Midwest league officially started over the past few weekends. At least 1 MN team has already traveled south to face MRL competition. With the expanded MRL format, it will be interesting to see how MN teams compete this spring.
126 comments:
Anonymous
said...
A must read series of articles in this week's NY Times
Minnesota Premier League launches. This is a copy of the email that was sent out.
Dear Youth Soccer Enthusiast,
We wanted to let you know there is a new youth soccer league in town! The Minnesota Premier Soccer League (MPSL) will start operations in the Fall of 2008 and will continue to offer a Spring/Summer league and a Fall league for many years to come. We have recently completed all the required steps for sanctioning with US Club Soccer and we hope to pass along to you and your players the US Club Soccer philosophy for player development.
In the Spring/Summer of 2008, we will be presenting the U11 B/G in a showcase league format to do a "soft opening" and work out any kinks in preparation for the Fall league.
We would also like to invite you to the first Annual MPSL Cup! It will take place on April 25th - 27th, 2008 in Brooklyn Park. This will be a unique tournament featuring U9 and U10 competitive brackets (yes - we have trophies for the U9 and U10 champions), as well as the traditional U11 - U19 brackets. Depending on the age group, you may have anywhere between 4 to 6 guest players from any club. Any MYSA team as well as any US Club Soccer may participate in this tournament. Register today!
For more information about MPSL or the MPSL Cup, please visit the newly launched MPSL web site at http://www.MinnesotaPremierSoccerLeague.com
What the heck is a premier 8 year old? Never seen one, let alone a whole team of 'em. This'll be funny cause a bunch of non-soccer people will send their kids and dollars so they can stand around the water cooler and talk about their 'premier' 3rd grader.
The best marketing Bangu does is at State Cup. They win. And their players from older teams win college scholarships. Another great "marketing tool". Who doesn't want to be a winner?
Lets do hope that bangu does win at state cup , Wouldnt look too good for Gophers program to be first in US D1 womens college soccer history , the first ever state university to recruit over half dozen players from second place or lower teams at state cup and none from first place teams. Bangu really does an unbelievable job marketing their players resumes with their coaches helping influences at state and regional level and with national ties to Nike .
The top Bangu girls U17 teams have seen over 85% of their players get college scholarship offers for the past several years. This year is no different with several of the young ladies on the top U17 already committed to D1 schools. If you don't want to believe what you read here ask the young ladies or their parents. Obviously the situation for the boys is much different with far few scholarships offered for men's soccer due to Title 9 factors.
The Gophers are after the best players they can get. 2008 and 2009will come from Bangu. 2007 came from St. Croix. The 2010 class will come from Woodbury SC. Regardless of what happens in State Cup these are the best teams at their age groups and it only makes sense that they will attract the most interest from colleges. I doubt MDW really cares whether their club teams win state cup or not.
Mikki's job is to get the best MN players every year. She has not accomplished that but I don't think anyone would argue that her 4 recruits are not among the top 7-8 players in the state this year. She will never be able to get them all. Of more concern to me is the absence of any out of state recruiting success.
that outstate recruiting success .... a true forward perhaps... in five years of program havent seen one exciting creative breakem them down 1x1 player. good mids and def. but top notch forward....not... open the purse strings or come November 13-27-2 big ten record wont keep cutting it regardless of how much of MW astute media spin. perhaps a top notch recruiter will have to come before an all big ten forward dons gopher uniform .
agree that leg work should have been done for top notch forward 3-4 years ago , have to identify early and pursue with moxy of the gophers football and basketball coaches.
there's a reason we don't get top tier recruits to Minnesota for football, basketball or women's soccer. while many of us natives love this state a lot of young men and women want no part of 6 months of winter. let's not kid ourselves. we don't get all-american recruits in any of these sports where recruiting is very competitive. the "U" campus also pales when compared with the more traditional campus settings around the US. just look as close as Madison and compare the aesthetics to the campuses. no contest. it is what it is.
Academics at Minnesota are also second rate compared to most of the Big 10, couple that with weather and an unattractive campus and people should be more appreciative of the recruiting job MDW is able to do.
MW big ten record not much better than former FIRED head coach, Wickstrand and same old merry go round of excuses. its not all about recruiting , tactical and game strategy lacking ,AND improvement of players during their career if they do stay in program for fours indicated by dismal big ten record , at any other school would be gone now
The question has been asked is SSM a Minnesota team? I went a looked at there roster, at U18 boy’s team has 11 players from across the USA and 6 players from MN. The U17 boy’s team has 12 players from two different countries and 3 players from MN. At U16, boy's team has 14 players from three different countries and 6 players from MN.
Is IMG a Florida team? I do not think anyone in the country consider them a Florida team, it is just were they train and were they are located. Nor do I would I think it matters to any College/Professional Coach where those players are from. Therefore, the question begs to be asked why it matters here.
I do not think in Florida they are bombarded at nausea about how great IMG. Nor do they have minute-by-minute announcements on their successes.
In addition, IMG has not competed in the Florida State Cup, since 2003. At which time they only had one team of several entered win FYSA State Cup. Therefore, I wonder why they have not entered in FYSA State Cup in the last five years. Could it be because their hip did not live up to their results? Alternatively, could it be they realized that the ill will they created was not worth the little bit of success they achieved. It also makes you wonder if the decision made by parents or by program directors.
Rouser was played 8 times in six big ten games at ELR, 4 goals of which were against basement dwellers Michigan and Michigan St.... the best stadium in big ten needs more rah rah than mdw has or will ever produce, unfortunately. Bottom line gophers big ten home record is 6-14-0 in fourth year of mdw program despite all the appreciation and local support from wait until next year fans, While some of states better DD players start to look and migrate elsewhere. Fired BW coaches last four year home big ten record 6-14-0.. this merry -go round of excuses called... deja vu... 8:54
Yeah, and you still managed to avoid answering the question. If you told your daughter that she could not take advantage of a full scholarship to the U of M, I suspect your spouse would have your head examined. Mine would.
I think accepting a full ride from the "U" would pale next to one from a top tier academic school in Big Ten such as Northwestern, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue or Wisconsin.
Come on people. Maybe the U is not as strong academically as some of the other public universities in the Big 10, but that doesn't mean it is not a good school. It may not be at the level of Wisconsin or Illinois, but it is easily among the top 40 public universities in the country. It is not Southwest Arkansas State. In addition college is what the individual makes of it. You can get a great education at the U if you apply yourself, just like you can get a lousy education at UW or U of I if you don't. Give congratulations to all the girls who have earned scholarships to any school. And don't give MDW some sort of pass for any perceived recruiting shortcomings based on this.
