2016 - March Goal Lines

OREGON YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION’S MONTHLY MAGAZINE

MARCH 2016

GOAL LINES

Photo courtesy of Ray Terrill. See more of Ray’s work here.

MLS SEASON 2016 KICKS OFF IN PORTLAND The Portland Timbers kicked off their season with games against Columbus, San Jose & Real Salt Lake to start their run to repeat!

They’re back, and we couldn’t be happier to see them again. The Portland Timbers had the shortest off-season in their history, and we’re sure they don’t mind a bit. We hope every post-season break is as short as this one was.

A@er that historic win in Columbus on December 6th, 2015 the team kicked off their pre-season with some friendly games down in Arizona before headed back to Portland for the Simple InvitaLonal.

The trick now for the team is to manage expectaLons. With the rampant Timbers Army, the expectaLons were already high, but with the first MLS Cup now under their belt, we want repeats!

As any coach will tell you, and especially coach Caleb Porter, winning one is incredibly enjoyable, but now there is a solid target on your back, and repeaLng needs a new focus and determinaLon with all the other MLS teams stepping up their game when the champs come to town.

Team chemistry is always in the conversaLon, and when looking at the new season, with several players deparLng and the new addiLons that were added, we can’t help but be excited about the season ahead.

We’ve got the taste of victory in our mouths now, and can’t wait to see what 2016 brings us.

“I have to remind myself that we won it, which is good because it’s important to put the past behind us because it’s over, and it’s on to a new year….the next morning after we won it, I woke up and said “What’s next?””

-Caleb Porter

02.10.16 Head Coach, Portland Timbers

WHAT WAS NEW IN GOAL LINES? Simply put, EVERYTHING!

We completely redesigned Goal Lines from the ground up to ensure that you’re getting the most out of each issue.

Starting with the delivery method itself, Goal Lines has become completely interactive and contains up-to-the minute news about what’s going on in Oregon’s soccer communities.

Like something? Click it… chances are there’s even more to the story.

THE LAUNCH WAS INSANE! The response to last month’s magazine was incredible.

We increased our views (from the previous quarterly emailed version) by a staggering 5,704%! We think it’s fair to say that you like the new version and all it has to offer!

We had readers all over the USA, and Canada, as well as England, Germany and New Zealand.

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE? ✓ MLS season opener recap

✓ Grassroots coordinators

✓ Our calendar of events

✓ TopSoccer update

Oh, and there were a few hidden links in the magazine to keep you on your toes. If you saw something that looked, well, just out of place and you clicked on it, it would take you to a secret form to enter to you to win a prize package!

✓ The new CoachNet program

Last month’s winner was Kelly Alexander who ended up winning a scarf, a bag, a power pack, and other great stuff from Oregon Youth Soccer.

✓ Lesson plans

✓ Where’s Vinny?

✓ Referee update

EASTER EGG WINNER!

✓ Meet The Club - BSC

Last month we hid a few easter eggs in the magazine. We sent out a reminder halfway through the month, too, and Kelly Alexander, from Oregon City, OR was the lucky winner.

Her daughters are pictured to the left with the swag.

✓ Guest Article - TJ Kostecky

All she did was click on something that didn’t look right, and was taken to the secret online form. Now she’s got her swag!

✓ Timbers & Thorns Corner

Rumor has it, there’s another easter egg this month.

✓ CoachNet Program information

✓ Photo Contest

✓ Discover what you get for your OYSA fees

✓ An article from The Atlantic

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE! The Portland Timbers faced the Columbus Crew on March 6 to open their first MLS season as defending champs. It was the third meeting in a row that the Timbers won 2-1

Photo courtesy of Ray Terrill

CORNER SEE WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE TIMBERS THIS MONTH

BY THE NUMBERS:

The team got off to a great start with a 2-1 win vs. Columbus and followed it up with a

1-1-1 record

tough road loss against San Jose even though Jack Mac got his goal scoring account off to a good start in his debut. We acquired Darren Mattocks from the Whitecaps,

5 goals for

extended Adi’s contract, and unveiled some pretty sweet championship rings!

