In the world of youth soccer, buzzwords like “elite,” “platform leagues,” and “national exposure” tend to dominate the conversation. The focus gravitates toward densely populated urban hubs, pristine turf fields, and glossy showcase events. But here in Oregon, the Oregon Youth Soccer Association (OYSA) is rooted in something far more expansive and, frankly, more meaningful: access and opportunity for every child, no matter their zip code.
Our commitment to the players and clubs in Oregon’s most remote and rural communities isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about fulfilling our purpose. Because the game doesn’t belong to Portland, Salem, Eugene, or Bend alone. It belongs to Burns. To La Grande. To Klamath Falls, Brookings, and John Day. It belongs to every kid with a ball, a patch of grass, and a dream.
The Mission: Opportunity Without Geography as a Barrier
OYSA’s mission is to make soccer accessible to all young Oregonians, and that includes the families living hours from the nearest “platform league” club or professional training facility. While the logistics may be more complicated, and the spotlight a little dimmer, the potential for growth—both personal and athletic—is just as bright.
We often talk about soccer as a teacher of life skills: resilience, teamwork, leadership, grit. Nowhere are these lessons more profound than in small-town soccer. When a kid in Enterprise wakes up before sunrise to drive three hours to attend an ODP (Olympic Development Program) training, they’re not just chasing a ball—they’re building discipline and commitment in a way no coaching manual can replicate.
And yet, these players are often overlooked simply because of where they live.
That’s where OYSA comes in. We see them. We find them. We invest in them.
Yes, We Support Big Clubs Too
Of course, a large portion of our time and resources is dedicated to supporting the many thriving clubs in Oregon’s urban centers—and that’s how it should be. These clubs play a critical role in our ecosystem, developing thousands of players, employing full-time coaches, and competing at the highest levels regionally and nationally. We’re proud of the work we do alongside these clubs.
But it’s not an either/or proposition. We can support elite player pathways in Portland and simultaneously build strong programs in Prineville. We can help urban clubs navigate national league play while also ensuring rural clubs have fields to play on, referees to guide their matches, and access to coach education. Both matter. Both contribute to the health of the game. And both are part of what makes Oregon’s soccer community unique.
The Myth of the “Only Way” Up
One of the most frustrating narratives in American youth soccer is that if you’re not in a platform league, you’re not going anywhere. That simply isn’t true—and we have the stories to prove it.
Take Matt Turner, the USMNT goalkeeper who didn’t even start playing competitive soccer until his teens. Or DeJuan Jones, now a standout in MLS and the national team picture, who was overlooked by most major development academies. These players didn’t follow the typical platform league script. Instead, they were developed in local environments, supported by committed coaches and community clubs, and driven by an internal fire that didn’t require a badge to ignite.
The truth is, great players can—and do—come from unexpected places. And if we only look in the usual places, we miss them. Worse, we send a message that unless you live in the right neighborhood or can afford the right club, you don’t belong.
OYSA is rewriting that message.
Building the Bridge
So, what does supporting rural and remote clubs actually look like?
It starts with intentionality. We’ve made it a priority to:
- Send staff and scouts into small communities. Whether it’s talent identification for ODP or coach education workshops, we go to them, not the other way around.
- Invest in technology and hybrid training access. Through tools like video analysis, remote coaching support, and scheduled regional events, we help kids get development touches even when geography presents challenges.
- Create league pathways that don’t require daily travel or relocation. We’ve partnered with regional clubs to create interlocking schedules and festival-style competitions that allow kids in rural areas to play meaningful games without sacrificing family, school, or financial stability.
We’ve also looked inward at our own policies. Are our tryout schedules accessible to remote players? Are our registration deadlines and fees structured in a way that respects the realities of rural families? Are we equipping small-town coaches—many of whom are volunteers—with the tools they need to succeed?
These questions matter. They drive our planning, our budgets, and our long-term strategic vision.
More Than Just Soccer
When we support soccer in remote communities, the benefits go well beyond the pitch.
We’re creating community glue. In small towns, the soccer team isn’t just an athletic outlet—it’s a point of pride, a social connector, and often one of the few structured activities available to kids. By keeping these programs alive and competitive, we’re investing in the health and vibrancy of these towns themselves.
We’re also building confidence and leadership. When a kid from a rural community realizes they belong in a state pool, or gets noticed by a college coach, or earns a coaching license, it sends a message that success doesn’t require relocation—it requires access.
And let’s be honest: working with kids from small towns and underserved communities is deeply human work. It reminds us why we got into youth sports in the first place. Not for trophies or social media posts, but for transformations—on the field and in life.
Changing the Culture
I’ll be the first to admit: it’s not always flashy. There’s no viral buzz about a grassroots development clinic in Ontario or a referee training weekend in Coos Bay. But there’s value there. And it’s time we stop treating this work as “extra” or “nice to have.” It’s essential.
Youth soccer in Oregon—and across the U.S.—needs a cultural shift. One that says development doesn’t start with exclusivity, it starts with inclusion. One that values small-town commitment as much as big-city exposure. One that prioritizes character over clout.
OYSA is proud to lead that charge. We believe that a kid in Prineville deserves the same chance to fall in love with the game, to grow as a player, and to dream big as a kid in Beaverton.
And when we cast the net wide—when we show up in places where others don’t bother to look—we inevitably find players who surprise us. More importantly, we build a system that reflects the full diversity, geography, and spirit of our state.
The Work Ahead
There’s more to do. We want to:
- Expand scholarship and grant programs for rural travel expenses.
- Build a rural coaching mentor network to increase local quality and reduce burnout.
- Partner with schools and community centers to create new access points for kids.
- Push national organizations to recognize and reward non-traditional pathways into the game.
And we’ll do all of this with one central belief: every kid counts.
Final Thoughts: Why It Matters
It’s easy to get caught up in the machinery of modern youth sports—the rankings, the social media clips, the national tournaments. But if that’s all we chase, we miss the bigger picture.
When we support a soccer team in a town of 3,000 people, we might not be developing the next USMNT captain. But we might be keeping a kid in school. We might be giving them their first taste of teamwork. We might be helping a future coach discover their passion. We might be changing a life.
That’s the kind of impact OYSA is here to make. And we’ll continue to go the extra miles—literally—to make sure soccer is a game for all of Oregon.
Even the tiny towns. Especially the tiny towns.
Let me know your thoughts: simon@oregonyouthsoccer.org or call me: 503.957.3523