If the U-18 National Team GK is not the "best" player in the state , I'm not sure who else qualifies . MDW managed to land this "top" MN recruit for 2008 .
Don't underestimate the Kallman transfer which flew a bit under the radar. A three year starter on a Big East tourney champ has to be a nice addition. The toughest challenge the gopher's face is a big-time-make-it-happen-nose-for-the-goal striker, but doesn't every team (kind of in the Caroline Smith mode). Unfortunately, those don't come down the pike very often. Unless she's homegrown I don't see an out of state recruit coming up here when there are other more appealing options from the top soccer tier schools.
I am not sure if MDW will ever have success just recruiting from MN...With that being said..Parkhill may be one of the best recruits in the whole big ten this year.
I guess we will find out when she, or any recruit, stsrts to play in college. Only then will you find out if someone is a great recruit or an overhyped one.
Bertamus a physical scorer and Lundgren a scorer with speed to burn should have been high on MDWS list.Didn't see anybody at the Big Ten tourney who could out muscle Bertamus or out run Lundgren.Just my opinion but they should have been Gophas.
1:43 - I don't doubt they were on her list, but you can't sign everyone. Would you take those two over Strahota/Eckstrom? Tough to have all four of them, a strong transfer, a keeper, and a strong defender all on scholarship (assuming they are). I believe a D1 school only gets 12. They are all great seniors and hopefully will all contribute to their new schools programs.
Sorry to actually talk about soccer but this is an important year for the Gophers. There are expectations after a decent year last year and minimal grad losses. A top 3 conference finish is more possible this year than any other year in the foreseeable future after that. If they somehow miss the Big 10 tournament that will likely be curtains for the current staff.
Agree, with 7 seniors of which 4-5 will start most games, this is the best blend of talent and experience MDW has had. I think they will have a good year and better than a 50-50 shot of making the NCAA tourney.
I agree the Gophers will be improved but they are still missing a playmaker who can set the table. They need a mid with supperior dishing skills. Til then they will continue to have problems scoring.
LOL I think 505 was referring to last years boot and scoot style, where all the midfield did was watch long balls off the defenders feet sail over their heads.
Gopher Spring Soccer report.. Two very tough west coast gophs opponents San Diego ends 0-0 , gophs win in shoot out 3-2, then U.S.C. lose 1-0,, TOUGH DEFENSE no scoring. Then with what MDW staff quotes very competitive high quality Big 12 opponents , last year Kansas (7-10-4) Gophers 1-0 win and Nebraska (5-10-4) again Gophers tough defense prevails 1-0 win. Looks same as last year solid def. and some scoring from mids. Hoping once again incoming freshmen may help provide some more scoring opportunities this fall.
??? the Gophers were #6 in Big 10 in goals scored last year. They were tied for #5 in goals allowed. Sounds pretty balanced to me. Hoping incoming freshmen can firm up the defense this fall.
Anon 2:07-Maybe those two recruits wanted an even bigger challenge. If we are talking about the players heading to Northwestern and Wisconsin, both those finished behind MN in the Big Ten and overall standings.
Wisconsin will be a perennial Top 4team in the Big 10 within 2 years. Transition year last year was rough but this years recruiting class among top 3 in Big 10. Expect to see a steady migration of MN top players to Madison.
Anon 3:54: If Coach Wilkins can do here what she did @ Penn State, then you are likely spot on. However, it remains to be seen if she will continue to recruit from MN. This year, it looks like 11 of her 2008 recruits come from five states (WI, MN, NJ, OH, TX) and Canada. Accordingly, a 2009 commitment list shows Wisconsin with six verbals from players in IL, WI, TX, OH and Canada. It’s possible, with her contacts, she will simply be able to by pass players from Minnesota.
Agreed that unless it is a top 3-4 player from MN she will pass. MN talent is much improved though and the top 3-4 players here each year can play for almost anyone.
Bangu U-17 traveled down to Rockford this weekend for their seoond round of Midwest Regional League play. As with the first round, they have returned with good results.
They beat the Rockford team 1-0 and tied MYSC Yahara (Wisconsin) 0-0. Their record in MRL play stands at 1-0-3 and they are in 2nd place in the League's Premier Red Division.
Since their State Cup championship last spring, this team has played top teams from around the country. The CASL Shootout, The President's Tournament and the Jefferson Cup are all top-notch events and the MRL offers the best league play available. Bangu's collective record against this competition now stands at 6 wins, 1 defeat and 7 draws.
I think it is time for the nay-sayers to acknowledge that the Bangu philosophy has been vindicated. It is also time to realize that Minnesota teams can compete successfully on a national stage.
When you get a collection of committed, well trained athletes, combine that with good coaching and then overcome the fear of failure you find that good things start to happen.
By the way, the Bangu teams haven't cornered the market in this regard. There is plenty of room at the top. I encourage the other clubs to join us, compete against us, and beat us if you can. Lively, vigorous competition make EVERYBODY better.
The Bangu philosophy as a whole is far from vindicated so please don't try to sell the rest of us with your snake oil. Good athletes and good coaching are basic ingredients for any team from U6 in-house to EPL. Somehow, I don't think Bangu has a patent on that.
You are right, this one team has done well and there are other Bangu teams doing OK. There are others that are going to be stinkers as well, so do them a favor and limit your gloating to your team only.
You have missed my point even though you restated it in your post; which is quite a trick.
The fact is that any club can replicate, and exceed, Bangu's successes. Bangu DOESN'T have a "patent" on the formula for success. Bangu did not invent it - They have simply recognized what that formula is.
Again, I encourage all clubs to step up to the challange. Don't sell the kids short, Minnesota athletes can compete with anybody- that is, if the adults will allow it.
I remember last year when all the experts on this blog were laying smack on Rouse from CI. Wait til she plays vs the big girls. Well she has played vs the big girls and has done quite well proving the bloviators on this blog don't have a clue.
U17G Midwest League games this weekend... The Stars and Wings are at home vs FC Milwuakee and Ohio Blast. Games to be played at Macalester and Armstrong...
The Mac turf will be frozen and under a couple inches of snow. The 19 degrees and 30 mph wind should make the games interesting.Whoever schedules these games out doors this early in Apr must have taken a few too many headers over the years.Must have confused hockey with soccer.
I was looking at the MWL results and could not see the TRSA U15 boys team. I thought that they were in it this year. What happened? Did they lose some players or something?
