The Regional tournament schedule is set. MN had resonable draws, if previous year or historical performance has anything to do with expected results. My picks for best chance to get out of their group are 18s, 17s and 19s. My pick for teams to not win a game are 16s and 15s.
Link with most Regional information is: http://www.region2.com/2008Cup/teaminfo.html
292 comments:
1 – 200 of 292 Newer› Newest»admin,I dont thnk you should start topics when you dont have a clue.You pick the 16 boys not to win a game,why?I dont thnk you know what you are talking about,they have a chance to make the semis,they'll win two for sure!
I don't think he's saying they don't have a chance. He's going by what's on paper. Chill out...
It's soccer... anything can happen so I'm not disagreeing with you. IT'S OKAY TO GO IN AS UNDERDOGS. Don't take offense and spaz out like a immature 16 year old (which I hope you are not).
I think the reason people don't expect our 16's to do well at Regions is that the teams in this age group in Minnesota were much weaker this year than last year.
With the top players from last years top 2 teams moving around the level of competition was less in this age group than last year.
I hope the SCV boys prove the doubters including me wrong but I wouldn't bet on it.
Look at Tom M's recent email to all the State Cup teams. He praised the competition at the U16 age group. Shows the mind of MYSA. Relishing in the local competition without a clue that this means no chance of competition on the regional stage. Go Thunder Academy.
Competition in the U16 boys group was more balanced this year since the top team from prior year was a shadow of prior years due to player movement. Even the runnerup Bangu group from last year was weakened with a few of their better players moving to Blackhawks and other teams.
Congrats to all the winners at State Cup but it's reality that some of these teams will struggle more than others at Region 2 Championships.
11:02 sounds like the parent / MYSA DOC member that circumvented the rules to allow son's team to gain PR status and thus attrack the players needed to compete at this age group.
On a positive note, isn't SD in the 16s group? They should be competative and even have a chance to compete in that game.
For the U-16's i would not say they dont have a chance to win one game they got a good draw and won their MRL group
Weren't the U16s in MRL 1st division? Won't they be playing premier division teams at State Cup?
You mean regionals?
yes...I meant regionals. haste makes waste.
Mn State winners u16 2
Illinois State winners u16 1 mrl game.
Wi.state winners finished lower than Wings in mrl.
S.D. State winners will lose by at least 3 to SCV.
SCV are probably about the #4 team at regionals.
WOW what an ignorant ego driven parent we have. You may compete against SD and may even win. Beyond that you would need extreme luck.
10:17 - I think it's one of the players.
Good luck to SCV and hopefully they can sneak up on other teams who might take them too lightly. To say they are the #4 team at regionals is a stretch. Other RII teams include:
Team Ohio - ranked #5 in the nation
FC Pride out of IN - #13 in the nation
Vardar West - #14 in the nation
Scott Gallagher - #21 in the nation
Javanon - #24 in the nation
KC Wizards - #26 in the nation
Metro out of OS - #33 in the nation
This doesn't include anyone out of IL.
They actually have a great pool draw with SD, NE, and the MRL wild card (and they owe a little bit of thanks to PSA SE's for that). Looks like the winner of the SCV/Metro game will most likely take the pool (if I've got this figured out right).
They wont compete at regionals. They have 5 of the top 30 players at the age group on their team. 5 other teams at the age group also have 5 of the top 30. They have no chance except against SD.
Agreed. SCV 16s will go 0-2-1 or 0-3-0.
For the folks knocking my opinion on SCV,I'm not a parent or in any way involved with SCV.
I am stating my opinion,while it is only an opinion it is based on fact.
SCV won State Cup making them the top team.Some of us picked them to win State Cup because we know the age group.People who can only see a few"stars" on a team cant see how good SCV as a group.The so calle stars at u16 are highly overated,good on their own but maybe not so good for a team.
SCV actualy has the top player in the state.
