Frequently Asked Questions
Just getting to know EMFC? Here are answers to the most common questions we hear from new players and parents.
What is club soccer? How is it different from other youth soccer programs?
Club soccer offers high quality training and the guidance of a Director to help place teams in the appropriate competition level within the state of Oregon. Most EMFC staff coaches played the game at a higher level and have acquired US Soccer sanctioned licenses. Club players are committed to year round training and usually compete in state wide leagues.
Do EMFC teams play in a league? Where are their games?
All U11-U18 EMFC teams play in the Oregon Premier League. This league is a statewide league with teams from around the state. The U11-U14 state leagues have recently seen some changes but for the 2011-12 fall season all U13-U14 teams will have 7 home and 7 away games. There is still a question about the number of home games for the U11 and U12 teams in the fall (Last year we had 4 home and 8 away games). The older U15-18 teams compete in a winter league with 5 home and 5 away games. The U11-U14 spring league has 4 home and 4 away games.
Depending on who is in your league your away games are typically in Portland but sometimes you have opponents from Salem, Corvallis, Bend or Medford.
How much out-of-town travel is required?
See the answer above about the number of away games for each of the different age level teams. In addition to the league away games, each team will usually play at least two tournaments in the summer which are typically in Oregon. If we have teams competing at the very highest level in the state we will take them to tournaments in Washington (Seattle area) at U13 or U14 once a year. Only when the teams reach high school age and only when the team is very competitive in the state (top 5 or 6 teams in the state) will we consider taking them to a tournament for which air plane travel is required.
How much does it cost?
Please click here for our general fee structure. These fees include all training, rental fees, player cards, training shirts, league fees, and state cup tournament. All additional tournaments are extra cost as is the uniform cost. For a typical Oregon or WA tournament EMFC charges the true cost (tournament fee, hotel cost for coach, coaches pay and per diem) which is typically $50-$80 and depends on the number of players attending and the length of the tournament.
What if I can't pay that much?
We have a very reasonable payment plan that requires a $200 deposit once you committed to a team after tryouts and then you have to pay it off by October 30 of that year. If families need more time we offer individual payment plans as well. If your player qualifies for the free or reduced lunch the player automatically qualifies for our scholarship program. We do not give full fee waivers but our scholarships are substantial. You have to send in the scholarship application form and your verification at or right after tryouts. We have an independent scholarship committee evaluating the applications immediately after tryouts to inform families if and how much financial assistance they can expect.
In addition we offer a Fee Reduction Program in which players (age 15 and above) and their parents, siblings, relatives and friends can work concessions at University of Oregon football, basketball, baseball, track and special events. The proceeds of these events are directly credited to the player's account once the funds are received from the UO.
What's the time commitment?
Our teams typically train twice a week and have games in the fall and in the spring on a regular basis. At times we have a third practice for special training sessions such as speed and agility, isoccer, or a technical training session. These third sessions are rare. In the summer, teams participate in two or three tournaments and train twice a week with some windows for vacation. Each team head coach plans out the summer for his/her team and plans for two 2-3 week windows of vacation in the summer. In the winter, teams will have 3 or 4 maintenance sessions in December and January but no regular training.
What does the "U" in U10 mean?
It means Under 10. However, the soccer calendar in Oregon is organized not in calendar years but starts on August 1 and ends July 31 of the following year. For example, our teams are named EMFC 98 Juventus boys. The oldest boy on this team can be born on August 1, 1998. Everyone born on August 1, 1998 or after is eligible to play on this team. In the 2010/11 season, the EMFC 98 Juventus boys are considered U12. At May 2011 tryouts they will turn into a U13 boys team. Some tournaments from May to July will consider the EMFC 98 Juventus boys a U12 team because the calendar really turns over on July 31, 2011.
Can EMFC players also play other sports?
It is common that our youngest players U10-12 still play basketball in the winter, run track and play softball without too many conflicts. When the players reach U13 and U14 it becomes more difficult but still manageable. It often depends on the level of the team they are on. If they are on a top level team the number of conflicts are typically more. Once the players reach high school age, it becomes very difficult. The basketball high school season directly conflicts with the club soccer season. The track and softball season has some conflicts in the calendar. Coaches try to keep the number of players with other sports low so the team can still compete when conflicts arrive. For example, on a roster of 18 EMFC might allow 2 or 3 basketball players since we can still run efficient and quality training sessions.
Who are the EMFC coaches?
All our coaches live in our community, played soccer on a higher level, and in most cases have acquired a coaching license to reach a certain professional development. All our coaches continue to participate in coaching clinics teaching them the newest methods of injury prevention, tactical and technical training methods, and learn more about the mental and physical aspects of the game. All EMFC staff coaches are in constant contact with the Director of Coaching and the Technical Director U11-12 about the progress of their players and teams.
Is it important to play club soccer if I want to play in high school?
It is important to learn more about the game to become a successful high school soccer player. Today's most competitve soccer is found in the club scene. Players are not only trained on a more consistent basis they also find the most competitive opponents in the club soccer arena. Given those realities it is important to play club soccer. However, it is not mandatory. Many high schools have players on their varsity rosters with no club history and have only some club players. Even in high schools with a lot of club players, soccer players with no club history make a regular appearance.
How do I get on an EMFC team?
The easiest way to get on a team is to show up at the EMFC tryouts. For U11-14 teams these tryouts are typically in May and for U15-18 teams these tryouts are in early August. However, if you miss those tryout dates make sure to contact the Director of Coaching since teams might always have an opening or room on their roster. If that is the case, the Director invites a player to a few practices in which the head coach evaluates if a player can be added to the roster. Sometimes a player is added as a practice player to help a player make the team at a later point or at the next tryouts.
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