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Washington Premier

September 23, 2019 by Dan Vaughn

Washington Premier FC’s General Manager and Women’s Head Coach, Adam Becker took time away from his busy schedule to answer questions about, not only his squad, but the Men’s side as well. WPFC had formerly gone by South Sound Shock and is a founding member of their regional men’s league in Washington, the EPLWA – additionally, they helped to found the Northwest Premier League, a women’s regional league with sides in Washington as well as Oregon. Becker’s women’s team finished 2nd in 2016, before the playoff era of NWPL began and the men’s side, now led by club Technical Director Roy Lassiter of USMNT fame, had never finished outside the playoffs and has now won their league back-to-back-to-back.

Tell us about WPFC - when was the organization founded and what is the overall mission? When did you add a men's premier team to EPLWA and a women's team to NWPL?

The U23 program was founded in 2016/2017. Previously the men’s side competed in the EPLWA and the USASA U23 national tournament as South Sound FC. Our first year with Premier we were named the Washington Premier South Sound Shock, I know it’s a lot hence the simplification of the name to just Wpu23. In previous years it was only a men’s side but Premier was open and willing to add a women’s program into the newly formed NWPL.

Some clubs work with youth programs, and some work without; for Washington Premier FC, how do you incorporate players who have come up through the ranks to the EPLWA and NWPL level? Do you have to augment your elite rosters with collegiate players or local talent who might not have come through your academy?

At premier we use athletes from all aspects. We use current WP youth aging from 16yrs - 18yrs, collegiate athletes from all over and Wp alumni. You do not have to come through premier to play for this team. We’ve had athletes from all over the United States, Brazil, Australia and China.

Formerly South Sound FC, Washington Premier FC of regional league EPLWA has been seen as far south as Salem, OR for pre-season tournaments against NPSL and USL L-2 sides.

Formerly South Sound FC, Washington Premier FC of regional league EPLWA has been seen as far south as Salem, OR for pre-season tournaments against NPSL and USL L-2 sides.

Working with college-level student athletes comes with obstacles, do any of your players get compensated for their play for your men's and women's sides? Do they have to pay for their own player cards and training equipment to avoid NCAA eligibility complications?

Whenever working with college athletes there are certain obstacles. As our preseason and season begins most D3-D1 schools are in their spring league. During that time players aren’t available to play for anyone other than school. As the season winds down depending where their college is located some athletes have to return early. So, you can imagine the complications that might arise with scheduling and team chemistry.

Have any of your women or men players moved into the pro ranks? Have any coaches, who might have started off as assistants or positional coaches, moved on to larger clubs?

The men’s side has been able to move guys onto the next level. The women’s side is still new to myself (only coaching for two seasons). But for the men:

Vince McClusky - Tacoma Stars Pro

Derek Johnson - Tacoma Stars Pro

Sam Sizette - Tacoma Stars Pro

Eddie Na - Tacoma Stars Pro

Mike Arguello - Tacoma Stars Pro

Kodi Lida - Canadian Premier League

HFX Wanderers FC

Getting guys to the pro level is always a positive, I believe the work we do with the youth to prepare for college is priceless. Several guys have been able to move from community college to D1 programs as well.

Washington Premier FC’s women have been competitive in the NWPL, finishing in playoff positions since the playoffs started.

Washington Premier FC’s women have been competitive in the NWPL, finishing in playoff positions since the playoffs started.

It would seem that Washington Premier FC has a built-in support base, with the youth players being able to watch and support the EPLWA and NWPL squads - do you draw supporters from outside the organization? Are there fans coming through the gates; does WPFC need that revenue stream?

We have a good local community outside of the Premier “family”. The core of our men’s team plays for myself on the Tacoma Star Reserve team competing in the WISL so we draw fans from there. The core of the women’s team plays in local leagues and draws a great crowd. It’s not about revenue for home games, it’s about creating a fun, safe family environment where we play an exciting style.

Washington Premier FC’s men have three-peated as winners of the EPLWA title since 2017 (photo: Width Photography)

Washington Premier FC’s men have three-peated as winners of the EPLWA title since 2017 (photo: Width Photography)

For more information about Washington Premier

For more information about EPLWA

For more information about NWPL

September 23, 2019 /Dan Vaughn
WOSO, BROSO, Washington Premier FC, EPLWA, WPFC, Soccer, Washington State
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Vancouver Victory

April 15, 2019 by Lola Vaughn

Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington are separated by the massive Columbia River, which serves as the state line, but the two have a shared history and shared love of soccer. Founded in 2014, just before entering into the regional soccer league EPLWA, Vancouver Victory have built up a fanatical base of support and even won their league in just their first five years of existence. The club is housed at the Harmony Sports Complex, where they play their games and share training facilities with the Washington Timbers youth academy. Sean Janson, Executive Director of the Washington Timbers, also serves as General Manager of the Victory and was gracious enough to answer my questions about who they are and where they’re headed.


Starting from the start; when, why, and by whom was the Vancouver Victory founded?

Vancouver Victory FC were Founded in 2014 by Barrett Goddard. To provide Vancouver, Washington our own team to root for.

What League do you play in? Do you have a rival or a club you really look forward to playing against? Are there club's outside of your league who you'd like to play a friendly with? 

We play in the Evergreen Premier League Washington. Don't really have a rival club but always look forward to playing FC Mulhouse (NPSL. Portland, Oregon) and Lane United (USL League 2. Eugene, Oregon) in friendlies.