Given the distances and logistics for some of these folks, playing on turf (and maybe in a dome) are preferable to driving to a destination and told they cannot play. Especially with gas prices what they are.
Is it better to play on a rough, bumpy, worn grass field in a 30 mph wind? The new types of turf are where things are heading. In 10years grass fields will be the exception at the college level for sure and you will see them more and more at the HS level also.
Played last night in EP, outside on turf. It was cold and windy. Thank god, it was turf. I wish our school had the kind of money to invest in turf. In the fall the stadium is #@! from the football team. The turf is fast but consistent. The better players can make the adjustment to the surface pretty fast. Most would prefer fast to guessing which way the ball is going to bounce.
Spoke with several parents from the Milwaukee and Ohio U17G teams and all were very appreciative of the opportunity to play inside yesterday. Absolutely none of them had any problem with playing on turf or in a dome.
Soccer was meant to be played on grass.Perhaps this is the Americanisation{is that a word?}of the game,playing on turf in domes that have stripes across them every 5yrds and are too narrow but longer than heck thus leading to end to end direct play.
??? Every turf field game I have seen has been on a full width field. It is the grass fields which tend to be narrow. If you like pretty soccer turf fields are the answer. The ball runs smooth and isn't bouncing all over the place because of rough uneven fields. I would agee that a grass field in excellent condition is the ideal, unfortunately there are precious few of those.
Grass fields in many of the HS stadiums are narrow because of the track which encircles the soccer and football fields. Soccer players at this level need to be able to adjust to the artificial surface. Many high schools are moving that direction as well as many universities. We've seen pro teams playing on these surfaces too. Pro baseball and football used to be played exclusively on grass but now dozens of these teams play on artificial surfaces. Let's face it. The best team usually wins whether it's grass or artificial surface.
Lets not forget the U17 World Cup was played on turf in Chili, and several teams in the Russian League have artificial surfaces and I believe Enland had to play a Euro Qualifier on turf, this is not the americanizaiton of the game, the world is shifting that way. So get over it, the games in the dome yesterday were worth wathching the outdoor games were brutal.
"Modern" turf is far superior to its predecessors. Don't forget that another advantage of turf is that you can play match after match after match on it. Too many fields that used to be of good quality have been pounded to the point that the parking lots may be better than the fields themselves.
12:26, I won't argue that it is meant to be played on grass, but in this climate combined with the more aggressive schedules, many grass fields in these parts are getting overused and turning to garbage. Cities that used to be very good about maintaining their greenspaces for all of the sports are having a tough time due to shrinking budgets.
Many cities have reduced the number of soccer fields available for soccer due to the rapid growth of lacrosse. There's only so much greenspace to go around. Go take a look at what's left of a natural grass pitch after a season of lacrosse has been played on it. You can take that field out of service for one to two years.
Overuse is killing the NSC fields and it is only going to get worse. Many cities are in the same situation.
Would it be nice for everyone to have wonderful, plush, green natural grass fields? Of course. The reality is that turf may be more cost-effective in the long haul for places where space is at a premium and demand for field time is high for soccer and other sports.
With these late snowstorms, cold weather and late melting of snow cover coupled with earlier start of State Cup this year the Coon Rapids fields will be a mess by the 2nd weekend of State Cup. People will be wishing they were playing on artificial turf instead of mud pits creating horrible playing conditions.
Wow Shattuck U18 boys lost a game 0-0 in MRL 1st division and are 1-1-1 in league play. Valley are 1-0-1 in the premier group. Maybe there is hope for other U18 boys teams.
does Shattuck lose 0 0 games by some tiebreaker or default,doesnt seem fair that one could defend with 11 and get a 0 0 tie yet they lose,will the same rule apply at Cup?
Does anyone know what's going on w/MPSL? I heard this weekend that they had to cancel their tournament cause of lack of interest . . . don't know how reliable the source was since they have no connection that I know of. Did they get enough teams for their 'trial' league this summer?
The mighty MU Jedi are O-3 in MRL, that must make the all powerful president/parent wondering what is going on? If I were that coach, I would expect to get fired soon!!!
Since the MYSA Premier League does not have a State tournament, why not take the top two teams from Premier League play at the U16, U17 and U18 age groups and have them play a for the True Champion. The six teams could be divided into two pools of three with the two winners from pool play advancing to the championship.
Pool A: U18-champion, U17-runner-up, U16-champion
Pool B: U18-runner-up, U17-champion, U16-runner-up
Winner of Pool A vs. Pool B for the championship.
I will grant that Minnesota soccer isn't lacking another tournament but it could be a fun and interesting event.
I'm sure that there are several high school coaches who would be just thrilled at the prospect of having a key player getting injured just before high school season in a tournament that would only serve to feed the egos of a few.
and we all know high school coaches have the best interest of the players in mind, most high school soccer doesn't equate to C2 level play. Why not have the top teams from different age groups compete against each other.
9:16, watching a group of fully-grown U18 men out-hustle, out-muscle and pound down a side of young U16s is not what organized youth soccer should be about.
If a U16 team wants to scrimmage a U18 team in a friendly, they can do that right now.
There is less of a gap between the 17's and the 18's, but the 16's have no business even being discussed in a format like that.
I would also add that the pool of referees who could manage matches like this are few and far between.
Nobody benefits.
I'm not a huge HS fan either, but it is still important for the kids to play. Whether you realize it or not, most kids like playing the HS ball becasue they are representing their school and community and do take pride in that. Let them be kids.
I also agree with Tomass that the only ones who seem to want all of this frou-frou are younger parents who don't care because it is someone else's kid--not theirs.
I was actually referring to the parents of the U16 players who want some water cooler fodder about how great their team played against an older group. It would be about boosting the parents ego and how they feel about themselves more than anything else.
About the only thing missing Tomass would be a return to the old days of "Mean Gene" Okerlund doing interviews between 'rasslin matches and having someone step up into the role of the late, great Wally Karbo to promote it.
Personally, I think you would look great in a pair of Purina checkerboard polyester slacks. LOLOL
Tomass...I can't remember you or any of your ol cronies ever saying anything positive about parents. Without parents buying your product for their kids you'd be picking up extra cash as a greeter at Walmart.
5:45: Ninety-five percent of the parents we came in contact with over the years were just fine and were actually appreciative of what us "ol cronies" did to manage and develop programs so their kid could play.
Its the five percent of parents who knew all of the answers and were convinced that there was a vast conspiracy against their child. It was these same people who had absolutely no interest in volunteering to improve the club since we were doing such an awful job, by their standards.
