SELECT
2026-27 Season
For 5th-8th Grade Boys and Girls (U11-U14)
More than Recreation. Less than Competitive.
Just right for thousands of players.
For some families, Recreational doesn't provide enough challenge, while Competitive soccer requires more time, travel, and financial commitment than they're looking for. Select fills that gap.
Players train regularly with their team, compete against clubs from throughout the Willamette Valley, and receive quality coaching in an environment that prioritizes long-term development over short-term results.
It's the classic soccer experience that many families remember—community-based teams, meaningful competition, and a commitment to helping every player improve.
The Select Program is for players who:
✔ Love soccer and want to continue improving their skills.
✔ Are ready for more challenge than Recreational provides.
✔ Enjoy learning, competing, and being part of a committed team.
✔ Want quality coaching in a positive, player-centered environment.
✔ Are looking for a balanced commitment that fits alongside school, family, and other activities.
✔ Aspire to reach their full potential while having fun and building lasting friendships.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Quality coaching throughout the year from our licensed coaching staff
All competitive coaches at CFC have a coaching license through US Soccer and work within the curriculum and development pathway of Capital FC. This curriculum-based approach sets the competitive program apart, ensuring players receive training on areas such as:
Developing individual technique with an emphasis on good decision making.
Positional play as it relates 9v9 and 11v11.
Developing understanding of basic team attacking and defending concepts.
Individualized player evaluations
To foster a love of the game in players that develops internal motivation to improve on their own and continue playing long into the future.
League play in fall and spring through Oregon Youth Soccer
Teams participate in Oregon Youth Soccer Association (OYSA) Leagues in the fall and the spring (U11-14) and winter (HS). Our staff ensures placement in leagues that allow for the correct mix of challenge and success to promote learning for each player.
In addition to league play, teams compete in 3 tournaments throughout the summer, as well as optional winter training program.
High School Competitive teams take the fall off to participate with their High School soccer team.
Is this the right program for my child?
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The program is for players ages U11-U18, utilizing the new Age Group Formation standards released by US Youth Soccer.
9v9:
U11=2015-16 (Aug 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016)
U12=2014-15 (Aug 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015)
11v11
U13=2013-14 (Aug 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014)
U14=2012-13 (Aug 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013)
High School (11v11)
U15=2011-12 (Aug 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012)
U16=2010-11 (Aug 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011)
U17=2009-10 (Aug 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010)
U18=2008-09 (Aug 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009)
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$155/mo for June-May + $100 annual membership
Includes coaching and director fees, equipment, field rentals, tournament costs, and league fees.
Uniforms are not included in program expense.
Scholarships of up to 75% of the fee are available for families based on need.
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This program is for players who have shown interest in the game and want a year-round commitment. Players are organized by ability and have opportunities to guest play with other teams in our programs as it is available.
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Season Length: 12 months, with several breaks built into the season. 36 weeks total. HS Teams take the fall off to play with their local HS team.
Practices: 2 practices per week (~1:30 hour length)
Tournaments: 3 tournaments consisting of 3-5 games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the summer time.
League Play: 1-2 games per weekend in the fall and spring (U11-14) and Winter (U15-19). Games are played on Saturdays and Sundays.
State Cup Play: OYSA President’s or Founders Cup play at conclusion of the season in the fall/spring.
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Practices are held in Salem at either Capital FC’s Complex, Pioneer Sports Park or local turf fields.
League games are in a home/away format and happen at home in Salem or around the state, with most opponents coming from the Portland area. Depending on which teams are in which leagues, there may be 1 or 2 games in the year as far away as Bend or Medford.
2026-2027 PROGRAM ANNUAL PLAN
Though these dates are not set in stone, here is an overview of what you can expect for the year.
SUMMER
MAY - AUGUST
TRYOUTS | May 11-14, 2026
All players entering Capital FC’s Competitive Program must participate in tryouts. Please register in advance for the event online.
CFC Staff Coaches evaluate players based on the four pillars of the game –
Technical ability
Tactical insight (decision making)
Physical ability
Social (personality)
Upon acceptance of position, players and families will be invited to an organizational meeting to go over details for the calendar year.
