Feature: Lane United FC

Eugene, Ore — Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world and it’s finally making its way to Eugene, Oregon. A semi-professional soccer franchise, Lane United Futbol Club, has been busy preparing for their inaugural season. This is the first time Eugene has ever hosted its own soccer franchise.

One man who has been with this franchise from the very beginning is Dave Galas, the Managing Director for Lane United FC. He started this franchise with the hope of establishing professional soccer in the Eugene area. Galas is following a passion for soccer that developed when he was a child growing up in Europe.

A few years ago Galas wondered what it would take to start a soccer team here in his hometown, so he decided to research it. Fortunately, he had help when it came to getting the project moving forward. His brother, John Galas, used connections that he established through numerous years of coaching and recruiting all across the country. Since then they’ve been hard at work ensuring this franchise has the opportunity to be successful.

Lane United FC starts their inaugural season this spring. They have secured a three-year deal to play at Willamalane’s Sports and Recreation Center in Springfield, Oregon. They will be competing in the Northwest Division of the Premier Developmental League (PDL). The PDL is known to be a resource that Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises use to draft players. It is currently the top-level men’s amateur soccer competition in the United States. Players are amateur, and mostly under the age of 23.

In order to establish this franchise Galas had to go through numerous obstacles. The first major obstacle was simply finding a place to play that fit their needs.

A few years ago Galas looked into Civic Stadium, but it became evident that it would be difficult considering there’s uncertainty of who’s actually going to purchase the land. Galas then turned his attention to playing at local high schools since they have the best turf in Eugene. Unfortunately scheduling and payment through the 4J district was going to prove problematic. After a few more months of researching Galas found a venue that appeared to fit most of their criteria. This location is Willamalane’s Sports and Recreation Center in Springfield.

When initial talks began between Lane United FC and Willamalane agreeing on terms proved to be more difficult than expected. Seve Gohse, the Deputy Superintendent at Willamalane, explained that both sides had certain criteria they wanted to meet, and finding a middle ground was difficult. One problem was trying to incorporate a soccer stadium in a Parks and Recreation Center. Galas decided he wanted to look at other options in the meantime so talks stalled. “It was disappointing when talks initially stalled because soccer is my second favorite sport and I saw potential with this franchise,” said Gohse. Other Willamalane employees who were involved with negotiations had a growing suspicion that Galas would be back. Around December their suspicion came true when Galas returned ready to renegotiate. Soon after that a three-year deal was agreed upon in December of 2013. Since then Willamalane has installed grandstands around the field, and redesigned the locker rooms for the home and away teams. Galas is still working with Willamalane’s management to ensure fans have the best game day experience possible.

Gohse further explained that talks with Galas proved to be difficult because PDL franchises have to meet certain criteria. According to the PDL website franchises are reviewed by their peers and the league office annually. Franchises unable to meet minimum standards for the league they compete in may be required to participate at a lower level the next season or until those minimum standards are corrected. Minimum standards include aspects such as selling a certain amount of tickets during each home game, and reaching a certain profit during the season. There’s also a possibility the franchise will not be kept active for the following season if requirements such as these are not met. Gohse feels as though Willamalane gives Lane United FC the best chance of fulfilling those requirements.

The other aspect that Lane United FC has had to work diligently on is funding. They’ve managed to secure sponsorships with Oakshire, Tetherow and Slocum, but the cost of establishing a franchise is more than many would expect. The initial franchise fee range is $75,000 to $750,000. The average operating costs for franchises part of the Premier Development League range from $100,000 to $200,000. Fortunately, The club is owned by Redside Sports. A limited liability company formed in the summer of 2013 to help finance the franchise. The chief stakeholders in are David G. Elmore, owner of the Eugene Emeralds single-A baseball team, and local businessmen Frank Nakatsuma and Joe Hawes.

The community is starting to take notice of what Galas is trying to do here in Eugene. Galas explained that because the idea of soccer has already been established here in the Northwest, probably with the help of the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders, people in the Eugene area were ready to have their own team.

Since the team was founded a supporters group that calls themselves, “The Red Aces” have been busy establishing a website, Facebook, and Twitter. According to Lane United FC’s official website (http://www.laneunitedfc.com/red-aces/) the Red Aces have over 150 supporters who have already signed on to support the club. This supporters group also owns a share in the team. “Our fans are great! They’ve been using social media to spread what our team is trying to do. We really have some hardcore fans,” said Galas. According to an article that was written by Madison Guernsey for the Daily Emerald a Red Aces supporter was quoted saying, “I want this in my community. When (Dave Galas) made it possible … I threw on my scarf, I threw on my jersey and said yeah, I want this in my community.”

Not only is Galas working to benefit the soccer community in Eugene he’s also working on benefitting local athletes. When the Galas brothers started recruiting players they made an effort to expand his search as far as he possibly could. He successfully recruited players from Germany, Brazil, England and Spain. Even though they had a good idea who was going to make the team they decided to hold open tryouts in the spring of 2014. During this period several local soccer players, such as Daley Stevens, made the team. Stevens played club soccer for the Eugene Metro Futbol Club, South Eugene High School and the University of Oregon’s club team. He is one of five Eugene natives that made the squad. Uniquely, the coaching staff recruited none of these players. Stevens attended open tryouts back in March with an open mind and low expectations. Once he was informed that he made the team he was shocked. “It was super exciting to know I was going to be on the team,” exclaimed Stevens. Stevens feels as though he has something to prove because the coaching staff didn’t actively recruit him. He also explained that his fellow Eugene natives feel the same way. “We have a chip on our shoulder and something to prove”. Stevens is thankful for Lane Unite FC because they have provided him with an opportunity to further his soccer career.

Even though Lane United FC is set up to have a successful inaugural season Galas has his sites set on the future. This year the goal is to win the rookie PDL franchise of the year award. The year after that they would ideally like to increase attendance and make the playoffs. Once that has been accomplished the goal is to become PDL-Pro. PDL-Pro teams can choose to employ players who are paid for their performances, but who still meet the age eligibility criteria.

It’s clear that the Dave and John Galas have high expectations for this franchise

If Lane United FC proves to be a success the PDL plans to establish two more teams in the Eugene area. According to the PDL Official website they are well aware of the enthusiasm for soccer in the Northwest.

Source List:

Dave Galas

541-335-2170

dave.galas@laneunitedfc.org

400 International Way, Suite 280, Springfield OR

John Galas

541-335-2170

john.galas@laneunitedfc.org

400 International Way, Suite 280, Springfield OR

Seve Gohse

541-736-4006

seveg@willamalane.org