THE WASHINGTON THORNS are pictured here. In the back row is Mike Swanson (head coach) and Jeremy Rehfeldt (assistant coach). In the middle row (left-to-right) is Bethany Deam, Jordan Rehfeldt, Madison Enright, Elizabeth Lebouef, Miranda Chromey, Haylee Kelley and Michlin Swanson. In the bottom row (left-to-right) is Emma Seter, Jillian Pratt and Adalie Smithline. Photo courtesy of Tammy Swanson
ELIZABETH LEBOUEF, goalie for the Washington Thorns, is shown here representing North County at the AYSO National Games held in California. Photo courtesy of Tammy Swanson
EMMA SETER is shown here playing her heart out in the U-10 division at the AYSO National Games held recently in California. Photo courtesy of Tammy Swanson
For the first time in 30 years a Washington AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) team was chosen by lottery to attend the National Games held every year in California.
From June 29-July 7 the Washington Thorns – representing La Center, Woodland, Yacolt and Yale – competed against teams from all over the United States.
“This is a once in a lifetime, could potentially be, to go and compete on a national level, to play with someone from Hawaii and see different styles of play,” said assistant coach Jeremy Rehfeldt.
Over the course of four days, this local All-Star team played seven games in the U-10 division and finished third in their bracket. As Rehfeldt explained it, the Washington Thorns are a recreational team and they were squaring off against select and travel teams that play year-round and have been together for many years. So, to have them place third was “unbelievable.”
The week was spent traveling between venues in Riverside and Torrance, CA. Players were able to meet Brandi Chastain, a professional soccer player who earned Olympic medals playing for the United States women’s national soccer team. Chastain signed autographs and the girls were able to have their photo taken with her.
Opening ceremonies were held at the StubHub Center, where each team from every age division was presented in front of parents, the media and an iconic Goodyear blimp. The 4th of July saw a return to the StubHub Center to watch Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy play in their home stadium.
Rehfeldt said that Soccerfest was a highlight of the week-long activities. All the girls were randomly selected to play for another coach from around the country. Rehfeldt and Thorns head coach Mike Swanson had girls from Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Florida on their “new’’ team. For an entire day they coached the girls and played a game at the end of Soccerfest.
“(It was) probably the most fun out of the tournament. My daughter (Jordan Reyfeldt) played for a coach from Florida and it was a whole new experience for her,” Reyfeldt said.
Region 1167, the area that the Washington Thorns play in, is a nonprofit, all volunteer club under AYSO. Rehfeldt shared that they’re also the most affordable youth soccer program in Southwest Washington with season fees as low as $55, which includes a full uniform. He believes they’re one half the price of the next closest league.
Through the generous donations of long-term members, region 1167 is also able to grant scholarships to families unable to afford the cost. According to regional commissioner Aaron Berghaus, every fall they average between 500-600 players from La Center, Woodland, Ariel, Yacolt, Yale and Ridgefield.
The Washington Thorns’ journey to the 2014 AYSO National Games actually began over nine months ago when tryouts were held for any girls in the division who wanted to play on the All Star team being formed. Practice was held for one day a week and bumped up to two days going into indoor leagues, which they played in the U-12 division. The spring league saw more balanced competition back in their own U-10 division, when the Thorns posted a 7-1-1 record.
Rehfeldt noticed a lot of improvement in his team between the All-Star games and National Games experiences. Two of his girls were picked up by elite teams and their goalie Elizabeth Lebouef is now working with the La Center High School goalie to improve her skills.
But the players haven’t been the only one affected by the time spent together.
“It’s amazing the satisfaction me and Mike have gotten from this team,” Rehfeldt said. “To watch them work together as a team down in California, that is why me and Mike do it so much.”
Anyone interested in coaching or playing can contact Aaron Berghaus at (360) 606-0144 or Jeremy Rehfeldt at (360) 921-6366.
