PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC have formed a partnership with the Idaho Youth Soccer Association (IYSA), it was announced today. Through the partnership, the Timbers and Thorns FC will collaborate with IYSA on the Idaho Pre-Academy/Olympic Development Program (ODP) on both the boys and girls sides, providing guidance and a common vision to develop a similar model to what the Timbers and Thorns FC have created with the Pre-Academy/ODP program in Oregon.
Additionally as an aspect of the partnership, the Timbers and Thorns FC will explore creating alliances with local youth clubs in the state to start the pathway toward instilling the organization’s goals and vision, while providing more opportunities for Idaho youth soccer players and preparing them for the potential of joining the Timbers and Thorns FC Academy programs.
“Idaho Youth Soccer is excited to partner with the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns to further the development of soccer in Idaho,” said Skyler Bell, director of coaching with Idaho Youth Soccer. “The chance to work side by side with MLS – and specifically Portland – is a groundbreaking opportunity. Already having four former Idaho players who all came up through the ODP program and who are now playing in the Timbers Academy has paved the way for others to follow. This partnership creates a clear path for Idaho players to MLS.”
Through the collaboration with IYSA, the Timbers will hold an Idaho Boys Residential ID Soccer Camp from July 20-23 at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho. The camp, for boys’ players ages 13-18 years old, is specifically designed to provide a professional experience for the participants while serving as a player-identification camp for the Timbers Academy and Pre-Academy/ODP staff. The residential camp is recommended for any Idaho ODP players, high school players, club players and those looking to continue playing at the collegiate level. Players will be trained and evaluated by Timbers Academy and ODP staff, along with a host of college coaches from the Pacific Northwest. Thorns FC plan on hosting an Idaho Girls’ Residential Camp next summer, serving as a player-identification camp for the Thorns FC Academy.
“We are thrilled to create a partnership with Idaho Youth Soccer and their Pre-Academy/ODP program,” said Timbers youth sporting director Mike Smith. “With the Timbers having been granted territorial rights to all players in the state of Idaho, we now have the opportunity to create a similar Pre-Academy model for both male and female players that will give players in Idaho a pathway to the professional ranks. The boys’ residential camp will be our first step in looking to identify players this summer.”
Players interested in registering for the Idaho Residential ID Soccer Camp can fill out the necessary application at registration.timbers.com or visit www.timbers.com and click on the “Youth” tab. The four-day camp costs $550 with advanced registration and campers will be housed at the College of Idaho dorms and will eat at the University Dining Hall. The registration deadline for the camp is July 10.
For more information or questions regarding the residential camp, please contact Erik Lyslo (elyslo@timbers.com) or Brittney Elsensohn (belsensohn@timbers.com).
