Why Shadow? 
Four Pillars:  Development   •  Competition   •  Community   •  Enjoyment

How Do You Select a Youth Soccer Club?
Quality Leadership & Coaching Staff, Historical Success and Professionalism!

What does the title “Premier” really mean from club to club? 
The title of “Premier soccer” has been thrown around for many years.  About five years ago there was really only one way to justify calling yourself a “Premier Team” or “Premier Club” and that was to go through the Washington Youth Soccer (WYS) League Placement Tournament at U14.  There were 4 levels of Premier soccer, Division 1, 2, 3 & Developmental (or Division 4).  To truly be a Premier team you had to play in one of those “State Premier Leagues,” which is where the name originated.

Now the soccer landscape in the state of Washington has changed and the title of “Premier Soccer” has no real meaning as there is no unifying league that can help validate that title.  Clubs, including our own, still use the “Premier” label as it is a way to convey a more competitive level of soccer. 

However, if players are looking to play in the most competitive league in the state, then all you need to do is look at where our Spokane Shadow teams are competing.  The Regional Club League (RCL) consists of the 21 most competitive, well organized clubs in the state.  Clubs that are in the RCL must meet certain criteria as a club in order to even be considered for membership.  The standards are high and require a focus of player development over anything else.  Once becoming a RCL Club, its teams are placed based on performance and evaluation by the club. 

It is always our intent to place teams in leagues that will both present the players with a challenge as well as allow them to see some success.  The Spokane Shadow is the ONLY RCL club from Spokane and is only one of three RCL clubs in all of Eastern Washington (Yakima and Tri- Cities the others).  Crossfire, Eastside, Northwest Nationals, Washington Premier and Seattle United are some of the clubs from the west side that compete alongside Shadow in the RCL.

All other clubs that use the “Premier Soccer” label do not participate in the most competitive leagues as a club regardless of what the Premier title may imply.  Many of them do not even participate in leagues run by Washington Youth Soccer and are actually participating in leagues run by US Club Soccer.  Washington Youth Soccer is the only soccer organization directly affiliated with US Youth Soccer which is the largest member of US Soccer.  If you were to rank the available leagues in Washington by the club strength that participate in each, then the RCL would be the highest competitive league available to Washington youth soccer players.

What are differences between Shadow’s two primary levels of competition?
Shadow Premier players are drawn from the entire Inland Empire, are hosted by the newly-formed Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association, and play at the highest level of competition in Washington State.  Premier soccer provides many opportunities for players to train with other teams and work with many different, high quality coaches. Our coaching staff boasts some of the best in the state.  Almost all of the coaches have college playing experience, have national licenses and some currently coach at the collegiate level. 

Shadow is the highest ranked club in Eastern Washington, now ranked #6 for all of Washington State.  Shadow is the only club in the Inland Empire to hold  membership in the Regional Club League (RCL), which is comprised of the top 21 clubs in the state. 

Shadow Select plays at the middle tier of competition in Washington Youth Soccer’s District 6 Intra-League.  Shadow United FC provides competitive Select soccer opportunities for boys and girls ages 10-18.  We serve players living in the North Central, Rogers, Shadle Park High Schools; Shaw, Salk, Glover,  Lakeside & Garry Middle School neighborhoods.  Our mission is to provide the youth in our community the opportunity to compete, develop and advance in all levels, but most of all to enjoy the fantastic game of soccer. 

The Select level of play is coordinated by the Shadow Director of Coaching-Select who oversees team development through a volunteer network of coaches.


Can a player try out for both Premier and Select level teams and choose which to play for if accepted by both?  
Players can certainly tryout for both, but we ask that there already be an understanding that if selected for the Premier level, they would accept.  If a player is not going to accept a position at the Premier level, it is not necessary to tryout at that level.  

From a developmental and experiential perspective, it is most rewarding to play with and against players of similar abilities.  It comes down to enjoyment; we want kids to enjoy playing soccer.  When you move from recreational to competitive, there needs to be an emphasis on getting kids playing with and against kids that are like them ability-wise.  The lop-sided scores that can occur too frequently at the Recreational level is not healthy over time.  It does very few any relative good to be winning easily at the Select level when players should be at the Premier level; and the same goes in the reverse.  This is not about winning; it is about placing players at appropriate levels so they are challenged and rewarded. 

Do Shadow Premier and Select levels have different days for tryouts or are they all together? 
Different tryout dates and times.  Shadow follows the tryout calendar put forth by Washington Youth Soccer.  Premier tryouts are held before Select tryouts.

Does the coach have any say in who will be on their team?
The coach of his/her particular team does have a say; however, teams are selected by ability level.

For example, we have been playing Recreational soccer as a team for five years.  If several of the girls made a Select team, is their anyway to keep them together? 
It depends on how many teams are being formed at the Select level but yes it can happen; however, again, teams are selected by ability level and not by what team they played on.  Usually, this is a natural concern or question as kids want to stay with their friends.  However, it should be look upon as an opportunity to meet new friends, while keeping their old friends even if they are on separate teams…so it is a win, win! More friends!

How can parent volunteers get involved?
Parent volunteers willing to coach a Shadow Select team are encouraged to do so!  Please review the coaching positions descriptions and complete the coaching application.  Once you have completed the online application, please contact our Director of Coaching-Select to let them know of your interest.

After teams are formed, each Select team needs a volunteer Team Manager.  Premier teams need volunteer Team Managers and Team Treasurers.  These parents offer help to the team so coaches can focus on coaching.  They coordinate tournament registrations, team rosters, game sheets, player cards, and team expenses as needed.