Organizational Meeting Details:
Wednesday, May 20th, from 5:30-6:30pm
Where: East Salem Community Center (1850 45th Ave NE, Salem, OR 97305)
MISS THE MEETING? View our slide presentation here or WATCH the presentation here.
SUMMER TRAINING AND TOURNAMENT PLAY | June- August
Age groups will receive two 90-minute trainings per week beginning end of May/beginning of June. Summer tournaments will consist of one tournament per month for the months of June, July & August.
Summer Tournament Schedule:
JUNE
Capital Cup Week 1 (Salem, OR) | June 19-21, 2026: All U13-U18 Teams
Capital Cup Week 2 (Salem, OR) | June 26-28, 2026: All U11-U12 Teams
JULY
Bend Premier Cup (Bend, OR) | July 8-10: U13-U18 White Teams
Oswego Cup (Lake Oswego, OR) | July 24-26: U11-U18 Grey teams
Willamette Valley Cup (Eugene, OR) | July 25-26: U11-U12 White teams and U13-14 Girls Black teams
Northwest Summer Showcase (Puyallup, WA) | July 24-26: U15-U18 Girls Black teams
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Mt. Hood Challenge (Portland Metro, OR) | Jul 31 - Aug 2: U15-U18 White and U15-U18 Grey Teams
Northwest Cup (Spokane, WA) | Aug 7-9: U13-U14 Girls Black Teams
Cherry City Cup (Salem, OR) | Sept 4-6: All U11-U12 Teams + U13-U14 White and U13-U14 Grey Teams
FALL
SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER*
*All High School Aged Players will take this period off to participate in High School Soccer through Oregon Schools.
LABOR DAY TOURNAMENT
CFC will be hosting a fall kickoff tournament over Labor Day, the Cherry City Cup. Games will be played September 4-6. This will be for White and Grey Teams.
FALL TRAINING
Players will continue training twice weekly through the fall (75-90 minute sessions). These sessions will be held at Pioneer Sports Park.
FALL LEAGUE PLAY
After Labor Day, teams will compete on the weekends in the Oregon Youth Soccer Association (OYSA) Leagues. League schedules are written with games taking pace on Saturdays and Sundays. Some weekends could include a game on both Saturday and Sunday, and others may only have one game on either date.
Teams will compete in ~10 league games.
Most travel will be to Portland or Eugene, but some teams will occasionally travel as far as Bend or Medford for a game. At least 50% of league games will be played in Salem.
One important note is that rosters are somewhat “fluid” for the teams. Teams will be assigned a primary roster for the season, but they may be asked to play in more than one game or to change rosters to fit the development needs of the player as well as the needs of the teams throughout the season.
WINTER
NOVEMBER - JANUARY
OPTIONAL WINTER OFFERINGS
Players have a little more flexibility in the winter. For those looking for more, the following options are available: Thanksgiving Tournament, Holiday Tournament, Coerver Performance Academy, Coerver Christmas Break Camp.
OPTIONAL HIGH SCHOOL OFFERING
Teams/players that opt in may begin training and participate in the Alliance Showcase Tournament in December and/or PacNW Winter Classic in Seattle in January. The families will be responsible for the entry fee, as this is not included in the club fee.
SPRING
FEBRUARY - APRIL
SPRING TRAINING
Players will resume training twice weekly during the month of January (HS) and February (U11-14). These sessions will be held either at Pioneer Sports Park or, if needed, a local turf field.
WINTER/SPRING LEAGUE PLAY
Black and White teams begin league play in February through OYSA’s leagues. OYSA has yet to determine a firm start date, so there may be some overlap with other sports schedules in February. Teams will be placed in appropriate divisions according to team ability level.
Games and training will conclude in April. All players will then participate in competitive program tryouts for the following seasonal year, taking place in May.
OTHER INFORMATION
CONCLUSION OF SEASON
At the conclusion of the spring component, players will then be asked to participate in competitive program tryouts for the following seasonal year, taking place in May of 2027.