5 goals against

RSL were next up in Portland which finished 2-2 in a wild game with RSL down to 9

668 miles travelled this season so far for away games

men and Timbers staging a furious comeback from 2-0 down.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Top scorer - Adi (4 goals)

Check out our favorite Timbers videos this month that you may not have seen

NEXT OPPONENT MATCH HIGHLIGHTS Here are the most recent match highlights from our favorite team

Sunday April 3rd

Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL

5pm PST

GRASSROOTS COORDINATOR: DARREN LILLA All of our Grassroots Coordinators have extensive coaching background around the state of Oregon, and elsewhere so they bring unique experiences to their particular region.

Darren Lilla is our Eastside Metro GC, and he brings with him a depth of experience in the game.

A USSF ‘A' license holder, Darren coached with FC Portland for years, with Clive Charles and some of the founders of the club. Darren is a school teacher by profession.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWTH MINDSET IN SOCCER

Recently, in education and sports psychology there has been a lot of discussion about “growth mindset.” This article will address the benefits of having a growth mindset with regard to coaching and parenting the child who is playing soccer.

What are the differences between having a growth and fixed mindset? One with a growth mind believes that intelligence and skills can be improved. Was Michael Jordan born able to slam dunk a basketball? Was Lionel Messi born able to score goals? Was Einstein born a genius? These athletes had to work hard, develop skills and talents, and overcome failures in order to achieve success.

A growth mindset acknowledges that intelligence requires hard work and effort, intelligence is malleable, and failure is a learning opportunity. The brain is like a muscle that needs exercise. New neural connections are made each time you try something new, so we should encourage players to take chances in practices and games. That is where players will learn from their mistakes. Yes, even though we coached it in practice, players will make mistakes in games, and that’s okay. If we don’t promote taking chances, when will players learn how to do so?

Someone with a fixed mindset believes that intelligence is carved in stone, intelligent people don’t have to work hard, and failure reflects a lack of intelligence. Research has shown that all of these assumptions are false. In contrast to a growth mindset, one with a fixed mindset believes that intelligence is a fixed trait.

How does this relate to soccer? When coaches work with players they should recognize that skills and soccer intelligence can be developed when players are exposed to adults who believe they can improve and grow technically, tactically, physically, and psychologically. Adults with a fixed mindset will pigeonhole a player, and think a player either has it or she doesn’t. With a

growth mindset we can develop players to meet the soccer’s future demands.

Parents and coaches should recognize that failure is a learning opportunity and not berate players for making mistakes. Simply ask a player, how can you learn from the mistake and improve it for next time. If players can’t perform a skill or apply a tactical idea, just think they aren’t there “yet.” If we can use the concept of “yet” then we will help players grow.

Often coaches and parents want to praise players, but what are we praising? Are we praising achievement or effort? If we only give feedback on mastering skills or winning, we are missing a vital aspect of becoming successful. Rather than saying “You played great today because the team won” one could say “You must have worked hard in practice to prepare and perform well today”. Giving positive feedback for effort will inspire players to continue to want to work harder rather than just focus on results. If we only focus on results players will get into the mindset of they have it or they don’t.

As a coach or parent think about whether or not you have a growth or fixed mindset. If you have a fixed mindset try to† think of ways that you can approach coaching or parenting with a growth mindset. For example, if a player is frustrated that he doesn’t have another’s skill level just remind him that he is not there “yet”. If you hear someone make a fixed mindset comment ask that person if they can rephrase what they just said with a growth mindset. To learn more about growth mindset take a look at Dr Carol S. Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

THE SUM OF THEIR PARTS:

LINCOLN YOUTH SOCCER Who, or What, Is Lincoln Youth Soccer?

Lincoln Youth Soccer was created to address two main concerns: where do kids go to play soccer when they are in middle school, and how do we give local kids a local option to play soccer recreationally?

The four existing rec clubs, Forest Heights, Hillside, Skyline, and Vista still run as separate clubs where they will continue to service and help K-5 kids play soccer under the PYSA umbrella. Once those players reach middle school age, they become a part of the newly formed Lincoln Youth Soccer club who take over the 6th - 8th grade recreational teams.

When the four clubs create a fifth they can achieve more. Not only do they work together to get a paid registrar, paid coach mentorship, player sharing administration, but they also work closely with Lincoln High School coaches and athletic department to partner for events and resource sharing!

Pool Play

One of the coolest things that LYS does is their pool training. No, not the water kind, but where they gather all their same-aged kids together to train as a group. There aren’t any teams when it comes to training. They all come together on a designated evening, twice a week, and practice with multiple coaches, and with lots of different kids. It’s a unique way of ‘forcing’ kids to become better without even knowing it, by not allowing them to always play with the same kids.

