This graphic illustrates the programs we offer in all the age groups age 4 to 19. Our EMFC pathway offers more opportunities for players with a variety of levels of play, skills, commitment, athleticism, and mentality in our club. The arrows in the graphic illustrate that movement in the club from a number of different recreational and/or competitive environments is possible at any point in a player’s development. The arrows also illustrate vertical and horizontal opportunities within the club. We want to foster a love of and passion for the game and we want to provide opportunities for all levels of players.
While we certainly have a good number of players who continue to play in college and a few who might look for professional opportunities, we have structured our club to provide a great experience for all competitive players. Some of our players enjoy the competitive club team and play in their respective high schools but then chose to focus on their academic goals and play soccer for fun. Many of our players continue their passion in the college game at the NCAA DI, DII and DIII levels or in NAIA schools as well as in Junior Colleges.
We support all of these players and if our club can’t provide the competitive environment, we are happy to facilitate connections with other clubs in other communities to help those players.
In these younger age groups, we have two programs. Mini and Little Metro is our recreational program and it offers a number of sign up options throughout the year. Players who want to learn more about the game in a competitive environment should look at our Junior Academy.
Mini Metro (4-5) and Little Metro (age 6 to 10)
Mini and Little Metro provides a fun start to a lifelong passion for the game. It helps children to develop self-confidence, listening skills, core social skills of communication and cooperation. It helps to set a basis for balance, physical movements and a foundation for ball skills. In addition, children will learn to play in small sided games. Our goal is to ensure that children have fun developing their love for the game.
Everyone age 4 to 10 can sign up for this program. There is no selection. We offer a 6 week program in spring and fall with internal League games on Friday evenings. Winter has 6 weeks indoor and no league games attached. The summer will consist of 3 day camps.
Junior Academy (born in 2016, 2017 and 2018)
The Junior Academy is the start of our pathway for a more committed soccer player. Our Junior Academy is for players who have developed a love for the game and want to improve their skills and their understanding of the game. We want to provide a competitive but not exclusive environment for these developing youngsters.
The curriculum has been designed to develop players through more advanced, professional coaching as well as a higher level of competition in practice and league play. We are asking parents and players for a year-round commitment that includes very limited travel and still allows for plenty of breaks to play other sports and attend other activities.
This program prepares players for a successful entry into our competitive programs at U11 focusing primarily by developing a foundation of technical skills, 1v1 attacking and defending, and a introduction into tactical understanding of team attacking and defending. We are instilling a competitive and growth oriented mindset.
U11-12 Option (2015 and 2014)
We provide different levels at U11-12. Each level provides players the right program based on their commitment, current skill level, mentality, and athleticism. Players develop at different rates and with this approach we will have appropriate development opportunities for a wide variety of players. We consider the U11-12 age groups as an important building block to learn and practice fundamental ball skills, small group tactics, and an introduction to team tactics. In this age group our teams will play 9v9. Our Premier and Competitive year round programs will be organized in each birth year.
U11-12 Premier Academy
The Premier Academy is our first selective program in which we look at skills, athleticism and competitive mentality. We will select players who will train together with one head coach in an Academy setting. They will play in a statewide league at the appropriate level. The Premier Academy will train mostly 3 times a week. The curriculum has been designed to continue our technical curriculum and add on more group tactics, and balance it with a competitive mentality. We are asking parents and players for a year-round commitment that includes limited travel in Oregon during the fall and spring. The winter will have no games but 5 weeks of indoor futsal training. The summer will have 1-2 tournaments or friendlies with neighboring clubs and lots of training.
U11-12 Competitive Program
The competitive program is providing an opportunity for players to work twice a week with professional coaches and the same curriculum as the Premier Academy. The commitment level is a bit lower and it will allow players to find their confidence in the game and develop age appropriately. The competitive teams will also play year round but will take a break over the winter unless individual players chose to do our winter indoor training program. This program will allow players access to professional development at their level. Players at the competitive level will constantly be evaluated and can earn additional opportunities in training with the Premier Academy.
