Livermore Fusion making connections in the community

Not every club strives to make connections in the community, and some do so perhaps out of obligation. And then there is Livermore Fusion SC, who feels passionately about doing so. In order to give more young players a professional opportunity, they have partnered with the Oakland Roots, who are part of the United States Soccer League Championship. The USLC, as it is commonly referred to as, is the second tier of United States professional soccer, a level beneath Major League Soccer. For those fans of the English Premier League, it's the equivalent of the Championship. So what does it mean for Livermore Fusion to partner with the Oakland Roots? It means that it gives the Roots a youth infrastructure without having to start a program. Finances are tight and margins are thin for USL teams, so to team up with clubs in the community is the definition of a win-win. The Roots and the clubs help one another with player identification and help provide opportunities to players that otherwise would not get an opportunity. The goal for MLS Academies is to bring kids in the system to give them a pathway to a professional career, as opposed to the college route, which is the traditional way, but becoming obsolete. USL teams are finding creative ways to provide those opportunities as well. These partnerships help fill a void in the soccer world, more importantly asking clubs to work together instead of fighting for players or pillaging players from one another. "It helps identify kids that wouldn't have that opportunity," Livermore Fusion Director of Coaching Greg Rubendall said. "This is our way to help link together the East Tri-Valley, outer East Bay and West Valley." For those unfamiliar, this would be Livermore/Pleasanton, Antioch/Pittsburg/Brentwood and Tracy and beyond. All communities on the fringe of the San Francisco Bay Area. "One of the main objectives we've had over the last two years is to have a fully integrated environment," Rubendall said. "We do a good job of collaborating with clubs and entities while keeping the Livermore identity." The Roots partnership is more than just helping players become professional soccer players. Because, quite frankly, that only happens for a very, very select few. It's more about connecting with an entity that has a similar value system. "The Roots are engaging in the community and building something we want to model in Livermore," Rubendall said. "It's not about trying to make everyone a professional soccer player. It's about character development and having dreams that feel achievable, and that they won't give up on (their dreams) when challenges arise. "That lets them know that they can be a soccer professional in a variety of ways. Whether on the field as a player or off the field as one who supports the youth, amateur, or professional environment, we are hoping to create the infrastructure and training for what we see as the jobs the industry needs now and in the near future."