Q What is the difference between recreational and classic soccer?
A Classic soccer gives talented players an opportunity to play with and against other players of similar ability. Classic soccer takes the recreational soccer player to the next level. Enrolling in OSA, your child will have a coach with higher qualifications than most coaches at the recreational level. The commitment of time and finances spent for classic soccer is greater than recreational; the advantage is your child receives more!
Q My child is a U11 player. What options do they have?
A We invite all U11 players to get acquainted with classic soccer by hosting a Tryout Readiness Camp. This camp will give all players a chance to fine-tune their skills before tryouts. This is especially true for the U11 players. The Tryout Readiness Camp is open to players 9-14 years old. See the complete schedule under Camps/Academy on this site.
Players at the U11 age group can choose to play classic soccer at the U11 Developmental level or continue to play recreational soccer.
Q Let's say my child makes an OSA classic team but does not want to leave their recreational teammates behind. What do we do?
A It is completely a personal choice. OSA coaches will help you decide if your child is ready to emerge into classic soccer now or to wait until they are U12 players.
Q Can my child play on their recreational team and an OSA classic team at the same time?
A If both coaches agree to sharing a player and the player is up to it, yes.
Q How often are the practices?
A During the summer, practices are held two evenings per week plus Saturday mornings. If a tournament or game falls on a weekend, the Saturday practice is cancelled. During the fall, practices continue twice per week and games are played on the weekends. Each practice lasts approximately 2 hours.
Practices start in mid-June and continue through the Fall Season.
Q I've heard that I have to travel a lot to games all year. Is that true?
A OSA teams may occasionally play a team in Medford, Bend, Eugene, Corvallis, or Salem. The majority of games, however, are played in the Portland-Metro area.
Q What about tournaments? Don't I have to travel for those?
A OSA feels that each team is best suited to participate in tournaments in the Portland-Metro area only. Several quality tournaments are offered in the area during the summer in which OSA teams participate.
Q Is OSA a year-round program?
A Although OSA offers soccer during each season, the Fall Season players are allowed to pursue other hobbies during the winter and spring. A Fall Season player is expected to participate fully in the summer and fall practices, tournaments, and games.
Q So what is the schedule for the Fall Season?
A The schedule changes annually. A complete schedule can be found on the Calendar/News portion of this site.
Q How much play time will my child see?
A Overall, each player will play one-half of each half of a game as long as they have attended practices. The playing time may be reduced for players who have not attended practices.
Q I have heard other clubs use the phrase "A team and B team." What is that and does OSA have A and B teams?
A Some clubs will put what they think are the "best" 16 players on the A team and form a B team of the remaining players. OSA's goal is to develop Premier and upper Division teams; rosters will be formed to achieve that goal. Each of OSA's teams will be treated equally with quality coaching, time spent developing each player, and access to the Head Coach. In that sense, OSA does not have the traditional "A" and "B" team.
Q How are the coaches chosen?
A Bernie personally selects the coaching staff. Each team coach brings a wealth of knowledge into the club, has played at the high school and college level, and many are high school or college coaches. Bernie chooses coaches who are positive role models for kids.
Q Is the Head Coach really there for my child?
A Yes. Bernie Fagan personally oversees each of the coaches and fills in when the team coach is unavailable. Bernie enjoys developing youth through soccer, wants to get to know the kids, and takes great delight in watching them play.