U13-14 Options (2013 and 2012)
We continue to provide different levels at U13-14. Players are able to learn in an appropriate environment based on their commitment, current skill level, mentality, and athleticism. Players are still developing at different rates, and offering a 3-tier approach will provide an appropriate environment for all our players. We consider the U13-14 age groups as continuation to build on their fundamental ball skills, small group tactics, and now establish more team tactics. In this age group our teams will play 11v11.
U13-14 Premier Program
The Premier Program will now select 16-18 players with appropriate skills, athleticism and competitive mentality. The Girls Premier teams will play in the Girls Academy, a national platform with a Northwest Conference. The boys will play in the ECNL Far West Conference. The Premier Program will train 3 times a week. The curriculum will continue the technical development, strengthen small group tactics, and further develop players decision making. We are asking parents and players for a year-round commitment that includes more travel in Oregon during the fall and spring. Based on the outdoor game schedule, the winter will provide some Futsal indoor options. The summer will have 2 tournaments and lots of training.
U13-14 Competitive 1 Program
The competitive 1 program is providing an opportunity for players to work twice a week with professional coaches and the same curriculum as the Premier Academy. The commitment level is a bit lower and it will allow players to find their confidence in the game and develop age appropriately. The competitive boys teams will play in the ECNL RL Far West League while the Competitive 1 girls teams play in the Girls Academy Aspire League. There will be a break over the winter and some indoor Futsal training. This program will allow players access to professional development at their level. Players at the competitive level will constantly be evaluated and can earn additional opportunities in training with the Premier Academy.
U13-14 Competitive 2 Program
This program allows players to enter our pathway, train with our coaches and play in leagues that are appropriate for the level they are competing in. Our Comp 2 players will be trained with the same curriculum and coaches than all our other teams. This program will provide summer training, summer tournaments, a fall league and then a significant break in the winter to allow for other sports. In the spring (mid February to early May), we will train and play in a spring league. The team will play in a more regional geographic league and allows players to enter the club, work their way up to the next level team.
U15-19 Options (2011-2007)
In the U15-19 age groups we will continue to have a pathway for all players. Players are able to continue to learn in an appropriate environment based on their commitment, current skill level, mentality, and athleticism. Players are still developing at different rates, and often have different levels of commitment. We consider the U15-19 age groups as continuation to further hone their fundamental ball skills, small group tactics, and enhance their team tactics.
Premier Teams U15-19
The Premier Program will select 16-18 players with appropriate skills, athleticism and competitive mentality. The Girls Premier teams will play in the Girls Academy League, a national platform and we will compete in the the Northwest Conference. The Boys Premier teams will play in the ECNL Far West League. The Premier Program will train 3 times a week. The curriculum will continue the technical development, strengthen small group tactics, and further develop player decision making within team tactics. In this age group we will use video film analysis to further help players in their development. We are asking parents and players for a year-round commitment that includes more travel in Oregon during the winter, spring and summer. College Showcases will be a significant part of our annual calendar for both Premier boys and girls. In this age group, players who want to continue to play at the collegiate level will get additional help.
U15-19 Competitive 1 Program
The Competitive Program will select 16-18 players with skills, athleticism and competitive mentality. The boys teams will play in the ECNL RL Far West League and the girls teams will play in the Girls Academy Aspire Oregon League. The competitive 1 Program will train Mon-Wed and every other Friday. The curriculum will continue the technical development, strengthen small group tactics, and further develop player decision making within team tactics. We are asking parents and players for a commitment from May to August 1, and from late November to May. In this age group, players who want to continue to play at the collegiate level will get additional help. The club will look for appropriate college showcase tournaments. Both ECNL and GA will provide opportunities to attend Showcase tournaments.
U15-19 Competitive 2 Program
This program allows players to enter our pathway, train with our coaches and play in leagues that are appropriate for the level they are competing in. Our Comp 2 players will be trained with the same curriculum and coaches than all our other teams. This program will provide summer training, summer tournaments, continued training when they return from their respective high schools, a winter league and a statewide tournament in April. The team will play in a statewide or more regional geographic league based on their skill level and allows players to enter the club, work their way up to the next level team.
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