Then, for the weekends, when it is game time, the teams are announced, assigned a coach, and the game is played. It’s a fantastic way to let kids develop their own skills set and interacting with other players. Truly giving LYS a sense of community and getting kids to be part of a larger pool of players.

Community Comes First

The overarching goal for the LYS program is to allow kids a viable option to play recreational soccer locally. They want the kids that grew up in the community to remain in the community. While more advanced players can join other clubs, they don’t recruit players from other clubs. They just want to provide a community-based option for the local boys and girls to play in their own parks, with their own coaches, and under their own umbrella. It keeps the kids down, and harbors that closeness you don’t always find elsewhere. It is a strict if-you-want-to-play-with-us-you-can mantra that they hold true to, and they also don’t have tryouts. If you are eligible to play, based the above, then they have a place for you!

LINCOLN YOUTH SOCCER IS MADE UP OF 4 DIFFERENT CLUBS

WHAT’S HAPPENING NEAR YOU? Looking to improve your coaching knowledge base? Thinking of moving onto the next level, or maybe just a refresher course before the season? What about other soccer-related events?

Check out the schedule of events near you. Coaching and referee courses are asterisked in red!

To register for a coaching course, simply click the course listing to be taken to the registration page

PORTLAND METRO AREA

SOUTHERN OREGON

CENTRAL OREGON

Providence Park 4/2 Thorns vs. Houston Dash**

Medford 4/16 Grade 8 Referee Course

Eugene 4/1 U4-U10 Coaching Clinic

Merlo Field 4/2 T2 vs. Whitecaps FC 2

Medford 7/15 - 7/16 NSCAA National Diploma Part one**

Salem 4/9 Capital FC Hosted Course

Vancouver, WA 4/2 OYSA Coaching Clinic

Merlo Field 4/8 T2 vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros

Providence Park 4/13 Timbers vs. FC Dallas

Medford 7/22 - 7/24 NSCAA National Diploma Part two**

** Spread over two weekends. The candidate must attend both weekends for credit.

Eugene 5/22 & 5/23 USSF ‘E’ License

Eugene 5/22 & 5/23 USSF ‘D’ License - Educational phase

Beaverton 4/16 Grade 8 Referee Course

Providence Park 4/16 Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Providence Park 4/17 Thorns vs. Orlando Pride

Merlo Field 4/17 T2 vs. Sacramento Republic FC

Providence Park 5/1 Timbers vs. Toronto FC

** Preseason tournament

Click Team Badge for Full Schedule

CORNER SEE WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE THORNS THIS MONTH

PRE-SEASON

The Thorns have seen a lot of action in a short amount of time this month with their

BY THE NUMBERS:

Pre-Season tournament. We welcomed the Houston Dash, Seattle Reign, and the Oregon State Beavers to Providence Park for a round robin tournament in preparation

0-1 record

for the Season opener on April 17th against the Orlando Pride.

0 goals for

With games still happening at publishing time the Thorns have racked up a 0-0-1

2 goals against

record so far.

0 miles travelled

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Check out our favorite Thorns videos this month that you may not have seen

NEXT OPPONENT

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS Here is the most recent match highlights from the Thorns, and other videos.

NOTE: The Thorns vs. OSU game was being played the night of the publication.

(Pre-Season Tournament)

Saturday, April 2nd

Providence Park

5pm PST

CAN THIS MAN SAVE US SOCCER? How one teacher is attempting to train a generation of globally competitive players - starting with their coaches.

Every now and again we come across an article that really is thought provoking. This is one and we’d like to share it with you.

Written by Amanda Ripley from TheAtlantic.com in their March 2016 edition. Credited below, and continued after the jump.

—————————————— Americans perform about as unimpressively in soccer as they do in education. In both cases, the United States has suffered from a lack of focus and rigor, despite significant investments. More than 4 million kids are now registered in American youth-soccer leagues—more than in any other country—and yet the U.S. has never produced a Lionel Messi or a Cristiano Ronaldo.

The men’s national team still struggles to compete internationally. The women’s team just won the World Cup, a shining accomplishment, but its players owe their success more to speed and athleticism than to technique; with powerhouses like Germany and France finally getting serious about girls’ sports, the American women will likely face stiffer competition in the years ahead.

