Seattle United Contact: 6208 60th Avenue NE Ed D’Alessandro Seattle, WA 98115 Executive Director www.seattleunited.com Seattle Youth Soccer Association (206) 524‐6621 [email protected] Bret MacPherson President Seattle United (206) 854‐3354 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jason Farrell Selected as Technical Director for Seattle Youth Soccer’s Unified Advanced Development Club SEATTLE (January 7, 2010) ‐‐ Seattle United, the advanced development (select and premier) soccer club for the 13,000 player Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA), has hired Jason Farrell as its first Technical Director. In this role, Farrell will work closely with the Director of Coaching in the development and implementation of policies, philosophies, training methods and values of the club. He will be responsible for leading the daily technical operations of Seattle United to realize the goals and direction of the club’s soccer program. Seattle United brings together all high‐level premier citywide and select teams in Seattle and Shoreline under one club organization. In its inaugural 2010 season, all SYSA U11‐U14 premier/select teams will be playing under the new, collaborative club. The naming of the well‐respected Jason Farrell in this leadership position underscores the club’s commitment to top‐level coaching, progressive player development and a club infrastructure worthy of its position as the unified select soccer club for the 13,000 player SYSA. Farrell comes to Seattle United after leading Washington Rush (formerly Pacific Premier) Soccer Club in this same position for the past two years. Farrell joins Seattle United immediately. Seattle Sounders FC Assistant Coach Brian Schmetzer was a teammate of Jason Farrell on the 1994 A‐ League Seattle Sounders, coached Jason as a professional player for the USL Sounders, and Jason later joined the USL Sounders staff as an assistant coach. "Jason is a local guy who knows select soccer and has a great track record as a player and a coach," declared Schmetzer. "We coached together on the youth level as well as on the Sounders, and he has all of the qualities to become a club leader. He has enough experience to put together a first‐class soccer organization and is a great choice for Seattle United." "I’m extremely excited to be coming to Seattle United and to be a part of the incredible potential Seattle has for high‐level youth soccer – we have the opportunity to enhance the soccer and life experience for hundreds, if not thousands, of kids,” said Farrell. “The foundation and infrastructure that has already been put in place with Seattle United really enables me and the other members of our soccer leadership to create a strong foundation for the development of Seattle’s youth soccer players.” Bret MacPherson, President of Seattle United, added “After a thorough search over the past four months, we are convinced that Jason is the right person to help lead Seattle United. Our program’s inaugural launch could not be in better hands with Jason’s history of demonstrated success at the youth, collegiate and professional levels. Jason has become one of the state’s emerging youth soccer leaders. His deep understanding of and experience with the Seattle youth, collegiate and professional soccer programs combined with his local resources, professional relationships, work ethic, values, spirited enthusiasm and energy will be instrumental in making Seattle United a success. We are thrilled to have Jason join our leadership team.” Jason Farrell comes back to Seattle to contribute his established skills to help jump‐start the new club. He logged a stellar playing career as a standout youth and collegiate player and had a long career at the professional level. Farrell has most recently emerged as one of the state’s next generation of youth soccer leaders. Farrell holds a National Soccer Coaches Assn of America (NSCAA) Director of Coaching Diploma, a US Soccer Federation (USSF) “B” Coaching License and is slated to test for his USSF “A” in early 2010. Farrell is coming to Seattle United from his role as Technical Director for the Washington Rush Soccer Club (formerly Pacific Premier Football Club) which he held for two years. During his tenure, Farrell spearheaded the drive to establish a partnership between Pacific Premier FC and Rush Soccer which is a youth soccer organization of over 35,000 players nationwide. In his club role, Farrell was involved in all aspects of club operations and program design and implementation. Farrell accepted the role with Pacific Premier after seven years with the Emerald City Football Club (ECFC). Beyond his various coaching capacities with the club, Farrell also served two years on the ECFC Board of Directors and also served as Interim Coaching Director during the transition to the current ECFC Coaching Director. Farrell is a member of the Seattle Sounders FC Advisory Board. As a player, Farrell is a success story of the Seattle youth soccer system. He graduated from Shorecrest High School. Farrell then attended both the University of Washington and Seattle‐Pacific University (SPU). During his time with SPU, he was a member of teams that made it to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals and Semifinals. Farrell was twice named as SPU Student Athlete of the Year. He was twice named to the Seattle Times’ All‐Century Team. After his collegiate play, Farrell had an extensive 11‐year professional playing career. He spent four seasons in Major League Soccer (MLS), two in the American Professional Soccer League, one in the A‐ League, three in the National Professional Soccer League and four in the United Soccer League (USL) First Division. He helped lead teams to three national championships and to multiple runner‐up league finishes. Farrell was drafted in the second round of the 1997 MLS supplemental draft by the Columbus Crew and played for the team from 1997 to 2000 during which time the team was three times the Eastern Conference Finalist. He has also played games with the US National B Team and the US Olympic Team. Farrell has also demonstrated success as a youth soccer coach. Since 2000, Farrell has coached youth soccer teams to 2 WA State Quarterfinals, 1 WA State Semifinals, 1 WA State Finals, 3 Washington State Championships, and 1 Far West Regional Championship. He has had great success coaching teams in regional and national tournaments and has had many players go on to play soccer in college. Farrell also coached for the Seattle Sounders (USL 1st Division, Asst. Coach, 2006) and at Seattle University. About Seattle United Seattle United is the official unified advanced development (select and premier) club of SYSA. SYSA comprises sixteen member clubs that oversee soccer programs and a variety of play options for approximately 13,000 players in Seattle and Shoreline. Seattle United brings together all high‐level premier “citywide” and select teams in Seattle and Shoreline under one club organization. In its inaugural 2010 season, all SYSA U11‐U14 premier/select teams will be playing under the new, collaborative club. Any current SYSA premier/select teams U15 or older that wish to join Seattle United in its inaugural 2010 season may elect to do so. This club represents an exciting new approach for Seattle’s youth soccer players, coaches and families. Seattle United’s core philosophy is one of collaboration and inclusion. The club organization is structured to provide the highest quality full service soccer experience for all its players, families, teams and coaches. Seattle United offer both high‐level premier “citywide” teams and numerous select teams (grouped by geography) and provides top competitive play and training opportunities using regional options, seamless vertical integration, player mobility, and good governance principles. With collaboration and professionalism at every level, Seattle United is committed to developing youth soccer players to their fullest potential and to support this process throughout their development. Over the past 12 months, SYSA and Seattle United introduced the very popular Development Academy which to date has trained some 300 Under‐8 to Under‐13 players. The Development Academy and the recently launched Center of Excellence are prime examples of Seattle United’s advanced training opportunities that are professionally coached, high quality, age appropriate, and can facilitate a smooth transition to select/premier teams for all capable and interested players. In addition, Seattle United’s governing board has been working with the state’s youth soccer leadership to ensure a smooth transition for our teams and players. To learn more, visit www.seattleunited.com. ## .