Oregon being relegated to a B team is like playing rec and not worth the money. Once in a while we have a decent team (OSSA U16) and that might be worth it. Usually B teams are designated lessor coaches (in oregon). IN the case OSSA U16 group Kibwe is one of the strongest in the state thus it works. I am all for Crioossfireand hope it does for OSSA what you say above,but that would take alot of pooling

[Unregistered]

8qjgbt

The "sister teams" concept NEVER works. Every club uses it in their sales pitch, but it's bs. A teams are A teams. They don't borrow players from their b tens for tourneys, they borrow them from other club's A teams.

At OSSA B team players are offered spots on tournament rosters (if there is a need) if they are showing they are willing to work hard during the season. Know this for a fact. Maybe you offer spots to other clubs players at your club instead of looking at your B team first. Doesn't say much for development.

[Unregistered]

At OSSA B team players are offered spots on tournament rosters (if there is a need) if they are showing they are willing to work hard during the season. Know this for a fact. Maybe you offer spots to other clubs players at your club instead of looking at your B team first. Doesn't say much for development.

If that's what happened with your age group that's great but not at ours. What we have seen is a wedge between the two teams - zero subbing when the other team clearly needed the help. Not at all happy with our expiriance this year. quite disapointed.

[Unregistered]

Cool! Now our team won't have to travel to Seattle to spank Crossfire teams. We can spank em right here in Oregon.

Boys side? I am pretty sure that there are no ECNL getting spanked by ANY club or team in Oregon. A for enthusiasm though!

[Unregistered]

At least OSSA is doing something different. All the other clubs cave to the Timbers "pathway to the pros" OSSA/Crossfire will turn out more quality higher IQ college ready soccer players. 99% of these kids playing soccer are not going to be professional players. OSSA/Crossfire knows that and therefore the challenge is to get as many of their kids noticed by college coaches who recognize talent and brains.... Best combo for college scholarships!

You logic is flawed in regards to Timbers Alliance clubs. First off, yes, there are clubs that have had players move on to the "pros" without virtue of going through the Timbers Academy, including Westside's Chad Barrett (UCLA, Chicago Fire, Toronto FC, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution) and Danny Mwanga (#1 Draft Pick, 2010 MLS Draft, pro play for Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids), and Eric Hurtado (UC Santa Clara, #5 Draft Pick, 2013 MLS Draft, plays for Vancouver Whitecaps Fc). Chad and Danny took advantage of the Nike Project 40/Generation adidas pact before signing MLS contracts) while Erick opted to complete his college degree before going into the MLS draft.

It would make sense that the Portland Timbers would look to form an alliance with youth soccer clubs. Professional clubs around the world have relationships with youth programs.

However, do not think that the goal of the Timbers Alliance clubs is to promote their players as ready to play in the pros. The goal of these clubs is to continue doing what they have always done, and that is to have their student athletes have the knowledge, skills, experiences and resources to prepare them for collegiate opportunities. The Timber Alliance clubs are no different than OSSA.

Personally, I am a long time fan of Westside, but do not dismiss the importance of the competition coming out of the other clubs. While other forum posters might trash talk and dismiss OSSA as not able to compete with the rest, I think to the contrary. LOSC, Southside, WUSC, and even OSA have had successful student athletes move on to college. The former OSSA now Oregon Crossfire, will continue the tradition.

Let's all focus on the positives of competitive soccer and its role in preparing our student athletes. Peace to all.

[Unregistered]

The Timbers Alliance seems to be (a) a way for Timbers to collect a few bucks, the clubs are paying Timbers for the association and not the other way around (shamefully the professional club is squeezing money from the parents who want their kids to have a better chance to make the academy) and (b) an attempt to game the MLS homegrown rule. It's really hard to see what's in it for the clubs other than to market to the parents.

[Unregistered]

The Timbers Alliance seems to be (a) a way for Timbers to collect a few bucks, the clubs are paying Timbers for the association and not the other way around (shamefully the professional club is squeezing money from the parents who want their kids to have a better chance to make the academy) and (b) an attempt to game the MLS homegrown rule. It's really hard to see what's in it for the clubs other than to market to the parents.

Alliance clubs do not pay the Timbers a fee for the association. The real price clubs pay is a loss of independent identity (colors, uniforms, name). The upside is gaining the Timbers brand, which excites kids and sponsors. Maybe in the future the Alliance teams will create opportunities for strong players in all these clubs (ET, WST, RVT, BT, WT) to play in more competitive tournaments than their own club teams qualify for. If so, then this is definitely added value. Wonder why Eugene and Salem haven't joined?

[Unregistered]

Emfc

Rumor has it that EMFC is joining the Alliance.

[Unregistered]

You logic is flawed in regards to Timbers Alliance clubs. First off, yes, there are clubs that have had players move on to the "pros" without virtue of going through the Timbers Academy, including Westside's Chad Barrett (UCLA, Chicago Fire, Toronto FC, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution) and Danny Mwanga (#1 Draft Pick, 2010 MLS Draft, pro play for Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids), and Eric Hurtado (UC Santa Clara, #5 Draft Pick, 2013 MLS Draft, plays for Vancouver Whitecaps Fc). Chad and Danny took advantage of the Nike Project 40/Generation adidas pact before signing MLS contracts) while Erick opted to complete his college degree before going into the MLS draft.

It would make sense that the Portland Timbers would look to form an alliance with youth soccer clubs. Professional clubs around the world have relationships with youth programs.

However, do not think that the goal of the Timbers Alliance clubs is to promote their players as ready to play in the pros. The goal of these clubs is to continue doing what they have always done, and that is to have their student athletes have the knowledge, skills, experiences and resources to prepare them for collegiate opportunities. The Timber Alliance clubs are no different than OSSA.

Personally, I am a long time fan of Westside, but do not dismiss the importance of the competition coming out of the other clubs. While other forum posters might trash talk and dismiss OSSA as not able to compete with the rest, I think to the contrary. LOSC, Southside, WUSC, and even OSA have had successful student athletes move on to college. The former OSSA now Oregon Crossfire, will continue the tradition.

Let's all focus on the positives of competitive soccer and its role in preparing our student athletes. Peace to all.

Looks like OSSA / Crossfire Oregon is running a College ID camp at the NIKE Campus at the end of the month. Looks like they are already starting to make some changes, not by name only as some people here continue to think it will be.

[Unregistered]

Wow

The girls coaches coming is so not impressive. The boys even more so, since non are coming.

Based on the logo this was likely in the works before the merger.

What I got out this. The DOC's needs a new car and you will pay for it based on your dreams for your kid to pay college soccer.