The Cascadia national soccer team is a soccer team representing the men's side of the Cascadia region of the United States and Canada and is controlled by the Cascadia Association Football Federation (CAFF). The team is composed of players from the U.S states of Oregon, Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The stated mission of the team is "...to allow Cascadia as a distinct cultural entity, isolated bioregion and growing society with common interests to be represented at the international level in the sport we are all passionate about."[1] CAFF is a member of ConIFA. Cascadia is not a member of FIFA or any confederation or sub-confederation as the region is wholly a part of both the United States or Canada. However, CAFF is not opposed to those organizations and sees itself coexisting as a non-FIFA regional representative team.[citation needed]

Cascadia
Nickname(s)The Dougs
AssociationCascadia Association Football Federation
ConfederationConIFA
Sub-confederationNorth America and Caribbean
Head coachJames Nichols
CaptainPatrick Wilson
Most capsMax Oldham (8)
Top scorerCalum Ferguson (5)
First colors
Second colors
First international
 Ellan Vannin 4–1 Cascadia 
(Sutton, Surrey; May 31, 2018)
Biggest win
 Cascadia 8–1 Darfur 
(Kent, Cascadia; July 27, 2019)
Biggest defeat
Cornwall Kernow 8–1 Cascadia 
(Northwood, Middlesex; May 22, 2021)
ConIFA World Football Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2018)
Best result6th, 2018

It is hoped that the team will help expose more players from the region to international competition as well as foster a connection between the culture of Cascadia with other regions and peoples around the world.[2] Cascadia participated in the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup.[3]

History

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The idea of a Cascadia representative soccer team existed long before the founder of CAFF and friends first discussed the possibility. People on internet soccer discussion forums discussed the possibility as far back as 2011.[4] In early 2012 an Adidas Cascadia football shirt was designed by Kelly Dews and sold through the Cascadia Trifecta Facebook group to supporters and fans of the three Cascadian MLS teams: Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Seattle Sounders FC, and the Portland Timbers. The first run of these shirts were highly popular and were visible at matches throughout the region.[5]

Following the 2012 London Olympic Games and noting the athletes from Cascadia, former CAFF President Leonard Laymon and others began investigating just what it would take to form a non-FIFA regional representative team.[citation needed] In August 2012 the decision was made to go forward with making such a team a reality and networking was conducted with the non-FIFA football community.[citation needed]

In January 2013 CAFF convened its first general meeting at the headquarters of Golazo Energy in Seattle.[6] At this meeting CAFF's board of directors was elected and its bylaws and team eligibility requirements ratified, by vote.[7] It was also determined in a vote by the CAFF board following the meeting that Cascadia would send a representative to the N.F. Board's Annual General in Munich Germany at the end of the next month. An Indiegogo campaign raised the funding for the application process in less than a week.

In February 2013 Sascha Tillmanns was elected as Cascadia's European representative and initially sent to the meeting to deliver CAFF's application documents, express Cascadia's interest in joining the N.F. Board and help CAFF get an understanding of what its next steps should be. Tillmanns was asked at the meeting to give a presentation on Cascadia which was well received. In early March 2013 Cascadia learned that the N.F. Board would be deciding in the summer to admit up to three new members, of which Cascadia was one. Following this positive news that the early work of looking for Cascadia eligible players and a coach began.

In late April 2013, Alan Koch of Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC was the first potential coach to step forward and declare interest in becoming Cascadia's first coach. Later in July 2013 another potential Cascadia coach emerged when in a Q&A session on Twitter, former US men's national team defender and ESPN analyst Alexi Lalas proclaimed that "it would be an honor" to coach Cascadia.

In 2014 Cascadia joined CONIFA under the leadership of then President, Aaron Johnsen.

In June 2018 Cascadia took park in the 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup in London, finishing 6th. CAFF qualified for the tournament by being the only active CONIFA member in North America

Cascadia hosted its first true home match on July 27, 2019, playing a friendly against Darfur at French Field in Kent, Washington.[8] Cascadia won the friendly 8–1.[9]

In October 2019 CAFF made an agreement with the Western Washington Premier League. WWPL became an affiliate league of CAFF, and the two organizations will work together on projects. [10]

International record

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Year Position P W D L GF GA
  2014 did not enter
  2016
  2018 6th 6 3 1 2 17 11
  2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19
Total 6 3 1 2 17 11

Cascadia qualified to participate in the 2018 CONIFA WFC by merit of being the only organization of its kind in North America in good standing with CONIFA. In April, UEFA B license coach James Nichols was brought on to lead the team. Despite an opening day defeat to Ellan Vannin, a 6–0 victory over Tamil Eelam ensured Cascadia's progress to the quarter finals on goal difference. However a defeat to eventual winners Kárpátalja saw Cascadia crash out. A 4–0 win over Western Armenia ensured they would finish in the 5th–6th place playoff, for the best teams knocked out of the quarter finals. Despite coming back from 3 goals down to draw 3–3, Cascadia eventually lost on penalties to early tournament favorites Panjab to finish 6th.

