With the February State Cup meeting coming around, its time to create a post about MN State Cup. Should be an interesting tournament with some of the team and player movement and all of the hard work put in by players so far this winter.
Good luck to all the teams. What happens on the field, stays on the field. The results are the results as they have been for years. The only way to decide the match is to play the match.
Hows about forecasting some winners. I dont know the girls game well enough but here the boys side inc. finalists u13 E.P.3 Bangu 2 u14 M.U.{you get a dual entry like the track}3 Bangu 2 u15 Bangu 3 TRSA 2 u16 PSA{despite the losses}3 Westside 2 u17 E.P.1 Bangu 0 u18 Shattuck 6 tbd 0
Bangu boys win 4 of 5 at 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s and 17s. Don't know about 18s, if Shattuck is really in they should win it. Never know about 19s and who would even play in it...could be only 1 team enters. Girls side should be Woodbury at 16 and SCV at 19s, Bangu will win the rest of the girls.
U13 -- BNG over EDP BNG, EDP, SCV, BHK Most difficult age group to pick given they move from 8 v 8 to 11 v 11. BNG is a newer team but seems very strong. EDP seems rock solid and success will depend on ability to fill out 11 v. 11 roster.
U14 -- MUS over PSA MUS, PSA, BNG, SCV MUS is a fantastic team, assuming they haven't lost their core players. PSA seems very strong. It will be fun to watch these teams head-to-head if that happens.
U15 -- BHK over BNG BNG, BHK, TRV, SCV BNG has an amazing defense, including a strong gk, assuming no one has left. BHK has some truly exceptional talent and seems to get stronger each year. This would be an upset.
U16 -- BNG over PSA BNG, PSA, BHK, WNG PSA's drama could open the door to BNG, but PSA is still strong and preparing well for state cup. BHK picked up talent from PSA and might be unknown variable. Those who say BHK is best in state might be getting ahead of themselves.
Don't know about U17 or older
Actually likely don't know anything about the above
Good luck to the players and hopefully they will have as much fun as we will watching them
There is some real talent starting to emerge in these age groups
anon 828... What is your basis for predicting SSM over the Bangu G 18's? Have you seen the Bangu G18's play? They are a top 15 team in the nation... Bringum on...
Only the SSM 18 boys and 18 girls are eligible as they are registered for a USYS competative league (Midwest Regional League.)
The Shattuck 16s and 17s are not eligible for state cup, unless the register a competative summer team with MYSA. They would have to start at C3 without a petition.
As a neutral observer who's daughters team has played both SSM and Bangu 18's I think Bangu is a much stronger side all over the field except maybe keeper. They will win a very competitive game with SSM 3-0.
12 CommentsClose this window Jump to comment form tomASS said... Good luck to all the teams. What happens on the field, stays on the field. The results are the results as they have been for years. The only way to decide the match is to play the match.
I feel better now ;-)
13/1/08 9:57 PM
Anonymous said... Hows about forecasting some winners. I dont know the girls game well enough but here the boys side inc. finalists u13 E.P.3 Bangu 2 u14 M.U.{you get a dual entry like the track}3 Bangu 2 u15 Bangu 3 TRSA 2 u16 PSA{despite the losses}3 Westside 2 u17 E.P.1 Bangu 0 u18 Shattuck 6 tbd 0
14/1/08 5:29 PM
YesImFromBangu said... Bangu boys win 4 of 5 at 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s and 17s. Don't know about 18s, if Shattuck is really in they should win it. Never know about 19s and who would even play in it...could be only 1 team enters. Girls side should be Woodbury at 16 and SCV at 19s, Bangu will win the rest of the girls.
14/1/08 9:33 PM
Anonymous said... Have to think with the SSM girls entering they will take the 18's.
15/1/08 8:28 AM
Anonymous said... that will be a good match, the SSM girls program is not nearly as strong as the boys and Bangu has a good U18 team.
15/1/08 8:44 AM
Anonymous said... Champs and semi-finalists on boy side?
U13 -- BNG over EDP BNG, EDP, SCV, BHK Most difficult age group to pick given they move from 8 v 8 to 11 v 11. BNG is a newer team but seems very strong. EDP seems rock solid and success will depend on ability to fill out 11 v. 11 roster
E.P.13s kept all of their players and added an awesome forward and two top defenders,it appears they have had no problem expanding to 11 a side and it might suit them as they are very athletic,I dont see anyone touching them for a few seasons.
Anon 10:18, Where did EDP pick up an awesome forward and defenders? Are they recruiting at U13? I thought Wayne was totally against recruiting and just wanted Eden Prairie kids?
Wayne doesn't recruit. If they were added it was because they decided to tryout on their own. If they made the team they had to be very good players and prevented Wayne from promoting from within his own club. The city of EP also gets a lot of new residents every new ....so maybe new talent??
My first hand experience, I have never seen Wayne recruit and he discourages it within his coaching ranks.
It's 1/16 and we're talking about state cup? As a FYI, I believe tomass is probably more accurate as to who does the recruiting (at EP or any club for that manner - except Bangu which lays it all out on the table). However, I doubt you'll ever hear the coaches complaining or telling the parents to stop. Does that make them just as culpable?
State Cup admin question since I have been away for awhile.
They actually have a informational meeting now at an off-site meeting room? Probably good so they can make sure there is no cry of ignorance to what the rules are. Have they done this for awhile? Have they charged the fee before to attend?
I don't have any sympathy for people who complain about recruiting. These are the same people who think everyone should make the team. It's just not realistic, nor healthy.
Competitive teams recruit, C3 teams recruit, U6 rec teams recruit (Don't think that happens? It most definitely does), school recruit, churches recruit, businesses recruit...
Provide a product that people want and they'll stay with you/come to you. Recruiting is not a bad thing in and of itself as it forces people to step up what they are offering.
You don't think WH wants the best teams he possibly can field in EP? Just because he's not as active or upfront as the Bangu directors doesn't mean he doesn't sell his club to all the talent that comes calling. This is not a bad thing, but don't put him on some high and mighty pedestal that others aren't worthy enough for.
On the girls side U13 Bangu beats plymouth U14 Bangu beats wayzata U15 Bangu beats EP U16 Woodbury beats Bangu U17 Wings beat Bangu U18 Bangu beats whoever they play
ascit - I never put anyone on any pedestals, and that was not my intent with my comments. My comments were to state what I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. What I haven't seen or heard I can't reference but I know no one is going to please everyone all the time.
You are inferring too much about worthiness - does he have an ego? Yep. Can he be arrogant at times. Yep - so can I, that doesn't bother me. He does throw himself into his job to help and develop the EP community club players that want to work hard and improve. He will give club players like this preference over outsiders if all things are equal from an ability level or a team chemistry point of view. I have seen it first hand.
slow down on the E.P. stuff.Nobody originally said anything about recruiting from outside.They came from the c2 team within the club,a very good and well coached c2 team.
Why is Bangu sending there white team to play ssm?...cat and mouse before the state cup?...I can't see the wings beating bangu in g17's,,,have there been changes to these teams?....U-18 g is wide open..I don't think there is a lock favorite.
They have but more due to weakness of opposition than strength of this team. The age group was left in disarray when Bangu raided all the cc teams at U16 to form this team. State Cup at U16 was competitive which gave other teams false hope they could compete. Last year showed them differently and some teams have consolidated talent in an effort to compete. Unfortunately for them the Bangu White team has some of the players they need. Don't think they can beat Bangu but not a walk over either. I also agree with the poster who said Wings will not be in the final at U17, WBY will be the team to challenge Bangu this year.
anon 12:58 I agree with your U17 prediction. As far as the 13s...anon 11:30 has that right. The Bangu 13s won their league at U13 C1 last year and are playing 14 premier this year. I don't believe there are many teams that will be able to play with them at state cup, butI think it will come down to them and Tonka.
Blackhawks have some of the most technically gifted players in the state on their U13 team, and they should be in the same conversation as Bangu and Eden Prairie. However at the U13 level It may come down to who, at this point, has the better developed athletes.
Anon 10:19 where are you from? bangu maybe? Those stripes are pretty clear. And people wonder why these blogs melt down. Regarding the U13g, there seems to be speculation all over the place as to who is the likely second team after bangu - Plymouth? Tonka? Doesn't Wings have a very good 13C1 team? I heard Woodbury added some talent to a pretty good team, too. Any others out there? Who's #2 and do they have a shot?
anon 11:49, you're right, the Wings and Woodbury should have good teams. I think #2 is wide open and they may have a shot, but that Bangu team is pretty good. I saw them at the nsc cup this fall and they've scrimmaged my daughter's team this winter. They would have to have an off day to lose, but that's why they play the games, right?
I think the U13 girls is up for grabs with a few different clubs, some of which are already mentioned. Bangu U13 may be playing U14 premier but they will have a tough road ahead of them to even maintain that spot. They didn't have as many girls as they hoped for at tryouts and they don't even have a white team at U13. Other teams will have more depth and an experienced goalie.
even the clear favorites have to play well at state cup to win. as the previous post said an off day by the favorite and an over achieving day by any non-favorite means the favorite goes home.
I believe there were plenty of girls at the Bangu tryouts. The reason for no white team is mainly due to disgruntled parents who didn't make the blue team and the club messing up in th first place by not pooling the age group.
To say Woodbury is a strong team is not correct. PSA, Wings, EP are all more competitive. Bangu has the edge because they have attracted talent from a multitude of clubs. But on any given day...
Anon 3:34 gets it right about the u13 boys. Blackhawks have some very gifted players but overall athleticism especially at state cup might prevail. Wings is another team with some very special players but maybe not so much depth. Eden Prairie, Bangu, St Croix and maybe NSSA all have strong teams.
I think another thing you need to look at is how ready those teams will be when state cup comes along.
The Bangu u13 girls are playing scrimmages against a lot of U14 teams this winter and they will play in tournaments in Vegas, Rockford and Des Moines against some quality opponents. I believe they will be hitting their stride ahead of the other teams.
There were plenty of girls at the Bangu tryouts, but most of the parents would not have checked 'blue team only' on the tryout form if there had been a decent coach offered at whiteU13. When a known quality coach from Bangu pulls his kid from the team because of coaching & talent level, you KNOW others will follow. The dropoff in coaching talent on the white teams is sometimes a further one than the players' talent.
Anon 5:26 I wonder if you know the coach you speak of? I do, and I can assure you that he IS a quality coach. In addition I know for a fact that the parents caused the demise of that team and not the quality of the coach or players. For the record...
Anon 7:11 Knowing some of the players & parents AND knowing the coach . . . you can like the guy as much as he is likable, but those parents aren't idiots. Most came from good coaching in the past. Some of them ARE good coaches and they know good coaching when they see it . . . or rather when they didn't see it. You wanna develop as a coach . . . great! Be an assistant, or hc a cc team . . . learn, but definitely not what gu advertises. Come along and help our young coach learn his trade!!??
If team parents think the team is being short changed or marginalized they will speak out or leave. The bangu eggheads will likely not treat the white teams the same as the blue teams - get comfortable with that, pay your money and shut up.
I don't believe only that team was short changed or marginalized. That whole age group has been short changed for some time. The club has focused on MA's 94's and the 96's. The 95's have always been an afterthought for the goos. If the U13 teams wins state cup it will be in spite of anything the club has done to develop that age group.
Are you suggesting that the Academy is that short sighted? Or is it possible people are figuring out that they can achieve the same success in thier newly focused CC and are staying away from Bangu? Also, can you elaborate on the 96 team? I have not seen anything on it to advance your claim.
Here's evidence - they can only field one U13 team? They earned a premier spot and can't even attract enough players to field more than one team? The year before when MA's team did that, there was a big headline on the web site - "WANNA PLAY PREMIER?"
Why not just let the kids play soccer and see who wins State Cup? Maybe if they are lucky and the parents don't ruin it, the girls might even have some fun along the way.....
haha... way to put the ego maniacs in a box anon 10:38. Parents, if you want to be so involved in your kids soccer life... why don't you pull them away from the video games and force them to work on their touch by themselves for once. Then all these club issues would solve themselves because your kid would be so dang good.
Anon 9:58 I am confused by your statement that if the 95’s do anything it will be in spite of anything the club does. Have the U14’s had a lot of success and been recognized for that success? Yes, and rightfully so. Any team that does well should be recognized for their accomplishments, especially something as big as winning Regionals. As a state we should be proud that we have a Region Champ on the girls side and a team in the National League on the boys side.
As for your statement of the age group being overlooked, does the 95 age group have, or had, a Coach who has; won a Region Championship, played professionally, been a DOC for a very good community club, and is one of the 3 Coaching Directors of Bangu? No. (This age group has had a coach who has been a DOC for both Bangu and Westside SC at one point). But if you require all of those things together, then we are going to be woefully short on qualified coaches.
Does this age group have 3 teams like our U14 age group? No. We wanted to have 2 teams in this age group but unfortunately things did not work out. Looking back would we have done things differently? Yeah, hind sight is 20/20. But we feel that all of the players who have gone to other clubs are in good hands and we wish them and their teams the best of luck.
Do the 95’s have a website chronicling their journey through youth soccer? No, maybe that is why you are saying they have been over looked?
Now if we look at what this age group has been able to do it is this: -Produced 16 players who have played in either the South or the East Academy and are on the U13 team. I believe 9 of the players have been with the program since we formed this age group 3 years ago. -The East team has had some success winning the U13 East District last year and USA Cup 11v11 bracket and the South team won the USA Cup 8v8 bracket last year.
