Sometime this summer, several soccer players from Clark County will be part of the latest development in the evolution of their sport.
Drew White, Nick Palodichuk, and Keenan Townsend were among the first players selected to the Sounders FC Academy teams that will represent Washington state in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy league.
White and Palodichuk (Sounders FC under-18 team) are currently playing high school soccer for Camas. Townsend (Sounders FC under-16 team) is the goalkeeper for Skyview High School. The three were selected following tryouts in March.
The Sounders Academy teams won’t begin training together until all of the players have fulfilled commitments to their current club and high school teams. Palodichuk, for example, is a member of the Washington Premier FC team that will participate in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy nationals this spring.
By agreement between the clubs, Sounders FC is taking on the membership in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program previously held by Washington Premier FC.
The academy system was introduced in 2007 as another way for U.S. Soccer to identify and develop potential men’s national team players. Academy teams play about 30 matches a year against other Academy teams, many of which are affiliated with Major League Soccer teams. Development Academy teams are evaluated regularly by coaches with the U.S. national teams.
The Sounders FC Academy teams are at the top of the Seattle MLS club’s youth development structure, sitting just below the professional team on the organization’s player development ladder.
For teams such as the Sounders, the Academy membership is a vehicle to expand its involvement within the soccer community, and perhaps develop homegrown players for its MLS squad.
But, according to Darren Sawatsky, the director of youth development for Sounders FC, finding future Sounders is a secondary benefit of taking on an academy team.
“It’s our job to help Palodichuk and players like him reach their potential,” Sawatsky said.
For the players, the commitment is significant. Academy teams train at least three days a week. Making the trip to the Puget Sound region is nothing new for local soccer players who aspire to play at the highest levels. Having the infrastructure and coaching support of a Major League Soccer team only adds to the incentive for Clark County players to drive north for training.
Having players from southwest Washington selected for these Sounders teams is another feather in the cap for local soccer.
With the Portland Timbers scheduled to join Major League Soccer in 2011, perhaps there will be a similar opportunity closer to home. For now, the Sounders are providing major opportunities for players with big soccer dreams.
Ride, rugby on tap
One of the larger events each year in Clark County takes place this Saturday. It’s the Ride Around Clark County, the annual cycling event staged by the Vancouver Bicycle Club.
More than 1,000 riders are expected to participate. They choose one of four routes, covering distances ranging from 28 to 100 miles. All riders must start between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. from Clark College in Vancouver.
The cost to ride is $15 to $20 depending upon the course selected. Riders can sign up at the start of the ride.
The Ride Around Clark County is the largest event staged annually by the Vancouver Bicycle Club, which stages volunteer-organized rides on an almost daily basis.
More information about the RACC and the Vancouver Bicycle Club is available at www.vbc-usa.com.
• High school rugby has gained popularity in Clark County. This spring, boys teams from Battle Ground, Camas, Prairie High, and Vancouver are participating in Oregon Youth Rugby.
The regular season concludes Saturday, and includes a match between Prairie and Vancouver at 10:30 a.m. at the Vancouver Early Childhood Center, 301 S. Lieser Road.
Paul Danzer covers Community Sports for The Columbian. Reach him at 360-735-4521 or paul.danzer@columbian.com.