The biggest change over the years has been that parents expect instant gratification with their child's soccer development. The perceived need to win now has overtaken skill development and there are too many coaches who sell this day in and day out.
Adding to the drama that youth soccer has become is the explosion of paid coaches who almost drool at the chance to get a kid into their program whose parents will write big checks early and often. Yes, they can help develop their child today and maybe tomorrow, but there will come a time where the child becomes expendable so room can be made in the program for yet another future superstar.
Us "ol cronies" have also watched dozens of kids over the years who dominated at U11 and U12 but by the time they hit U16, they were just average because others around them had caught up in terms of physical development. It happened to my oldest and she accepted her genetic fate and went on with her life. She still plays intramural soccer at the college she is at today and is more than satisfied with her lot in life. So am I.
Yeah, I'm almost done with youth soccer as a parent. My youngest will be going to (probably) his last out-of-town tournament this weekend in club soccer. After this is all over, I'm looking forward to doing some of the things I want to do on my own schedule.
5:45, if you think I am full of s***, fine. I could care less. Just be sure to somewhere along the way let your kid be a kid. I've seen what happens when parents don't. Nobody wins.
I don't sell any product - I just coach and train soccer players and at best it is break even proposition and that doesn't even include the years of pure volunteer work.
I have no problem being a servant to the players, I refuse to be a slave to the parents.
Wal-Mart wouldn't want me as a greeter. Could you imagine me as a greeter at Wal-mart??
"get your stuff and get out!"
" yep, English is spoken here...well at least I do"
Halfback Your post shuld be required daily reading for everyone involved with youth soccer here in Mn. You seriously articulated the illness our sport has now. Not attributing this to you but it has been said "our sport is sick and high paid coaches are patient zero." Thanks for all the posts you've done here.
Halfback, thanks for that post. I have a number of kids still in the game and we are in the middle of it. With wisdom shared like this, we have no excuses to act like lunatics. This is a beautiful, beautiful game no matter where one and one's child fits into it.
Bravo. I am from your era and on my last player as well. I long for the simplicity of the old days. I am glad that my kids had the opportunity to play with their friends in community club setting and still be on "high level" teams. And that soccer didn't consume their free time year round.
It's not just soccer, but many sports are headed in that direction.It will be the era of specialists not well rounded athletes.
Tomass--
I would frequent any Walmart that would hire you as a greeter.
mnfutbol - you should repeat Halfback's post and make it the last one on every thread here. Then lock it up. That post is a fitting end to your great blogging adventure.
mrs robinson- Thanks- I would even push your cart for you...the one with the wobbly wheel of course. Introduce yourself if you are up at State Cup.
it's called the beautiful game of soccer. It is a living breathing entity that changes as quick as a blink of an eye. History does not determine outcome. Hope inspires determination. Luck exposes reality. Strength and weakness are one of the same at different points of time in the same game.
what the heck is going on???? it is called the most beautiful game. Make sure you stop and smell the soccer balls.
player has no broken ribs and will play this weekend.
No brawl - severe confrontation that was broken up quickly. Incident was based on a WI parent uttering racist comments to one of my players much of the game and then giving him one last "dig" after the final whistle.
tomass, if this was going on during the match, why on earth didn't the player ask the referee to intervene?
I have centered past teams of yours and I think you know that I would have tossed the bum out right then and there and lectured the remainder of the parents. Sadly, I have actually had to toss several parents from the same team (it was in another state) for racist comments.
HBJ - the Minooka fields, though out in the middle of nowhere, were some of the best natural grass soccer fields I have seen for sometime. The drainage was beautiful. The downpour the night before left no evidence of having rained.
126 comments:
A must read series of articles in this week's NY Times
HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/sports/10scholarships.html?_r=1&oref=slogin"
Discuss amongst yourselves...
Sorry that link didn't work -
Try typing in
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/sports/10scholarships.htm
Thanks for sharing - great read.
Hmmm- who would have thought that we, as parents, should have made sure that for school and college that academics was the top priority.
Minnesota Premier League launches. This is a copy of the email that was sent out.
Dear Youth Soccer Enthusiast,
We wanted to let you know there is a new youth soccer league in town! The Minnesota Premier Soccer League (MPSL) will start operations in the Fall of 2008 and will continue to offer a Spring/Summer league and a Fall league for many years to come. We have recently completed all the required steps for sanctioning with US Club Soccer and we hope to pass along to you and your players the US Club Soccer philosophy for player development.
In the Spring/Summer of 2008, we will be presenting the U11 B/G in a showcase league format to do a "soft opening" and work out any kinks in preparation for the Fall league.
We would also like to invite you to the first Annual MPSL Cup! It will take place on April 25th - 27th, 2008 in Brooklyn Park. This will be a unique tournament featuring U9 and U10 competitive brackets (yes - we have trophies for the U9 and U10 champions), as well as the traditional U11 - U19 brackets. Depending on the age group, you may have anywhere between 4 to 6 guest players from any club. Any MYSA team as well as any US Club Soccer may participate in this tournament. Register today!
For more information about MPSL or the MPSL Cup, please visit the newly launched MPSL web site at http://www.MinnesotaPremierSoccerLeague.com
What the heck is a premier 8 year old? Never seen one, let alone a whole team of 'em. This'll be funny cause a bunch of non-soccer people will send their kids and dollars so they can stand around the water cooler and talk about their 'premier' 3rd grader.
I'llBRtBack
It's called "marketing 101"... It works! If you don't believe me, ask Bangu...
The best marketing Bangu does is at State Cup.
They win.
And their players from older teams win college scholarships.
Another great "marketing tool".
Who doesn't want to be a winner?
anon 1008 don't know of that many who get the scholarships but the name does get more looks from college coaches.
Lets do hope that bangu does win at state cup , Wouldnt look too good for Gophers program to be first in US D1 womens college soccer history , the first ever state university to recruit over half dozen players from second place or lower teams at state cup and none from first place teams. Bangu really does an unbelievable job marketing their players resumes with their coaches helping influences at state and regional level and with national ties to Nike .
The top Bangu girls U17 teams have seen over 85% of their players get college scholarship offers for the past several years.
This year is no different with several of the young ladies on the top U17 already committed to D1 schools.
If you don't want to believe what you read here ask the young ladies or their parents.
Obviously the situation for the boys is much different with far few scholarships offered for men's soccer due to Title 9 factors.
The Gophers are after the best players they can get. 2008 and 2009will come from Bangu. 2007 came from St. Croix. The 2010 class will come from Woodbury SC. Regardless of what happens in State Cup these are the best teams at their age groups and it only makes sense that they will attract the most interest from colleges. I doubt MDW really cares whether their club teams win state cup or not.
