PDL: Cascade Surge Sign with Puma

The Surge also announced a new VP, new youth partnership, and home opening schedule.

Cascade Surge players on the field in a game last July. Photo Courtesy: Cascade Surge

SALEM - The Cascade Surge, Oregon's only PDL soccer franchise, has signed a multi-year deal with Puma.

"We are excited to be with Puma", said team President Dave Irby.

Twelve of the twenty-four World Cup finalists in 2006 wore Puma, including Italy, the World Champions.

Irby added that, in addition to Puma's great gear the Surge were attracted to Puma because of their United for Africa program.

New VP

Mike Speten has come on board as the new Vice-President/Development for the Cascade Surge.

Speten, who was recently General Manager of a local indoor soccer center, played three seasons for the Surge and served one season as the teams Community Outreach Director before moving to Brazil to run a soccer school.

"Naturally we are excited to have Mike on board," said Surge President Dave Irby.

"Mike is from Salem and played his collegiate soccer here at Corban College (formerly Western Baptist). Mike has a passion for developing projects, meeting with people, and has a heart for the youth of the community. He adds a lot to our program."

New Youth Partnership

The Surge is pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement with the Keizer Soccer Club (KSC).

The Surge staff and players will help oversee and run training programs for the Keizer SC coaches and players.

Mike Speten, new Surge VP said, "This is an exciting program for all of us, as KSC is probably the fastest growing club in Oregon with almost 1,000 members, including 580 players in the spring league".

KSC is now expanding from recreational soccer to competitive soccer and the Surge will help develop that program.

As part of the agreement each KSC player will receive a youth pass to all Cascade Surge regular season home games.

Note: 80 KSC players have pre-registered for the KSC spring soccer camp that will be directed by the Surge.

Grants Awarded

The Mission Increase Foundation (Lake Oswego, OR) and the US Soccer Foundation (Washington D.C.) have awarded the Cascade Surge grants for the 2007 season.

Mission Increase has awarded VMI, the Surge's parent company a $30,000 matching grant to help fund the VP-Development position that has brought Mike Speten to the team.

The US Soccer Foundation has awarded the team a $14,000 grant that includes in cash, and soccer gear from US Soccer Foundation partners Eurosport and Kwik Goal.

This is the third time the Surge have been awarded a grant for their work with at risk youth by the US Soccer Foundation.

Speaking about both grants, Mike Speten said, "In addition to the really nice grant from Mission Increase they are also offering us great development training through their local seminars; and US Soccer funding is helping us develop a comprehensive soccer clinic and reading program for local at risk youth in our public schools".

Home Schedule

The Cascade Surge kick off the season in Yakima and Spokane before hosting the Utah teams Thursday, May 17th and Saturday, May 19th.

The Surge take on the BYU Cougars on Thursday then face the Ogden Outlaws on Saturday.

Due to some travel challenges for the Cougars the home opener is on Thursday instead of a Friday and both games kickoff at 8:05 pm due to some stadium issues.

We wish we could open on Friday instead of Thursday and that the games would be at our usual 7:05 PM but we hope our loyal fans will come on out to help get our 13th season off to a good start, said a Surge spokesperson.

General Admission to all regular season home games is $6 (4 and under free).

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