From: Kevin Ireland, Executive Director, Idaho Youth Soccer Association
Idaho Soccer Families,
I hope this message finds you well during what I know can be a stressful and emotional time—the tryout season. On top of that, I understand some of you may be feeling additional uncertainty following the recent Olympic Development Program (ODP) informational call. I’m writing to provide clarity, reduce any confusion, and give context on where things currently stand within Idaho youth soccer.
As background, Idaho Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) is the state’s official affiliate of US Youth Soccer (USYS). Recently, a breakaway league—the Idaho Premier League (IPL)—was formed under US Club Soccer, an alternate governing body to USYS. This has resulted in two separate league offerings in Boise, which I believe does not serve the best interests of the game, the players, or our state.
In an effort to unify the soccer landscape, IYSA’s President and I presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the IPL leadership. The proposal would have allowed their league to merge with our District 3 structure while continuing to operate with autonomy under the IYSA umbrella. We then presented this concept to our IYSA D3 member clubs, who overwhelmingly voted no to the merger. That response sent a clear message: Idaho clubs support the direction of the new IYSA and believe in the unified future we’re working to build.
Currently, IYSA operates with five full-time staff across multiple departments, and we’re in the process of expanding by an additional 1.5 roles. We’re focused on growth, service, and creating exceptional soccer experiences throughout the state. While I was willing to make substantial concessions to bring unity, the lack of consensus means our path forward is now clear: we will focus our full energy on providing outstanding opportunities through IYSA’s leagues, programs, and events.
You may be wondering: what does this have to do with ODP?
Both State Cup and ODP are cornerstone programs of IYSA, and I believe participation in these programs should be a privilege and benefit of being part of an IYSA member club. Having just experienced my first Idaho State Cup; I can say with confidence that it is thriving here in ways I haven’t seen in other states where the event is in decline. It’s truly disheartening to know that some players are unable to participate—not because of their ability, but because of the league choices made by their club leadership.
Regarding ODP: my message is simple. ODP is a perk of IYSA membership. That said, I’ve chosen to extend an exception and allow non-member players to participate this year—for the greater good of soccer in Idaho. We want the best players from across the state to represent us, regardless of affiliation, because the kids come first. But I encourage all families to ask thoughtful questions during this tryout period—especially about your club’s decisions on ODP, State Cup, and league placement.
Two separate league systems create unnecessary challenges—like clubs having to play against their own teams—which ultimately reduces the diversity and quality of competition. You should want your player to be challenged against new and varied opponents. That’s what helps them grow.
As we head into tryouts, I want to wish every player the best of luck. For those participating in the Directors Cup this weekend, we’re excited to host you. We’ll also be sharing details soon on a full and exciting IYSA summer calendar filled with camps, events, and training opportunities.
Let me close with this: We are not the old IYSA. Over 80% of our staff have been hired in 2024/2025. We are committed to serving Idaho’s players, families, and clubs with integrity, transparency, and passion. Thank you for trusting us to be a part of your soccer journey.
We’re excited to share the promotional graphic for the upcoming IYSA Annual General Meeting. We invite all member clubs, leadership, and coaches to join us as we continue building a transparent and collaborative future for youth soccer in Idaho.
With appreciation,
Kevin Ireland
Executive Director
Idaho Youth Soccer Association