Actually the top player in the state at that age group plays at SSM.
matter of opinon,there is a reason SCV is dong so well and having the top player is one of them.
anom 9 34pm,let me guess,you Coach for Bangu.Bring the top 5 players from the top 6 teams and I will give you a top team
Same could be said of every age and gender in all states.
How about no soccer clubs and just put the top players together with no coach,they would win on their own because they are the top players.
Players are born not developed.
10:07,
If that is true then the most populous nation on earth would always win.
How is it that small countries can beat China, India, Russia, USA at soccer when they have so many fewer "players" born in their countries?
Good luck to SCV. And I'm not buying the "I'm not a parent...." routine either 9:12.
While you are in here telling the rest of us how good your kid's team is, you might want to hold off on the bragging until your son's team actually does something at regionals. It MAY save you the embarrassment of having to come back with your tails tucked.
And since your MYSA board member/parent had to grease the deal for your team in the middle of the night while other teams were being told they couldn't do the same thing does not help your team's image either.
Whether your team has the best player or not is irrelevant; he needs 10 other competent teammates to be able to have a chance to play well at this level of competition.
Isn't Donyeh the top player in the state at U16?
Does he play for SCV this year?
Nope. He plays outside MN now.
I thought SSM was a Minnesota team?
Isn't Donyeh there?
SCV are not the best team at the age group. They did win State Cup. So they were the best team on the day that mattered (or the luckiest.)
They already lost 2 games in league and will probably end up in the middle-lower part of PR (3rd, 4th or 5th.)
I will give them a 50/50 chance against SD. They have not chance against the other two teams in their group at regionals.
He is in fact at S-SM, but we are not considering SSM as part of Minnesota anymore.....remember?
So, someone else will have to hold down the title of best U16 boy in Minnesota.
SSMSouthCampus
I offer you Kareem Darbaki from the Blackhawks as the next best to Patrick Donyeh.
Ken Ouren is the best U16
Oh those darn children and their computers.....
Come on give SCV a break. I think everyone, except a few SCV parents, know that there is parity at the age group right now.
They did win state cup, yes, they have lost 2 league games, but they won the right to represent MN. I for one will be rooting for them when down at regionals. I will be rooting for all MN teams, even the ones that have a few nut jobs as parents...which is all teams.
Bravo anotherboyscoach! Someone with an IQ in double figures has arrived!
they won state cup because they were the best team,they were unbeaten.
Losing two games in the local prem is not shocking.If SCV isnt that good how come they were unbeaten in their mwrl div. but the Illinois state cup winner in the same division lost twice?
Face it,they are a very good team and should be aplauded.SCV also went into SSM and beat them on their own turf,3 1.Seems theyve had lots of lucky days!
Applaud then. Go to Rockford, win, come back and brag. And remember that the refs in Rockford aren't going to do you any favors either.
are you saying the refs do them favors?I think most or al SCV parents are at mwl playoffs this weekend.I didnt see the refs help them at State Cup in the two games I saw,semis and final
The way they ref there, they will get NO help at all.
oh and the only reason SCV beat SSM is because shattuck had to put a forward in goal after their starter was injured, and their other goalie was off on a regional ODP trip...oh yea did i forget to mention SSM was winnning 1-0 when the goalie got hurt..
SCV is good, but they are not Shattuck good...
11 41,thats really funny!Putting a forward in goal caused the 3 goals,I could see SSM not scoring again but why did the SCV team get 3 goalscoring chances?Not because the starting forward wasnt in the field.SSM should be deeper than that,I think they roster about 20?Fact is SCV beat SSM 3 1 because they were better on the day.The game was at SSM and in the offseason for SCV,perhaps now it would be a bigger margin!
1152, hey when SSM has there starting goalie at a regional event, and there backup goalie get injured, they have no other options..and if you feel so confident that if a team is good enough to play with a forward who has never played goalie before then why don't you put your forward in goal for 70 minutes of the game..the forward could barely catch the ball it was funny haha
Can't we just can all the SCV stuff until after regionals? At that point all the SCV folks can either crow all they want or slink away quietly.
