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PORTLAND CITY UNITED

U8-U10, YDP PROGRAM

In our Youth Development Program (YDP), player's will be challenged through fun games and team interaction. The engaging, age appropriate program focuses on the early development of individual players with an emphasis on:  

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  • Teamwork and Competition, introduced at a developmentally appropriate level

  • Technical Skills and Body Mechanics

  • Tactical Knowledge and Decision Making

  • Individual Growth & Communication

 

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This program prepares players for competitive soccer and

improves recreational players' skills.

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TEAM TRYOUTS

REGISTERING PLAYER

​​​We do not run "formal tryouts" for our YDP teams. During our tryout dates, our coaches will get to know your player's focus, listening skills and ability to participate as part of a team through fun challenges and games.

 

In general all players, regardless of technical skills, will be offered a spot on a team. This is a great opportunity to get your child active and engaged with other players their age. ​

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Tryouts for the 2020/21 season have concluded but if you are interested in joining mid-season, please reach out at atb.pcusc@gmail.com

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NEW!

WINTER DEVELOPMENT CAMP

We are excited to announce our new outdoor YDP Winter Camp which will provide training and playing opportunities for our current players (and those interested in joining our club!) while continuing our focus on the safety of our players, their families and our coaching staff.

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  • Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-5pm, beginning Monday, Nov. 30th. This program will include two, one hour sessions each week.
     

  • On Mondays, players will focus on technical skills and teamwork, and during the Wednesday session, our coaches will lead players through free play and games.​
     

  • 12 sessions total from 11/30 - 1/25. There will be no trainings held Dec. 21, 23, 28, 30 and Jan. 18.
     

  • All training sessions are held at the newly re-turfed Buckman Field and will follow all OHA and club safety protocols. 
     

  • $120 per player

 
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PRACTICE SCHEDULE & PROTOCOL

All practices are held at the newly re-turfed Buckman Field, completed Summer 2020. 

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  • All players are required to wear a face mask covering their nose and mouth before, during and after training sessions.
     

  • Any individual entering the facility should do so from the 12th Avenue entrances. When exciting the facility, individuals should do so at the 15th Avenue exits or the Davis Street exit.
     

  • Parents are required to stay outside of the field complex (e.g. in vehicles or outside the field complex perimeter) for drop-off and pick-up. 
     

  • For practices, do not arrive more than 5-10 minutes before your scheduled start time. For games, do not arrive more than 20 minutes before your scheduled start time. If you do, please remain in your car or outside of the field complex. Players and coaches must leave the field immediately after training sessions and games. Practice social distancing (6 feet) and wear a mask when entering and exiting the facility.

  • Wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer before and after all training sessions. Bring personal hand sanitizer with you to every training.
     

  • Players should wear their red PCU jersey to practice and games, and they should bring their white and black jerseys as alternate tops.
     

  • Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, bag, or any other items.

  • Use the restroom and fill up water bottles before arriving at training and games, as restrooms and water fountains may not be available at field complexes.
     

  • Place bags and equipment at least 6 feet apart.
     

  • Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after training sessions and games.
     

  • No group celebrations, high fives, hugs, handshakes, or non-essential contact of any kind. No spitting,

2020/21 PLAYER FEES

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Payment plans and scholarships are available. Applications MUST be submitted within 3 days of being offered a spot on a team. Listed fees do not include uniforms and tournament fees.  

2020

SUMMER & FALL 

MEMBERSHIPS

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$450

2020

WINTER

CAMP​

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$120

2021

SPRING

MEMBERSHIPS​

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$350

PCU's outstanding team of coaches are dedicated to giving our members the best possible club soccer experience.

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We strive to surround our members with coaches that are successful on and off the field. Each coach brings their own style of coaching, but each one is committed to providing a professional atmosphere to all club soccer events. Our paid coaching staff complete Background Checks, SafeSport Training, Concussion training and are evaluated regularly.

UNIFORMS
AVAILABLE THROUGH TURSSI SOCCER

 

Uniforms are available at Tursi Soccer and are not included in the annual player's program fees. All players are required to wear the PCU Uniform and Training Gear to all practices and games. Before placing your order through Tursi's online store, contact your coach to confirm your player's jersey number. 

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When ordering you can either enter in your confirmed jersey number if you know your size and you do NOT want to try on your uniform in the store before finalizing the purchase, or do not enter a jersey number during your online order if you're unsure of the desired size. 

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ALL PCU players also receive a 15% discount on all additional purchases made in the Tursi store including futsal shoes, cleats, balls and shinguards. 

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REQUIRED UNIFORM ITEMS:

 

Red Training Jersey - $20

White Game Jersey - $28

Black Game Jersey - $45

Shorts - $18 

Socks - $10

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Total: $121.00

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS: 

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Rain Jacket - $75

Hoodie - $48

Sweatpants - $40

Backpack - $45

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OUR ONLINE TOOLS:

TECHNE FUTBOL

The Techne app will help our current, U8 - U15 players learn, improve, and refine their skills through consistent technical training.

 

Each player's Club Membership includes new technical training sessions every week, shooting sessions, Techne GK sessions, Time Trial Drills, and the chance to compete for a spot on the Techne Leaderboards.

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What is the Youth Development Program (YDP) philosophy?

