The Portland State Men’s Soccer Club is an example of the values inherent within this university. With a host of players from a variety of countries and a coach from Chile, the team plays in a competitive and passionate atmosphere derived from cultural zeal and a drive to compete at the highest levels.
“I think there are [players from] 12 countries we have playing with our team. We have everyone from Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Korea, Vietnam, China, Japan,” said junior Jacob Holmstead, club coordinator and left midfielder.
However, it is not just the number of countries represented on the team, but the level of talent, professionalism and passion that each member brings to it that makes it unique. And it all begins with coach Luis Zambrano, a former member of the Chilean national team.
Zambrano knew a member of the club from his days living in Chile and, after his arrival in Portland two years ago, he was offered the coaching position by that friend. For a team that is beginning to find itself within the Oregon soccer community, he brings an added level of professionalism.
“Our coach played professionally for Chile for a couple of years, and was a scout as well for Chile. He would recruit younger teen-level kids and recruit them onto the national team,” Holmstead said.
Zambrano, however, is not the only professionally trained player that has graced the men’s soccer pitch. Some of those players have already left the team, but many continue to return to practices and lend their hand to the team.
“We have people from Columbia that have played professionally. A lot of people who are freshman or sophomores, a lot of kids that were MVPs or all-state players,” Holmstead said. “Alumni come back and practice with us, [such as] Eddie Masquera, and he played for Columbia.”
The international flavor of the team also helps instill a passion that might otherwise be absent. With so many players from countries where soccer is the predominant sport, it is hard for that passion not to rub off onto other members of the team.
“I think a lot of people who are from the States get taken aback because they are so passionate, but it’s a great feel. It’s a great atmosphere to be around because it enriches the game more. That passion motivates a lot of other people,” Holmstead said.
The team itself competes in the Cascade Collegiate Soccer League, a league consisting of Oregon colleges and universities—both with and without recognized men’s soccer teams. Comprising 12 teams, the league is divided into northern and southern divisions, with Portland State playing in the northern division.
Though the league has been around in some form or another for six years, according to their Web site, it had become dormant. Portland State joined last year and was an integral part of the reformation of the league and the creation of its divisions.
“Myself and all the other schools within Oregon got together and did a lot of conference calls—built the league scheduling, rules and traveling. There was a lot of work put into it over the summer,” Holmstead said.
With all the work put into the club and the professional nature of the team, Holmstead feels as though they are ready to make the jump from a club to a recognized university team.
“I have hopes for our team. We have the interest out there and the players. This year we had our biggest turnout for our tryouts…we had nearly 40 kids come out,” he said. “I think we’re ready for it this year. I think we could take that position.”
The Portland State Men’s Soccer Club plays its home matches, which are often as competitive as those of traditional soccer programs, at the Stott Community Field. More information and a match schedule are available at www.pdx.edu/recreation/soccer-mens.