How special is it to be a member of Timbers Alliance?

[Unregistered]

I don't think PTFC is concerned--at all--about its affiliate clubs winning State Cup. The Timbers' concern is with finding talent to feed in the pipeline and ultimately play with the first team. Timbers are only one of two clubs in MLS (IIRC) without a homegrown talent on the first team roster. As the Timbers' Homegrown territory encompasses Oregon, SW Washington (Clark County, not sure if any other WA counties are included), and the entire state of Idaho, having affiliates in Boise and the Panhandle makes sense.

What the Timbers want and what is best for an individual club, much less the broader youth soccer community may be entirely different things.

I am not sure if state cups should be the goal of every club or the sole goal of any club; I am also not sure that designing a competitive soccer program around Timbers wants (to identify the 1 in a Thousand + monetize youth soccer) is a healthy path for 501(c)(3)s, whether the neighborhood club or OYSA.

[Unregistered]

I don't consider being part of the Timbers alliance special nor do I consider it not special. I do consider it the best option for my son. The alternatives, quite frankly, suck. But if that changes, we are open to switching.

[Unregistered]

Yes. Better.

Almost as good as your daughter is becoming as a result of ECNL huh?

[Unregistered]

Almost as good as your daughter is becoming as a result of ECNL huh?

She's developing at a much faster rate and to a much higher level playing elite competition all the time and training twice as much as your DD. No doubt.

[Unregistered]

She's developing at a much faster rate and to a much higher level playing elite competition all the time and training twice as much as your DD. No doubt.

Sadly, you are talking about Oregon ECNL when compared to a powerhouse like So Cal Blues
is not really saying very much.

[Unregistered]

I don't consider being part of the Timbers alliance special nor do I consider it not special. I do consider it the best option for my son. The alternatives, quite frankly, suck. But if that changes, we are open to switching.

If you're not on the west side of Portland that is true. Beaverton/Hillsboro seems to be the concentration point for quality boys club options. HSC, FCP, WST, Crossfire, maybe ADF. BSC, NEU, PCU are closer in but not top tier.
East PDX there's only EST, then outside of Portland the Timbers Alliance has branded all the remaining teams. Vancouver, Eugene, Salem, Medford, Bend, Boise, Coeur d'Alene.
So, yeah, there's a lot of places where Timbers Alliance is the only club of choice.

[Unregistered]

Sadly, you are talking about Oregon ECNL when compared to a powerhouse like So Cal Blues
is not really saying very much.

Might not be saying very much but it's saying a lot more than the Thorns Academy or Timbers Alliance. A LOT more.

[Unregistered]

Good question. None are really known for anything. Most only have U14 teams and under. I guess the parents get to go into this site and bitch about good clubs and probably received a Timbers foam finger.

Your statement is pretty much true, but that statement is pretty much true for every club in the greater PDX area. Is there any club in the greater Portland area that has two or more premier teams at every level from U15-U18/19?

[Unregistered]

Your statement is pretty much true, but that statement is pretty much true for every club in the greater PDX area. Is there any club in the greater Portland area that has two or more premier teams at every level from U15-U18/19?

FCP on the girls side - ECNL for the "A" teams and OYSA Premier for "B" teams.
Crossfire United on the girls side - ECNL for "A" teams and OYSA Premier for Crossfire and THUSC "B" teams.

[Unregistered]

Sadly, you are talking about Oregon ECNL when compared to a powerhouse like So Cal Blues
is not really saying very much.

I know. Sarcasm was lost on that poster. This entire ECNL being the end all or $10,000 per year to play mantras are getting so old. It truly is too bad that Oregon soccer can't find a way to reunite. Players deserve much better than what is being offered right now on both sides.

[Unregistered]

She's developing at a much faster rate and to a much higher level playing elite competition all the time and training twice as much as your DD. No doubt.

Interesting comment. What measurement data have you been keeping about your DD's development?

[Unregistered]

Bet you clowns thought you were really something when there were only 3 clubs. Now that there are 9 you must feel really special. Original Alliance clubs were such wrecks that the Timbers had to keep adding more and more in the hope of maybe someday finding a club that can actually develop players for them. Which club will be #10?

Heard they were adding Hillsboro Select as the newest member - Hillsboro Select Timbers. Yeah!!!!!

[Unregistered]

Welcome the two newest ECNL clubs:

Eastside Timbers ECNL
Clackamas Power Rays ECNL

[Unregistered]

Welcome the two newest ECNL clubs:

Eastside Timbers ECNL
Clackamas Power Rays ECNL

Those clubs can't join ECNL. Neither has any girls teams above U14...

[Unregistered]

Welcome the two newest ECNL clubs:

Eastside Timbers ECNL
Clackamas Power Rays ECNL

This is big news.