[Oregon Premier League Web site]

CHARLESTON, S.C. (May 4, 2010) – US Club Soccer is pleased to announce the sanctioning of the expanded Oregon Premier League, comprised of the most competitive soccer programs in the Portland area.

In the past, the Oregon Premier League (OPL) has offered U-10, U-11 and U-12 age groups. Beginning with the 2010-11 season, the league will grow to include U-11 through U-19 age groups.

The OPL aims to bring the most competitive level of youth soccer into Oregon through the development of player programs designed by soccer professionals. Fifteen clubs have already committed to the expanded league, and additional clubs are anticipated to join over the coming weeks.

"We are excited to be moving forward with the OPL's expansion,” said OPL President John Bain. “Soccer in Oregon has been more or less in a rut the last several years, with little attention paid to the development of clubs and their players. It is time to progress to the next level of development for Oregon players and teams in order to be competitive on a regional, and eventually, a national level.”

“The OPL was conceived by eight visionary clubs in Oregon to proactively take soccer in the Pacific Northwest to the next level, in terms of development, competition, visibility and opportunity,” said Fraser Morrison, Director of Coaching for the Lake Oswego Soccer Club. “The OPL is implementing a comprehensive developmental system that offers teams and players a wide range of opportunities.”

These development opportunities for OPL participants include that of the Northwest Champions League (NWCL), the Portland Timbers developmental academy and Centers of Excellence, and a statewide Oregon Cup, open to all US Club Soccer-registered teams.

Northwest Champions League:
Modeled after the European Champions League, OPL teams that finish in the top four (U-15 and above) or top six (U-14 and below) in each age group will qualify to play in the NWCL along with the top-finishing teams from Washington.

The NWCL offers a heightened level of competition, preparing the strongest teams from Oregon and Washington for regional and national competition.

Furthermore, the winning team in each age group of the NWCL will be offered entry into the Surf Cup in San Diego, which hosts some of the top youth teams in the nation.

Portland Timbers developmental academy and Centers of Excellence:
OPL players will be observed and evaluated by the Portland Timbers’ coaching staff, who will offer the most talented and dedicated players additional coaching, training and competition in the Timbers’ youth developmental system.

Oregon Cup:
Oregon Cup is US Club Soccer’s state championship event open to member clubs and teams. Winners earn preferential seeding for US Club Soccer’s National Cup.

"The OPL is excited to offer new opportunities to its players through its partnership with the Portland Timbers, and to its teams through its partnership with the Northwest Champions League,” Morrison said. "The combination of the OPL, NWCL and Timbers will change the soccer landscape in Oregon, offering more opportunities for more players across all ages and at all levels of ability."

"We have no doubts the OPL will provide the best overall opportunity for teams and clubs seeking the highest quality competition,” said Bain. “If we are going to move forward, we have to continue to raise our competitive standards every year; placing teams in divisions that will give them the best opportunity to be successful while remaining challenged in every game will raise the level for every team. We feel team development and player development are intrinsically linked so we would be doing a disservice to our players by placing them in leagues that are above or below their ability level."

Founding members of the OPL include: Eastside United FC, FC Portland, Lake Oswego SC, Oregon Soccer Academy, Portland City United SC, Southside SC, Tualatin Hills United SC and Westside Metros.

The OPL will be one of three recently-named US Club Soccer Premier Leagues, joining the NorCal Premier League and Northern Illinois Soccer League.

Please frequent the OPL Web site for additional information on the league, including updates on newly-committed clubs.

About US Club Soccer:
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. A member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, US Club Soccer has grown to include member clubs and leagues in 50 states. In addition to sanctioning and administering tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup and the National Collegiate Showcase. US Club Soccer also directs its own player identification and development program – id².

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