American soccer officials are therefore humble in a way that other sports executives are not. “We need to improve, or in a few years, all those people we’ve gotten to pay attention [to soccer] will drift away,” says Neil Buethe, the head of communications for the U.S. Soccer Federation, the sport’s governing body in the United States. “A win only happens if our players get better, and our players only get better if the coaches get better.”

This thinking has led U.S. Soccer officials to an unconventional idea: that a teaching expert they first read about in The New York Times Magazine—a man with no professional soccer expertise—might help them advance the sport.

Among teachers, Doug Lemov is a sort of celebrity. He’s spent years studying great educators, creating a taxonomy of techniques they use to manage common challenges (like defiant kids or tired kids or kids who need a lot of time to learn something that other kids learn quickly). Each year, he trains… to continue reading this article click here:

COACHING EDUCATION: THE E-LICENSE On March 25th, 2016 Oregon Youth Soccer held a E-license course in St Helens, OR, for 16 new coaches and it was a huge success. This 18-hour course, held over 3 separate days covers the elementary principles of coaching, gives new coaches the tool kit they need going forward, and prepares those coaches who want to move on for the D-license.

EVER WONDERED WHAT HAPPENS IN A COURSE? We’re giving you an exclusive look inside the USSF E-license course to see what goes into ‘getting certified’ as a new coach.

Until you’ve taken a course, they can seem pretty daunting, and if you aren’t taking one just because you’re worried what’s in it, hopefully this little video will put your mind at ease! A LOT of firsttime coaches helped make this video!

Check out our video below to see exactly what happens when you’re taking an entry level course, and how the candidates feel during it.

NEW COACHES The candidates above all passed their course, and are now nationally certified soccer coaches!

We had 16 coaches take the course.

All 16 coaches passed.

—————————

Ashton Betts, Tami Perkins, Atilio Jose Borgata Galeti, Zayn Khan, Melissa McPartland, Jonathan Lucero, Ian Farley, Benjamin Ludwig, Amy Forman, Leslie Gotkin, Matt Dorman, Alex Ponce, Lindsay Hofer, Christian Brahe-Pederson, Kody Eldred, Joshua Nichols

We want to see you!

What are you doing around the state? What does your team look like? Got a crazy picture for us? Want everyone to see what it’s like playing at your club? Well, now’s your chance! Click the submit button and send us your pics.

Each month we’ll pick a winner and send you some gear!

GUEST COLUMN: TJ KOSTECKY TJ is the head coach of Long Island University - Brooklyn and Assistant Professor of Sports Science. Along with Len Bilous, Directors of www.soccervisiontraining.com they have trained thousands of coaches and players in the U.S., Ukraine, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Jamaica, Canada and the Turks and Caicos Islands, conducting coaching and training sessions on how to make the best decisions on the field.

HOW TO GET YOUR PLAYERS TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS ON THE FIELD

Here are some specific quesLons we should all think about: Are we developing a generaLon of creaLve American players that can solve problems quickly and effecLvely on their own? Do we have players who improvise soluLons for which they were not trained?

In the past World Cup in Brazil, was the U.S. Men’s World Cup team able to pierce the armor of the World Champion Germans and keep the excitement and aZenLon of millions of Americans fermenLng for just one more game?

We can all agree the answer to each of these quesLons is a resounding NO! There are several good reasons for our deficiencies.

The first, our culture discourages unstructured, independent, spontaneous pick-up and free play -- where players are free and safe to experiment, problem-solve, fail and learn without appeasing the watchful eyes of a coach and/or parent!

The second is a coaching issue. We are OVER coaching! Yes, it’s our fault. We all know that soccer is a simple, beauLful game that requires players to make split-second spontaneous decisions that determine the outcome of a match. For example, several quesLons a wide player may have to consider instantly include: Should I serve an early cross? Or do I beat my defender and get into the box? Perhaps cut inside and shoot or serve? Or do I drop the ball back to a supporLng player? These answers are decided best on what he or she sees. The key visual cues are the following: The 1st defender's posiLon, the movement of the striker or the posiLon of the goalkeeper. And this is where we fail! We demand that the le@ back and central midfielder both shout for the ball when the wide player sees two beZer opLons: 1. Beat the off-balance outside back at pace or 2. Play the ball to the opposite wide player who is free on the far post. By shouLng we inhibit creaLvity and stop the decision making process!