Mikki's job is to get the best MN players every year. She has not accomplished that but I don't think anyone would argue that her 4 recruits are not among the top 7-8 players in the state this year. She will never be able to get them all. Of more concern to me is the absence of any out of state recruiting success.
that outstate recruiting success .... a true forward perhaps... in five years of program havent seen one exciting creative breakem them down 1x1 player. good mids and def. but top notch forward....not... open the purse strings or come November 13-27-2 big ten record wont keep cutting it regardless of how much of MW astute media spin. perhaps a top notch recruiter will have to come before an all big ten forward dons gopher uniform .
agree that leg work should have been done for top notch forward 3-4 years ago , have to identify early and pursue with moxy of the gophers football and basketball coaches.
moxie of gophers football and basketball coaches? maybe that is true now but a cruel joke over past 5 years!
there's a reason we don't get top tier recruits to Minnesota for football, basketball or women's soccer.
while many of us natives love this state a lot of young men and women want no part of 6 months of winter.
let's not kid ourselves. we don't get all-american recruits in any of these sports where recruiting is very competitive.
the "U" campus also pales when compared with the more traditional campus settings around the US. just look as close as Madison and compare the aesthetics to the campuses. no contest.
it is what it is.
Academics at Minnesota are also second rate compared to most of the Big 10, couple that with weather and an unattractive campus and people should be more appreciative of the recruiting job MDW is able to do.
MW big ten record not much better than former FIRED head coach, Wickstrand and same old merry go round of excuses. its not all about recruiting , tactical and game strategy lacking ,AND improvement of players during their career if they do stay in program for fours indicated by dismal big ten record , at any other school would be gone now
Yeah, and if MDW offered your DD a scholarship 1:34 and/or 5:30, you would be humming the Rouser right about now.
The question has been asked is SSM a Minnesota team? I went a looked at there roster, at U18 boy’s team has 11 players from across the USA and 6 players from MN. The U17 boy’s team has 12 players from two different countries and 3 players from MN. At U16, boy's team has 14 players from three different countries and 6 players from MN.
Is IMG a Florida team? I do not think anyone in the country consider them a Florida team, it is just were they train and were they are located. Nor do I would I think it matters to any College/Professional Coach where those players are from. Therefore, the question begs to be asked why it matters here.
I do not think in Florida they are bombarded at nausea about how great IMG. Nor do they have minute-by-minute announcements on their successes.
In addition, IMG has not competed in the Florida State Cup, since 2003. At which time they only had one team of several entered win FYSA State Cup. Therefore, I wonder why they have not entered in FYSA State Cup in the last five years. Could it be because their hip did not live up to their results? Alternatively, could it be they realized that the ill will they created was not worth the little bit of success they achieved. It also makes you wonder if the decision made by parents or by program directors.
Rouser was played 8 times in six big ten games at ELR, 4 goals of which were against basement dwellers Michigan and Michigan St.... the best stadium in big ten needs more rah rah than mdw has or will ever produce, unfortunately. Bottom line gophers big ten home record is 6-14-0 in fourth year of mdw program despite all the appreciation and local support from wait until next year fans, While some of states better DD players start to look and migrate elsewhere. Fired BW coaches last four year home big ten record 6-14-0.. this merry -go round of excuses called... deja vu... 8:54
Yeah, and you still managed to avoid answering the question. If you told your daughter that she could not take advantage of a full scholarship to the U of M, I suspect your spouse would have your head examined. Mine would.
I think accepting a full ride from the "U" would pale next to one from a top tier academic school in Big Ten such as Northwestern, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue or Wisconsin.
Does the U and the other Big Ten schools offer full scholarships?
Yes
Come on people. Maybe the U is not as strong academically as some of the other public universities in the Big 10, but that doesn't mean it is not a good school. It may not be at the level of Wisconsin or Illinois, but it is easily among the top 40 public universities in the country. It is not Southwest Arkansas State. In addition college is what the individual makes of it. You can get a great education at the U if you apply yourself, just like you can get a lousy education at UW or U of I if you don't. Give congratulations to all the girls who have earned scholarships to any school. And don't give MDW some sort of pass for any perceived recruiting shortcomings based on this.
If the U-18 National Team GK is not the "best" player in the state , I'm not sure who else qualifies . MDW managed to land this "top" MN recruit for 2008 .
Don't underestimate the Kallman transfer which flew a bit under the radar. A three year starter on a Big East tourney champ has to be a nice addition. The toughest challenge the gopher's face is a big-time-make-it-happen-nose-for-the-goal striker, but doesn't every team (kind of in the Caroline Smith mode). Unfortunately, those don't come down the pike very often. Unless she's homegrown I don't see an out of state recruit coming up here when there are other more appealing options from the top soccer tier schools.
I am not sure if MDW will ever have success just recruiting from MN...With that being said..Parkhill may be one of the best recruits in the whole big ten this year.
I guess we will find out when she, or any recruit, stsrts to play in college. Only then will you find out if someone is a great recruit or an overhyped one.
That is exactly right. Just ask MDW how her much ballyhooed #13 nationally ranked recruiting class of 2006 turned out for her.
Bertamus a physical scorer and Lundgren a scorer with speed to burn should have been high on MDWS list.Didn't see anybody at the Big Ten tourney who could out muscle Bertamus or out run Lundgren.Just my opinion but they should have been Gophas.
1:43 - I don't doubt they were on her list, but you can't sign everyone. Would you take those two over Strahota/Eckstrom? Tough to have all four of them, a strong transfer, a keeper, and a strong defender all on scholarship (assuming they are). I believe a D1 school only gets 12. They are all great seniors and hopefully will all contribute to their new schools programs.
If I had a choice between an education at the "U" or Northwestern I know where I would end up...heh heh.
The school with the better soccer program of course, school is overrated. The world needs ditch diggers too.
Sorry to actually talk about soccer but this is an important year for the Gophers. There are expectations after a decent year last year and minimal grad losses. A top 3 conference finish is more possible this year than any other year in the foreseeable future after that. If they somehow miss the Big 10 tournament that will likely be curtains for the current staff.
Agree, with 7 seniors of which 4-5 will start most games, this is the best blend of talent and experience MDW has had. I think they will have a good year and better than a 50-50 shot of making the NCAA tourney.
I agree the Gophers will be improved but they are still missing a playmaker who can set the table. They need a mid with supperior dishing skills. Til then they will continue to have problems scoring.
