Welcome to 12 Questions (one for every letter of “Yakima Reds FC”). Periodically we’ll be asking Reds officials and players 12 questions about the past, present and future of the team.
First off, Perry Piercy. The man who saved the team from folding in 2008 and as a reward endured one of the worst seasons in team history in 2009, talks about his new role as co-owner after being sole owner for a year, why the fans should support the Reds in 2010 and his relationship with Alex Silva, the team’s new head coach who also happens to be the other co-owner.
By Sebastian Moraga
Vindependent Media.
Perry Piercy, Yakima Reds' co-owner
SM: If I’m a fan of the Reds, after the way last season went, why should I come back to root for the team?
Perry Piercy: Well, we’re doing a lot to try and improve the quality of the team.
One of the things we did in the offseason that I’m not aware of us doing before is participate in a pretty competitive league in the Starfire Complex.
We put together a reserves’ team and although it wasn’t the Yakima Reds’ team, we did like some of the younger players of last year’s team: Vini Oliveira, Jose Garcia, Kevin Eggen and Josh Hacker. All players under the age of 23.
We developed much younger players for the team and we did very well in that competition. We ended up winning the 16-team league. It wasn’t easy.
We lost one game and tied two others. We won a playoff game in a shootout and the other one in overtime.
We found a few players that we have a lot of interest in.
We used a 16-year-old player at goalie who did very well. I don’t think he’ll be starting for us but he may make the team as a backup.
We’re planning on bringing mostly local players, though Alex (Silva)would like to bring some foreign players from Brazil, through some contacts that he has, though that depends on our ability to acquire hosts families. We’re interested in hosting about five players, improving the quality of our team and helping our local players practice with the highest level of talent available.
SM: How is the adjustment from being sole owner to having a partner going?
PP: Very well. I speak to Alex on a continuous basis. He is very, very involved and started to be even before he officially became a part owner. I think it’s extremely positive that the Reds have two participating owners who are very passionate about this team and this community and trying to put together the best product possible.
SM: How close did the team come to folding at the end of the 2009 season?
PP: We were still in quite a serious situation. For those who don’t know, the Reds had folded at the end of the 2008 season and I took over and brought less money than the Reds had before. I was not in the personal financial situation that I could keep losing money and keep the team around. And Alex is investing into the team and coaching the team, so there’ll be one less expense.
It did stabilize our situation and allowed for me to be able to say that the team will be around for a few years, we think quite a few more.
SM: From one to 10, with 10 being the healthiest, how healthy is the team financially speaking?
PP: Shoot, I guess I’d just say a five, because this team is still not self-sufficient and that’s our goal.
SM: Now that Alex Silva is the head coach and the co-owner, who decides his continuity?
PP: Well, I guess that’s a decision that we make together. Right now, we both believe that it’s in our best interest to have him coach the team. Any decisions to the contrary, we’d have to make together. I guess neither one of us is really concerned about that.
SM: How did you react to the news of Cascade Surge folding? Cascade along with Yakima were the two oldest teams in the division.
PP: It was somewhat disheartening to find out they were folding. They had been along with the Reds one of the two longest-standing teams in the league. The Spokane team, now the Spiders under new ownership, the Spokane Shadow had been around the same many years, 15 years. I was aware of all three of the clubs when I lived in Spokane. I actually followed the Shadow, when I lived there.
I had been aware of the Cascade Surge for quite a few years and I was disheartened to find out they wouldn’t be participating in our league.
However, the Cascade Surge are not folding as an organization. They are a nonprofit religious-based organization, which is something I have always respected about their organization also.
They’re going to continue their European operations, where they actually do camps and clinics. They’re going to be doing soccer clinics in the Salem (Ore.) area still. Their mascot, Sammy, is still going to be going to schools and teaching good messages [like] staying in school and working hard.
SM: With Silva as co-owner and head coach, what will your role be?
PP: My role still will consist of mostly of collaborating with the community, managing sponsor relationships, relationships with community organizations we are working with, such as the YMCA and our soccer boot camp there, working with Yakima Youth Soccer, the Yakima Police Athletic League; coordinate our efforts to provide positive programs for kids to keep working together as opposed to getting involved in more negative stuff.
I’ve heard numerous teachers say they’re glad programs like this exist, because the kids participating used to talk about drugs and gangs, now they’re talking about soccer.
That’s one of the main reasons I want this team to continue in this community.
Not just because it’s a soccer team and a passion of mine but it provides a positive outlet for kids. Not those aspiring to be professional soccer players or aspiring to be playing in a team of recognition in this community, but to be able to have a positive avenue for their energies.
SM: What happened in 2009? Why did the season go the way it did?
PP: (Laughs) That’s probably the toughest question so far. We had high expectations for this last season. The team performed very well in 2008. We had a possibility of making the playoffs in the last game of 2008. We brought back most of the same players. We had high expectations.
Before this year, we’re going to start tryouts a little bit earlier. We’re going to demand more commitment from the players and try to rejuvenate the team with some younger talent.
SM: OK, but I don’t think you’ve answered my question. You told me what you plan to do this year. I want to know what happened last year.
PP: (Pause) You know, when I answer a question like that, I’m bound to offend previous administrations. We just didn’t think we got the commitment we needed from the players.
SM: Just the players, or everybody?
PP: I guess I’d say theplayers. The coach wasn’t able to get the commitment from the players. Especially in our road games.
SM: Who was the team’s MVP last year?
PP: (Pause) Well, I probably have to give it to Vini Oliveira, he accomplished the most individually, of the team.
SM: In your opinion, what would you consider a success for 2010?
PP: If I could add, I mentioned Vini Oliveira as the MVP. I was very appreciative of George Lopez and his example. He played in all 16 games, was committed to coming to practices and that’s the type of player we’d like to have in this next season.
Answering your question, I don’t think we would necessarily call the on-field performance a success unless we make the playoffs. That’s definitely the goal of Alex’, to make the playoffs.
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