Is it the Academy’s primary goal to win tournaments? No. Winning is a by-product of improving. Has this age group struggled to get results in region play? Yes. But while we try to win every game we play, we go about doing it in a way that prepares the players to hopefully come together and win State Cup at U13.
Do the 95’s have a tough team to follow in the U14’s? Depends on how you look at it. Will they be hard pressed to be as successful as the U14’s results wise? Maybe, but they are still young. If the U14’s continue to be successful and people keep comparing the U13’s to them, it will only make them work that much harder to try and reach that level and discourage complacency for getting a good result here and there. It takes a lot of work to sustain that level of success.
Will this group win State Cup in May? Hopefully, but we know that a lot of other teams are working very hard to win the tournament as well. We have had some good games over the past couple of years against other teams in our age group, and the quality of play is improving for many players and teams in the State. I am sure everyone is looking forward to the tournament so good luck to all of the teams.
I think its more that some people are not going to be fooled into believing that any club has the best interest of their child at heart. If a parent belives they can find a better option elsewear, go for it. I do think that the claim that the whole age group was somehow dismissed is quite unlikely.
what amazes me is why anon958 didn't bring his/her concerns or perception forward to the right people involved with Bangu and discuss it like an adult rather than trying to make a statement as an anon here on the blog. That is what is bothersome and perplexing
Agreeing of a sort w/Andy, I think there are drought years too. If you look across the metro, I don't believe there's as much talent in the 95 pool. If the U13's fail at state cup, it will be in spite of the things both coaches did for those 16 players that moved forward from the academy teams. I thought they did a great job with an underwhelming group, as evidenced by the successes you have sighted. So 'mistakes' might have been made in hindsight, but I'm not sure it would have changed the outcome at all. Having seen that U13 team play twice this winter, I think they'll be fun to watch, win or lose.
I agree some years are stacked with talent and others are not. However, I think the 95s are more about unconsolidated talent than about lack of talent. The 14s, 15s, 17s, and 18s have most of the top players at the age group together in Bangu. U16s are together in Woodbury. One might even say talent has already begun to consolidate with Bangu's U11s in the East, but we all know that no matter what the success on the field that that young team has seen, half the roster will change within two years.
My daughter is on the 94/95 Bangu Blue team. We joined the club last year and I don't believe we were overlooked. We had a gifted coach, great training and the girls (my daughter included) showed great development.
This year, we are no longer an academy team, so there is a new coach. The club went out and got a quality coach with a successful track record. I'm excited to watch these girls continue to grow this year.
Is it going to be a challenge to follow the 14s success? Maybe, but like Andy said, it will only make them work harder.
Will they win state cup? They have a chance. I think this a good group of girls and they all still love the game. Let's hope posts like anon 9:58 don't ruin it for them. Remember, we're talking about 13 year old girls here. They're still young and have a lot of soccer ahead of them.
Why does any team of 13 year old girls need to go to Las Vegas during the school year to play? Where are the parent priorities? And why would a club even suggest doing that? School should be first and not be skipped for a tournament, especially at this young age.
please create a bangu little girls blog now. I am beginning to gag on my pink layzyboy with little girls and their pony tails. spare us old cronnies the agony.
That is why the girls blog was shut down--too much love and hate for the "goo girls". OK--that term drives me nuts. This banter needs to go in the girls winter tourney news or maybe we can have a "Goo Girls" topic and spare others the fanatical rantings on both sides of the issue.
I'd like to try to bring this discussion back to the State Cup. For those of you fed up with the politics of club soccer in Minnesota and looking for another, healthier option for your child, take a serious look at SSM. That's the future of youth soccer not just in Minnesota, but in the country. As an unbiased outsider familiar with this arena, it's clear to me that they're the teams to contend with this year and may to come.
Bring the discussion back to State Cup? lol whatever. mnfutbol, we need separate threads for the Goo Girls and for Faribault Shattuck so maybe this thread can really get back to State Cup.
When you pay your fees at gu do you get a break if you go on here and post a couple of come to bangujesus posts? Memo to gu parents: Check your daughter's running speed frequently. If you think that playing with the club for three years produces loyalty of any variety with that bunch, think again. If they find someone faster, you'll be fitted for walking shoes (which you'll pay for, of course) and dropped faster than a white team (and it doesn'nt matter a bit if the faster player can't play - which speaks large volumes about the club's so-called "development"). Ask any of the U13 refugees. You have to marvel at the well-wishing of the gu types as they send people packing after having those families pay for guest players who then take their daughter's spots. Hey, MA, can I get a scholarship?! Hahaha.
Very good post. It would be interesting to see a thread of bangu exit interviews for those dropped by bangu and "now in good hands" as AK says with their cc's. They're such benevolent people at bangu! The dumping of the white team (U13)and the scholarship bit is a real black eye for bangu. More and more people are becoming aware of the fact that MA compels parents of current players to pay for guest players, who then replace their daughters at the next round of tryouts. Then the scholarships kick in. There are players who threaten to leave and then are informed that they can stay and play for free and that the costs will be passed along to the other parents (though those people will not be told what's up). If you complain, you're dumped. Development at its finest, no doubt. Also a fine set of precedents for our children.
wow... Sure are a lot of very jealous folks out there when it comes to Bangu. Amazing to watch these "adults" come in here and whine like little girls. Actually whine more than little girls. Bangu is one of the few clubs elevating the level of soccer here in Minnesota. Can't you see they are benefitting the state and all the clubs who mimic their programs? You guys can take your ball and go home.
If a coach has a roster of 18 and wins a tournament and is able to secure a premier spot one year and then only nine players from the Academy stay on the roster for the following year, as AK says, then at a 50% player cast-off rate, that is a huge failure of both the coach and the club that a majority of those same players are not on the same team the following year. So much for great training and development! That is exactly why some families and good coaches have left Bangu, even those players who were offered "blue" spots.
11:16 and fin aid, I'm sorry you still harbor some ill will that your daughter was replaced on my team (or one of the teams I'm involved with) by someone I viewed as a stronger player with more potential.
Loyalty? I have loyalty to ALL players on my team(s). I do the majority a disservice if I play to my emotions and keep a player on the team who is not at the level of the others - regardless of how long she has been on a team. And I do the replaced player a disservice by keeping her in an environment in which she is outclassed and may not develop in the best manner I think she can. I may not be right all the time, but I do what I believe is best and... in the end it's my team and my decision.
This club is about competitive soccer and we are looking to cater to the highest level player interested (on our Blue teams). We will continue to identify outside talent while continuing to develop the kids who are currently in the program. If you don't like it and want to find a more complacent training environment, don't come to us... or in your case(s), don't come back. There are plenty of other solid developmental opportunities out there.
If your kid doesn't make the cut one year, do your job as parents and explain to the youngsters that they just weren't in the top 16 this year and find out what help they want from you to possibly make a team next year. Don't whine and make excuses and look to pic the program apart. You do no favors for your kid and you're not going to change our procedures by posting on blogs.
All coaches see players differently, and 99% of teams at all age levels/playing levels change at tryouts each year. So deal with it and help your kids deal with it, or they'll look for/make excuses for their entire lives.
"If you complain, you're dumped." Please. I have about 5 players left on my U14 team if I dumped all the players who had parents voice complaints over the years. It's all about interaction and dialogue. Coaches can't address problems if they don't know about them.
Oh, and If you think our scholarship program is flawed and you are as sincere as you appear to be in helping us do better, please find me a club that does not take member registration fees and use towards scholarships and I'll pick their brains about how they make it work. I really appreciate your concern about this.
I'm a male player so I am not related to girls soccer in any way.
People need to get off this rabbit trail. If you seriously think little girls soccer coaches are trying to take over the world and make it their own evil empire... you are sadly mistaken. Coaching is a great endeavor but I think most would agree that a coach taken things this seriously would be a pretty pathetic person.
I've been cut before and it's not easy to handle. Obviously not all decisions are perfect. There is always a little bit of politics and favorites, but for the most part, I know that the coaches or evaluators are just trying to make the best decisions they can. The players are the ones who control their destiny... not parents or anybody else.
Players need to learn to earn what they get, and that everything isn't served up on a silver platter. If they've already made a team they should not rest on their laurels and work even harder to improve themselves. If the player is cut it should make them all the more hungrier (as cuts have for me) to spend time juggling or kicking the ball off the wall. And I don't mean saturday mornings at the dome... I'm talking about a Friday night when you would rather be out partying, or when it's cold and rainy day outside. The great players will tell you that it's all about your commitment and love for the game. There is no truer cliche then "you get out what you put in." The bottom line is that players should always give it their best shot with the things they can control.
11:16 and 12:20 have good points, and I am afraid I am not swayed by MA's response. It's a real dilemma. You can't combine loyalty and superior training and turn out 1/4 or more of your teams year after year. Something doesn't add up there. Apparently Mark's work is so poor as to require an injection of talent from more "complacent" (to use his word) training environments to replace his players. Man, that's some painful logic.
The problem you people have is you are all comparing bangu's turnover rate to the U13 Blue team, that is the first year they as a club look to combine the two academies and also add outside talent from other clubs. If you look at the rest of the blue teams within the club the turnover rate is very small, here is the breakdown of new players to each blue team at Bangu and i will bet it is less than or equal to any club in MN who has tryouts and adds better player to their teams each year.
U14 Blue-2 new players, two players dropped U15 Blue-5 new players, two players dropped,3 players added from the white team U16 Blue-2 players added, one dropped U17 Stars- 2 added, 2 dropped U18 Blue- 1 added, none dropped
Now, compare that to any team or club in MN or the US and I would say it is on par or less than most. So before you start throwing stones realize what you are saying and think before you speak. Yes, they are not perfect but they do better than most and certainly do better than anyone in MN at producing top teams.
As a regular reader, and occasional contributor, to this site over the past several months, I would like to say PLEASE GO AWAY to all of the very opinionated and somewhat crazed girls posters. We have had some of this, but it's now out of control! I think it's time for those who want this blog to survive to try to speak on behalf of the boys state cup! Since there was already debate about the eventual winners, how about trying to turn this strand to a more general review of state cup. How do people rate MYSA's running of State Cup? As a club administrator, I would say that I think they try hard, but there are some issues, including sometimes over-zealous administration and a fairly poor set of fields at CR. Do they play at CR because that club is the only one to offer to host or is it because they like the set-up?
I think it's held at CR because NSC's fields are such a disaster area and few other clubs are willing to host. St. Croix's complex is decent, but parking is a nightmare and I don't know if they are willing to host anyway. Many other clubs don't have access to a decent, lighted set of fields at one complex like CR does. I think that some of the fields are ok, but there are a couple there that really should not be used for State Cup games. Does anyone have connections at NSC to answer why they don't take better care of their fields?
6:30, I am surprised that MYSA does not require a DNA sample at State Cup check-in, a urine sample, or both.
I've watched enough coaches/managers/club officials get abused by the MYSA staff because the right "i" was not dotted and/or the wrong "t" was crossed.
While I personally believe that there are some players with questionable ages, if the player has the appropriate documentation, that's that. But question the paperwork ahead of time and for God's sakes don't do that crap in front of the kids and everyone else!
I agree with the above comment. Although I give MYSA credit for doing much of the prelim paper work in advance now, I too have been shocked by the way they scrutinize signatures of young kids. I once watched them tell some poor kid he would not be eligible because he forgot to sign his middle initial. It's tough because they need to do the work the right way, but managers often end up needing a vacation after that business.
back post - huh? MA's work is so poor that his teams need new players from other local clubs to compete? I'm afraid I don't follow your logic here. I also believe that this past year the players who were replaced on his U14 team were replaced by players who moved in from outside MN. What is that saying?
fin aid - as a former white team parent I would be happy to take your "exit interview". Post your questions and I will respond - you may not like the answers however but I will give you an honest response.
9:50 these kids moved here with their parents. Why would they not be able to play state cup? I can understand, sort of, that line of thinking re the SSM soocer only imports but not in the situation where the entire family lives here.
Taking up the post regarding state cup location, are there other locations that are even a possibility? Coon Rapids' fields are pretty bad, especially #'s 2 and 5, which were mud and dirt last year. Our boys were very disappointed with the field quality.
Reviews on US game say that US was ok and that Sweden looks to be on a downward trend. Donovan set record for goals with pk, and it sounds like Eddie Robinson and Guzan played pretty well.
I'm constantly amazed by the ignorance of some of the posters on these blogs. Do you really think even the best coach in the world can take any player and turn them into one of the top 18 in the state? At some point a player reaches his/her maximum potential that their natural athletic ability will allow. That level many times isn't enough and another player with more god given speed, strength, size coordination etc surpasses even those players who have had best training possible but whose physical god given ability isn't at the elite level. Bash Abboud all you want but those who understand this game more than you do just laugh at your ignorance.
What about EPHS? If memory serves, they have a bunch of fields and several that are turfed now. If they had lighting on a few, that would be a good site.
I think most of the people posting their remarks were directed at the Bangu training of girls 12 and 13 years old - all of which have a few years ahead of them in terms of physical and emotional growth. Is any 12 or 13 year old at his/her maximum potential? Absolutely not, but I guess the god given knowledge of the god given coaches think they know.
Abboud bashers and lovers: You overstate the guy's importance to the point of nausea. Forget him and focus on the original post if you want to write in here.
if you count the dome, I believe two are lit...you could proble use the deaf school as well...at least then you could be assured of at least decent playing fields...but your right..to much stink..people in here would rather play in gopher holed ridden fields than ssm..
