Out of Bounds

By Erik Lyslo

State Cup
Great weather, great soccer, great event — somber day. I'm not sure you could have had a more perfect day for State Cup this May. The weather was perfect; I actually had to put some sun screen on. The soccer was great — I think we had seven games go to overtime. The event was very well organized. I'm not sure we had any glitches this year for such a big event.

And yet the conversation I found myself in more than anything with parents, coaches and players, was, "What the heck happened between OYSA and the OPL?"

We've all heard about the split in competitive soccer with clubs in Portland and OYSA. It's become blog and forum headline material for the last month. It's created confusion, questions and a few shakes of the head. People have asked my opinion on the situation and I've said the same thing every time. I have no opinion. It's obviously unfortunate for soccer in the state, but at the end of the day, my family and my ability to support them is the most important thing to me. I tend to focus on the positives and there's no question the 2010 State Cup was a great event for the kids. Isn't that what it's about?

Oregon ODP Friendship Cup
I couldn't be happier with how the 2010 event is shaping up. Teams from British Columbia, Cal-North, Cal-South, Colorado, Washington, Utah and Pachuca, Ill., are entered in the tournament. The Portland Timbers U23 team is taking on the Victoria Highlanders at the event on Saturday night, and the Oregon ODP '93 Girls will take on the Portland Rain women's semi-professional team Monday afternoon at 12:30 p.m., also at the Friendship Cup site.

It's been said for years, and I'm happy to repeat it, that the Friendship Cup is the premier ODP tournament in the nation right now — and it happens in Oregon's own backyard. For those who know Landon Donovan, U.S. men's national team player and star in the MLS, he played youth soccer for Cal-South. When asked what his favorite tournament was growing up, he said it was the Friendship Cup in Oregon. There have been numerous professional and National Team players who have played in the Friendship Cup, and we're happy to host the event for the 25th- straight year. If you get a chance, bring your kids out and watch some great, high-level soccer over Memorial Day Weekend at the Tualatin Hills Recreation Center.

Junior Olympic Camps
Remember, Oregon ODP is hosting six Junior Olympic Camps in May and June. May 15-16, we hosted in Portland, and we will be in Salem May 22-23; in Eugene June 5-6; in Warrenton June 12-13; in Hood River June 19-20; and in Medford June 26-27. For applications and information on the camps, go to the OYSA website at www.oregonyouthsoccer.org under the ODP section. Camp information is there. Or, contact Erik Lyslo at erik@oregonyouthsoccer.org or 503-626-4625.

ODP Tryouts
Remember, ODP Tryouts for '94s, '95s and '96s are Aug. 14-15 at the CFC fields in Salem. Tryouts for '97s are TBA and tryouts for '98s are Dec. 4-5 in Portland, Eugene, Bend and Medford.