From the young U7 age group through the senior team, our culture is to talk, shout, scream, clap, whistle and provide our own soluLons for the player on the ball. The end result is we’re developing robo%c players that are unable to think on their own. Players that are waiLng for someone else to decide what they should do. The soluLon is simple and right in front of your eyes. Allow your players to independently idenLfy and make the best choices. Encourage and enable players to process opLons as play develops and quickly execute the appropriate acLon. As a coach, begin the first 10 to 15 minutes of every pracLce with a pick-up game. As players arrive divide them into 4v4 or 5v5 games and just let them play (with no one calling for the ball). This environment will allow them the freedom and fun to experiment, improvise, fail and succeed without worrying about impressing the coach. Once you add this to every pracLce, watch how quickly they sprint out of the car to join the game. In every passing exercise and game make sure your players take a quick peek/scan over their shoulder the moment the ball is released. The quick peek will give them valuable real-Lme informaLon to make the quickest and most informed decisions.

Eliminate the noise! Players should NOT be permiZed to shout for the ball, clap, whistle or yell “TURN or MAN ON! ” The player on the ball must be empowered to make their own decisions. During all sessions and in the games when your players are NOT looking up, simply remind them to “Look Up”! As you empower them to build good habits, to problem solve and think for themselves, we will begin to develop a generaLon of creaLve American players. And I believe that one day we will unlock any organized defense and keep the excitement, aZenLon and momentum of millions of Americans for at least one more game!

US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers.

The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family.

How do you participate?

Check out the list below of areas where clubs already have a TOPSoccer program running or contact your club about starting one. We can help you, too, to set up and run a program within your club, and ALL FEES ARE WAIVED for the TOPSoccer program by the Oregon Youth Soccer Association.

EXISTING PROGRAMS Click on any name to email the director of that program.

Albany

Beaverton

Clackamas

Eugene

Gresham

Medford

Milton Freewater

State Chair (OYSA)

COMING IN 2016 Hillsboro

St Helens/Warren/Scappoose

TOPSOCCER SYMPOSIUM On April 1-3 in Seattle, Region IV will host it’s annual TOPSoccer symposium.

Oregon’s TOPSoccer Chair, Simon Date will be going and will report back in April’s issue.

CLUBS CAN BENEFIT, TOO! The more coaches your club has registered for CoachNet, the more gear your club will receive.

You could receive free Bazooka goals, free Silver, Gold, or Platinum memberships, and even free admission to the 2017 NSCAA Convention in Los Angeles, CA.

Details are outlined on our website, by clicking the CoachNet logo.

The Oregon Youth Soccer Association’s new CoachNet program has been created so that coaches can receive enhanced benefits above and beyond those offered by their club as well as be a part of a network of other coaches brought together to receive enhanced coaching.

Being a member of CoachNet enables, among other things, coaches to receive free items, discounts, free training, access to special events, Timbers & Thorns game tickets, apparel, and invite-only participation in development discussions for further enhancement of the program.

We’ve tiered the program, outlined below, to enable coaches to select a membership that suits their individual needs.

SILVER LEVEL - $95

GOLD LEVEL - $125

PLATINUM LEVEL - $175

✓ Full NSCAA membership for one year, which includes:

✓ All of the benefits listed in the Silver level

✓ All of the benefits listed in the Silver & Gold level

✓ Subscription to Soccer Journal

Gold Level coaches also get:

Platinum Level coaches also get:

✓ Access to NSCAA online resource library

✓ Access to special, invite-only events hosted by the Oregon Youth Soccer Association

✓ Additional 10% on any OYSA offered coaching course (total of 20% off)

✓ Two tickets to a T2 game that OYSA selects

✓ A pair of tickets to the October 6th Portland Timbers game vs.

Colorado Rapids

✓ Discounts on courses

✓ Discounts on the National Convention

✓ $1M in General Liability insurance

✓ Member t-shirt

✓ 10% discount on an OYSA offered coaching course

WHISTLE STOP Times are changing in Oregon’s soccer landscape.

Our members reached out to us and asked us to review how referees are trained, retained, mentored, assigned and recruited.

So we’ve done just that!

This page lets all referees, from the rookies to the most experienced, know what is going on specifically for them in their corner of the game.

