top of page
News
Celebrating the journeys of Eastside players, coaches, and our community. Submit your ideas to Media@EastsideFC.org and we'll take it from there.


Portland Thorns' Sam Hiatt Shares Her Journey with Eastside FC Players
Sometimes impactful moments of a season happen away from the field. During a recent ECNL conference weekend in Portland, the ECNL girls teams made the trip down from Preston for a pair of matches against Oregon Surf and Portland Thorns. In between games, three of those teams had a unique opportunity, one that had nothing to do with tactics or results, and everything to do with perspective. At the invitation of ECNL Girls Director Tim Reynolds, the group met with current Portl
Apr 12


From RCL to ECNL: Hadley Paget’s Journey of Growth, Confidence, and Commitment
At 15 years old, Hadley Paget has already moved through multiple stages of the Eastside FC player pathway and now competes as a winger and forward for the formidable G10 ECNL team. Her journey is a clear example of steady progression built on patience, adaptability, and a growing belief in herself. Hadley didn’t begin with a single-minded focus on soccer. She came into Eastside FC with a multi-sport mindset, wanting to stay active and play with friends. I started on an RCL t
Apr 10


From RCL Division 5 to Division 1: Julius Chen's Story
Development isn’t a straight line. It’s built on effort, resilience, and a relentless commitment to improving every day. Julius Chen is a great example of that journey in action. Julius, age 10, currently plays on Eastside B15 White. A versatile attacker who can play striker, midfield, or on the wings, he brings a simple mindset to the game. He loves to score goals. He’s been with Eastside FC for two years, and in that time, his path through the club has been anything but sta
Apr 10


Eastside FC players and teams featured in new adidas and Soccer.com World Cup Promotion Video
A new promotional video created by adidas and Soccer.com is helping build excitement for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Seattle, and several members of Eastside FC were featured prominently in the production. The video, part of a series of eight pieces highlighting each World Cup host city, was filmed on a rainy night in Preston several months ago. Despite the downpour, the production team captured extensive training footage of the club environment, showcasing
Apr 10


Drew Peach's Climb From Blue to ECNL RL
Player development is defined by progress over time and the willingness to keep earning each new opportunity. Few examples reflect that better than Drew Peach , a 17-year-old striker and winger who has steadily moved through multiple levels of the club and now enters his final season on the BU19 ECNL RL roster. An Unlikely Journey Through the Club Drew began his Eastside FC experience on the Blue team, the fourth team in his age group. At the time, he was focused more on enjo
Apr 10


From Eastside FC to the National Stage: Alex Buck Earns U.S. U-20 Camp Invite
Eastside FC is proud to celebrate alumna Alex Buck (Class of 2024) on her invitation to the U.S. Soccer U-20 Women’s National Team April Camp in Kansas City. Now a sophomore at the University of Washington, Alex continues to build on the qualities that defined her time at Eastside—work rate, composure, and a relentless drive to improve. Her selection to this camp places her among the top young players in the country and reflects both her development and dedication to the game
Mar 31


Eastside FC’s Aedan Suh Guest Plays with Seattle Sounders FC U16 Academy at GA Cup
Eastside FC is proud to highlight one of our own, Aedan Suh from the B12 ECNL team, who is currently guest playing up a year with the Seattle Sounders FC U16 Academy at the prestigious Generation adidas Cup in Florida. Competing against top youth talent from across North America, Europe, South America and Asia, Aedan has already made a significant impact. In a key group-stage match, he contributed with a penalty kick, helping the Sounders secure a strong performance and advan
Mar 30


Morgan Ackermann Selected for Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Game
Eastside FC is proud to announce that Morgan Ackermann, one of the club’s grittiest midfielders, was selected to participate in the Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Game at ECNL Phoenix over the weekend. Morgan has been with Eastside FC for many years, developing her skills and demonstrating the kind of determination and leadership that defines the club’s players. Her selection to the National Selection Game reflects her hard work, performance on the field, and commit
Mar 30