Exactly. Where are the PSA boys now? Last I heard they were scattering to the wind or Blackhawks or Bangu. Don't they or their parents want to trash talk any more?
anon 106 - I think at Ft Snelling the size of fields are at the bare minimum regulation size.
SSM is what about an hour drive south from the SW suburbs. Coon Rapids has to be also with traffic.
We need a few more CR like complexes with lights but instead of grass put down the New Turf for assured great playing surfaces for about 7-8 months out of the year.
You have to wait until the cycle ends, although now Bangu girls is a new addition to the topics. First bash SSM, then Bangu girls and then it will move to the U16 SE and all the subtopics (bad JY, big egos, team is finished, etc.)... Then someone will "over bicker" and the blog owner will shut it down for a week. When it's back up, then it starts all over again. It's like Groundhog Day...
Ft.Snelling is as good as CR in every way,the fields are big enough if not oversized,that would help the more technically sound teams and hurt the runners{most girl teams in Mn.} An added bonus is that all the out of State Players families could commute from the airport a lot easier,now thats funny!
The ones I have seen are not oversized. How does it help a technically superior team on a bigger field? There is more time and space that helps technically inferior teams play "direct soccer" with their runners.
anom 7 34pm I phrased that wrong,or you sould read it differently!I agree with you,thats what I was saying.Snelling is ideal as its not too big,its a little tight but not tiny,it promotes technically sound footie not boot and run.I think the CR fields are too big
well at the young age big fields give players more time with the ball. Most youth teams are going to play boot ball no matter what. There isn't much difference between ft. snelling fields and CR. Now if we're talking about thin pitches on high school football fields then that's a different story (see the thunder at jimmy vs. NSC). At the professional level field size comes into play a little more like in England where you can get a contrast like upton park and the emirates stadium.
I have to agree with stop the suffering. This is just pathetic. If anything, this has helped me better understand the nature of the soccer-parent beast, as if standing on the sideline with them was not educational enough. As a someone who has been involved in coaching as well as club administration and governance, my personal view was that the kids could handle pretty much anything, while the parents were capable of screwing up pretty much everything. This blog might very well prove that point. I feel bad for MN Futbol because I think this could be a great forum for discussion, presuming, of course, that the participants were rational.
I predict that Bangu will maintain or slightly decrease the number of state cup winners and I am looking at MU to make a good showing this year. Any news on the Wings front? Are they turning it around?
MU? Are you serious? They only have a real chance at 1 age group - U14 boys. They are still a few years away from any semblance of top State Cup winning teams. It may be coming (on the boys side only) but I doubt it with the Thunder academy idea on the horizon.
I agree with 8:29, except without the "Are you serious?" MU has that very special U14B team but I don't really know what else in terms of a strong showing at state cup in 2008. I would love to hear that I am wrong. Their younger (U12 and below) age groups look to have some real potential, just as 8:29 says, but that's years down the road. They seem to be doing some good things there. But I have no idea how the Thunder stuff impacts MU or anyone else.
There are some very interesting teams on the boys side. Mpls United U14 is one of them just because they have been so strong even after making the jump to 11 v 11 (credit to them!). I think the Bangu U13 and U14 teams will be intriguing to see because they are still somewhat in their formative stages; Bangu U13 should be very interesting in this way. It will be interesting to see if the Eden Prairie U13 team goes the route of Mpls United Jedi (which would be good for them) or that Edina team that never lost a game before U11 and then failed to make premier at U14 (an example of how the jump from 8 v 8 to 11 v 11 can be tricky). Blackhawks U15 is a hugely talented and diverse team, but will they be able to break down a very organized and tactical Bangu U15 team that maybe has fewer skilled players but has been able to get better results? PSA has always been an amazing team but now they have had some major attrition. Does Bangu step to the fore now? Does Blackhawks U16 capitalize on the ex-PSA players they seem to have?
These are the fun things to talk about in regard to state cup, aren't they? I would like to hear insights about teams and players to watch because state cup really showcases where the sport is.
Blackhawks U16 hasn't got any ex PSA players, unless, from what I heard, you're counting a player who never even played a game for them because he quit before their season ever started.
About the Blackhawks U16, I was only going off what I had read on here and some word on the street. Both sources are verrry unreliable so apologies if that is not true.
MU had 2 boys teams make premier at 14. The top team, the Jedi, definately had some athletic abilities that other teams did not. However, they have some significant coaching challenges and are already a team that is getting burned out. Look for this team to fade a little each year. Their second team add some very strong players this fall and I would look for them to be close to the other team. Some players refuse to move the the top team because of coaching issues. The 2nd team has a much more complete coach in Tomba and actually plays a little better soccer, just didn't have the athletes last year.
Outside of these 2 teams the club really has no serious state cup or even premier level teams.
I believe someone posted last summer that no boys team that won state cup at 13 was even a team anymore at 16. I don't know if this is true or not, but I can't think of any that stuck around. The early success built too many egos.
I would expect the Jedi to get to the semis, but will predict they will not advance to the finals.
Oh god. Now let's watch this thread spiral down into MU U14 civil war.
I am not with MU. I have no affiliation or friendship whatsoever. I saw both MU U13 boys teams play last summer. There was no contest between the two. The first team, the jedi (what an awful, awful team name) was far ahead in quality -- including quality of play. The second team was solid but not in the same class.
Maybe this all has changed, or maybe the new players (there are always these new players, aren't there?) will make a difference, only time will tell. The above poster could be right about burn-out setting in. But the veiled references to coaching challenges, coaching issues and egos suggests to me that this could get silly.
I know 4 sets of parents from the Jedi quite well. None of them can stand the coach, neither can their kids. The 2nd team would always have 2 or 3 players that were not very good on the field. The Jedi also had 5 ot 6 big, strong, fast players, where the 2nd team only had 2.
I also watched them both play, even each other 1 time a while back. Both teams picked up some new players, the 2nd team replaced about 1/2 their roster. MU could have picked up 2 of the best 3 players at the age group from other clubs, but the coaching situation on the Jedi, and the parent interaction at tryouts (both teams trying to recruit these 2 players through the parents) drove them away.
Last year the Jedi were 3 goals better. This year they might be 1 goal better.
Cold and no soccer for a change figure I visit the blog has been a while. Not much have changed except that the girls blog was shut down =(
Don't know much about the boys. But since since U14 is a hot topic I put my two cents in I think both MU teams will do well but I also think the Bangu squad will make a run at it. They practice before my girls on Sundays and they look pretty good. On the other hand I do not know much about the boys side so hard to compare.
I want to think that I have a pretty good idea about the girls side.
U13 Bangu know this team pretty well from playing them and watching them. They play good soccer. If they struggle in U14P it is because the other teams have players that are bigger faster not because they are better soccer players. If thee teams play eacother when they are 17 or so with the same rosters Bangu will beat the majority of U14 P teams.
U14 girls my age group picked a bad one =) Magic will win. Who they beat in the final will depend on the draw I think that atleast 6-7 teams can make a run at a date with the Magic if they have a good day. Without the Magic this would have been the most open age group. Does not mean it is the best age group but it is a good one and as a result there will be many close games at the State Cup.
U15 Bangu but EP will give them a run
U16 Woodbury but Bangu will be better than last year and I think they may suprise a few. The two teams play eachother in the Bangu Showcase will give us a better idea
U17 Wings will steal one over Bangu, close last year they may get over the hump this year.
U18 Bangu My 19 team played the Shattuck U17 last year if the Bangu team is like the St Croix team or better they will win.
U19 St Croix played them three times last year with my 19 girls they are very very good. Wonder who they will play does PSA have a team and is it the same as last year if so should be a good game.
Current Bangu U17's pounded the Wings last year at State Cup. I think the final was 5-1. Nothing much has changed with these 2 teams so it's hard to imagine the Wings will be able to hang with the Stars this year.
David Saidu on Wings for the U17's, such a talent, everytime he's so dangerous everytime he gets the ball, have all you bloggers out there seen this kid play?
U-14 The Jedi is deffinatly a good team with no coaching future. The 14's at SCV are deffinatly worth watching out for because from heard they're pretty strong.(heard scv lost their goalie)
U-15 Bangu,(Eric Miller should lead the team to a title).
U-16 With the breakup of PSA the tournament is a toss up with a few teams to battle, SCV with strong mid and new players...(heard they have a very talented new group) and Blackhawks with their Unique talent....(also heard they got new talent) and of course bangu, Arsenal the left overs from PSA can be included in that list who knows?
U-17 not even worth posting
U-18 Apple Valley has my vote but Woodbury could propose a challange. (tall central mid for Woodbury is top youth player in state in my opinion)
The top 3 players from Valley U18's aren't with Valley this year...they're playing in State Cup with Shattuck. Valley doesn't have a chance. The SCV goalkeeper did leave and is now with Bangu. At U17 Bangu has won the last 3 years I think. If no major personnel changes occurred result will be the same. At U16 SCV doesn't have a prayer. Dream on.
Hard to believe the U16 boys would be a toss up. Bangu has been in the final all 3 year winning it once as 13s. The leftover PSA team will be pretty good as they still have some talented players. I think it will be the leftover PSAs v Bangu in the final, with Bangu winning.
What happened to the Thunder-Bangu merger? I heard that of the 6 clubs they approached, only Dakota Rev was interested. It makes sense, as they are the only ones who would gain anything from it (weaker club). It sounds like the Thunder did not account for the lousy reputation bangu has with the clubs they derisively label "community." I hope the Thunder try a new tack.
U16 St. Croix Red Devils 1-2 vs. RiverPlatte Soccer (TXN) 1-0 vs. Ohio Select (OHN) 23 R3 4-1 vs. FC Blazers (MA) FINAL 0-2 vs. Lower Merion Velez (PAE) 16 R1
sorry afc-se, with the history of JY's teams jump around the rest of us can't keep up and need a program
even though its hard to support the coach & parent egos and the club jumping, the team should still be pretty good as it is a talented and hard working group of players
In response to anon 12:30 - you, like most people, have no idea and spout rumors that follow your desires.
Rev's a weaker club, huh? So you think the Thunder should try and solicit current "winning" clubs? Yet you don't want Bangu involved? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Maybe the Thunder people are looking for future possibilities and potential rather than for clubs who may currently be on top.
Bangu has seen the possibilities the Thunder can provide the players, as have many others. If CC's cannot get past the Bangu involvement they show a complete disservice to the kids who are to benefit from what the Thunder plan provides. I should know, I've been in a presentation. It's progressive, creative, and solid.
Bangu has given up their name... their identity. The Thunder would be stupid not to have approached Bangu. Who else has done what they've done in the last five years at the top level? Please tell me, I'm all ears. With their experience and the numbers and brains in many of the top community clubs, Minnesota will take a HUGE leap forward. It's not about Bangu. It's about club cooperation for the benefit of the players and narrow minded individuals like yourself will have no part in it.
Ok MA (oops, I mean "raptor" ;) ), how many clubs have signed up for your unselfish initiative so far? One? That's the measure of your work with community clubs. Maybe you're missing something about the beautiful bangu vision and legacy, like it's not so great and you have managed to offend so many people as to undermine what would otherwise be good coaching credentials. Someone once said, "You reap what you sew." How does that bitter fruit taste? Good luck, birdie.
Raptor- Why now? The Thunder approached Bangu in 2006(?) and (according to the Bangu e-mail I read ) Bangu wanted no part . What's changed in the last two years? Why is Bangu ready to give up their idenity this time around?
Maybe Bangu is receiving an "offer it can't refuse." Money can be a motivation. It is easy to say it is for the kids or the betterment of local soccer, but sometimes dollar signs are equally as important. No inside info---just speculation.
One more 'follow the money' comment: For the Thunder, the Bangu product presents some additional cash flow opportunities. With older players (14+)paying $300-$400 per month over a 9-10 month period,plus the academy players, this adds up to additional cash. It may also offer the Thunder more clinic opportunites to this group.
Bangu has established a premium name that parents have proven willing to pay a premium price for. Bangu has made youth soccer big business. The Thunder may want a piece of that.
Agree that money would be major motivator in Thunder/Bangu merger, but it would have to be on both sides for the bangu people to get on board. However, the comment that bangu has established a premium brand is problematic. They win, but they have built what they have not in cooperation with other clubs but by running rough-shod over them. The result is that joining with bangu will bring along bangu and probably not much else. The Thunder would have been better off (as several people said above) to develop their own premium standard in cooperation with local clubs where they could outrun bangu within a few years with the help of clubs fed up with bangu. It's a short-sighted venture right now.
anon 11:19, I've coached girls teams in the south metro for over 10 years so I've seen a lot of change over the last decade. I have not witnessed as you term Bangu "running rough-shod" over our club or players. Do you have examples you can cite?
anon 11:19 You bring up a good point, as have others, about the perception of Bangu among other clubs. The main products the Thunder have are their two professional teams. The Thunder would have to think about how a merger would affect ticket sales in the wider soccer community. There could be, initially, a sizable 'up yours' attitude in the community clubs toward this type of merger. This may considerably narrow the Thunder's market as community coaches, soccer boards, and parents ignore their promotions to attend games.
anon 12:13. The following is from the Bangu website and may explain anon 11:19's comment:
Help! I've Just Been IDed! If you have received this card you have been identified as a talented player by one of our Professional Technical Directors (ProTDs) who feel you may be a terrific candidate for one of our top level soccer development programs.