Fixtures and results

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2018

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May 31, 2018 2018 ConIFA WFC Group A Ellan Vannin   4–1   Cascadia Sutton, Surrey
Whitley   15'
Jones   41'
Caine   62'
McVey   70'
  18' Doughty Stadium: Gander Green Lane
June 2, 2018 2018 ConIFA WFC Group A Barawa   1–2   Cascadia Carshalton, Surrey
Bettamer   9'   35' Doughty
  45+1' Morales
Stadium: Colston Avenue
June 3, 2018 2018 ConIFA WFC Group A Tamil Eelam   0–6   Cascadia Rotherhithe, Surrey
  10' (p), 87' Nouble
  32', 71' Hayden-Smith
  69' Farkas
  89' Ferguson
Stadium: St Paul's Sports Ground, Rotherhithe
June 5, 2018 2018 ConIFA WFC QF Kárpátalja   3–1   Cascadia Sutton, Surrey
Gyürki   49'
Takács   59'
Gajdos   87' (pen.)
  80' Haddadi Stadium: Gander Green Lane
June 7, 2018 2018 ConIFA WFC PR2 Cascadia   4–0   Western Armenia Bromley, Kent
Ferguson  24', 62'
Oldham   54'
Farkas   79'
Stadium: Hayes Lane
June 9, 2018 2018 ConIFA WFC PR3 Panjab   3–3
(4–3 p)
  Cascadia Rotherhithe, Surrey
Virk   18'
Minhas   24', 34'
Morales   45'
Ferguson   54', 60'
Stadium: St Paul's Sports Ground
Penalties
Purewal  
Zia  
Virk  
Dhillon  
K. Singh  
Jung  
  Riley
  Gregory
  J. Wilson
  Oldham
  Haddadi
  Levock

2019

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May 25, 2019 Friendly Cascadia   6–3   Chagos Islands Whyteleafe, Surrey
Powell   22', 73'
Boone   23', 78'
Calfo   46'
Oldham   50'
Report Sagai   30'
Bunjun   51' (p)
Heroseau   87'
Stadium: Church Road
Referee: Dan Friar
July 27, 2019 Friendly Cascadia   8–1   Darfur Kent, Cascadia
Haddadi   9', 23', 65' (pen.)
Blanchard   39'
Menzies   45'
Bjork   47', 72', 81'
Abdulkhalik   68' Stadium: French Field
Attendance: 152

2021

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May 22, 2021 Friendly   Kernow 8–1 Cascadia   Northwood, Middlesex
Report Stadium: Acretweed Stadium

Squad

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Current squad

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The following players were called up to the Cascadia squad for the friendly against   Cornwall on May 22, 2021.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK James Mayo 1 0   Brockenhurst

3 2DF Taylor Fisher (2000-04-17) April 17, 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Sittingbourne
4 2DF Albie Sheehan-Cozens (1998-02-01) February 1, 1998 (age 26) 1 0   Barking
5 2DF Patrick Wilson (captain) (1986-05-16) May 16, 1986 (age 38) 7 0   Brockenhurst
12 2DF Jacob Toms 2 0   Unattached
13 2DF Kyle Lemon (1998-11-28) November 28, 1998 (age 26) 1 0   Unattached

6 3MF Connor Campbell 1 0   Unattached
7 3MF Max Oldham (1993-07-08) July 8, 1993 (age 31) 8 3   Corinthian-Casuals
8 3MF Josh Ekim (1991-11-17) November 17, 1991 (age 33) 1 0   Corinthian-Casuals
10 3MF Tayshan Hayden-Smith (1996-09-23) September 23, 1996 (age 28) 5 2   Walton Casuals
11 3MF Kellen Fisher 1 0   Bromley

9 4FW Gavin McCallum (1987-08-24) August 24, 1987 (age 37) 1 0   Bognor Regis Town
14 4FW Matt Smith 0 0   Unattached - UCFB
15 4FW Adam Budz (2000-11-28) November 28, 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Sutton Coldfield Town

Recent call-ups

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Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Will Marment (1998-10-16) October 16, 1998 (age 26) 4 0   Vassar College   2018 ConIFA WFC
GK Alejandro De La Torre (1999-05-07) May 7, 1999 (age 25) 2 0   Round Rock   2018 ConIFA WFC
GK Dorian Lair 1 0   Snohomish County   Darfur
GK Brendan Norris 1 0   Winchester City   Chagos Islands

