Major League Soccer announced the 2015 MLS WORKS Community MVP Award presented by Wells Fargo on Wednesday night, presenting Yamhill Carlton Soccer Club (Oregon) program director Karen Wright with the honor at halftime of MLS’s 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game.
All 20 MLS clubs nominated one Community MVP for the honor, with Wright representing the Portland Timbers. She competed against representatives from 19 other clubs in public voting for the award, which recognizes individuals “who [set] an example as a leader in the community and [use] soccer as a tool to help make a positive impact.”
Wright was presented by MLS and Wells Fargo with a $10,000 check for Yamhill Carlton Soccer Club for winning the award.
“A giant thank you to MLS, the Timbers and the supporters of Yamhill Carlton,” said Wright. “YCSC and our supporters, near and far, have no fear of hard work and are passionate about making a difference. Together they truly exemplify the word community and I am proud of what we have accomplished.”
Wright founded the Yamhill Carlton Soccer Club (YCSC) in 2010, and as the driving force behind the club, it has grown from 14 local players to nearly 300 currently registered YCSC/OYSA club members, and 25 registered coaches. In 2014, over 4,000 hours were logged by over 100 committed soccer volunteers of all ages for numerous charitable programs and events.
Wright received the 2014 Volunteer of the Year award from Oregon Youth Soccer Association, and already has well over 1,000 volunteer hours to date for 2015. As YCSC Director, Wright has hosted numerous professional and college coaches, players and referees to the YC community in an effort to give her small town rural youth the type of opportunities found only in larger metropolitan areas. This spring, Karen and her husband renovated a dilapidated building into a covered, lighted arena with artificial turf in downtown Carlton for the YCSC.
In addition to the arena, Karen secures approximately $20,000 annually in in-kind services/donations. Her efforts assure that all YCSC programs are free and accessible to all youth regardless of ability, ethnicity, finances or address. Programs are directly accessible from school because over half of the club members have working parents unable to provide transportation and/or after school supervision. Free programs include Soccer Stars, speed/agility, strength/conditioning, futsal, coaches training, summer camps, youth referee training, Champions Club and Toddler Fun. Wright's small-sided game night for K/1st grade is an example of the developing soccer culture and its powerful effect on community. Friendly Friday night games draw 200-250 people to a celebratory atmosphere, where everyone is cheering, greeting friends and making new connections.