Please feel free to browse through the age appropriate sections of our website and discover why Bangu Tsunami FC is considered without equal here in Minnesota when it comes to the development of the higher level youth soccer player.
EarlyID Program - For 5, 6, 7, and 8 year old gifted and talented players
Soccer Academy Program - For U8 to U12 competitive players
Elite Development Program - For U13 and U14 competitive players
Collegiate Showcase Program - For U15 - U17 competitive players
Collegiate Development Program - For U18 and U19 competitive players
Note to the Parents "Recruiting" is frowned upon by a number of people and associations in the Minnesota soccer community who believe that they hold some sort of entitlement over kids who live in their zip codes. Bangu Tsunami FC is all about player development. Our club knows no boundaries nor believes that community clubs and associations have any right to hinder their members from searching out alternate, potentially higher level development options.
Read through our site. Our results speak for themselves, no matter what people may say to the contrary.
elastico - so in your perfect world, how should youth soccer be run in MN? I am also dumbfounded by this belief that the CC's would somehow be altruistic and cooperative with MN Thunder (or any other group for that matter) in allow their players to leave if their goal was to create their own premium standard as stated by anon 11:19.
anon 1:17 - agreed. Why do they then complain so much when they leave for Bangu, Wings, etc...?
anon 1:27 - agreed. If Thunder was to start their own teams from scratch there would be no more cooperation with Thunder than there currently is with Bangu.
Bangu is a 501.3c - what do you mean they would received money? The club is a non-profit...so when you say their is serious money to be made, what are you talking about? While some of the coaches may received high fees, the same is true at Wings, MPB, EP and others. The top fee I've hear of is $12,000 for a MPB head coach.
Frankly- anon 12:53 I don't have a perfect world for MN youth soccer. I tried to look at the possible merger from a business standpoint because I view the Thunder and Bangu as businesses.
Bangu tapped into a nationwide phenomenon of a growth in soccer particularly on the female side. Their blueprint, I assume, was to offer an alternative for the 'better' players that were scattered about various clubs. Part of their method was to get the players and then get the coaches (or vice-versa) and then get the performance (which brings in more players--partly because every parent thinks their kid is D1material)and also to be able to charge a premium price.
From a business standpoint, I think they have been very successful. With that being said, their are many who would like to see them have a high-speed crash into a steel goal post.
They are not like Tiger Woods, a chamipion most people cheer for. They are more like the villian-champion in professional wrestling. And they don't have to care. They are still getting the on-field performance, and the parents are still writing the checks.
anon 2:53--I don't know the laws regarding non-profits. I assume most if not all funds have to be paid out. So where do you think excess funds go? Possibly to the directors? Remember a number of years back the brouhaha there was about the amount the top United Way executive was making?
If a merger took place I assume they would lose their non-profit status.
elastico - (response from 12:53), I appreciate your candor and it's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, from a business standpoint, if someone offers a product that is unique, different, and therefore in demand, in the business marketplace would they not be applauded by all except those losing marketshare (kind of like Kmart vs. Wal-Mart)? Also in regards to a "premium price", true the costs are higher, but so is the amount of training. If you've ever been a parent of one of the players you would know that there is a budget with all the costs broken down by coaches, dome time, field time, tournament costs, travel, etc....which is then totaled up, divided by the number of players, and broken into equal monthly payments.
anon-3:33 your gaining/losing market share analogy seems appropriate. A question I would like to throw out is how should success in MN youth soccer be measured. Number of players participating at all levels? Number of players moving on to college? Number of successes in out of state showcases, tournaments, region cups?
Bangu U19 and Wings U19 Boys are fielding a combined team only for State cup. This team will not be participating in the premier league for this spring.Right now, it looks like Maplebrook,Wings U18, and a St Cloud team are the only ones playing the league.
You obviously have never had a kid play at bangu. Non-profit has nothing to do with it! Nobody with a clue doubts that at least two guys are making a lot of money there (no, more than you're thinking). 12:53 Did you get a receipt?
When my daughter played there, I think that the Academy Director got a $100 per person and at the upper levels the Coaching Director got a $100 a head. Not chump change. Good training, program, etc. It just wasn't for her. She plays other sports and didn't like the overlap and trying to do too many things at the same time. She felt she wasn't doing justice to her winter sport by training 3-4 times a week at soccer. And soccer isn't her fav sport. Great for the kids that love the sport that much and if the parents can afford it.
WITHOUT A CLUE .... HMMMMM ..... THE ONE THAT gooed THE FUNDS FROM HOLY smoked bad ass grass dome a FEW YEARS BACK THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE ONE OF THEM .. all IN KEEPING WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE dONE AT GooU I WOULD QUESS... THATS MY BEST FINAL ANSWER.... CANT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN SHAKE OUT OF THUNDER clouds WHEN THEY MERGE. LETS ALL.. good goo people who believe .. PRAY AND HOPE THAT THE doting parents fee MONEY THAT partly rains down each year and COULD HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE over the years ?1988? FOR our OWN FIELDS AND FACILITIES ,CAN STILL BE KEPT IN our pastors gooey HANDS AND THat NEW THUNDER OWNERS CAN BE gooDUPED INTO PROVIDING us OR BETTER YET THE LOWLY SINFUL COMMUNITY CLUBheads WITH our entitlement... FIELDS and a new spiffy fun club house along with another fee producing weight room JUST REPEAT AFTER ME... this goo CHANT... TEXAS IS CLOSER TO CHICAGO THAN MINNESOTA.... TEXAS IS CLOSER TO CHICAGO THAN MINNESOTA AND NOD YOUR gooHEAD... THATS WHY Goo boys DIDNT GET ... tear drops .. US ACADEMY ACCEPTANCE ...IM SURE THAT new THUNDERout of the loop owners WONT MIND THE OBLIVIOUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST IGNORED OVER THE YEARS that pastor -- HAS had AND THE DECLINin..g or stagnant THUNDER CAMP REVENUE BECAUSE OF GooU GROWING INFLeunce AND FOOTSKILLS SIDE CAMPS.. I REMEmBER the sermon of rev--from his shared goo/thunder office on university ave of st marks... wisely DISCOURAGING MY OWN CHILD FROM ATTENDING thunder camp ...JUST WONT BE GOOD enough COMPEtiTION THERE ..GO TO THE GooU ONE INSTEAD... YES rev yes sir... and your receipt will be sent in the mail .. an admiring wink...those deceptive moves and gall are just as good now --as your thunder days on the playing field... now release those yapping, drooling,gooey,but still adorable, lap hounds
And if you read it backwards (just the caps), out loud three times - then Beezlebub will appear in your doorway with a contract promising the future success of the soccer club of your choice.
Tie him to a chair and force him to watch C-SPAN nonstop for 18 hours. If this is insufficient, supplement with an additional 12 hours of the Weather Channel.
Uff Da! These poor people who have nothing better to do than come in here and spout hate for SSM and Bangu are pitiful creatures. Are these losers that wrapped up in their kids lives and achievements that a perceived slight somewhere along the way has them harboring this much anger and resentment? You poor souls really should seek psychiatric help and please stay away from the poor kids in youth soccer programs or any any other youth sport for that matter. The negativity you spout is not healthy for adults much less young impressionable minds. Seek help ASAP.
I have no hatred for Bangu or SSM. My kid plays club soccer at lower level and enjoys. The rejection by Clubs of this Bangu-Thunder/Club elite teams concept, is more of a matter of limited resources available to clubs—Fields, trainers, etc—than to any hatred for Bangu. The payback to clubs was questionable—good players, maybe, filtered back to your club after u12? With registration, management of training, coaching, etc. handled by each club; while reg fees would go to Bangu-Thunder! Though it may identify and benefit an elite tier of players, it would probably push a lot of lower level kids to sidelines of good club soccer experience. Especially clubs with limited field space. Maybe new Thunder owners should build a few bubbles, then clubs may sign-on.
Hard to believe Bangu and Wings would field a combined team! If they are, and they have to top players from each team, they should do well at State Cup and even at regionals.
I 4 one would like to read a more clear statement from you. It soundz like you have some pretty interesting goou storiez. Pleaz enlighten us. Somebody should start a goou storiez blog. On the other hand, thatz pretty much what u guyz have made here!
I, for one, have no hatred or disdain for anyone in the State of MN. My beef is with the negativity directed toward the players and program at S-SM. People try and act as if soccer was first played in MN by the community clubs....when in fact- one could pretty easily find photos of players from Shattuck playing soccer in the 60s.
Is anyone at S-SM any better than anyone else who loves the sport and plays it? NO. Do they deserve some level of respect because they were willing to give up everything they know and love to play the game and better themselves both academically and athletically? I TRULY BELIEVE SO.
In the immortal words of Forrest Gump...."thats all I have to say about that".
ssm-sc please. I have nothing against ssm and wish everyone there the best. But to give them some sense of nobility or extra respect because they moved away from home in the hope of becoming better soccer players?? Get a grip. Saying things like that detracts from other valid points you have made.
as the two teenage boys fall to their knees, they bow towards ssm-sc..... Wayne - we are not worthy, we are not worthy Garth - we are not worthy, we are not worthy Wayne - we are scum Garth - we are scum
Get a grip dude. I bet I can find someone in South Mpls playing soccer in the 60's too. So what. Gosh, I bet I can even find a picture of me playing soccer in the 60's.
How about we get back on point-State Cup. At U17 boys, word is that the Bangu team is actually stronger than it was last year, yet Lakeville played Bangu even last year in State Cup. Now Lakeville has added several of Bangu's starters from last year as well as some other strong players. Any word on how Lakeville is coming together? Are they playing in any winter or early spring tournaments.
I hear that Bangu 17s team has only four players back from last year's team. Either their new coach is incredibly stupid or the former players didn't want to play for him. Champlin tied them 2-2 last weekend.
Games played now are entirely meaningless. They are nothing more than preparation and pre-season training.
To put any weight into them is very short-sighted.
Very funny, but not surprising, people even want to editorialize about them. Report the scores if you want. Don't try to make something out of nothing.
I chime in on the U17 boys. The coach is pretty smart, check out what he has done with Augsburg men's team. He demands a lot, but his kids love him.
As for the players, what he has now versus what was there last year is a GREAT improvement. There are some talented kids that are no longer with the team, but adding kids that have been on the regional team or been in the pool isn't a step backwards. It's my belief that this team could compete at regionals.
Tomass, can you please tell me how games are meaningless? Everyone in the Minnesota soccer community would make a huge deal out of a team beating Shattuck, so maybe that statement was a bit hypocritical wasn't it?
293 comments:
1 – 200 of 293 Newer› Newest»Good luck to all the teams. What happens on the field, stays on the field. The results are the results as they have been for years. The only way to decide the match is to play the match.
I feel better now ;-)
Hows about forecasting some winners.
I dont know the girls game well enough but here the boys side inc. finalists
u13 E.P.3 Bangu 2
u14 M.U.{you get a dual entry like the track}3 Bangu 2
u15 Bangu 3 TRSA 2
u16 PSA{despite the losses}3 Westside 2
u17 E.P.1 Bangu 0
u18 Shattuck 6 tbd 0
Bangu boys win 4 of 5 at 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s and 17s. Don't know about 18s, if Shattuck is really in they should win it. Never know about 19s and who would even play in it...could be only 1 team enters. Girls side should be Woodbury at 16 and SCV at 19s, Bangu will win the rest of the girls.
Have to think with the SSM girls entering they will take the 18's.
that will be a good match, the SSM girls program is not nearly as strong as the boys and Bangu has a good U18 team.
Champs and semi-finalists on boy side?
U13 -- BNG over EDP
BNG, EDP, SCV, BHK
Most difficult age group to pick given they move from 8 v 8 to 11 v 11. BNG is a newer team but seems very strong. EDP seems rock solid and success will depend on ability to fill out 11 v. 11 roster.
U14 -- MUS over PSA
MUS, PSA, BNG, SCV
MUS is a fantastic team, assuming they haven't lost their core players. PSA seems very strong. It will be fun to watch these teams head-to-head if that happens.
U15 -- BHK over BNG
BNG, BHK, TRV, SCV
BNG has an amazing defense, including a strong gk, assuming no one has left. BHK has some truly exceptional talent and seems to get stronger each year. This would be an upset.
U16 -- BNG over PSA
BNG, PSA, BHK, WNG
PSA's drama could open the door to BNG, but PSA is still strong and preparing well for state cup. BHK picked up talent from PSA and might be unknown variable. Those who say BHK is best in state might be getting ahead of themselves.
Don't know about U17 or older
Actually likely don't know anything about the above
Good luck to the players and hopefully they will have as much fun as we will watching them
There is some real talent starting to emerge in these age groups
The state is getting in better shape
anon 828... What is your basis for predicting SSM over the Bangu G 18's? Have you seen the Bangu G18's play? They are a top 15 team in the nation... Bringum on...
Bangu 18 girls should role. It is an excellent group that won last years final 6-0.
u-16, u-17 and u-18 boys will be won by SSM.
I heard BNG 17 boys haven't done a thing since CASL...is that common? Coach gave them an entire month off.
Only the SSM 18 boys and 18 girls are eligible as they are registered for a USYS competative league (Midwest Regional League.)
The Shattuck 16s and 17s are not eligible for state cup, unless the register a competative summer team with MYSA. They would have to start at C3 without a petition.