Eastside FC Named in First Wave of Clubs for 2026 ECNL International IberCup
Eastside FC has officially been announced as one of the first ECNL clubs invited to compete in the inaugural 2026 ECNL International IberCup, set for Labor Day weekend at WRAL Soccer Park in Raleigh, NC. This event will feature U11 and U12 boys 7v7 competition, with teams guaranteed five matches over four days using group and knockout play. Nearly 200 teams from around the world — including Europe, South America, Asia, and the U.S. — are expected to participate, offering elit
Mar 30


Three Eastside FC Players Chosen for ODP National Select Teams.
Eastside FC is proud to recognize three players who have earned selection to their respective U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Select Teams. Aedan Suh (B12 ECNL), Audrina Catalan (G12 ECNL), and Makenna Antonio (G11 ECNL) have each been selected to represent their age groups at the national level, a tremendous honor that reflects their talent, work ethic, and commitment to the game. The ODP National Select Teams bring together top players from acr
Mar 16


One Club. All In. A Special Night for Eastside FC.
Zach Ramsey, former Eastside FC player, spoke of his experience at Eastside FC. On Saturday, March 7th, the Eastside FC community came together for one of our favorite traditions: The Eastside FC Auction. It was an evening that captured what makes this club special. Players, parents, coaches, alumni, and supporters all in one room, united by a shared commitment to the kids and to the future of the club. The night was filled with great energy. Friendly competition broke out du
Mar 16


Riley Rountree Earns U-16 National Team Call-Up
We are thrilled to announce that Riley Rountree, a standout on our G10 ECNL team, has been called up to the U.S. U-16 Girls’ National Team—her ninth national team selection! This call-up is especially exciting because it marks her first international tournament. Later this month in Türkiye, Riley and Team USA will face Spain, Denmark, and England on the world stage. Riley’s hard work, dedication, and talent continue to inspire everyone at Eastside FC. We can’t wait to see her
Feb 11


Walking the Tunnel: Honoring Our Eastside FC Seniors
Every year at Eastside FC, we pause twice — once in February for our Senior Boys and again later in the Spring for our Senior Girls. Under the lights at Preston, training sessions slow. Balls are tucked under arms. And for a few minutes, the entire club gathers to recognize a group of seniors who have given years of their lives to Eastside FC. Some arrived as little kids chasing a ball that seemed too big for them. Others joined along the way. All of them helped shape what th
Feb 11


Eastside FC Welcomes Shaun Spencer as Head Coach
Eastside FC is excited to announce the addition of Shaun Spencer to our coaching staff. A UEFA A Licensed Coach and USSF Coach Educator, Shaun brings over 15 years of experience across professional, collegiate, and elite youth soccer, with a background spanning the English Football League, MLS Next, UPSL, and top youth programs in both the U.S. and England. Shaun’s approach is player-centered and performance-driven, grounded in high standards, talent identification, and mode
Feb 4


Tim Reynolds Named Girls ECNL Director
Eastside FC is thrilled to announce Tim Reynolds as our new Girls ECNL Director, a role that reflects the impact he’s made since joining the club. Born and raised in Torquay, England, Tim brings over 40 years of experience as both a player and coach. He has served as National Head Coach at TOCA Football, spent eight successful years at XFire Premier, worked with the Women’s Sounders, and even contributed as a part-time scout with U.S. Soccer. Tim’s coaching philosophy emphasi
Feb 4


Troy Letherman Named Boys ECNL Director
Eastside FC is proud to announce Troy Letherman as our new Boys ECNL Director, a role that reflects both his impact over the past three years and the trust he has earned across the club. Since joining Eastside FC, Troy has been a top-team ECNL coach and a driving force behind multiple initiatives—from international travel and camps to performance standards and player development frameworks. He has consistently demonstrated what it means to lead at the highest level: developin
Feb 4