The Gophers use mids on offense?
They better if they expect to score.
LOL I think 505 was referring to last years boot and scoot style, where all the midfield did was watch long balls off the defenders feet sail over their heads.
This weekends MRL results prediction in U17 boys...Bangu gets swept
Gopher Spring Soccer report.. Two very tough west coast gophs opponents San Diego ends 0-0 , gophs win in shoot out 3-2, then U.S.C. lose 1-0,, TOUGH DEFENSE no scoring. Then with what MDW staff quotes very competitive high quality Big 12 opponents , last year Kansas (7-10-4) Gophers 1-0 win and Nebraska (5-10-4) again Gophers tough defense prevails 1-0 win. Looks same as last year solid def. and some scoring from mids. Hoping once again incoming freshmen may help provide some more scoring opportunities this fall.
??? the Gophers were #6 in Big 10 in goals scored last year. They were tied for #5 in goals allowed. Sounds pretty balanced to me. Hoping incoming freshmen can firm up the defense this fall.
The two top offensive threats aren't even going to the U. It's time the U quits playing for a tie and a shootout.
strahota's right up there with the two lakeville girls, so she will be a nice addition. all three are excellent offensive weapons.
Anon 2:07-Maybe those two recruits wanted an even bigger challenge. If we are talking about the players heading to Northwestern and Wisconsin, both those finished behind MN in the Big Ten and overall standings.
Wisconsin will be a perennial Top 4team in the Big 10 within 2 years. Transition year last year was rough but this years recruiting class among top 3 in Big 10. Expect to see a steady migration of MN top players to Madison.
Anon 3:54: If Coach Wilkins can do here what she did @ Penn State, then you are likely spot on. However, it remains to be seen if she will continue to recruit from MN. This year, it looks like 11 of her 2008 recruits come from five states (WI, MN, NJ, OH, TX) and Canada. Accordingly, a 2009 commitment list shows Wisconsin with six verbals from players in IL, WI, TX, OH and Canada. It’s possible, with her contacts, she will simply be able to by pass players from Minnesota.
Agreed that unless it is a top 3-4 player from MN she will pass. MN talent is much improved though and the top 3-4 players here each year can play for almost anyone.
Anon 4:20
Bangu U17B win one and tie one in MWL.
Bangu U-17 traveled down to Rockford this weekend for their seoond round of Midwest Regional League play. As with the first round, they have returned with good results.
They beat the Rockford team 1-0 and tied MYSC Yahara (Wisconsin)
0-0. Their record in MRL play stands at 1-0-3 and they are in
2nd place in the League's Premier Red Division.
Since their State Cup championship last spring, this team has played top teams from around the country. The CASL Shootout, The President's Tournament and the Jefferson Cup are all top-notch events and the MRL offers the best league play available. Bangu's collective record against this competition now stands at 6 wins, 1 defeat and 7 draws.
I think it is time for the nay-sayers to acknowledge that the Bangu philosophy has been vindicated. It is also time to realize that Minnesota teams can compete successfully on a national stage.
When you get a collection of committed, well trained athletes, combine that with good coaching and then overcome the fear of failure you find that good things start to happen.
By the way, the Bangu teams haven't cornered the market in this regard. There is plenty of room at the top. I encourage the other clubs to join us, compete against us, and beat us if you can.
Lively, vigorous competition make EVERYBODY better.
This is one team Einstein.
The Bangu philosophy as a whole is far from vindicated so please don't try to sell the rest of us with your snake oil. Good athletes and good coaching are basic ingredients for any team from U6 in-house to EPL. Somehow, I don't think Bangu has a patent on that.
You are right, this one team has done well and there are other Bangu teams doing OK. There are others that are going to be stinkers as well, so do them a favor and limit your gloating to your team only.
You have missed my point even though you restated it in your post; which is quite a trick.
The fact is that any club can replicate, and exceed, Bangu's successes. Bangu DOESN'T have a "patent" on the formula for success. Bangu did not invent it - They have simply recognized what that formula is.
Again, I encourage all clubs to step up to the challange. Don't sell the kids short, Minnesota athletes can compete with anybody- that is, if the adults will allow it.
I remember last year when all the experts on this blog were laying smack on Rouse from CI. Wait til she plays vs the big girls. Well she has played vs the big girls and has done quite well proving the bloviators on this blog don't have a clue.
I always love it when one or two people make a comment and it turns into "all the experts".
U17G Midwest League games this weekend... The Stars and Wings are at home vs FC Milwuakee and Ohio Blast. Games to be played at Macalester and Armstrong...
The Mac turf will be frozen and under a couple inches of snow. The 19 degrees and 30 mph wind should make the games interesting.Whoever schedules these games out doors this early in Apr must have taken a few too many headers over the years.Must have confused hockey with soccer.
I was looking at the MWL results and could not see the TRSA U15 boys team. I thought that they were in it this year. What happened? Did they lose some players or something?
TRSA U15 withdrew from MRL. I have heard that they lost players, but I don't know if it is true.
does anyone know if the girls mrl games are still on for this weekend. ----when--- where?
try the mwrl site,google mwrl
MRL Scores from this morning
FC Milwaukee 2 Wings 0
Stars 5 Blast 1
Blast vs Wings at Mac 4:00
Stars vs FC Milwaukee 9:30 at Holy Angels
The 9:30 game should be a great one, two of the top teams in the region.
mwrl games played on turf fields and maybe even in domes?Sad
Stuff happens.
Given the distances and logistics for some of these folks, playing on turf (and maybe in a dome) are preferable to driving to a destination and told they cannot play. Especially with gas prices what they are.
It makes no sense to play top level games in a dome on turf,why even schedule it?I wouldnt travel to play in a dome if I had a choice.
Is it better to play on a rough, bumpy, worn grass field in a 30 mph wind? The new types of turf are where things are heading. In 10years grass fields will be the exception at the college level for sure and you will see them more and more at the HS level also.
anon 6:18....it's pretty obvious you don't know what's going on.
Played last night in EP, outside on turf. It was cold and windy. Thank god, it was turf. I wish our school had the kind of money to invest in turf. In the fall the stadium is #@! from the football team. The turf is fast but consistent. The better players can make the adjustment to the surface pretty fast. Most would prefer fast to guessing which way the ball is going to bounce.
Spoke with several parents from the Milwaukee and Ohio U17G teams and all were very appreciative of the opportunity to play inside yesterday. Absolutely none of them had any problem with playing on turf or in a dome.
If we want to continue to attract teams to come up here to play on the tundra in April turf fields are a must and a dome can only help.