As a neutral observer who's daughters team has played both SSM and Bangu 18's I think Bangu is a much stronger side all over the field except maybe keeper. They will win a very competitive game with SSM 3-0.
12 CommentsClose this window Jump to comment form
tomASS said...
Good luck to all the teams. What happens on the field, stays on the field. The results are the results as they have been for years. The only way to decide the match is to play the match.
I feel better now ;-)
13/1/08 9:57 PM
Anonymous said...
Hows about forecasting some winners.
I dont know the girls game well enough but here the boys side inc. finalists
u13 E.P.3 Bangu 2
u14 M.U.{you get a dual entry like the track}3 Bangu 2
u15 Bangu 3 TRSA 2
u16 PSA{despite the losses}3 Westside 2
u17 E.P.1 Bangu 0
u18 Shattuck 6 tbd 0
14/1/08 5:29 PM
YesImFromBangu said...
Bangu boys win 4 of 5 at 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s and 17s. Don't know about 18s, if Shattuck is really in they should win it. Never know about 19s and who would even play in it...could be only 1 team enters. Girls side should be Woodbury at 16 and SCV at 19s, Bangu will win the rest of the girls.
14/1/08 9:33 PM
Anonymous said...
Have to think with the SSM girls entering they will take the 18's.
15/1/08 8:28 AM
Anonymous said...
that will be a good match, the SSM girls program is not nearly as strong as the boys and Bangu has a good U18 team.
15/1/08 8:44 AM
Anonymous said...
Champs and semi-finalists on boy side?
U13 -- BNG over EDP
BNG, EDP, SCV, BHK
Most difficult age group to pick given they move from 8 v 8 to 11 v 11. BNG is a newer team but seems very strong. EDP seems rock solid and success will depend on ability to fill out 11 v. 11 roster
E.P.13s kept all of their players and added an awesome forward and two top defenders,it appears they have had no problem expanding to 11 a side and it might suit them as they are very athletic,I dont see anyone touching them for a few seasons.
Anon 10:18,
Where did EDP pick up an awesome forward and defenders?
Are they recruiting at U13?
I thought Wayne was totally against recruiting and just wanted Eden Prairie kids?
Wayne doesn't recruit. If they were added it was because they decided to tryout on their own. If they made the team they had to be very good players and prevented Wayne from promoting from within his own club. The city of EP also gets a lot of new residents every new ....so maybe new talent??
My first hand experience, I have never seen Wayne recruit and he discourages it within his coaching ranks.
lol dear god Tomass, PLEASE. Maybe you'd see better if you removed your nose from...
blinded- I am giving you my first hand experiences with WH. Now do the parents at EP recruit?? I would say that is far more plausible
you really should know me better - I don't work the way you imply.
It's 1/16 and we're talking about state cup?
As a FYI, I believe tomass is probably more accurate as to who does the recruiting (at EP or any club for that manner - except Bangu which lays it all out on the table). However, I doubt you'll ever hear the coaches complaining or telling the parents to stop. Does that make them just as culpable?
State Cup admin question since I have been away for awhile.
They actually have a informational meeting now at an off-site meeting room? Probably good so they can make sure there is no cry of ignorance to what the rules are. Have they done this for awhile? Have they charged the fee before to attend?
I don't have any sympathy for people who complain about recruiting. These are the same people who think everyone should make the team. It's just not realistic, nor healthy.
Competitive teams recruit, C3 teams recruit, U6 rec teams recruit (Don't think that happens? It most definitely does), school recruit, churches recruit, businesses recruit...
Provide a product that people want and they'll stay with you/come to you. Recruiting is not a bad thing in and of itself as it forces people to step up what they are offering.
You don't think WH wants the best teams he possibly can field in EP? Just because he's not as active or upfront as the Bangu directors doesn't mean he doesn't sell his club to all the talent that comes calling. This is not a bad thing, but don't put him on some high and mighty pedestal that others aren't worthy enough for.
...now back to our regularly scheduled program...
On the girls side
U13 Bangu beats plymouth
U14 Bangu beats wayzata
U15 Bangu beats EP
U16 Woodbury beats Bangu
U17 Wings beat Bangu
U18 Bangu beats whoever they play
ascit - I never put anyone on any pedestals, and that was not my intent with my comments. My comments were to state what I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. What I haven't seen or heard I can't reference but I know no one is going to please everyone all the time.
You are inferring too much about worthiness - does he have an ego? Yep. Can he be arrogant at times. Yep - so can I, that doesn't bother me. He does throw himself into his job to help and develop the EP community club players that want to work hard and improve. He will give club players like this preference over outsiders if all things are equal from an ability level or a team chemistry point of view. I have seen it first hand.
slow down on the E.P. stuff.Nobody originally said anything about recruiting from outside.They came from the c2 team within the club,a very good and well coached c2 team.
anon 11:30 you are close but I would predict Wings will not even be in final at U17 and SSM will take U18 if they play. As far as 13's go no clue.
Why is Bangu sending there white team to play ssm?...cat and mouse before the state cup?...I can't see the wings beating bangu in g17's,,,have there been changes to these teams?....U-18 g is wide open..I don't think there is a lock favorite.
Didn't the current Bangu U18 girls (89/90) romp through State Cup the last 2 years?
They have but more due to weakness of opposition than strength of this team. The age group was left in disarray when Bangu raided all the cc teams at U16 to form this team. State Cup at U16 was competitive which gave other teams false hope they could compete. Last year showed them differently and some teams have consolidated talent in an effort to compete. Unfortunately for them the Bangu White team has some of the players they need. Don't think they can beat Bangu but not a walk over either.
I also agree with the poster who said Wings will not be in the final at U17, WBY will be the team to challenge Bangu this year.
anon 12:58 I agree with your U17 prediction.
As far as the 13s...anon 11:30 has that right. The Bangu 13s won their league at U13 C1 last year and are playing 14 premier this year. I don't believe there are many teams that will be able to play with them at state cup, butI think it will come down to them and Tonka.
Has there been any movement in the u-17 girls that would not have bangu as the clear favorite?
Blackhawks have some of the most technically gifted players in the state on their U13 team, and they should be in the same conversation as Bangu and Eden Prairie. However at the U13 level It may come down to who, at this point, has the better developed athletes.
raided? you must be from one of the cry-baby CCs!
Anon 10:19 where are you from? bangu maybe? Those stripes are pretty clear. And people wonder why these blogs melt down.
Regarding the U13g, there seems to be speculation all over the place as to who is the likely second team after bangu - Plymouth? Tonka? Doesn't Wings have a very good 13C1 team? I heard Woodbury added some talent to a pretty good team, too. Any others out there? Who's #2 and do they have a shot?
anon 11:49, you're right, the Wings and Woodbury should have good teams. I think #2 is wide open and they may have a shot, but that Bangu team is pretty good. I saw them at the nsc cup this fall and they've scrimmaged my daughter's team this winter. They would have to have an off day to lose, but that's why they play the games, right?
I think the U13 girls is up for grabs with a few different clubs, some of which are already mentioned. Bangu U13 may be playing U14 premier but they will have a tough road ahead of them to even maintain that spot. They didn't have as many girls as they hoped for at tryouts and they don't even have a white team at U13. Other teams will have more depth and an experienced goalie.
even the clear favorites have to play well at state cup to win. as the previous post said an off day by the favorite and an over achieving day by any non-favorite means the favorite goes home.
More depth? They can only roster so many players and I know they added some talent. Plus, Bangu adds dedicated keepers at U13
Will that team struggle at 14 premier? Maybe.
Will they play MWRL the following year? Probably.
Will they have trouble at state cup? Absolutely not.
Could they have an off day? Yes, everybody does.
I believe there were plenty of girls at the Bangu tryouts. The reason for no white team is mainly due to disgruntled parents who didn't make the blue team and the club messing up in th first place by not pooling the age group.
To say Woodbury is a strong team is not correct. PSA, Wings, EP are all more competitive. Bangu has the edge because they have attracted talent from a multitude of clubs. But on any given day...
Only change for Bangu 17 girls side is a new coach with a new system.
Anon 3:34 gets it right about the u13 boys. Blackhawks have some very gifted players but overall athleticism especially at state cup might prevail. Wings is another team with some very special players but maybe not so much depth. Eden Prairie, Bangu, St Croix and maybe NSSA all have strong teams.
anon 9:01
I think another thing you need to look at is how ready those teams will be when state cup comes along.
The Bangu u13 girls are playing scrimmages against a lot of U14 teams this winter and they will play in tournaments in Vegas, Rockford and Des Moines against some quality opponents. I believe they will be hitting their stride ahead of the other teams.
There were plenty of girls at the Bangu tryouts, but most of the parents would not have checked 'blue team only' on the tryout form if there had been a decent coach offered at whiteU13. When a known quality coach from Bangu pulls his kid from the team because of coaching & talent level, you KNOW others will follow. The dropoff in coaching talent on the white teams is sometimes a further one than the players' talent.
Anon 5:26 I wonder if you know the coach you speak of? I do, and I can assure you that he IS a quality coach. In addition I know for a fact that the parents caused the demise of that team and not the quality of the coach or players. For the record...
beauty is in the eye of the beholder
But ugly goes all the way to the bone....
Anon 7:11
Knowing some of the players & parents AND knowing the coach . . . you can like the guy as much as he is likable, but those parents aren't idiots. Most came from good coaching in the past. Some of them ARE good coaches and they know good coaching when they see it . . . or rather when they didn't see it. You wanna develop as a coach . . . great! Be an assistant, or hc a cc team . . . learn, but definitely not what gu advertises. Come along and help our young coach learn his trade!!??
If team parents think the team is being short changed or marginalized they will speak out or leave. The bangu eggheads will likely not treat the white teams the same as the blue teams - get comfortable with that, pay your money and shut up.
I don't believe only that team was short changed or marginalized. That whole age group has been short changed for some time. The club has focused on MA's 94's and the 96's. The 95's have always been an afterthought for the goos. If the U13 teams wins state cup it will be in spite of anything the club has done to develop that age group.
HUH?
Would someone PLEASE revive the girls blog? Then these people will go AWAY!
Are you suggesting that the Academy is that short sighted? Or is it possible people are figuring out that they can achieve the same success in thier newly focused CC and are staying away from Bangu?
Also, can you elaborate on the 96 team? I have not seen anything on it to advance your claim.
Here's evidence - they can only field one U13 team? They earned a premier spot and can't even attract enough players to field more than one team? The year before when MA's team did that, there was a big headline on the web site - "WANNA PLAY PREMIER?"
I don't remember them saying that this year.
Hey....I've got an idea...
Why not just let the kids play soccer and see who wins State Cup? Maybe if they are lucky and the parents don't ruin it, the girls might even have some fun along the way.....
How novel anon 10:38 - here, here!
haha... way to put the ego maniacs in a box anon 10:38. Parents, if you want to be so involved in your kids soccer life... why don't you pull them away from the video games and force them to work on their touch by themselves for once. Then all these club issues would solve themselves because your kid would be so dang good.
Anon 9:58 I am confused by your statement that if the 95’s do anything it will be in spite of anything the club does. Have the U14’s had a lot of success and been recognized for that success? Yes, and rightfully so. Any team that does well should be recognized for their accomplishments, especially something as big as winning Regionals. As a state we should be proud that we have a Region Champ on the girls side and a team in the National League on the boys side.
As for your statement of the age group being overlooked, does the 95 age group have, or had, a Coach who has; won a Region Championship, played professionally, been a DOC for a very good community club, and is one of the 3 Coaching Directors of Bangu? No. (This age group has had a coach who has been a DOC for both Bangu and Westside SC at one point). But if you require all of those things together, then we are going to be woefully short on qualified coaches.
Does this age group have 3 teams like our U14 age group? No. We wanted to have 2 teams in this age group but unfortunately things did not work out. Looking back would we have done things differently? Yeah, hind sight is 20/20. But we feel that all of the players who have gone to other clubs are in good hands and we wish them and their teams the best of luck.
Do the 95’s have a website chronicling their journey through youth soccer? No, maybe that is why you are saying they have been over looked?
Now if we look at what this age group has been able to do it is this:
-Produced 16 players who have played in either the South or the East Academy and are on the U13 team. I believe 9 of the players have been with the program since we formed this age group 3 years ago.
-The East team has had some success winning the U13 East District last year and USA Cup 11v11 bracket and the South team won the USA Cup 8v8 bracket last year.
Is it the Academy’s primary goal to win tournaments? No. Winning is a by-product of improving. Has this age group struggled to get results in region play? Yes. But while we try to win every game we play, we go about doing it in a way that prepares the players to hopefully come together and win State Cup at U13.
Do the 95’s have a tough team to follow in the U14’s? Depends on how you look at it. Will they be hard pressed to be as successful as the U14’s results wise? Maybe, but they are still young. If the U14’s continue to be successful and people keep comparing the U13’s to them, it will only make them work that much harder to try and reach that level and discourage complacency for getting a good result here and there. It takes a lot of work to sustain that level of success.
Will this group win State Cup in May? Hopefully, but we know that a lot of other teams are working very hard to win the tournament as well. We have had some good games over the past couple of years against other teams in our age group, and the quality of play is improving for many players and teams in the State. I am sure everyone is looking forward to the tournament so good luck to all of the teams.
Great post, my friend. People look to expose any semblance of a crack in Bangu's shell and will do so to the detriment of the kids involved.
I think its more that some people are not going to be fooled into believing that any club has the best interest of their child at heart. If a parent belives they can find a better option elsewear, go for it.
