Soccer in the US, whether men’s or women’s, is made up by a variety of clubs in so many different leagues that it can make the head spin. While we had previously covered OSA Seattle’s NPSL side, we remembered that their WPSL squad was built a little different than others. From teaming up with local development academies in order to fill out their roster and provide top-level soccer to locals to providing an exchange program to Italian internationals, club President Giuseppe Pezzano of OSA Seattle shows the world that there is more than just one way to build an organization.

When OSA Seattle was first set-up in 2013 your women's side were instantly successful and won their conference. Now that the rest of the Pacific Northwest is starting to catch up and several new teams are joining WPSL and the NWPL, have you noticed any impact on the talent and competitiveness?

This is a team that we couldn’t put together again because women’s soccer in Italy has exploded. Our 2013 team was a very strong team made up of talented players, some of whom played on the Italian World Cup team (Guagni and Giacinti).

The WPSL has added so many new teams in our area that the level of the conference has diminished, because the player pool is so even more divided between the teams. For players to have a chance to improve, they have to play at a high level, against other strong players, but the way our conference is now there just isn’t enough of that consistent talent. This was one of the main reasons I choose to merge and partner with Crossfire Premier, to give opportunities to their young talented academy players to play in an adult league and improve.

In the USA both men’s and women’s leagues have other business priority, and they lose the ability and focus to really help the development. I am hopeful that things will eventually change and begin to mirror how soccer is run throughout the rest of the world.

Valentina Giacinti and Alia Guagni, teammates for Italy in the World Cup, were once teammates in Seattle for OSA

Some clubs are directly connected to youth programs, providing an adult end to a development funnel, while some clubs don't have access to players like that and are made up mostly of college women from around the region. Which type are you and do you see a difference in the long-term ability to remain in business?

We do not have a youth program of our own, but have partnered with Crossfire Premier, which has a very strong program, giving us access to players, and giving players opportunities to develop. We also have great connections in Italy and always try to bring some players over to give an on the pitch exchange experience where everyone is learning from each other.

Women's soccer has lacked a sense of stability; leagues come and go. Why have you stuck with the WPSL when the UWS, UPSL Women's League, or even the regional NWPL are options?

We are always looking at the competitive national league landscape to see what's available. The pro league has only 9 teams and a franchise already in the Seattle area, so it’s not an option. The WPSL is just one step below the pro league and it has a lot of teams nationally, so it has been the best option for us so far. The other leagues are regional, so I am not interested.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the pyramid, which makes things confusing for players as these leagues are not necessarily good for their development, and fans as they continue to be confused about the proper pyramid structure.

Soccer is not an American made sport like football or baseball there’s an already established structure that should be followed with the other soccer federation.

OSA has teamed-up with Washington development powerhouse XF to provide local players and select internationals the highest-possible level of soccer available, without competing with existing NWSL sides, in the Northwest.

The men have access to the US Open Cup and National Amateur Cup, do you think it’s time for Women's soccer to have an Open Cup as well? If it existed, would OSA Seattle pursue it? What obstacles would the concept of a women's open cup have to overcome?

Yes, I think it would be a good thing to have more games and tournaments and I’d be interested in pursuing it, however, in the past when I proposed more games or tournament ideas to the other local teams, they all declined. Some didn't want to spend the money; another excuse was that adding more games was too complex to work into the schedule. I don’t agree with this mentality, but I have to accept it. (This year with 9 clubs in the conference we play only 8 games)

How important is drawing support? Did the recent World Cup bring anybody out; did you see any interested fans or players from other OSA squads come to the women's matches this year?

Unfortunately, we didn’t see fan base increase but we have seen a lot of interest for my consulting services and the OSA organization as it was integral in the explosion that Italian women’s soccer has seen.

What's the most important aspect to operating a women's team?

Passion and love for this beautiful sport. Soccer is soccer, there’s no women’s or men’s soccer, it’s all soccer!

The OSA XF squad competes in the WPSL, head here for more information.