Soccer was meant to be played on grass.Perhaps this is the Americanisation{is that a word?}of the game,playing on turf in domes that have stripes across them every 5yrds and are too narrow but longer than heck thus leading to end to end direct play.
??? Every turf field game I have seen has been on a full width field. It is the grass fields which tend to be narrow. If you like pretty soccer turf fields are the answer. The ball runs smooth and isn't bouncing all over the place because of rough uneven fields. I would agee that a grass field in excellent condition is the ideal, unfortunately there are precious few of those.
Grass fields in many of the HS stadiums are narrow because of the track which encircles the soccer and football fields.
Soccer players at this level need to be able to adjust to the artificial surface. Many high schools are moving that direction as well as many universities. We've seen pro teams playing on these surfaces too.
Pro baseball and football used to be played exclusively on grass but now dozens of these teams play on
artificial surfaces.
Let's face it. The best team usually wins whether it's grass or artificial surface.
Lets not forget the U17 World Cup was played on turf in Chili, and several teams in the Russian League have artificial surfaces and I believe Enland had to play a Euro Qualifier on turf, this is not the americanizaiton of the game, the world is shifting that way. So get over it, the games in the dome yesterday were worth wathching the outdoor games were brutal.
"Modern" turf is far superior to its predecessors. Don't forget that another advantage of turf is that you can play match after match after match on it. Too many fields that used to be of good quality have been pounded to the point that the parking lots may be better than the fields themselves.
12:26, I won't argue that it is meant to be played on grass, but in this climate combined with the more aggressive schedules, many grass fields in these parts are getting overused and turning to garbage. Cities that used to be very good about maintaining their greenspaces for all of the sports are having a tough time due to shrinking budgets.
Many cities have reduced the number of soccer fields available for soccer due to the rapid growth of lacrosse. There's only so much greenspace to go around. Go take a look at what's left of a natural grass pitch after a season of lacrosse has been played on it. You can take that field out of service for one to two years.
Overuse is killing the NSC fields and it is only going to get worse. Many cities are in the same situation.
Would it be nice for everyone to have wonderful, plush, green natural grass fields? Of course. The reality is that turf may be more cost-effective in the long haul for places where space is at a premium and demand for field time is high for soccer and other sports.
With these late snowstorms, cold weather and late melting of snow cover coupled with earlier start of State Cup this year the Coon Rapids fields will be a mess by the 2nd weekend of State Cup.
People will be wishing they were playing on artificial turf instead of mud pits creating horrible playing conditions.
Wow Shattuck U18 boys lost a game 0-0 in MRL 1st division and are 1-1-1 in league play. Valley are 1-0-1 in the premier group. Maybe there is hope for other U18 boys teams.
does Shattuck lose 0 0 games by some tiebreaker or default,doesnt seem fair that one could defend with 11 and get a 0 0 tie yet they lose,will the same rule apply at Cup?
They lost to Mequon 1-0.
EP U17B team is doing a convincing job in their U17MWL 1st div bracket. Undefeated so far and beat CDA 4-2.
Big weekend for the BGU17B in Rockford. Close out their MWL spring season against Pacesetter Premier, Scott Gallagher and United 1996.
Lots of teams in action this weekend all over the midwest. Anyone have results? The websites are slow to update.
Does anyone know what's going on w/MPSL? I heard this weekend that they had to cancel their tournament cause of lack of interest . . . don't know how reliable the source was since they have no connection that I know of. Did they get enough teams for their 'trial' league this summer?
The mighty MU Jedi are O-3 in MRL, that must make the all powerful president/parent wondering what is going on? If I were that coach, I would expect to get fired soon!!!
BNGU17B go undefeated with 2 wins-0 losses -5 ties. Beat a very good Scott Gallagher team 1-0.
AFC SE 0-5-1 so far. Obviously, they are playing in a the tougher premier grouping, but they are surely out classed.
Valley United Cosomos and St. Croix Red Devils have no losses or ties in the two northwest divisions....
Since the MYSA Premier League does not have a State tournament, why not take the top two teams from Premier League play at the U16, U17 and U18 age groups and have them play a for the True Champion. The six teams could be divided into two pools of three with the two winners from pool play advancing to the championship.
Pool A: U18-champion, U17-runner-up, U16-champion
Pool B: U18-runner-up, U17-champion, U16-runner-up
Winner of Pool A vs. Pool B for the championship.
I will grant that Minnesota soccer isn't lacking another tournament but it could be a fun and interesting event.
I'm sure that there are several high school coaches who would be just thrilled at the prospect of having a key player getting injured just before high school season in a tournament that would only serve to feed the egos of a few.
and we all know high school coaches have the best interest of the players in mind, most high school soccer doesn't equate to C2 level play. Why not have the top teams from different age groups compete against each other.
I don't see the benefit or need.
Could you please explain and provide additional clarity to why this tourney would be important to anyone but the younger age group parents??
9:16, watching a group of fully-grown U18 men out-hustle, out-muscle and pound down a side of young U16s is not what organized youth soccer should be about.
If a U16 team wants to scrimmage a U18 team in a friendly, they can do that right now.
There is less of a gap between the 17's and the 18's, but the 16's have no business even being discussed in a format like that.
I would also add that the pool of referees who could manage matches like this are few and far between.
Nobody benefits.
I'm not a huge HS fan either, but it is still important for the kids to play. Whether you realize it or not, most kids like playing the HS ball becasue they are representing their school and community and do take pride in that. Let them be kids.
I also agree with Tomass that the only ones who seem to want all of this frou-frou are younger parents who don't care because it is someone else's kid--not theirs.
I was actually referring to the parents of the U16 players who want some water cooler fodder about how great their team played against an older group. It would be about boosting the parents ego and how they feel about themselves more than anything else.
Just being a cynic
About the only thing missing Tomass would be a return to the old days of "Mean Gene" Okerlund doing interviews between 'rasslin matches and having someone step up into the role of the late, great Wally Karbo to promote it.
Personally, I think you would look great in a pair of Purina checkerboard polyester slacks. LOLOL
LOL Excellent!
Tomass...I can't remember you or any of your ol cronies ever saying anything positive about parents. Without parents buying your product for their kids you'd be picking up extra cash as a greeter at Walmart.
3 years ago the Bangu U16 boys played in the MYSA U18 premier group and finished above .500.
Two years ago the same U17 team played in the U18/U19 premier group and finished 5-1-2.
Some teams are capable of playing several years up, but I agree that it should not be a standard practice.