I do think that the claim that the whole age group was somehow dismissed is quite unlikely.
what amazes me is why anon958 didn't bring his/her concerns or perception forward to the right people involved with Bangu and discuss it like an adult rather than trying to make a statement as an anon here on the blog. That is what is bothersome and perplexing
Agreeing of a sort w/Andy, I think there are drought years too. If you look across the metro, I don't believe there's as much talent in the 95 pool. If the U13's fail at state cup, it will be in spite of the things both coaches did for those 16 players that moved forward from the academy teams. I thought they did a great job with an underwhelming group, as evidenced by the successes you have sighted. So 'mistakes' might have been made in hindsight, but I'm not sure it would have changed the outcome at all. Having seen that U13 team play twice this winter, I think they'll be fun to watch, win or lose.
Call it genetics, call it lack of development, call it reality . . . whatever you want. Some years are just deeper than others.
I agree some years are stacked with talent and others are not. However, I think the 95s are more about unconsolidated talent than about lack of talent. The 14s, 15s, 17s, and 18s have most of the top players at the age group together in Bangu. U16s are together in Woodbury. One might even say talent has already begun to consolidate with Bangu's U11s in the East, but we all know that no matter what the success on the field that that young team has seen, half the roster will change within two years.
Nice post Andy...
My daughter is on the 94/95 Bangu Blue team. We joined the club last year and I don't believe we were overlooked. We had a gifted coach, great training and the girls (my daughter included) showed great development.
This year, we are no longer an academy team, so there is a new coach. The club went out and got a quality coach with a successful track record. I'm excited to watch these girls continue to grow this year.
Is it going to be a challenge to follow the 14s success? Maybe, but like Andy said, it will only make them work harder.
Will they win state cup? They have a chance. I think this a good group of girls and they all still love the game. Let's hope posts like anon 9:58 don't ruin it for them. Remember, we're talking about 13 year old girls here. They're still young and have a lot of soccer ahead of them.
Why does any team of 13 year old girls need to go to Las Vegas during the school year to play? Where are the parent priorities? And why would a club even suggest doing that? School should be first and not be skipped for a tournament, especially at this young age.
please create a bangu little girls blog now. I am beginning to gag on my pink layzyboy with little girls and their pony tails. spare us old cronnies the agony.
That is why the girls blog was shut down--too much love and hate for the "goo girls". OK--that term drives me nuts. This banter needs to go in the girls winter tourney news or maybe we can have a "Goo Girls" topic and spare others the fanatical rantings on both sides of the issue.
Isn't it just a little odd to consider a topic to discuss Bangu Girls?
I'd like to try to bring this discussion back to the State Cup. For those of you fed up with the politics of club soccer in Minnesota and looking for another, healthier option for your child, take a serious look at SSM. That's the future of youth soccer not just in Minnesota, but in the country. As an unbiased outsider familiar with this arena, it's clear to me that they're the teams to contend with this year and may to come.
Bring the discussion back to State Cup? lol whatever. mnfutbol, we need separate threads for the Goo Girls and for Faribault Shattuck so maybe this thread can really get back to State Cup.
When you pay your fees at gu do you get a break if you go on here and post a couple of come to bangujesus posts? Memo to gu parents: Check your daughter's running speed frequently. If you think that playing with the club for three years produces loyalty of any variety with that bunch, think again. If they find someone faster, you'll be fitted for walking shoes (which you'll pay for, of course) and dropped faster than a white team (and it doesn'nt matter a bit if the faster player can't play - which speaks large volumes about the club's so-called "development"). Ask any of the U13 refugees. You have to marvel at the well-wishing of the gu types as they send people packing after having those families pay for guest players who then take their daughter's spots. Hey, MA, can I get a scholarship?! Hahaha.
Very good post. It would be interesting to see a thread of bangu exit interviews for those dropped by bangu and "now in good hands" as AK says with their cc's. They're such benevolent people at bangu! The dumping of the white team (U13)and the scholarship bit is a real black eye for bangu. More and more people are becoming aware of the fact that MA compels parents of current players to pay for guest players, who then replace their daughters at the next round of tryouts. Then the scholarships kick in. There are players who threaten to leave and then are informed that they can stay and play for free and that the costs will be passed along to the other parents (though those people will not be told what's up). If you complain, you're dumped. Development at its finest, no doubt. Also a fine set of precedents for our children.
wow...
Sure are a lot of very jealous folks out there when it comes to Bangu.
Amazing to watch these "adults" come in here and whine like little girls. Actually whine more than little girls.
Bangu is one of the few clubs elevating the level of soccer here in Minnesota. Can't you see they are benefitting the state and all the clubs who mimic their programs?
You guys can take your ball and go home.
Can we please have a separate place to post for this now? Go Packers!
If a coach has a roster of 18 and wins a tournament and is able to secure a premier spot one year and then only nine players from the Academy stay on the roster for the following year, as AK says, then at a 50% player cast-off rate, that is a huge failure of both the coach and the club that a majority of those same players are not on the same team the following year. So much for great training and development! That is exactly why some families and good coaches have left Bangu, even those players who were offered "blue" spots.
11:16 and fin aid, I'm sorry you still harbor some ill will that your daughter was replaced on my team (or one of the teams I'm involved with) by someone I viewed as a stronger player with more potential.
Loyalty? I have loyalty to ALL players on my team(s). I do the majority a disservice if I play to my emotions and keep a player on the team who is not at the level of the others - regardless of how long she has been on a team. And I do the replaced player a disservice by keeping her in an environment in which she is outclassed and may not develop in the best manner I think she can. I may not be right all the time, but I do what I believe is best and... in the end it's my team and my decision.
This club is about competitive soccer and we are looking to cater to the highest level player interested (on our Blue teams). We will continue to identify outside talent while continuing to develop the kids who are currently in the program. If you don't like it and want to find a more complacent training environment, don't come to us... or in your case(s), don't come back. There are plenty of other solid developmental opportunities out there.
If your kid doesn't make the cut one year, do your job as parents and explain to the youngsters that they just weren't in the top 16 this year and find out what help they want from you to possibly make a team next year. Don't whine and make excuses and look to pic the program apart. You do no favors for your kid and you're not going to change our procedures by posting on blogs.
All coaches see players differently, and 99% of teams at all age levels/playing levels change at tryouts each year. So deal with it and help your kids deal with it, or they'll look for/make excuses for their entire lives.
"If you complain, you're dumped." Please. I have about 5 players left on my U14 team if I dumped all the players who had parents voice complaints over the years. It's all about interaction and dialogue. Coaches can't address problems if they don't know about them.
Oh, and If you think our scholarship program is flawed and you are as sincere as you appear to be in helping us do better, please find me a club that does not take member registration fees and use towards scholarships and I'll pick their brains about how they make it work. I really appreciate your concern about this.
I'm a male player so I am not related to girls soccer in any way.
People need to get off this rabbit trail. If you seriously think little girls soccer coaches are trying to take over the world and make it their own evil empire... you are sadly mistaken. Coaching is a great endeavor but I think most would agree that a coach taken things this seriously would be a pretty pathetic person.
I've been cut before and it's not easy to handle. Obviously not all decisions are perfect. There is always a little bit of politics and favorites, but for the most part, I know that the coaches or evaluators are just trying to make the best decisions they can. The players are the ones who control their destiny... not parents or anybody else.
Players need to learn to earn what they get, and that everything isn't served up on a silver platter. If they've already made a team they should not rest on their laurels and work even harder to improve themselves. If the player is cut it should make them all the more hungrier (as cuts have for me) to spend time juggling or kicking the ball off the wall. And I don't mean saturday mornings at the dome... I'm talking about a Friday night when you would rather be out partying, or when it's cold and rainy day outside. The great players will tell you that it's all about your commitment and love for the game. There is no truer cliche then "you get out what you put in." The bottom line is that players should always give it their best shot with the things they can control.
11:16 and 12:20 have good points, and I am afraid I am not swayed by MA's response. It's a real dilemma. You can't combine loyalty and superior training and turn out 1/4 or more of your teams year after year. Something doesn't add up there. Apparently Mark's work is so poor as to require an injection of talent from more "complacent" (to use his word) training environments to replace his players. Man, that's some painful logic.
The problem you people have is you are all comparing bangu's turnover rate to the U13 Blue team, that is the first year they as a club look to combine the two academies and also add outside talent from other clubs. If you look at the rest of the blue teams within the club the turnover rate is very small, here is the breakdown of new players to each blue team at Bangu and i will bet it is less than or equal to any club in MN who has tryouts and adds better player to their teams each year.
U14 Blue-2 new players, two players dropped
U15 Blue-5 new players, two players dropped,3 players added from the white team
U16 Blue-2 players added, one dropped
U17 Stars- 2 added, 2 dropped
U18 Blue- 1 added, none dropped
Now, compare that to any team or club in MN or the US and I would say it is on par or less than most. So before you start throwing stones realize what you are saying and think before you speak. Yes, they are not perfect but they do better than most and certainly do better than anyone in MN at producing top teams.
As a regular reader, and occasional contributor, to this site over the past several months, I would like to say PLEASE GO AWAY to all of the very opinionated and somewhat crazed girls posters. We have had some of this, but it's now out of control! I think it's time for those who want this blog to survive to try to speak on behalf of the boys state cup!
Since there was already debate about the eventual winners, how about trying to turn this strand to a more general review of state cup. How do people rate MYSA's running of State Cup? As a club administrator, I would say that I think they try hard, but there are some issues, including sometimes over-zealous administration and a fairly poor set of fields at CR. Do they play at CR because that club is the only one to offer to host or is it because they like the set-up?
I think it's held at CR because NSC's fields are such a disaster area and few other clubs are willing to host. St. Croix's complex is decent, but parking is a nightmare and I don't know if they are willing to host anyway. Many other clubs don't have access to a decent, lighted set of fields at one complex like CR does. I think that some of the fields are ok, but there are a couple there that really should not be used for State Cup games. Does anyone have connections at NSC to answer why they don't take better care of their fields?
6:30, I am surprised that MYSA does not require a DNA sample at State Cup check-in, a urine sample, or both.
I've watched enough coaches/managers/club officials get abused by the MYSA staff because the right "i" was not dotted and/or the wrong "t" was crossed.
While I personally believe that there are some players with questionable ages, if the player has the appropriate documentation, that's that. But question the paperwork ahead of time and for God's sakes don't do that crap in front of the kids and everyone else!
I agree with the above comment. Although I give MYSA credit for doing much of the prelim paper work in advance now, I too have been shocked by the way they scrutinize signatures of young kids. I once watched them tell some poor kid he would not be eligible because he forgot to sign his middle initial. It's tough because they need to do the work the right way, but managers often end up needing a vacation after that business.
back post - huh? MA's work is so poor that his teams need new players from other local clubs to compete? I'm afraid I don't follow your logic here. I also believe that this past year the players who were replaced on his U14 team were replaced by players who moved in from outside MN. What is that saying?
anon 9:48...maybe those kids that moved here should not be allowed to participate in state cup...
fin aid - as a former white team parent I would be happy to take your "exit interview". Post your questions and I will respond - you may not like the answers however but I will give you an honest response.
9:50 these kids moved here with their parents. Why would they not be able to play state cup? I can understand, sort of, that line of thinking re the SSM soocer only imports but not in the situation where the entire family lives here.
Taking up the post regarding state cup location, are there other locations that are even a possibility? Coon Rapids' fields are pretty bad, especially #'s 2 and 5, which were mud and dirt last year. Our boys were very disappointed with the field quality.
Did anybody see USA/Sweden this weekend? I heard several of the new players showed well...
What about Bielenberg? Didn't state cup take place there years ago? If the construction ever ends, that would be a good site.
What about Bielenberg? Didn't state cup take place there years ago? If the construction ever ends, that would be a good site.
What about Bielenberg? Didn't state cup take place there years ago? If the construction ever ends, that would be a good site.
10:23 If you hit enter once, that should suffice.
Reviews on US game say that US was ok and that Sweden looks to be on a downward trend. Donovan set record for goals with pk, and it sounds like Eddie Robinson and Guzan played pretty well.
US women won 4nations tournament by beating China 1-0.
what about the fields at ssm?
I'm constantly amazed by the ignorance of some of the posters on these blogs.
Do you really think even the best coach in the world can take any player and turn them into one of the top 18 in the state?
At some point a player reaches his/her maximum potential that their natural athletic ability will allow. That level many times isn't enough and another player with more god given speed, strength, size coordination etc surpasses even those players who have had best training possible but whose physical god given ability isn't at the elite level.
Bash Abboud all you want but those who understand this game more than you do just laugh at your ignorance.
How many fields does SSM have? How many are lighted? I just wonder if people would put up a stink about going to Faribault...
What about EPHS? If memory serves, they have a bunch of fields and several that are turfed now. If they had lighting on a few, that would be a good site.
I think most of the people posting their remarks were directed at the Bangu training of girls 12 and 13 years old - all of which have a few years ahead of them in terms of physical and emotional growth. Is any 12 or 13 year old at his/her maximum potential? Absolutely not, but I guess the god given knowledge of the god given coaches think they know.
Abboud bashers and lovers: You overstate the guy's importance to the point of nausea. Forget him and focus on the original post if you want to write in here.
boring. anybody have any real soccer news to talk about?
if you count the dome, I believe two are lit...you could proble use the deaf school as well...at least then you could be assured of at least decent playing fields...but your right..to much stink..people in here would rather play in gopher holed ridden fields than ssm..