SCV today qualified for mwl premier for next season.They will be the only mn 16 to do so.
the point being ssm,that the other team still created the 3 goals no matter who is in the net,your team was unable to posess the bal or score again.Both are good teams,SCV probably the better one though
1152 has no clue what he is talking about.
SSM parent
how about the chances for U17 Bangu? I think they might have a shot for the regional title.
how about the chances for U17 Bangu? I think they might have a shot for the regional title.
Who cares what happened in the SSM SCV game? SCV won MN State Cup....they are your representative. Get behind them. I believe that many "ifs and buts" may be answered next year at MN State Cup.
SSMSouthCampus
As Bangu parent I wanted to throw my support this year to SCV, they won State Cup and have been playing well. As the representative of Minnesota at Regionals we should all hope that they represent Minnesota well and are successful. Any success for Minnesota should supported wether the team is SCV, Bangu, Arsenal, Westside, etc.
The more success Minnesota teams have the better for all our programs.
I agree with anon 9:30. It's too bad we never seem to have more than one good team each year at this level. this time it is SCV and then their juice runs out and we have a new good team. Either we are the ones demolishing each other or something. we should give our support to SCV for playing well and it will be fun to see them advance to Nationals. Go SCV - we are behind you and make MN PROUD.
I agree with the last couple of posts. It's all about MN now and SCV is our representative and we should be supportive of those boys--they won games when it counted and that's just how it is in sports. Would the rest of us like to be in their shoes--yes! All of us other teams had our chance and no matter what our excuse we use (because we all have one, right?!), we didn't pull it off. I hope they show other states that there is some talent in MN, because from past experience, I can say that folks outside of MN don't think much of our soccer. I hope SCV shows them a thing or two! Also, I wish them good luck to them in the Premier league. They'll find themselves playing even tougher opponents and the more intense competition will improve them.
I heard the Bangu 17s are only bringing 14 players to Regionals...what's up with this? Are kids quitting on their coach?
Rumour has it, regionals are being moved to Dekalb, Sportscore 1 is under water and two is trashed because of over use and too much rain.
Check out the Rockford parks web site. They have declared Sportscore I closed.http://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/
I think Edina U15B will surprise everyone!
I think Edina U15B will surprise everyone!
SCV beat Shattuck 16s (who are mostly freshmen, so 15s) The good 15s play with the 17. The good 17s play with the 18s. The 18s played state cup at 18. So when you say you beat Shattuck, you should be specific. BTW, the IL state cup champs did not play in the 1st division of MRL with SCV. That Eclipse team lost in the round of 16 in the IL cup.
anon 4:37 ...quit stuttering.
Thanks
anom 8 54,SCV can only play the Shattuck 16s put before them,the good 15s do not play with the 17s,they play 16,the 16s have plenty of good 16s,its a soccer program not a cc!
The same Eclipse team that SCV beat at mrl won State Cup in Illinois,the team you refer to is the Eclipse east team,the b team,Eclipse Select won Illinois Cup,they finished second to SCV at mrl.Mike V is the coach of that team,would you like his e mail to prove it?
If you dont know the facts dont try to state them
Let the boys do the talkin' on the field. We will find out soon enough.
If the 17's win their first game, they should be through to the semifinals...where they will likely face the defending champs Michigan Wolves. They dropped SG in MRL play, but SG finished ahead of them.
Do they have what it takes? Or is there Jefferson Cup title, MRL undefeated season, State Cup run witihout getting scored on all "over-rated"?
What Jefferson Cup flight did they win? If that was the top flight, then they certainly have what it takes to win at regions. Region tournaments are generally not as strong overall as a the top flight at a premier level invitational.
no they won the 2nd division at Jefferson..which is not respectable..
not hard to tell the parents who will or won't be in Rockford this weekend.........
and your point is, 2:50?
3:29 - the point is that the posts that are negative are usually from folks whose team did not win state cup. the posts that tend to boast about how great their son's team is are undoubtedly from those who won state cup and are going to rockford this weekend. Hope that answers your question.