BREAKS
Note that there are the following breaks that are built into the season:
Week of Thanksgiving
Two weeks of Christmas Break
Spring Break
Last week of school
TEAM, ROSTER SIZE, and PLAYING TIME
Our objective is to form 2 teams per age group & per gender with roster equity of between 12-16 players placed per team for 9v9 and 16-22 players per team for 11v11. If these roster numbers are incomplete, the club may add players after the tryout to the team upon evaluation.
As the players get older, roster sizes may increase to beyond the 18 players that can be rostered for a match. We may roster up to 22 players per team, because we find that player availability decreases due to injury, work, or school conflicts as the players get older.
COST
$155/mo for June-May + $100 annual membership due in May to reserve your spot.
Includes coaching and director fees, equipment, field rentals, tournament costs, and league fees.
Uniforms are not included in program expense.
Scholarships of up to 75% of the fee are available for families based on need.
FAQs
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It is all about commitment level. A big indicator of this is how much your player chooses to play at home or at school with friends. If your child loves soccer and wants to improve, then this is the program for them.
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Rosters serve as a baseline for how teams will train and practice together. The coaching staff will form rosters so that all players are at a similar level to maximize their individual player development. At the discretion of the coaching staff, some players may be asked to practice and/or play with a different team for specific games or tournaments. These decisions will all be based on how to help each player develop appropriately.
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Yes, although at times this may be difficult. Refer to the Program Overview above to see that there are a few “down times” in the program. These would be the best times to play other sports.
If a player on the roster of a competitive team desires to play another sport that has an overlapping season, it may be possible to play both sports. Some compromises may need to be worked out with the coaches of both sports regarding participation in practices and games. Some players may be able to successfully divide their energies, but some may find it very difficult to manage. A player in the competitive program who chooses another activity or sport instead of participating in the Competitive Program will not be penalized for making that decision, though this decision may affect their development and playing time. A player may be dropped from the program if the player fails to attend a significant number of practices and games.
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Yes. We have several programs that are available to you if you decide that your family is not ready for the greater time and financial commitment of the Competitive Program. Players from 4th-8th grade can continue to play in our Recreational Program in the fall and the spring.
We also encourage players to participate with their school programs in middle and high school If they are not ready for this level of commitment.
There are also other camps and clinics offered by CFC and Coerver during the summer and the winter. Check our website for details as they become available.
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Yes. There are two reasons our competitive programs are organized this way. First, we believe it is very important for kids to have continuity and consistency in the training environment in order to develop properly. Players develop individually within the context of a team. The team needs to stay consistent and to go through the important process of winning, losing, team building, etc.
Secondly, youth sports are expensive. We work very hard to keep costs down as much as possible through partnerships, fundraising, pursuing sponsorships, and being frugal and efficient as an organization. That being said, there are many costs associated with a soccer team including insurance, facility maintenance and rental, league and referee fees, equipment expenses, etc. We do not make money on our program fees. We pass the cost of services on to you – and therefore when we form a team at the beginning of the year, those fees have already been spent to set the team up for the year.
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You can find all this on the Policies and Parent Resources page on our website.
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Though this is subject to change, the plan for the new year is:
Junior Academy and U11-12 teams will train Monday/Wednesday.
U13-U18 Red and Black teams will train Tuesday/Thursday.
U13-U18 Teams will vary based on field availability and the number of teams formed.
Academy and Pre-Academy teams will train an additional night that varies based on the program and season.
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Players should wear a black shirt, black shorts, and black socks.
Players will check-in at their field upon arrival.
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There is a required package for the jerseys and then some additional items that are optional for purchase.
The required jersey kit includes home and away jersey, black short, home and away sock, and training jersey. This will cost between $150-$200.
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No.
Tryouts will take place over two days with both the Academy team and Competitive teams in mind. Players offered a spot on the Academy team will be connected after day one of tryouts. Competitive team positions will be offered after day two.
You can choose to accept or decline your position on either the Academy or Competitive team.
Have more questions? Reach out!
Send us a message via the form, or reach out directly to our Technical Director, Joe Wentworth.
joe@cfcsalem.com
(503) 673-6708