MA your speech is wonderful! Well said! If you ever need another job I am sure that you would be great as a grass insurance salesman. (in Arizona)
how about the fort snelling fields?
anon 1:04...nice comment...you should be a comedian..
Yep. Makes me long for the days of all of the arguments over the PSA boys.
Exactly. Where are the PSA boys now? Last I heard they were scattering to the wind or Blackhawks or Bangu. Don't they or their parents want to trash talk any more?
anon 106 - I think at Ft Snelling the size of fields are at the bare minimum regulation size.
SSM is what about an hour drive south from the SW suburbs. Coon Rapids has to be also with traffic.
We need a few more CR like complexes with lights but instead of grass put down the New Turf for assured great playing surfaces for about 7-8 months out of the year.
You have to wait until the cycle ends, although now Bangu girls is a new addition to the topics. First bash SSM, then Bangu girls and then it will move to the U16 SE and all the subtopics (bad JY, big egos, team is finished, etc.)... Then someone will "over bicker" and the blog owner will shut it down for a week. When it's back up, then it starts all over again. It's like Groundhog Day...
but not as interesting ;-)
Ft.Snelling is as good as CR in every way,the fields are big enough if not oversized,that would help the more technically sound teams and hurt the runners{most girl teams in Mn.}
An added bonus is that all the out of State Players families could commute from the airport a lot easier,now thats funny!
The ones I have seen are not oversized. How does it help a technically superior team on a bigger field? There is more time and space that helps technically inferior teams play "direct soccer" with their runners.
anom 7 34pm
I phrased that wrong,or you sould read it differently!I agree with you,thats what I was saying.Snelling is ideal as its not too big,its a little tight but not tiny,it promotes technically sound footie not boot and run.I think the CR fields are too big
most coaches will tell you that a large field is much better for the good teams that play possesion soccer
well at the young age big fields give players more time with the ball. Most youth teams are going to play boot ball no matter what. There isn't much difference between ft. snelling fields and CR. Now if we're talking about thin pitches on high school football fields then that's a different story (see the thunder at jimmy vs. NSC). At the professional level field size comes into play a little more like in England where you can get a contrast like upton park and the emirates stadium.
I am getting dumber just reading this blog, please stop the pain and turn this thing off MN Futbol.
I have to agree with stop the suffering. This is just pathetic. If anything, this has helped me better understand the nature of the soccer-parent beast, as if standing on the sideline with them was not educational enough. As a someone who has been involved in coaching as well as club administration and governance, my personal view was that the kids could handle pretty much anything, while the parents were capable of screwing up pretty much everything. This blog might very well prove that point. I feel bad for MN Futbol because I think this could be a great forum for discussion, presuming, of course, that the participants were rational.
I predict that Bangu will maintain or slightly decrease the number of state cup winners and I am looking at MU to make a good showing this year. Any news on the Wings front? Are they turning it around?
MU? Are you serious? They only have a real chance at 1 age group - U14 boys. They are still a few years away from any semblance of top State Cup winning teams. It may be coming (on the boys side only) but I doubt it with the Thunder academy idea on the horizon.
I agree with 8:29, except without the "Are you serious?" MU has that very special U14B team but I don't really know what else in terms of a strong showing at state cup in 2008. I would love to hear that I am wrong. Their younger (U12 and below) age groups look to have some real potential, just as 8:29 says, but that's years down the road. They seem to be doing some good things there. But I have no idea how the Thunder stuff impacts MU or anyone else.
U14 is the one MU team that I was talking about making a strong showing.
There are some very interesting teams on the boys side. Mpls United U14 is one of them just because they have been so strong even after making the jump to 11 v 11 (credit to them!). I think the Bangu U13 and U14 teams will be intriguing to see because they are still somewhat in their formative stages; Bangu U13 should be very interesting in this way. It will be interesting to see if the Eden Prairie U13 team goes the route of Mpls United Jedi (which would be good for them) or that Edina team that never lost a game before U11 and then failed to make premier at U14 (an example of how the jump from 8 v 8 to 11 v 11 can be tricky). Blackhawks U15 is a hugely talented and diverse team, but will they be able to break down a very organized and tactical Bangu U15 team that maybe has fewer skilled players but has been able to get better results? PSA has always been an amazing team but now they have had some major attrition. Does Bangu step to the fore now? Does Blackhawks U16 capitalize on the ex-PSA players they seem to have?
These are the fun things to talk about in regard to state cup, aren't they? I would like to hear insights about teams and players to watch because state cup really showcases where the sport is.
Blackhawks U16 hasn't got any ex PSA players, unless, from what I heard, you're counting a player who never even played a game for them because he quit before their season ever started.
About the Blackhawks U16, I was only going off what I had read on here and some word on the street. Both sources are verrry unreliable so apologies if that is not true.
MU had 2 boys teams make premier at 14. The top team, the Jedi, definately had some athletic abilities that other teams did not. However, they have some significant coaching challenges and are already a team that is getting burned out. Look for this team to fade a little each year. Their second team add some very strong players this fall and I would look for them to be close to the other team. Some players refuse to move the the top team because of coaching issues. The 2nd team has a much more complete coach in Tomba and actually plays a little better soccer, just didn't have the athletes last year.
Outside of these 2 teams the club really has no serious state cup or even premier level teams.
I believe someone posted last summer that no boys team that won state cup at 13 was even a team anymore at 16. I don't know if this is true or not, but I can't think of any that stuck around. The early success built too many egos.
I would expect the Jedi to get to the semis, but will predict they will not advance to the finals.
Oh god. Now let's watch this thread spiral down into MU U14 civil war.
I am not with MU. I have no affiliation or friendship whatsoever. I saw both MU U13 boys teams play last summer. There was no contest between the two. The first team, the jedi (what an awful, awful team name) was far ahead in quality -- including quality of play. The second team was solid but not in the same class.
Maybe this all has changed, or maybe the new players (there are always these new players, aren't there?) will make a difference, only time will tell. The above poster could be right about burn-out setting in. But the veiled references to coaching challenges, coaching issues and egos suggests to me that this could get silly.
Anyone know about the 17 boys?
17 boys, SSM has the best team
U17 B Bangu scrimmages CDA this weekend.
I know 4 sets of parents from the Jedi quite well. None of them can stand the coach, neither can their kids. The 2nd team would always have 2 or 3 players that were not very good on the field. The Jedi also had 5 ot 6 big, strong, fast players, where the 2nd team only had 2.
I also watched them both play, even each other 1 time a while back. Both teams picked up some new players, the 2nd team replaced about 1/2 their roster. MU could have picked up 2 of the best 3 players at the age group from other clubs, but the coaching situation on the Jedi, and the parent interaction at tryouts (both teams trying to recruit these 2 players through the parents) drove them away.
Last year the Jedi were 3 goals better. This year they might be 1 goal better.
Cold and no soccer for a change figure I visit the blog has been a while. Not much have changed except that the girls blog was shut down =(
Don't know much about the boys. But since since U14 is a hot topic I put my two cents in I think both MU teams will do well but I also think the Bangu squad will make a run at it. They practice before my girls on Sundays and they look pretty good. On the other hand I do not know much about the boys side so hard to compare.
I want to think that I have a pretty good idea about the girls side.
U13 Bangu know this team pretty well from playing them and watching them. They play good soccer. If they struggle in U14P it is because the other teams have players that are bigger faster not because they are better soccer players. If thee teams play eacother when they are 17 or so with the same rosters Bangu will beat the majority of U14 P teams.
U14 girls my age group picked a bad one =) Magic will win. Who they beat in the final will depend on the draw I think that atleast 6-7 teams can make a run at a date with the Magic if they have a good day. Without the Magic this would have been the most open age group. Does not mean it is the best age group but it is a good one and as a result there will be many close games at the State Cup.
U15 Bangu but EP will give them a run
U16 Woodbury but Bangu will be better than last year and I think they may suprise a few. The two teams play eachother in the Bangu Showcase will give us a better idea
U17 Wings will steal one over Bangu, close last year they may get over the hump this year.
U18 Bangu My 19 team played the Shattuck U17 last year if the Bangu team is like the St Croix team or better they will win.
U19 St Croix played them three times last year with my 19 girls they are very very good. Wonder who they will play does PSA have a team and is it the same as last year if so should be a good game.
Current Bangu U17's pounded the Wings last year at State Cup. I think the final was 5-1.
Nothing much has changed with these 2 teams so it's hard to imagine the Wings will be able to hang with the Stars this year.
watch out for the U17 b team from Lakevlle
5-1? it was 1-0
David Saidu on Wings for the U17's, such a talent, everytime he's so dangerous everytime he gets the ball, have all you bloggers out there seen this kid play?
David is a good player but do they still have a horrid defense?
David will be a better player when he starts playing for his team and not for himself...
Boys
U-13 To young to know
U-14 The Jedi is deffinatly a good team with no coaching future. The 14's at SCV are deffinatly worth watching out for because from heard they're pretty strong.(heard scv lost their goalie)
U-15 Bangu,(Eric Miller should lead the team to a title).
U-16 With the breakup of PSA the tournament is a toss up with a few teams to battle, SCV with strong mid and new players...(heard they have a very talented new group) and Blackhawks with their Unique talent....(also heard they got new talent) and of course bangu, Arsenal the left overs from PSA can be included in that list who knows?
U-17 not even worth posting
U-18 Apple Valley has my vote but Woodbury could propose a challange. (tall central mid for Woodbury is top youth player in state in my opinion)
The top 3 players from Valley U18's aren't with Valley this year...they're playing in State Cup with Shattuck. Valley doesn't have a chance.
The SCV goalkeeper did leave and is now with Bangu.
At U17 Bangu has won the last 3 years I think. If no major personnel changes occurred result will be the same.
At U16 SCV doesn't have a prayer. Dream on.
Hard to believe the U16 boys would be a toss up. Bangu has been in the final all 3 year winning it once as 13s. The leftover PSA team will be pretty good as they still have some talented players. I think it will be the leftover PSAs v Bangu in the final, with Bangu winning.
What happened to the Thunder-Bangu merger? I heard that of the 6 clubs they approached, only Dakota Rev was interested. It makes sense, as they are the only ones who would gain anything from it (weaker club). It sounds like the Thunder did not account for the lousy reputation bangu has with the clubs they derisively label "community." I hope the Thunder try a new tack.
The "leftover PSA" team is now called Arsenal FC Super Eagles. If that is too long for you to process or to type, then you can call us AFC-SE.
CASL Results
U16
St. Croix Red Devils
1-2 vs. RiverPlatte Soccer (TXN)
1-0 vs. Ohio Select (OHN) 23 R3
4-1 vs. FC Blazers (MA)
FINAL 0-2 vs. Lower Merion Velez (PAE) 16 R1
sorry afc-se, with the history of JY's teams jump around the rest of us can't keep up and need a program
even though its hard to support the coach & parent egos and the club jumping, the team should still be pretty good as it is a talented and hard working group of players
bangu U17-2
Champlin U17-2
In response to anon 12:30 - you, like most people, have no idea and spout rumors that follow your desires.
Rev's a weaker club, huh? So you think the Thunder should try and solicit current "winning" clubs? Yet you don't want Bangu involved? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Maybe the Thunder people are looking for future possibilities and potential rather than for clubs who may currently be on top.
Bangu has seen the possibilities the Thunder can provide the players, as have many others. If CC's cannot get past the Bangu involvement they show a complete disservice to the kids who are to benefit from what the Thunder plan provides. I should know, I've been in a presentation. It's progressive, creative, and solid.
Bangu has given up their name... their identity. The Thunder would be stupid not to have approached Bangu. Who else has done what they've done in the last five years at the top level? Please tell me, I'm all ears. With their experience and the numbers and brains in many of the top community clubs, Minnesota will take a HUGE leap forward. It's not about Bangu. It's about club cooperation for the benefit of the players and narrow minded individuals like yourself will have no part in it.
Ok MA (oops, I mean "raptor" ;) ), how many clubs have signed up for your unselfish initiative so far? One? That's the measure of your work with community clubs. Maybe you're missing something about the beautiful bangu vision and legacy, like it's not so great and you have managed to offend so many people as to undermine what would otherwise be good coaching credentials. Someone once said, "You reap what you sew." How does that bitter fruit taste? Good luck, birdie.
Raptor- Why now? The Thunder approached Bangu in 2006(?) and (according to the Bangu e-mail I read ) Bangu wanted no part . What's changed in the last two years? Why is Bangu ready to give up their idenity this time around?
Maybe Bangu is receiving an "offer it can't refuse." Money can be a motivation. It is easy to say it is for the kids or the betterment of local soccer, but sometimes dollar signs are equally as important. No inside info---just speculation.
Wings Boys U17 will win State Cup, no doubt about it. They've got some extreme talent with Saidu and Farrell.
One more 'follow the money' comment: For the Thunder, the Bangu product presents some additional cash flow opportunities. With older players (14+)paying $300-$400 per month over a 9-10 month period,plus the academy players, this adds up to additional cash. It may also offer the Thunder more clinic opportunites to this group.
Bangu has established a premium name that parents have proven willing to pay a premium price for. Bangu has made youth soccer big business. The Thunder may want a piece of that.
elastico,
Agree that money would be major motivator in Thunder/Bangu merger, but it would have to be on both sides for the bangu people to get on board.