Soccer....a waste of time. Teach your kid to play golf.Something he can do all his life. There is no bull crap like mentioned above. You go out and play a round. You post your score. Low score wins. Players ranked by scoring average. No subjectivity necessary.
So why aren't you golfing on such a nice day instead of blogging about a sport that is a waste of time. Maybe a bigger waste of time would be commenting on something that you feel is a waste of time.
PS - I do agree about golf though. When my boys are older I doubt I'll every play soccer on Father's Day, but 18 holes with them sounds like fun.
regional results?
Jedi o o,Bangu 13b 0 8,SCV 1 1
I think everyone should be watching the Under 19 boys play... They are amazing and are the best team in MN...
MN Boys Teams at Regions - Day 1
0 wins
3 losses
4 ties
We only scored 4 goals in 7 games.
SCV will beat the S.D.team handily.They will go into game 3 with a chance to qualify,I think
The boyz stink. If you want winners gotta go to the girls side.
Time to mov e elite coaches like MA,DS,WH etc to the boys side. They really need help.
you may find MA doesnt do well with boys
MA has never done well with boys. Even in camps.
anon 11:13
Yes...while many of the Bangu kids were still away at college.
The devil is in the details.
Hey..
I was looking at the U17 Bangu team. Ok, Bangu & Scott Gallagher tied. Bangu scored 3 today & Scott Gallagher scored 4. Only three of those goals for Scott Gallager count right? If that correct and let say Bangu & Scott Gallagher end up in a tie how do they determine who advances? A shoot out?
The BOYZ....2-6-6............Odor?
713, a max goal diff of 4 is allowed per game, so SG has the advantage.
anon 7:41
All the more reason to consolidate talent on the boys teams like has been done at most age groups for girls.
The boys teams who won are the Bangu U17s where talent is more consolidated and SSM who has players from all across the USA.
The boys talent will pool or consolidate once the Thunder and SSM are awarded the USSF Academy designation. It's just a matter of how quickly the top players move.
SCV 16 boys 0-2-1 (2 pts). Better than some predicted, worse than the SCV parents predicted. Tied a very poor SD team. Had about the best drawn any MN team could every hope for. I think the parity, 5 or 6 good team at this age group argument was proved.
Most predicted the SCV team wouldn't win a game even with their easy draw.
They were right but at least the SCV side earned 2 ties.
I'd say SCV went close,1 1,1 1,1 2 to the group winner.They should of beat S.D.,that cost them a very good chance at making the semis.
Someone blogs a lot about consolidating talent at 16s,it appears that 15s,14s and 13s are the ones who really need to consolidate.Dont develop players just bring them in!
Bangu u17s have consolidated the talent more so than any boys team.
They won their group and play in semis tomorrow.
They will be the only Minnesota to team to advance as SSM might but they really aren't a Minnesota team.
Nuff said...
4:39, SSM WILL advance (pairings aren't fully posted for the one game left which will decide who they play) to the Semis tomorrow.
And, I agree...they aren't a Minnesota team.
SSMSouthCampus
To date...
Boys....6-9-6
Girls...9-9-3
--------------
Total 15-18-9
anon 349, still dreaming of a white christmas. counting advancing before it is done - hmmm
How about those BNG U13s, MU 14s and EDI 15s? Great work, losers.
stan,
However, they beat your team to get there...right? ;-)
11:44: What on earth? Please get a life.
So the Bangu U17 boys go undefeated at regionals, goes to goal differential, score more goals than Gallagher (same differential) and because they allowed one more goal (2) they get knocked out. Good job representing MN at regionals.
The U17 Bangu group really was unfortunate.
To lose on that tie breaker is just bad luck.
I have to agree they performed well and are the state's top Minnesota boys team.
They were also undefeated in premier division of MRL this spring.
Good job guys.
Our boys teams record at Regions was 3 wins 8 losses vs IL, MI & OH teams. Not good.
Our boys teams records vs the rest of Region 2 teams was 3 wins, 1 loss and 6 ties. Respectable.
