FRISCO, Texas (June 24, 2021) — US Youth Soccer is excited to announce the formation of the USYS Northwest Conference Club vs. Club Division — the latest Club vs. Club Division within the USYS National League Conferences.

The Northwest Conference Club vs. Club Division will feature competition for both boys and girls teams in the 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 18U/19U age groups, and is open to clubs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii. Along with the Northwest Conference Premier I Divisions (team-based), the Club vs. Club Divisions will provide teams with an opportunity to advance to the USYS Far West Regional Championships and to earn qualification for the next seasonal year of National League P.R.O.

The Northwest Conference Club vs. Club Division has already secured commitments from 12 total clubs, with nine competing on the boys’ side and 10 competing on the girls’ side.

BOYS CLUBS
La Roca FC (UT), Northwest United FC (WA), Oregon Premier FC (OR), Sparta United SC (UT), Timbers-Thorns North FC (ID), United PDX (OR), Utah Soccer Alliance (UT), Washington Premier FC (WA) and Washington Rush SC (WA)

GIRLS CLUBS
Capital FC Timbers (OR), Idaho Rush SC (ID), La Roca FC (UT), Oregon Premier FC (OR), Timbers-Thorns North FC (ID), United PDX (OR), Utah Soccer Alliance (UT), Wasatch SC (UT), Washington Premier FC (WA) and Washington Rush SC (WA)

“We are very excited to introduce the Northwest Conference Club vs. Club Division — a competition platform that will bring unique opportunities and pathways to top clubs in the area,” said Jonathan Berzins, League Manager for the Northwest Conference. “In addition to the club-based format, these divisions will provide a very competitive atmosphere that cultivates player development, as teams strive for berths to the USYS Far West Regional Championships and automatic qualification spots into National League P.R.O.

“Thanks to everyone at the clubs and states who have helped to organize this division, including Paul Bayly from Washington, Nelson Larson from Oregon and Eric Landon from Utah.”

All participating clubs will field a team in each gender age group of the Club vs. Club Division. League play will take place in an event-based schedule, with teams from one club playing all the teams from up to three other clubs during a single event weekend.

Boys event weekends will take place Dec. 11-13, 2021, in Portland, Ore., Jan. 15-17, 2022, in Portland, and Feb. 18-20, 2022, in Seattle, Wash. Girls event weekends will take place Dec. 4-6, 2021, in Portland, Jan. 21-23, 2022, in Seattle, and Feb. 19-21, 2022, in Seattle. Play dates will enable players to participate in high school soccer and other USYS programs, including USYS ODP and their respective State Cup competitions.

The first-place team in each age group of the Club vs. Club Division will advance to that season’s USYS Far West Regional Championships. Additionally, the top finisher in each age group will qualify to compete in the next seasonal year of National League P.R.O. All Club vs. Club Division teams will also have access to compete in the National League Showcase Series.

The Northwest Conference is one of 13 Conferences within the USYS National League and serves teams primarily from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii (Extending to Utah for club-based competition). Top tier divisions of each conference provide teams with an opportunity to earn their place in National League P.R.O., which provides teams in the 14U-19U Boys and Girls age groups with the chance to play some of the top competition in the country while competing for berths to the USYS National Championships. For each gender, 12 teams per age group will advance to the National Championships from National League P.R.O.

Visit USYSNationalLeague.com for more information on the National League, National League P.R.O., and the National League Showcase Series.
 

What some of the clubs are saying…

“United PDX is excited to join the Girls and Boys Club vs. Club Division of the National League. This is another step for our club to continue providing pathways for the Oregon player aspiring to reach the next level. The league is a step in the right direction with consolidating like-minded clubs to regionalize competition, providing the players meaningful games.”
Brandon McNeil – Technical Director, United PDX (OR)

“We are very happy to have been invited to participate in the Northwest Conference Club vs. Club Division. For many years, the National League has become known for the most competitive leagues, and a proving ground, for the most competitive clubs in the country. With this new format, we have a platform that now offers a level of competition Utah Soccer Alliance has been hungry for and desires for our players and coaches. We are excited to be involved with the variety of clubs from the Northwest, offering us strong competition.”
Dennis Burrows – Director Of Coaching, Utah Soccer Alliance (UT)

“We are very excited to be a part of the National League’s Northwest Conference Club vs. Club Division. To have our boys and girls teams both represented is a testament to the quality of the players, teams and coaches we have here at Washington Rush. USYS and the National League is a perfect partner for us, as it provides a clear pathway to develop players while providing a performance environment focused on competitive games and exposure.”
Sean Connors – Director of Soccer, Washington Rush SC (WA)