MF Anthony Wright (1997-11-10) November 10, 1997 (age 27) 6 0   Banbury United   2018 ConIFA WFC
DF James Riley (1982-10-27) October 27, 1982 (age 42) 6 0   Tacoma Stars   Darfur
DF Charlie Gregory (1991-12-27) December 27, 1991 (age 32) 7 0   Sporting Bengal United   Chagos Islands
DF Matt Braem (1994-06-25) June 25, 1994 (age 30) 4 0   AFC Ann Arbor   2018 ConIFA WFC
DF Noah Cavanaugh (1995-08-17) August 17, 1995 (age 29) 1 0   Real Unión   Darfur
DF Joey Censoni (1993-09-03) September 3, 1993 (age 31) 2 0   Carpathia FC   2018 ConIFA WFC
DF Julius Lansiquot (1999-11-06) November 6, 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Barnet   2018 ConIFA WFC
DF Sofien El-Mehrik (1993-12-15) December 15, 1993 (age 30) 0 0   Unattached   2018 ConIFA WFC
DF Ellis Routledge (1999-10-25) October 25, 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Wingate & Finchley   2018 ConIFA WFC
DF Lorne Jenkins (1995-05-23) May 23, 1995 (age 29) 1 0   Unattached   Chagos Islands

MF Héctor Morales (1993-01-19) January 19, 1993 (age 31) 6 2   AFC Ann Arbor   2018 ConIFA WFC
MF Angelo Calfo 2 1   RIASA   Darfur
MF Jordan Wilson (1991-10-31) October 31, 1991 (age 33) 6 0   Nykøbing FC   2018 ConIFA WFC
MF Josh Doughty (1997-04-08) April 8, 1997 (age 27) 3 2   Unattached   2018 ConIFA WFC
MF Nikko Stokes (2000-07-16) July 16, 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Waltham Forest   2018 ConIFA WFC
MF Tanner Williams (1993-06-29) June 29, 1993 (age 31) 1 0   Spokane Shadow   Darfur
MF Duncan McCormick (1995-11-01) November 1, 1995 (age 29) 1 0   Phoenix Rising   Darfur
MF Beau Blanchard 1 1   UoW Huskies   Darfur
MF Quinn Fahling 1 0   Seattle University   Darfur
MF Brian Simpson (1998-05-24) May 24, 1998 (age 26) 3 0   Hatfield Town   Chagos Islands
MF Zane Provenzano 2 0   RIASA   Darfur
MF Scott Menzies 1 1   UoW Huskies   Darfur
MF Tyler Bjork 1 3   Spokane Shadow   Darfur

FW Calum Ferguson (1995-05-17) May 17, 1995 (age 29) 6 5   Elgin City   2018 ConIFA WFC
FW Yuri Farkas (1993-07-21) July 21, 1993 (age 31) 4 2   AFC Ann Arbor   2018 ConIFA WFC
FW Keaton Levock (1994-10-17) October 17, 1994 (age 30) 3 0   Carpathia FC   2018 ConIFA WFC
FW Jon Nouble (1996-01-19) January 19, 1996 (age 28) 2 2   Unattached   2018 ConIFA WFC
FW Hamza Haddadi (1994-01-31) January 31, 1994 (age 30) 3 4   Kitsap Pumas   Darfur
FW Chase Boone 1 2   RIASA   Chagos Islands
FW Callum Powell (1996-01-28) January 28, 1996 (age 28) 1 2   Stourbridge   Chagos Islands

Head coach

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Manager Period Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
 /  James Nichols 2018–present 9 5 1 3 055.6
Totals 9 5 1 3 55.6

Records

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Top goal scorers

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# Name Career Goals Caps Position
1 Calum Ferguson 2018– 5 6 FW
2 Hamza Haddadi 2018– 4 3 FW
3 Max Oldham 2018– 3 8 MF
Tyler Bjork 2019– 3 1 FW
 
Cascadia Kit V 1.0
 
Cascadia Kit V 2.0 Prototype

In early 2012, Kelly Dews designed an Adidas-produced limited run of Cascadia shirts. The kit was white, green and blue with a green sash, reflecting the colors of the Doug Flag.[citation needed]

In August the new design was announced by Kelly Dews and the Cascadia Association Football Federation. It is a horizontal tri-color design similar to that of the flag of Cascadia. It features the CAFF crest on the front and Cascadia on the neckline in the back. The new shirt is made by a local company, Looptworks, but never used. [citation needed] After Cascadia were announced to feature in the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup the team announced Stingz Sportswear as their kit supplier and a Giordano sponsorship.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Mission statement from the official site of the Cascadia Association football federation". cascadiafa.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  2. ^ Cascadia: the heartland of football in North America World Soccer Magazine
  3. ^ West, Phil (May 24, 2018). "James Riley: From MLS to the CONIFA World Football Cup with Cascadia". MLS Soccer. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  4. ^ Cascadia In Bed With Maradona
  5. ^ Cascadia National Team Jersey... Yes Please Stumptown Footy
  6. ^ Cascadia Football Announces First General Meeting Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine – Press Release
  7. ^ Cascadia Announces Board of Directors, Meeting Results Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Press Release
  8. ^ The Pacific’s Cascadia to play Darfur United in first all-CONIFA Men’s soccer match in North America Darfur United
  9. ^ "Cascadia make home debut in 8-1 win over Darfur".
  10. ^ "Western Washington Premier League announces affiliation with CAFF and Team Cascadia". October 26, 2019.
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