However, the comment that bangu has established a premium brand is problematic. They win, but they have built what they have not in cooperation with other clubs but by running rough-shod over them. The result is that joining with bangu will bring along bangu and probably not much else. The Thunder would have been better off (as several people said above) to develop their own premium standard in cooperation with local clubs where they could outrun bangu within a few years with the help of clubs fed up with bangu. It's a short-sighted venture right now.
anon 11:19,
I've coached girls teams in the south metro for over 10 years so I've seen a lot of change over the last decade.
I have not witnessed as you term Bangu "running rough-shod" over our club or players.
Do you have examples you can cite?
anon 11:19
You bring up a good point, as have others, about the perception of Bangu among other clubs. The main products the Thunder have are their two professional teams. The Thunder would have to think about how a merger would affect ticket sales in the wider soccer community. There could be, initially, a sizable 'up yours' attitude in the community clubs toward this type of merger. This may considerably narrow the Thunder's market as community coaches, soccer boards, and parents ignore their promotions to attend games.
anon 12:13. The following is from the Bangu website and may explain anon 11:19's comment:
Help! I've Just Been IDed!
If you have received this card you have been identified as a talented player by one of our Professional Technical Directors (ProTDs) who feel you may be a terrific candidate for one of our top level soccer development programs.
Please feel free to browse through the age appropriate sections of our website and discover why Bangu Tsunami FC is considered without equal here in Minnesota when it comes to the development of the higher level youth soccer player.
EarlyID Program - For 5, 6, 7, and 8 year old gifted and talented players
Soccer Academy Program - For U8 to U12 competitive players
Elite Development Program - For U13 and U14 competitive players
Collegiate Showcase Program - For U15 - U17 competitive players
Collegiate Development Program - For U18 and U19 competitive players
Note to the Parents
"Recruiting" is frowned upon by a number of people and associations in the Minnesota soccer community who believe that they hold some sort of entitlement over kids who live in their zip codes. Bangu Tsunami FC is all about player development. Our club knows no boundaries nor believes that community clubs and associations have any right to hinder their members from searching out alternate, potentially higher level development options.
Read through our site. Our results speak for themselves, no matter what people may say to the contrary.
The last line (Read through this..)has an in-your-face bravado that others have spoken about.
elastico - so in your perfect world, how should youth soccer be run in MN? I am also dumbfounded by this belief that the CC's would somehow be altruistic and cooperative with MN Thunder (or any other group for that matter) in allow their players to leave if their goal was to create their own premium standard as stated by anon 11:19.
anon 12:53...I don't get your point?...CC's don't own these kid's.
I wonder whether Thunder would compete in state cup? If so, would that not end their partner CCs' chances in that competition?
anon 1:17 - agreed. Why do they then complain so much when they leave for Bangu, Wings, etc...?
anon 1:27 - agreed. If Thunder was to start their own teams from scratch there would be no more cooperation with Thunder than there currently is with Bangu.
As a cc I would think they would be happy to promote there kid's to wings, bangu etc...and from there, onto college...
Anon 1:53
That is the funniest thing I have seen on this blog to date. Good one...
wow..constructive mn like comment about soccer...
http://www.gosportslife.com/mn-girls-soccer-blog-2/
Girls discussion would be most welcome here
anononymous 1,000,000,
And who would you be?
Bangu is a 501.3c - what do you mean they would received money? The club is a non-profit...so when you say their is serious money to be made, what are you talking about? While some of the coaches may received high fees, the same is true at Wings, MPB, EP and others. The top fee I've hear of is $12,000 for a MPB head coach.
Frankly- anon 12:53 I don't have a perfect world for MN youth soccer. I tried to look at the possible merger from a business standpoint because I view the Thunder and Bangu as businesses.
Bangu tapped into a nationwide phenomenon of a growth in soccer particularly on the female side. Their blueprint, I assume, was to offer an alternative for the 'better' players that were scattered about various clubs. Part of their method was to get the players and then get the coaches (or vice-versa) and then get the performance (which brings in more players--partly because every parent thinks their kid is D1material)and also to be able to charge a premium price.
From a business standpoint, I think they have been very successful. With that being said, their are many who would like to see them have a high-speed crash into a steel goal post.
They are not like Tiger Woods, a chamipion most people cheer for. They are more like the villian-champion in professional wrestling. And they don't have to care. They are still getting the on-field performance, and the parents are still writing the checks.
anon 2:53--I don't know the laws regarding non-profits. I assume most if not all funds have to be paid out. So where do you think excess funds go? Possibly to the directors? Remember a number of years back the brouhaha there was about the amount the top United Way executive was making?
If a merger took place I assume they would lose their non-profit status.
elastico - (response from 12:53), I appreciate your candor and it's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, from a business standpoint, if someone offers a product that is unique, different, and therefore in demand, in the business marketplace would they not be applauded by all except those losing marketshare (kind of like Kmart vs. Wal-Mart)? Also in regards to a "premium price", true the costs are higher, but so is the amount of training. If you've ever been a parent of one of the players you would know that there is a budget with all the costs broken down by coaches, dome time, field time, tournament costs, travel, etc....which is then totaled up, divided by the number of players, and broken into equal monthly payments.
Anyone know anything about the U19 boys? Any teams that are playing? I assume Bangu and Wings will have teams...any others?
anon-3:33 your gaining/losing market share analogy seems appropriate. A question I would like to throw out is how should success in MN youth soccer be measured. Number of players participating at all levels? Number of players moving on to college? Number of successes in out of state showcases, tournaments, region cups?
Bangu U19 and Wings U19 Boys are fielding a combined team only for State cup. This team will not be participating in the premier league for this spring.Right now, it looks like Maplebrook,Wings U18, and a St Cloud team are the only ones playing the league.
2:53,
You obviously have never had a kid play at bangu. Non-profit has nothing to do with it! Nobody with a clue doubts that at least two guys are making a lot of money there (no, more than you're thinking). 12:53 Did you get a receipt?
When my daughter played there, I think that the Academy Director got a $100 per person and at the upper levels the Coaching Director got a $100 a head. Not chump change. Good training, program, etc. It just wasn't for her. She plays other sports and didn't like the overlap and trying to do too many things at the same time. She felt she wasn't doing justice to her winter sport by training 3-4 times a week at soccer. And soccer isn't her fav sport. Great for the kids that love the sport that much and if the parents can afford it.
WITHOUT A CLUE .... HMMMMM ..... THE ONE THAT gooed THE FUNDS FROM HOLY smoked bad ass grass dome a FEW YEARS BACK THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE ONE OF THEM .. all IN KEEPING WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE dONE AT GooU I WOULD QUESS... THATS MY BEST FINAL ANSWER.... CANT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN SHAKE OUT OF THUNDER clouds WHEN THEY MERGE. LETS ALL.. good goo people who believe .. PRAY AND HOPE THAT THE doting parents fee MONEY THAT partly rains down each year and COULD HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE over the years ?1988? FOR our OWN FIELDS AND FACILITIES ,CAN STILL BE KEPT IN our pastors gooey HANDS AND THat NEW THUNDER OWNERS CAN BE gooDUPED INTO PROVIDING us OR BETTER YET THE LOWLY SINFUL COMMUNITY CLUBheads WITH our entitlement... FIELDS and a new spiffy fun club house along with another fee producing weight room JUST REPEAT AFTER ME... this goo CHANT... TEXAS IS CLOSER TO CHICAGO THAN MINNESOTA.... TEXAS IS CLOSER TO CHICAGO THAN MINNESOTA AND NOD YOUR gooHEAD... THATS WHY Goo boys DIDNT GET ... tear drops .. US ACADEMY ACCEPTANCE ...IM SURE THAT new THUNDERout of the loop owners WONT MIND THE OBLIVIOUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST IGNORED OVER THE YEARS that pastor -- HAS had AND THE DECLINin..g or stagnant THUNDER CAMP REVENUE BECAUSE OF GooU GROWING INFLeunce AND FOOTSKILLS SIDE CAMPS.. I REMEmBER the sermon of rev--from his shared goo/thunder office on university ave of st marks... wisely DISCOURAGING MY OWN CHILD FROM ATTENDING thunder camp ...JUST WONT BE GOOD enough COMPEtiTION THERE ..GO TO THE GooU ONE INSTEAD... YES rev yes sir... and your receipt will be sent in the mail .. an admiring wink...those deceptive moves and gall are just as good now --as your thunder days on the playing field... now release those yapping, drooling,gooey,but still adorable, lap hounds
Oh my. I am not sure what all of that means, but there seems to be a lot of bangu dirt there. Can I get a translation please (please!)?
what the???
READ JUST THE CAPS
And if you read it backwards (just the caps), out loud three times - then Beezlebub will appear in your doorway with a contract promising the future success of the soccer club of your choice.
sweeper - I did what you recommended (it's always good to see old relatives), but Barney appeared instead and he won't stop singing.
must have been a bad mushroom on the salad I'm throwing into my diet every once in a while.
How do I make him stop!
Tie him to a chair and force him to watch C-SPAN nonstop for 18 hours. If this is insufficient, supplement with an additional 12 hours of the Weather Channel.
Uff Da!
These poor people who have nothing better to do than come in here and spout hate for SSM and Bangu are pitiful creatures.
Are these losers that wrapped up in their kids lives and achievements that a perceived slight somewhere along the way has them harboring this much anger and resentment?
You poor souls really should seek psychiatric help and please stay away from the poor kids in youth soccer programs or any any other youth sport for that matter.
The negativity you spout is not healthy for adults much less young impressionable minds.
Seek help ASAP.
Of course the people who are wrapped up in and living through whatever success their kids have at SSM and Bangu are perfectly fine.
Anon 909... You are scaring me... Seriously stay out of my yard.
I have no hatred for Bangu or SSM. My kid plays club soccer at lower level and enjoys.
The rejection by Clubs of this Bangu-Thunder/Club elite teams concept, is more of a matter of limited resources available to clubs—Fields, trainers, etc—than to any hatred for Bangu. The payback to clubs was questionable—good players, maybe, filtered back to your club after u12? With registration, management of training, coaching, etc. handled by each club; while reg fees would go to Bangu-Thunder!
Though it may identify and benefit an elite tier of players, it would probably push a lot of lower level kids to sidelines of good club soccer experience. Especially clubs with limited field space.
Maybe new Thunder owners should build a few bubbles, then clubs may sign-on.
Hard to believe Bangu and Wings would field a combined team! If they are, and they have to top players from each team, they should do well at State Cup and even at regionals.
9:09,
I 4 one would like to read a more clear statement from you. It soundz like you have some pretty interesting goou storiez. Pleaz enlighten us. Somebody should start a goou storiez blog. On the other hand, thatz pretty much what u guyz have made here!
I, for one, have no hatred or disdain for anyone in the State of MN. My beef is with the negativity directed toward the players and program at S-SM. People try and act as if soccer was first played in MN by the community clubs....when in fact- one could pretty easily find photos of players from Shattuck playing soccer in the 60s.
Is anyone at S-SM any better than anyone else who loves the sport and plays it? NO. Do they deserve some level of respect because they were willing to give up everything they know and love to play the game and better themselves both academically and athletically? I TRULY BELIEVE SO.
In the immortal words of Forrest Gump...."thats all I have to say about that".
ssm-sc please. I have nothing against ssm and wish everyone there the best. But to give them some sense of nobility or extra respect because they moved away from home in the hope of becoming better soccer players?? Get a grip. Saying things like that detracts from other valid points you have made.
as the two teenage boys fall to their knees, they bow towards ssm-sc.....
Wayne - we are not worthy, we are not worthy
Garth - we are not worthy, we are not worthy
Wayne - we are scum
Garth - we are scum
I see the drive-through outpatient lobotomy clinic is open today.
Bangu sucks this year, and wings will win the state cup-yes mark my word, they will win the state cup
SSM-SC
Get a grip dude. I bet I can find someone in South Mpls playing soccer in the 60's too. So what. Gosh, I bet I can even find a picture of me playing soccer in the 60's.
give up everything they know and love... hahaha... awesome. Brilliant mate, brilliant.
How about we get back on point-State Cup. At U17 boys, word is that the Bangu team is actually stronger than it was last year, yet Lakeville played Bangu even last year in State Cup. Now Lakeville has added several of Bangu's starters from last year as well as some other strong players. Any word on how Lakeville is coming together? Are they playing in any winter or early spring tournaments.
I hear that Bangu 17s team has only four players back from last year's team. Either their new coach is incredibly stupid or the former players didn't want to play for him. Champlin tied them 2-2 last weekend.
Bangu had 0 subs, coach was gone, and I don't think they had any of their normal forwards.
Games played now are entirely meaningless. They are nothing more than preparation and pre-season training.
To put any weight into them is very short-sighted.
Very funny, but not surprising, people even want to editorialize about them. Report the scores if you want. Don't try to make something out of nothing.
Oh wait that is what we do best
I chime in on the U17 boys. The coach is pretty smart, check out what he has done with Augsburg men's team. He demands a lot, but his kids love him.
As for the players, what he has now versus what was there last year is a GREAT improvement. There are some talented kids that are no longer with the team, but adding kids that have been on the regional team or been in the pool isn't a step backwards. It's my belief that this team could compete at regionals.
Tomass, can you please tell me how games are meaningless? Everyone in the Minnesota soccer community would make a huge deal out of a team beating Shattuck, so maybe that statement was a bit hypocritical wasn't it?
Games played this winter can only be described as scrimmages. They don't mean a thing to anyone except the two teams involved.
We are talking about practice.
Post a Comment