Our New Crest: Marking the Next Era of Eastside FC
For more than 50 years, Eastside FC has stood for something bigger than soccer. Founded in 1970 as the Eastside Youth Soccer Association, our club has grown into one of the premier youth soccer organizations in the country. With nearly 1,400 players across more than 90 teams and 3 locations, our purpose has always been clear: Building Champions in Life. Today, we’re proud to share the next evolution of that purpose — a refreshed Eastside FC brand. Why We Refreshed Our Brand T
Feb 2


Eastside FC, Mercer Island FC and XL are excited to announce a new partnership, effective for the 2026-2027 season and beyond.
We are excited to share an update about the continued growth of Eastside FC and the long-term vision for our club across the Eastside. This next step reflects our commitment to providing strong, consistent development pathways while expanding opportunities for players and families in our community. Eastside is FC Partnering with Mercer Island FC; Top XL Teams to Join Eastside FC and the RCL Beginning with the 2026/27 season, Eastside FC has reached an agreement with Mercer
Jan 28


The Foundation for Technical Performance at Eastside FC
The most important work at Eastside FC doesn’t happen under the lights on match day. It happens quietly, thoughtfully, and over time—often behind the scenes. This is the work that builds habits, behaviors, standards, and understanding long before results are visible. Eastside FC is a large and diverse club, with nearly 100 teams across multiple age groups and competitive levels. That scale is one of the club’s greatest strengths, but it also presents a challenge: ensuring ev
Jan 26


Eastside FC Auction to Take Place March 7, 2026.
Chance Fry, Executive Director of Eastside FC, during the club’s auction in On a Saturday evening this March, a different kind of energy will settle over the Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel. It’s not the pulse of competition on the field, but there is something familiar in the buzz—people moving between conversations, laughter at a table, quiet focus over a bid sheet. It’s the Eastside FC auction, a major fundraising moment for the club where families, coaches, alumni, and longtime
Jan 9


Washington Star and Eastside FC Alum Zach Ramsey Goes First-Round in MLS SuperDraft
We are thrilled to share some incredible news from the world of professional soccer! Zach Ramsey, an Eastside FC alum and standout player from Washington, has been selected 17th overall by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. This is a huge milestone in Zach’s journey and a proud moment for everyone at Eastside FC. Zach’s talent on the field has been evident from his early days at Eastside FC, where he developed the technical skills, work ethic, and leadership
Dec 18, 2025


The College Soccer Journey: Former Eastside FC Players Reflect
Pictured from left to right: Patrick Kearney, Andrei Bulankou, Gavin Honey, Sawyer Frye, Jaelyn Byeman, Andrew Myerson, Luke Hammond and Elliot Spatz. Not pictured: Chloe Smith Last night, Eastside FC hosted a 90-minute Alumni Player Panel designed to give older players and families a candid look at the college soccer journey—from recruiting to life as a college student-athlete. The session brought together current Eastside FC players and a diverse group of alumni who are now
Dec 18, 2025


Jonathan Garcia-Mendoza's Journey: From Wenatchee to the ECNL Conference Cup
Every so often, a player comes along whose story reminds us why youth sports matter — whose dedication speaks as loudly as their talent. For Eastside FC, that player is B09 ECNL's Jonathan Garcia Mendoza, a whose commitment to the game has now earned him one of the highest honors in the league: Selection to the ECNL Conference Cup this December. This accomplishment is a testament to years of sacrifice, focus, and belief in what’s possible. A Standout From the Start Jonathan’s
Dec 2, 2025


From Preston Park to La Bombonera: Nacho’s Journey Home
Ignacio “Nacho” Costa was born in Argentina and joined Eastside FC at just six years old, quickly becoming an integral and driving force on our B15 Red team. Even at that young age, Nacho’s passion for the game—and for his beloved Boca Juniors—was unmistakable. He wore Boca shin guards at every training session and every match, carrying a little piece of Buenos Aires with him onto the the pitches of Washington. This past summer, Nacho’s family made the difficult decision to r
Nov 12, 2025
bottom of page
