Sounders set up training across the river from future rival Timbers

November 3, 9:40 PMSeattle Soccer ExaminerDavid Falk

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The Sounders have planted their flag in Clark County. (Tracy McKinnon)

In a September exclusive on Seattle Soccer Examiner we talked with Sounders FC Director of Youth Development Darren Sawatzky about the clubs establishment of Regional Training Centers (RTC's) for invited elite youth players.

Today a reader sent me this link from Columbian.com writer Paul Danzer. Danzer looks at the RTC at the very far bottom of our state, mere minutes away from downtown Portland and the future Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer (2011).

Ganzer writes: Clark County players are allowed to choose between the Oregon and Washington ODP programs. Dulai noted that many choose to participate in Oregon because it means less travel. His advice for local players already in the Oregon ODP program is to stay put — at least until the Sounders FC program gets established.

The choices for local soccer players might become more interesting in a couple of years. The Portland Timbers are scheduled to join MLS in 2011, and the league will need to determine if Clark County is hometown player territory for the Sounders, the Timbers, or neither.

By establishing a regional training center here, the Sounders are laying an early claim here.

"Our kids are in Washington. We’re Washington’s team," Sawatsky said. "If it becomes a free market, then great. It’s up to us to put a product on the market" that attracts the top players in the area.

The Sounders have planted their flag in Clark County. Time will tell how many players from Oregon cross the border for the extra elite guidance Seattle is offering in Vancouver.