Competitive FAQ

A: Definitely! We’re all about catering to our players’ needs. Based on years of experience, we know that FUN and DEVELOPMENT are top priorities. Players excel when they’re surrounded by teammates of similar skill and challenged by opponents at their level. Plus, if your player is hungry for more soccer action, our competitive program offers year-round opportunities to play.

The North Clackamas Alliance (NCA) represents a step up from our recreational program, offering a higher level of organized soccer aimed at young athletes who demonstrate advanced skills and dedication to the sport. While our recreational program prioritizes participation, fun, and strives for equal playing time, the NCA focuses more on skill development, teamwork, and engages in more intense training and competition.

Players are selected through tryouts or evaluations based on their proficiency, athleticism, and potential. NCA teams participate in league matches, tournaments, and other structured competitions against similarly competitive teams within our region. Although some travel is involved, most games are within an hour of our home field or closer.

Coaching within the NCA is more specialized and demanding, led by coaches with elevated qualifications who focus on both skill enhancement and strategic aspects of the game.

The recreational teams participate in league play in the Soccer5 recreational league.  Players can register for fall or spring seasons, or both.  Our competitive program is a year-to-year program with tryouts in the spring.  Teams play in OYSA competitive divisions in winter and fall seasons (except for high school players) as well as summer tournaments and possible winter futsal league play.

Ultimately the North Clackamas Alliance provides a challenging and competitive environment for young players committed to advancing their soccer skills and competing at a higher level.

Correct. US Soccer made this decision and unfortunately, we as a club have to follow this format for all Competitive teams.

Here are the current competitive levels based on age. Players can play up to the next level, but there can be no assignments by grade level.

Our main objective is to find the best fit for your player!

All players go through evaluations by our training team.

The top 11 players get picked first based on rankings.

Remaining spots are filled with input from the team’s head coach, Director of Coaching, and evaluator feedback.

We can have up to 2 teams per age group.

Players are assessed on these soccer fundamentals:

a) Technical Skills:

Think of this as the “how-to” of soccer – how well you perform certain skills like striking the ball or controlling it.

For instance:

Proper foot placement when kicking the ball…

Keeping your toe down and ankle locked when using your instep…

First-touch control with both feet

b) Tactical Decision-Making:

This is all about the choices you make during the game – when to pass, dribble, or shoot.

For example:

Should you pass or dribble when you have the ball…

Should you receive or pass on your first touch…

How you support both offensively and defensively in 1v1 situations

c) Physical Fitness:

It’s about being in good shape – endurance, flexibility, agility, balance, speed, strength, power.

d) Commitment to the Game:

This is crucial but often overlooked. How you react when things don’t go as planned – do you give up or keep fighting? Are you involved in the game, communicating with teammates, and staying focused?

At NCA, we’re looking for players who excel in these areas and are dedicated to the game.

We are so proud to offer the most affordable option for competitive soccer in our area. We recognize that not every family can afford $1800 to $2200 in fees and that is why we have committed to organizing a competitive program that is brought to you by dedicated volunteers and coaches committed to inclusivity and accessibility. Please see our NCA Registration page for current season fees. 

What do these fees cover?

• Twice weekly trainings established by coaching staff
• End of season OYSA sanctioned tournament
• Facility rentals
• Administrative costs: OYSA league fees, league players card, players insurance

What is not covered by these fees?

• Uniform kits
• Summer Tournaments
• Travel expenses for league games
• Indoor or futsal leagues

Are any fees refundable?

When a player accepts a position on a team, all fees are due and considered non-refundable. Any potential refunds are at the discretion of the NCSC board.

Is there financial aid available? Yes! Please email us at treasurer@ncsoccerclub.com for more information.

NCA’s youth (U11-U14) soccer program is a year-round soccer program that begins in June with tryouts held in May.

NCA registers all youth teams in the OYSA Fall and Spring seasons.  During the summer, teams compete in 1-3 tournaments within the local area, these tournaments are decided by the coach and is based on availability of the team. The Fall season starts the weekend after Labor Day and runs through the end of October.  At the conclusion of the fall season the team will be placed in either the OYSA Presidents Cup or Founders Cup. During the winter many youth teams enter futsal leagues and compete during one of the two seasons. Spring practices will resume mid to late January with games starting the last week of February or first week of March.  There are no games the weekends before or after Oregon Schools Spring Break, with the season concluding at the end of April.

NCA’s high school soccer program (U15-U19) starts in late fall and runs to the end of March.

Practices begin in May and continue through the summer through the first week of August while the teams compete in tournaments and showcases. Players are released after their last summer tournament so they can compete at their High Schools from August to mid-November. Players will return from their high school seasons, and begin practicing toward the end of November, with 2 or 3 practices per week. Season play starts in January and runs through March, with OYSA Cup play taking place in April.

Absolutely! We’re all for it! Our coaches and crew are big fans of multi-sport athletes. We’ll do everything we can to support players who want to juggle different sports. No worries if you miss a soccer event for another sport during its season – just give us a heads-up. Many of our competitive players also play basketball, softball, baseball, track and field, and have other passions like orchestra, theater, or dance.