Letter from the ECFC President - Joe Picciano

July 10, 2009

Dear Emerald City Membership:

THANK YOU to all who attended last night’s SYSA meeting on the Seattle United proposal. Although you were not allowed to actually speak, it was inspiring to see so many players and coaches in Emerald City attire there to support the club. There were so many ECFC guests that the SYSA Executive Director barred late comers citing fire regulations. Your well timed enthusiastic applause in support of the few voices of reason heard at the SYSA meeting ensured that the voice of our membership was not completely silenced. We are also grateful for your participation in our member survey on Seattle United, especially for the hundreds of intelligent, insightful comments and suggestions. Your responses provided a very clear directive as to how the majority of our membership felt regarding this vote and, in response our commissioner voted to OPPOSE the plan. By the end of this weekend, we will have the membership survey results posted on our website: (www.emeraldcityfc.org).

Last night’s Seattle United vote.

The SYSA Commissioners voted 12-2 to remove Emerald City FC as the designated premier development club for SYSA, replacing it with a new entity called Seattle United FC. In its rush for implementation, SYSA set aside not only the concerns of ECFC’s membership, the club that will be most affected by the plan, but also procedural objections and concerns regarding due diligence (including possible non-compliance with IRS regulations of the proposed funding plan). Most noteworthy was perhaps the rejection of the cautionary warnings raised by the most experienced, although non-voting, coaches and administrators among the SYSA leadership. Their observations regarding the shortcomings of Seattle United’s business plan, the failure to present a clear transition plan for the 2010-11 season, and the shortcomings of the plan from a soccer and player development perspective were very persuasive, yet didn't affect the vote.

What does this mean for our players and coaches?

For this season, 2009-10: NOTHING. There will be no effect on our players, teams or club and no change in our league or cup plans.

Joe Picciano

For 2010 and beyond there are potential dislocations, as we have noted in previous communications. If Seattle United now proceeds with its stated intention to be the sole provider of U-11 to U-14 select and premier level play in Seattle, there may be ramifications for many of our current teams. Your Board of Directors will continue to seek ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS that will provide the best playing and development environments and opportunities for all of our current and future players and coaches, such as the PDL. Our Coaching Director is in discussions with the other coaching directors of PDL clubs, the WYS coaching director, other associations and the National leadership of US Club Soccer in order to explore and recommend the best possible affiliations and opportunities for our teams and players. Emerald City FC is an non-profit corporation with 501(c)3 status, an organization that has been incorporated separate from the SYSA.

What’s next?

Paradoxically, the SYSA and Seattle United leadership stated at last night’s meeting: that this process is a "unification" of soccer in Seattle; that "all details are open for negotiation" including the Emerald City name; that ECFC’s teams and coaches will be "welcome" in the new entity; that "we need you" and that "Emerald City FC could slide right in at the top of the pyramid." We’ve agreed to continued discussions with the Seattle United leadership, with an initial meeting scheduled next week with the appointed President, Bret McPherson.

In the meanwhile, please enjoy the summer and your various tournaments. On a special note, please wish our Boy’s U16 (M'93) Green team the best as they have gained a berth in the US Club Soccer Nationals to be held in two weeks in Virginia. GO ECFC!!

As always, feel free to contact us with your comments, questions or concerns.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Joe Picciano

ECFC President

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