The Problems with Fear Based Motivation: Fear based motivation is a behavior of working extremely hard to reach a goal because the player is afraid of failing. While it can seem advantageous on paper, this behavior can be destructive in the long run, causing players to build up situations in their heads, compare their success and failures to teammates/other players, and ultimately take mistakes much harder than others.
Within the YDP we focus on the Mastery Approach to Development where we focus on the growth of the individual player. We avoid comparing players with each other and focus on making sure the players see only how their efforts have and can make them better. To do this, we build an environment where players gain confidence and turn their mistakes into learning opportunities. Some players have the confidence to do this on their own, but for others this mindset must be developed and we believe it starts from the coaches and parents continually building the players up and pushing them to challenge themselves.
What does it mean to run a Developmentally Appropraite Program? Developmentally Appropriate means that players are equally parts successful and equal parts challenged. On either side of this spectrum, a player who wins every match up is clearly not being challenged enough which prevents development. As well as a player who concedes every match up may become upset, lose interest, as well as not develop because they are unable to succeed. This also applies to our team league placements. While we do not keep score in our league, we aim to place our teams in divisions that allow them to equally be challenged and find success. When our players ask, “What was the score?” our coaching staff response will be, “Did you have fun? What did you learn today?” A season’s success judged by individual player development - not wins and losses.



Can you tell me more about your coaching staff?

PCU works hard to find coaches who are committed to the development of the player, through individual and team training and games. PCU encourages our coaches to continue to challenge themselves by attending coaching courses offered by US Soccer. Our coaches complete Background Checks, SafeSport Training, and Concussion training. You can find individual profiles on PCU coaches on our coaching staff page.



Is playing club soccer a year round commitment?

Due to COVID-19, please see most recent newsletter for questions concerning practice schedules, league updates and more. If you have additional questions, please reach out at pcusc@pcusc.org.



What kind of travel is involved?

As of Fall 2020: Due to COVID-19, please see most recent newsletter for questions concerning team travel, league updates and more. If you have additional questions, please reach out at pcusc@pcusc.org. Pre-COVID: The majority of the games are played in the Portland Metro area. There is an occasional trip to Bend or Rogue Valley, but these travel games are rare. Teams will often carpool or rent vans to help lessen the impact on families. PCU does like to offer several out of state travel tournament. Many of our teams travel to San Francisco and Seattle for tournaments. The trip to San Francisco is always in early March and we also tour several college campuses on the trip.



How does team placement work?

Tryouts have currently concluded for the 2020/21 season. If you are interested in joining mid-season, please reach out at pcusc@pcusc.org. The first two or three practices of the season are used by our coaching staff to create training groups that will be developmentally appropriate for each player. Our program is built on players of all levels finding their love for healthy competition, working as a team and soccer as a whole. We welcome players of all abilities in this program.



What if my son/daughter plays another sport or participates in other activities?

Our club will always supports our players that participate in other activities. Please communicate with your player's coach and inform them when conflicts arise well in advance helps lessen the impact. We believes soccer is a part of a players and families life, but should never control it.



Are there different levels of classic soccer?

Teams are placed into level appropriate leagues by the Oregon Youth Soccer Association. PCU does its best to put teams into leagues where the players and team development can be maximized.



Where and when do PCU teams train?

PCU teams train at Buckman Field in NE Portland (416 NE 12th Ave). To view the most recent practice schedule, view our latest club newsletter. Buckman Field is a 245,000 square foot facility with brand new synthetic, FIFA approved turf and lights (finished Summer 2020). Our office and clubhouse are also located in the blue buidling at the NW corner of the field. Our clubhouse, (pre-COVID) offered a warm and safe place for players to gather before and after training and games. We have a conference room for player reviews and a classroom with white board for teams to use. It also has bathrooms for our player, families and staff to use. Our clubhouse is currently closed to prioritize the health of our staff and players. We have office hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9pm (come to the gate outside of door, and our staff will come out to you). Masks are required.



Is there financial aid available?

Families may apply for financial aid. PCU will never turn a way a player based on financial reasons. Financial aid applications can be found on our website under the forms section. Financial aid applications must be turned in at the time of tryouts.



What fees/costs are not covered by the Registration Fee?

PCU registration fees do not cover uniform costs, out of the area travel costs for coaching staff, out of state travel (when available), and Futsal training and league fees.



What does a year look like for PCU's players?

Due to COVID-19, please see most recent newsletter for questions concerning practice schedules, league updates and more. If you have additional questions, please reach out at pcusc@pcusc.org.



What is your refund policy?

We DO NOT OFFER CLUB REFUNDS after 30 days from tryout dates, as our players have begun training and our teams have already been formed and finalized. An administration fee of $295 is charged for anyone who drops before the 30 days. We do not offer club refunds on player's $25 tryout fee. ​ In the event of an additional COVID-19 government imposed closure, adjustments will be made. ​ Annual fees do NOT cover uniforms, tournament fees, travel (when available), or additional PCU programs including futsal. ​ Please reach out at pcusc@pcusc.org with any questions.



How do tryouts work? What if my player is new to soccer?

We do not run "formal tryouts" for our YDP teams. During our tryout dates, our coaches will get to know your player's focus, listening skills and ability to participate as part of a team through fun challenges and games. What if My Player is New to Soccer? In general all players, regardless of technical skills, will be offered a spot on a team. This is a great opportunity to get your child active and engaged during the summer break! How Does Team Placement Work: The first two or three practices of the season are used by our coaching staff to create training groups that will be developmentally appropriate for each player. Our program is built on players of all levels finding their love for healthy competition, working as a team and soccer as a whole. We welcome players of all abilities in this program.