OLYMPIA, WA — With all the different youth, amateur and pro leagues around the United States FC Olympia outlines its full structure of its player development pyramid with a comprehensive pathway that begins in local youth soccer partnerships and extends all the way to the professional game. The club’s mission has always been clear; build opportunity for Thurston County and South Puget Sound athletes.
Local & Regional Youth
For years athletes from across the South Sound have progressed through FC Olympia programs after beginning in community youth clubs. Players representing Blackhills FC, TC United, Tumwater Soccer Club, Mason County Youth Soccer and Oly United have steadily advanced into FC Olympia environments since 2014 by first into training pools and pre-professional squads and ultimately onto USL first teams. The club’s foundation remains local identifying talent early in camps and clinics and providing education and competition without breaking the local developmental chain. Camps, clinics are supplemental activities kid’s can do in conjunction with their RCL and WPL clubs in Olympia.
That local base is strengthened by a regional partnership with Washington Premier FC and its ECNL platform. ECNL players whether alumni and current standouts can train and compete within FC Olympia’s senior USL team environments while pursuing first-team minutes. The relationship allows top college bound athletes and returning collegiate players to seamlessly bridge elite youth soccer into the pre-professional and professional game while remaining in the South Sound.
The Evergreen Premier League (EPLWA)
The next layer of the pathway is the Evergreen Premier League (EPLWA), Washington’s statewide elite amateur competition. FC Olympia has competed in the men’s EPLWA since 2017 and is now placing both men’s and women’s second teams into the league as the official pipeline to its USL first teams.
The EPLWA serves as a bridge between youth, college soccer and national pre-professional leagues. Matches demand physical maturity, tactical discipline and consistency across a full season making it an ideal proving ground for high school and college players preparing for USL competition each summer.
Under the leadership of league president John Crouch the EPLWA has worked aggressively to expand the women’s division creating a unified competitive platform across the state. FC Olympia is committed to the women’s expansion and will operate both men’s and women’s EPLWA squads as developmental teams feeding directly into USL League Two and the USL W League senior teams.
Historically FC Olympia women have competed across the Northwest Premier League and Cascade Premier Leagues having placed first twice and second once. The move into EPLWA aligns both sides of the club under one competitive structure and strengthens continuity within the Path to Pro model.
USL League Two & USL W League
At the top of the path to pro pyramid sit FC Olympia’s first teams:
- USL League Two — Men’s First Team
- USL W League — Women’s First Team
These national platforms represent the highest level of path to pro soccer in North America and place local athletes in front of college programs and professional scouts. The USL environment replicates professional standards in travel, training, performance analysis and match intensity.
Players who excel in EPLWA earn opportunities into these squads and from there into the professional game.
Proven Professional Results
The pathway is not theoretical, it is proven.
FC Olympia has now seen more than 30+ athletes sign professional contracts across the global soccer landscape, including:
- National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
- Major League Soccer (MLS)
- USL Championship & USL League One
- Professional clubs in Europe and Asia
These signings demonstrate the depth of the pipeline.
Local Youth → ECNL → EPLWA → USL → Pro Soccer
Find out more information and stay tuned for EPLWA schedule and Single Match ticketing for USL by following FC Olympia on social media whether on Facebook, Instagram or subscribing to their mailing lists.
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