The Victory pose before an EPLWA League Match (Photo: Courtesy Vancouver Victory)

The Victory pose before an EPLWA League Match (Photo: Courtesy Vancouver Victory)

Running a soccer club can be turbulent, in the best of times, how do you continue to operate in this market with big clubs like the Timbers and Sounders? How important are matchdays and merchandise to the operational budget?

Matchdays are very important to the budget but most importantly is our partnership with Muchas Gracias Mexican Food. Their sponsorship is really what allows us to provide this team to our community. We feel like Timbers and Sounders increase interest in the sport and therefore the Victory benefits from their presence. 

Are you connected to a youth program? A women’s program? Are there funnels for young boys and girls to go from youth sides into the first teams?   

Yes, the Washington Timbers FC now owns and runs the Vancouver Victory. Our interest in the team is primarily to provide our alumni who are off playing in college somewhere a place to play when they come for the summer. We certainly enjoy providing our community a quality team to follow but that's not the primary reason we're doing it. We also have a women's team, the Washington Timbers Women's 1st team, who play in the NW Premier League. Both teams serve as teams for our youth to aspire to.

The VNC are The Victory’s true-blue Supporter’s Group (Photo Courtesy Vancouver Victory)

The VNC are The Victory’s true-blue Supporter’s Group (Photo Courtesy Vancouver Victory)

A big part of soccer culture in the Pacific Northwest is Supporters Groups; you do have one, how important are they to the matchday experience? Do they travel with the team from time-to-time?

Yes, VNC are great supporters of the team. I initially met these guys when they started supporting Clark College. They do make the occasional away game and their presence at home games really makes for a great atmosphere. 

The Vancouver/Portland soccer market is huge, are there any aspirations to take the Victory up a notch, to a NPSL, UPSL or NISA level of play? What would it take to accomplish that?

There's always talk of taking that next step but as GM of the team and Executive Director of the youth club I'm very hesitant at this time. We are fulfilling our mission of providing opportunities to athletes, I would need to see how a change in league would further fulfill that mission to warrant the extra cost and work. We are planning a major upgrade to our home, Harmony Sports Complex over the next couple years which will completely transform the parking area and the entrance and exit of the facility. Once this is done, we will start to look at other improvements that may better position us to make a leap of this sort. In the mean time we will try and win as many EPLWA trophies as possible. 

What does it all mean? The Vancouver Victory provide a badge primer.

What does it all mean? The Vancouver Victory provide a badge primer.

For more information about the Vancouver Victory FC, check them out here: http://vancouvervictoryfc.com/
If you’re interested in volunteering or joining their supporters group, contact them here:
https://www.facebook.com/VNC-264042637093828/

April 15, 2019 /Lola Vaughn
Vancouver, Washington, Soccer, Washington Soccer, Evergreen Premier League, EPLWA
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Bellingham United

January 07, 2019 by Lola Vaughn

We reached out to Bellingham United- one of six clubs participating in the Western Indoor Soccer League -to get a little history lesson and a vision of its future. The questions were answered by Marc Ronney, the general manager of Bellingham United; Richard Henderson, the indoor coach; and Jason Conway, the outdoor coach. Marc is an administrator and trainer for their Junior Hammers programs, and was previously the administrator of the Whatcom Development League, now called the Rangers Development Program.

We love a good origin story; tell us about how your club was founded--what's your story?

He (Jeff McIntyre – the previous owner and co-founder of Ruffneck Scarves) always wanted to be an owner of a soccer team and picked Bellingham as his city of choice. We played in the PCLS- a Canadian league -the first couple of seasons before moving to the EPLWA. Jeff and Lance Calloway, the first BU coach, were involved with the creation of the EPLWA.

What's the mission of your organization? Are you directly affiliated with a youth program? Do you have a women's side?

Our mission is to provide the community with a high-level soccer team to follow and watch. We aren’t associated with a youth club but work closely with the WFC Rangers, the local Premier club. We have fielded a women’s team for a tournament or two but at this time don’t have a team for the summer leagues.

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You have men's sides in both the EPLWA as well as the WISL--do players often play for both teams? How serious do they take indoor season; is it more recreational, more meant to maintain fitness for the outdoor season? Or are both indoor and outdoor seasons taken with an equal amount of competitive spirit? 

There is a core group of players who do play in both teams and are the heartbeat of the teams as they bring in experience, club historical knowledge, and common shared values. Both teams are highly competitive with both being semi-professional. The groups of payers are made up of local players who have played professionally or collegiate level and those who are wanting to play summer ball during their collegiate careers. The teams also have separate identities, which is a good thing but both want to play and compete at the highest level possible. 

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What's your trophy cabinet like? Any regional or cup competitions we might not have heard about?

The indoor team has won three WISL championships and is on a 23-home game win streak as well as finishing runners up at the national tournament this past year. The outdoor team has been runner up two of the last three years in outdoor. 

Tell us about your crest and colors! Not every club at your level has a legit Supporters Group--tell us about them as well!

Jeff created the crest and picked the colors. The supporters group was formed in the first year and has grown over the years. Check out their facebook page for more info.

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It seems that the Bellingham United badge was, at least in part, derived from the Seal of the City of Bellingham.

Did I miss anything central to your club? What's the most important aspect of Bellingham United?

Bellingham United is here to give the local players a place to play at a higher level. We have several ex-WFC Ranger and WWU players that play for the team as well as local coaches who play as well. During the EPLWA season, several WCC and WWU players will play with us.

Check them out: http://bellinghamunited.com/

See the WISL: https://wislnews.wordpress.com/

- Josh Duder

January 07, 2019 /Lola Vaughn
Bellingham United, EPLWA, WISL
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