REFS LEARNED FROM THE BEST THIS MONTH! Last month, David Grbavac hosted a select group of referees for an intense weekend of training in the classroom and on the field.

In partnership with the Far West Regional League matches being held in the area, Professional Referee Organization (PRO) & Major League Soccer Assistant Referee, Jeremy Hanson was invited to share some insight, open the door to PRO training and analyze official performance.

“The game requires more and more referees who need to be able to perform.

Events like this are crucial to the success and development of officials in Oregon. ”

Jeremy conducted two classroom sessions as well as field training for the officials in attendance. His insight, guidance, and feedback have given the officials an outline about how to become successful in upcoming state and regional competitions.

A special thanks to all who participated and donated countless hours to improving the quality of officials within our state.

-Jeremy Hanson Professional Referee Organization, and Major League Soccer Assistant Referee

MEET THE CLUB BSC Oregon is a community committed to providing an environment of balanced soccer excellence to it’s members. They pride themselves on developing all aspects of the game including psychological, physical, tactical and technical.

CLUB STATS ✓ Players from 5 years old to 18 years old, with High school teams

✓ Located in Portland, OR, since 1978

They offer programs for kids aged 8 all the way through U18. In the summer ✓ Play in the Portland Timbers/Thorns months they emphasize family-first by having drop-in street soccer as a Leagues.

development tool where the players take control and set things up as they see fit. The game is truly, the teacher in this environment.

✓ They expect to have 1000 players registered with OYSA this season

Led by an Executive Director, Scot Thompson, BSC Oregon features locations ✓ They have 41 paid coaches on staff

in Portland and Hood River.

Want to be featured next month? Just email and tell us about yourself.

✓ Recently added to the US Soccer Development Academy

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: SCOT THOMPSON Scot holds his USSF National "A" license and USSF National Youth license. He is a former professional player and was the Portland Thorns Assistant Coach from 2013-2014. Scot played professionally for the Portland Timbers from 2004 - 2010 where he is the current franchise leader in games and minutes played. In 2010 The Portland Timbers named him as one of the club's Community Ambassadors.

Scot played his college soccer for UCLA where he lead the Bruins to a NCAA National Championship in 2002 and was named to the first-team All-Pac 10. Upon graduation, Scot was selected 16th overall by the LA Galaxy in the 2003 MLS Super Draft.

Scot was named one of the United Soccer Leagues Top 25 Players of the Decade. He is currently the Executive Director at BSC Oregon, the Director of Soccer at Oregon Episcopal School and was recently named a Professional Match Evaluator for Major League Soccer.

MONTHLY LESSON PLAN FROM THE OREGON YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION Each month we will feature a new lesson plan for you. Simply click on the image below to go to a downloadable PDF.

WHERE’S VINNY? FOLLOW VINNY ON TWITTER

WHAT’S VINNY BEEN UP TO THIS MONTH? Vinny, the OYSA van, has been all over the state recently! He’s been down to Medford, stopped in Eugene, all over the place in Portland, and chances are he’s been at a game near you. Oh, and occasionally we even do interviews

INSIDE VINNY!

inside him.

Simon has Jason Carney, Bolton Wanderers fan, and DOC for Foothills Soccer Club Inside Vinny this month, and he talks about everything from how important a curriculum is to why the Timbers will never be his favorite club.

Some disgraceful name dropping toward the end of the ride, and how having a wife who loves soccer can simply make your marriage stronger!

WIN WHAT’S IN VINNY’S GLOVE BOX! Like we said, Vinny gets around. A lot.

Sometimes we lose track so if you can tell us FOUR locations Vinny went this month, from his twitter feed, then we’ll enter you to win whatever is in his glovebox this month.

He checked in all over the state, so you just tell us four places!

We heard the prize contained some Timbers gear, which would look sweeter on you than it would in the glove box! Click the badge on the left to enter.

ROAD LOG So far this month Vinny has logged 873 miles visiting different clubs around the state.

CLUBS/PLACES VISITED:

Corvallis, Providence Park, WYSA, Lincoln Youth Soccer,

Rogue Valley Timbers, St Helens, Scappoose,

Southeast Soccer Club, Eugene, & FC Portland

MARCH 6, 2016, PROVIDENCE PARK, PORTLAND, OR The MLS Champs are back in action. You can view this photo, download it, and check out other pics by the photographer, Ray Terrill, by clicking here.