OUR STORY

Capital FC was originally founded as Salem United Soccer Club in June 1993. Representatives of the four soccer clubs then in Salem met to discuss merging into one “United” club. Those clubs were the North East Salem Soccer Club (in the McKay High School area), the North Salem Soccer Club (in the North Salem High School area), the South- West United Soccer Club (in the South Salem High School area), and the Sprague Sabres Soccer Club (in the Sprague High School area). On July 6, 1993, the original SUSC by- laws were adopted. The official start-up date of the club was September 1, 1993.

The original Board of Directors (nominated by area) were: Ryan Janac and Ron Roach (from McKay); Bob Arpin and John Plechl (from North Salem); Ken Husby and Eric Johansen (from South Salem); Chuck Schumaker and Barb Southard (from Sprague); and Phil Barrett (ex officio Chairman). The original officers were: Eric Johansen (President); Chuck Schumaker (Vice-President); Ron Roach (Secretary); and Barb Southard (Treasurer/ Registrar).

In 2004, the club merged programs with the Cascade Surge, forming Cascade FC, the top soccer program in the greater Captial area. The merger was designed to create a regional focused soccer club.

After the folding of the Cascade Surge, Cascade FC began a new chapter. In 2011, the new board helped to facilitate a long-term partnership between CFC and Coerver® Coaching. Coerver® is internationally recognized as the world’s number one soccer skills teaching method. Coerver now comes alongside the CFC programs, especially at the younger ages, with a focus on strong individual technical development.

In the fall of 2013, Cascade FC began talks with another partner – the Portland Timbers. In a strategic structuring of the youth landscape spearheaded by the MLS side, Capital FC agreed to become one of the first Timbers Alliance partner clubs in Oregon. This partnership between the Timbers and other Alliance clubs in Oregon helped to advance the club, providing unique access to coach education and curriculum for both boys and girls, a strong connection with the Timbers and Thorns Academy, as well as laid the groundwork for the club to acquire the rights to the Timbers U23 USL2 Franchise in 2017. As the youth soccer landscape continued to evolve and change, the club and the Timbers agreed to end their formal partnership in 2022.

Over the years, Capital FC has been marked by a tradition of excellence, developing great soccer players and great people. The club honors its past and seeks to build upon the foundation laid by our forerunners, using soccer as a vehicle to enrich kids’ lives.