According to our NPSL West Region, Northwest Conference Division Season Preview , OSA Seattle FC’s coaching and technical staff, for the 2019 campaign, will be provided for by their Italian Serie-A partner, ACF Fiorentina. This is part of a project in which local coaches will work with Italian consulting partners to help the club develop, not only top-quality players, but top-quality coaches as well. The concept was so compelling that we decided to reach out to the club for more information, and President Giuseppe Pezzano told us all about, not just the men’s team, but the direction the whole organization is taking.

When and where were you founded and what was the goal of the club—has that location or mission changed?

“The club was founded in 2013 under the name AC Seattle. That first year we played in the WPSL and won the Northwest Conference. The team was comprised of many Italian National Players and a top Italian coach. The club name and location has seen some changes, but our mission has always remained the same: OSA Seattle FC us an American soccer club with Italian influence that has been offering high-level soccer since 2008. The club was created to bridge the USA and Italian soccer realities, and to offer a cultural exchange program on and off the soccer field.”

Clubs in the Northwest seem to come and go, i.e. Kitsap Pumas last year and Pierce County FC the year before. What is OSA FC doing to ensure stability and longevity?

“I think there are a couple of issues, one is that it’s difficult for clubs to make it in areas that have a strong MLS presence. The other is that there’s a systemic problem, which is the lack of the pyramid structure in US soccer. If the typical pyramid structure of development were in use players would follow a traditional developmental path, which would give leagues like the WPSL and NPSL more importance, as they are a crucial stepping stones in a player’s career path towards the professional level. These leagues are where the players of tomorrow develop and ready themselves for the pros.

The Kitsap Pumas invested a lot in bringing opportunities to players, and providing great soccer to their area, but they weren’t given the importance they should have received.

Pierce county was a different story because I was the owner and founded the club for a different purpose, which was to give the many Italian players i had an opportunity to play.”

OSA Seattle FC taking on the now defunct Kitsap Pumas

Are you connected to a youth program? A women’s program? Do you have any special programs which other clubs in the region don’t offer?

“Yes, I’m connected to Crossfire Premier’s youth program. OSA Seattle FC has a women’s WPSL team, and we have started a collaboration with Crossfire Premier on the women’s side. Crossfire has one of the best development platforms in our area and have many young US national players!

We offer an international program which gives Italian and US players international opportunities. Italians come to the US to play with the club and we work with US players who want to go abroad to play. We offer study abroad opportunities in the US and Italy, as well as international play and travel tours.”

OSA Seattle FC is ahead of the curve and fields a Women’s Side in the WPSL

For most non-MLS organizations in the Pacific Northwest, operating under the shadow of the Sounders, Timbers, and Whitecaps can be daunting; how do you go about recruiting players who aren’t already involved in an MLS affiliated club? What can NPSL clubs offer that maybe a PDL club can’t?

“OSA FC works with local 1st division colleges to recruit players, we also bring players from top Italian teams, and we work with Italians also already in the USA studying at colleges on soccer scholarships.

The NPSL has no age restrictions, which I think is an important element. The league fees are also considerably less, meaning that clubs can invest more into their program.”

Drawing fans up here can be equally difficult—after several years of existence, does OSA FC draw any supporters?

“This is an area that we struggle with. We don't have a fan base, and have a hard time getting the word out. We would love to see more work by the league advertising and spreading the word about the importance of the league.”

Do you charge at the door and sell merchandise? If not, how do you pay for club operations?

“We do charge a minimal door fee and sell merchandise, but that doesn't meet our funding needs. I personally fund this non-profit club as I believe in the mission and the opportunities it creates. My for-profit company OSA Soccer Academy, LLC offers professional services such as tours and study abroad soccer programs.”

OSA Seattle FC were winners of the NPSL Northwest in 2016 and qualified for the US Open Cup round one the following year.

Does OSA FC have any rivals? Is there a team you most look forward to playing against in the Spring?

“Seeing as though teams come and go and new leagues start and fold so often, for me there are can’t be rivals until the US soccer system is cleaned up and established under 1 national pyramid system.

I’m excited about our games against Crossfire Premier, because of the great relationship we have I'll look forward to some competitive games. Between our teams I think the best local players will be on display! Their U19 academy team just beat all the MLS academy teams!”

For more information about the OSA Seattle FC, check them out here.

For more information about the WPSL, check out the Women’s League here.