Think Tank FC: Ideas for teams in Tacoma, Port Angeles

—by David Falk—

In the first installment of Think Tank FC I posted a few links and tried to get the ball rolling and talking going about forming new higher-level soccer clubs in the state of Washington.

I didn’t mention at that time that women’s leagues should also be a talking point. The debut of WPSL clubs in Issaquah and Seattle this summer suggests this.

I love to dream and create, and even though my ideas are usually a bit rough around the edges, hopefully there are nuggets in there somewhere. So I have been thinking specifically lately about two areas I’d love to see get higher level soccer clubs: Tacoma and Port Angeles.

These are clearly two very different markets, yet there is at least some reason to think that they’d be good places for the right owners with the right passion and cash to start clubs.

Tacoma has been on the edges of the Seattle soccer scene for years. The Tide of the PDL ran from 2006-2011 before being bought and renamed “Sounders U-23.” They played this year at Franklin Pierce High School and a few other locations.

If I were starting a club purely for the love of soccer and the city of Tacoma, I’d make sure it had Tacoma’s name in it, and also associated itself in some way with the area…in a way that is distinct from Seattle.

So, how about Tacoma Narrows FC? (Or, The Tacoma Narrows, or properly Tacoma Narrows Football Club.) See a general design elements idea below that uses navy, gold and the Narrows bridge in a logo.

There are all kinds of obstacles for making this work, but no guts, no glory, right? Tacoma would need its own venue as the school district is not user-friendly when it comes to renting stadiums. The goal would be to enter a regional league such as the Pacific Coast Soccer League, and eventually develop funding and investors to make Tacoma an NASL (North American Soccer League) city.

Why Tacoma is a good idea:

• Largest city in state without high-level outdoor soccer club bearing its name
• Chance to tap in on uniqueness of T-Town
• Lots of room to grow a club that could rise
• Business partnership options
• Soccer-friendly / knowledgeable fans
• Local radio

Why Tacoma is a risk:

• Outdoor soccer has never been well-supported locally
• The Sounders of MLS are Tacoma’s default team
• No place to play without added cost
• Tacoma sports fans expect professional amenities
• Community seems focused on Seattle teams

Up north on the Olympic Peninsula is the town of Port Angeles. It is a boat ride away from a bunch of clubs up north in the Pacific Coast Soccer League. The town is home to the Peninsula Community College Pirates, who are annual NWAACC contenders in both men’s and women’s soccer.

Port Angeles would be a unique place to start a soccer club for several reasons, and these reasons cut both ways. The small population (23,ooo in the city) could either mean a chance to really be something special in the community…or not enough customers to draw from.

The isolated location is the same way: you could look at it as a captive audience with no other live local summer sports to attend, or as an undeveloped market that is a bit of a question mark.

That won’t stop me from dreaming about the Port Angeles Peaks. See a general design idea below that uses “PA” and mountain imagery with cool turquoise and silver.

Why Port Angeles is a good idea:

• Wide open, captive market
• Could mimic success of Bellingham United, be rivals
• Piggy-back for player talent with connection to PCC Pirates
• Gee, there’s a place called Peaks Pub & Brewery
• Possible connections with Kitsap Pumas
• Youth soccer at point where new club could make instant impact
• Daily dedicated local newspaper
• Venue available at PCC

Why Port Angeles is a risk:

• Small population
• Isolated from big player talent streams
• Every away match equals a ferry trip (depends on league)
• Would never be a “big club” (limited growth potential)
• Limited business partnership options

Your input and daydreams are wanted! What do you think of these names / places / ideas? Got your own to share? Post in the comments section below!

Do you have money to invest? Want to talk privately? I can be reached at goalWA@gmail.com.

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