5:45: Ninety-five percent of the parents we came in contact with over the years were just fine and were actually appreciative of what us "ol cronies" did to manage and develop programs so their kid could play.
Its the five percent of parents who knew all of the answers and were convinced that there was a vast conspiracy against their child. It was these same people who had absolutely no interest in volunteering to improve the club since we were doing such an awful job, by their standards.
The biggest change over the years has been that parents expect instant gratification with their child's soccer development. The perceived need to win now has overtaken skill development and there are too many coaches who sell this day in and day out.
Adding to the drama that youth soccer has become is the explosion of paid coaches who almost drool at the chance to get a kid into their program whose parents will write big checks early and often. Yes, they can help develop their child today and maybe tomorrow, but there will come a time where the child becomes expendable so room can be made in the program for yet another future superstar.
Us "ol cronies" have also watched dozens of kids over the years who dominated at U11 and U12 but by the time they hit U16, they were just average because others around them had caught up in terms of physical development. It happened to my oldest and she accepted her genetic fate and went on with her life. She still plays intramural soccer at the college she is at today and is more than satisfied with her lot in life. So am I.
Yeah, I'm almost done with youth soccer as a parent. My youngest will be going to (probably) his last out-of-town tournament this weekend in club soccer. After this is all over, I'm looking forward to doing some of the things I want to do on my own schedule.
5:45, if you think I am full of s***, fine. I could care less. Just be sure to somewhere along the way let your kid be a kid. I've seen what happens when parents don't. Nobody wins.
See you at Walmart. ;-)
Extremely well said Halfback!
I don't sell any product - I just coach and train soccer players and at best it is break even proposition and that doesn't even include the years of pure volunteer work.
I have no problem being a servant to the players, I refuse to be a slave to the parents.
Wal-Mart wouldn't want me as a greeter. Could you imagine me as a greeter at Wal-mart??
"get your stuff and get out!"
" yep, English is spoken here...well at least I do"
"Hey Lulu the cheese puffs are in aisle fat"
Halfback
Your post shuld be required daily reading for everyone involved with youth soccer here in Mn. You seriously articulated the illness our sport has now. Not attributing this to you but it has been said "our sport is sick and high paid coaches are patient zero." Thanks for all the posts you've done here.
Yes indeed what would we do without self righteous people lecturing others about what is best for their situation as SSMSC said in an earlier post.
Halfback, thanks for that post. I have a number of kids still in the game and we are in the middle of it. With wisdom shared like this, we have no excuses to act like lunatics. This is a beautiful, beautiful game no matter where one and one's child fits into it.
half well stated. On the flip, a number of average 10, 11 and 12 year olds end up being top players by the time they are 17s and 18s.
shattuck has 17s playing on the
18s. For both girls and boys. Matter of fact, most of the players on the girls side are 17.
Half back--
Bravo. I am from your era and on my last player as well. I long for the simplicity of the old days. I am glad that my kids had the opportunity to play with their friends in community club setting and still be on "high level" teams. And that soccer didn't consume their free time year round.
It's not just soccer, but many sports are headed in that direction.It will be the era of specialists not well rounded athletes.
Tomass--
I would frequent any Walmart that would hire you as a greeter.
that is why my better is better than your better.
mnfutbol - you should repeat Halfback's post and make it the last one on every thread here.
Then lock it up. That post is a fitting end to your great blogging adventure.
mrs robinson- Thanks- I would even push your cart for you...the one with the wobbly wheel of course. Introduce yourself if you are up at State Cup.
Disappointing loss....
u17g
Stars beat Wings
Wings beats OH Premier 4-0
OH Premier beats Stars 1-0
OH Premier record before the Stars game was 0-3-1. They had not scored a goal and gave up 7.
What the heck is going on?
it's called the beautiful game of soccer. It is a living breathing entity that changes as quick as a blink of an eye. History does not determine outcome. Hope inspires determination. Luck exposes reality. Strength and weakness are one of the same at different points of time in the same game.
what the heck is going on???? it is called the most beautiful game. Make sure you stop and smell the soccer balls.
Tomass,perhaps you understood what you were talking about but I didnt?
What did you say?
Tomass: your 10:19 post was likely one of the more memorable and insightful posts in the history of blogging. Thanks!
Big games at MRL coming up.
U15B Bangu 1-1-1 still too early to read much into results.
U16B Arsenal 0-6-1 will be demoted next year.
U17B Bangu 2-0-5 has a chance at wild card.
U18B Valley United 2-0-3 has a chance for wild card.
U15G EP 3-2-1 in has chance for a wild card bid. Bangu Blue 2-3-1 unlikely to get wildcard but should be safe from demotion.
U17G Bangu 4-2-2 has chance for a wildcard. Wings 1-5-2 needs at least a tie or could be facing demotion next year.
U18G Bangu 4-2-1 will have a chance at the wildcard.
Good luck to all!!!
Tomass
What happen this past weekend. I heard you now have a player with broken ribs? I also heard there was a parent brawl?
The MRL is not worth the effort,time or cost associated with it.
I think for the most part the MRL is an excellent league,especially if you avoid playng Mn teams.
player has no broken ribs and will play this weekend.
No brawl - severe confrontation that was broken up quickly. Incident was based on a WI parent uttering racist comments to one of my players much of the game and then giving him one last "dig" after the final whistle.
Calmer heads prevailed.
tomass, if this was going on during the match, why on earth didn't the player ask the referee to intervene?
I have centered past teams of yours and I think you know that I would have tossed the bum out right then and there and lectured the remainder of the parents. Sadly, I have actually had to toss several parents from the same team (it was in another state) for racist comments.
No place for that in the sport. period.
halfback - the referee was not of the same substance and ability as you are to take charge in that manner in this game.
I was surprised that one of the parents from the same team did not tell this clown to shutup
The referee crews at the EP hosted weekend by far were the most capable and accomplished referees we had during the 3 weekend MRL season.
I would agree that the MRL crews I saw were well south of worthless.
Between the price of gas, marginal field conditions and the officiating, I would be hard pressed to recommend the experience to anyone.
E.P.refs are the best,Halfback youre the best,Tomass youre the best,get a room!
naw were just soccer naturalists. The pitch will be fine.
HBJ - the Minooka fields, though out in the middle of nowhere, were some of the best natural grass soccer fields I have seen for sometime. The drainage was beautiful. The downpour the night before left no evidence of having rained.
Just read an e-mail saying Wings Coaching Director (Sanchez) has resigned effective today. Anyone know who will take over the reigns ?
Don't you mean taking over the ashes?
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