The Northwest is known as a soccer hotbed. Just look at the professional teams, both of which have outlasted leagues and drawn crowds for decades now. They are the envy of their fellow professional sides, playing in front of packed stands and adoring fans. Portland has also developed one of the most successful and well-known clubs in the NWSL, a gem for the league in support and success. And while location is not the dictator of success, the Timbers and Sounders have won 3 of the last 6 MLS Cups, so maybe there’s something in the water?

The northwest soccer scene goes deeper than the tier one clubs, with teams like Lane United FC, who compete in USL2, who regularly draw large crowds of loud and passionate fans to their home matches. Regional amateur leagues have seen great success and sustained growth as well. Evergreen Premier League and Western Washington Premier League are nationally known as competitive and interesting leagues, brimming with talent, both institutionally and on the field. Setting yourself apart in that scene, particularly in a town nicknamed “Soccer City USA,” is a challenge and requires creativity and passion. PDX FC has both.

PDX FC was founded in 2017 by a pair of brothers, Luke and Max Babson, who wanted to, as Luke put it, create a club culture “that players, families, fans, and the community are proud of. We want PDX Football Club to be an active member of the local soccer scene. Our players and staff will be actively involved in the community and we seek to make a difference at the grassroots level.” And while the club has struggled to make an impact in the highly competitive NPSL Northwest Conference standings, the club has become a fixture of the national league.

Part of it is the logo, of course. While so many clubs in the area have stuck with tired academy rehash logos, PDX FC embraced the challenge of standing out and came up with one of the most beautiful crests in all of grassroots soccer. The team worked with a local designer, Richard Miller of Calyx Design, to put together something distinctly Portland. Miller sums up his work as “Oregon’s state bird. The shield from Oregon’s Great Seal. The famous “PORTLAND” sign at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall…we nailed it!” I’d highly suggest visiting Calyx’s site to read Miller’s description of his process, it’s a model for how to do it right. The club has built off the crest and its distinctive yellow and black colors to create some of the best-looking kits in the NPSL.

But in 2020, when the entire world was upside down and money was tight, PDX decided it was time to make the jump to something bigger. The team created a Wefunder campaign with modest goals and down-to-earth plans. In simple terms, the club sought the funds to begin expanding its footprint in the Northwest, with the long-term goal of going professional and joining NISA. The campaign has raised just over $60,000, which is above its vesting goal. And while every club wishes to be the next Chattanooga or Detroit City, the reality is that it takes time and hard work to get to that point. The seed money raised in the campaign begins the process of growing.

Matching the success of the fundraising, the club managed to actually play some soccer, while most clubs couldn’t or wouldn’t. And though the NPSL was shuttered for 2020, PDX FC competed in the Oregon Open Cup and won the competition. It was a nice signature win for the club, so desperate to prove itself in such a highly competitive region. Not bad for a year with so little soccer actually being played.

PDX FC is a great nomination for Club of the Year for a host of reasons. Success on the field, winning a state cup. Establishing an internationally recognized brand that has only grown in stature over the years. Running a successful fundraising campaign to allow for future expansion and increased impact. Announcing the club as one to watch moving forward as they gear up to become pro. It’s all of those things.

It’s taking a terrible year and making it a great one through determination and hard work. It’s the type of thing that deserves recognition.

- Dan Vaughn