Our only wins against IL, MI & OH teams came from Bangu U17s and Shattuck U18s.
Storlien can't wait to take over the Bangu U17 boys team. As Director Of Elite Development he's just what the team needs to take them to the National Championship.
Go Blue!
Storlien will not be taking of the U17 Boys...
apparently Holker didn't do a good enough job
Holker did fine. The team was undefeated in premier division of MRL and went undefeated at Regionals. At regionals they scored 7 goals to oppositions 2 goals but failed to advance on tie breakers.
No reason to change coaches if Holker wants to take this group next year.
Please let me remind all of you that SSM is NOT a Minnesota team. Therefore, there are NO Minnesota teams advancing.
Can't have it both ways....they either are or they aren't. Those on this blog have convinced me that they are not. Which way is it going to be?
SSMSouthCampus
SSMSC is correct, however you could say that some MN kids are advancing as I believe a few play for SSM? It is a stretch to say they are a MN team though, I will agree with that.
from a parent on a team that advanced the last two years ... it must be the club, the coach, or the players. if a non bangu team advances, credit is not given to the team but they are criticized, no credit to the players or the coaching...blah blah the coach is not good but a bangu coach failed to advanced it is bad luck. was not a good coach would have overcome bad luck? we all should remember never criticize your neighbor unless you walk one day in his mocassins. down right petty - at regionals - let's not count goals, if we want to pacify U17 boys fine but they know what they bargained and they did not perform to advance. leave it at that. no escuses...
SSMSC - I don't care where they come from - good luck to them in tomorrow's championship game.
To everyone else outside of Minnesota (and SSMSC), SSM *IS* representing Minnesota. Good luck to SSM tomorrow!
Anon 3:56-- you have just summed up the point I have been trying to make for a very, very long time.
To everyone else outside....MN has a representative in the Region 2 Finals. SSM DOES reflect upon MN.
My point has been-- embrace the program as it refelcts upon the State. Can we now agree to consider SSM as MN teams?
SSMSouthCampus
Sort of silly to go to regionals and pack it in. 2 ties and loss after packing it in and then calling the games close is silly. Time for a new coach who trys to actually play teams and win games versus just sit back and hope for ties.
Anon 4:07, what team are you talking about?
The SSM U18 boys. That is the only team listed as a MN team left in the tournament. Not bad for Faribault Soccer Association to have thier first team competing at Regionals advance into the finals.
Please note the sarcasm, as I am laying it on pretty thick.
SSMSC You are incorrect that people outside MN consider SSM a MN team. I talked to a lot of people last weekend and that is NOT the prevailing opinion. That is nothing against Shatuck, I know you are sensitive about that. They have every right to do what they do.
Then where exactly do the "lots of people" you talked to last weekend consider SSM to be from? Seems to me that every time my child has traveled to any tournaments they are listed as "Shattuck St Marys" and thier home State is listed as MN.
So are we back to the theory that SSM does NOT represent Minnesota? I just want to get it straight so I know how to respond when people ask me about SSM at tournaments abroad.
SSMSouthCampus
Anonymous said...
Sort of silly to go to regionals and pack it in. 2 ties and loss after packing it in and then calling the games close is silly. Time for a new coach who trys to actually play teams and win games versus just sit back and hope for ties.
does anyone get that?I do not
If you were in Rockford, you would have seen a well prepared U17 Bangu team that played up to it's competition especially Scott Gallagher who is favored in tomorrow's final. Players stepped it up when they had to coming back against Scott Gallagher to tie and being inches away from a shootout to decide the group. They hustled and showed that their are talented players in the state. I don't think any coach could have gotten more out his players than Greg Holker did, the players responsed, well done!
Bangu 17s team is the best boys team in the state. They are the best boys team out of MN in the last 10 years probably. They deserved to advance. They outscored Galagher, but because of one little goal they are eliminated. Holker should NOT be replaced, but how many of those players are going to want to play 18's??
Sheesh, they tied a lowly C1 team at State Cup.
9:56--
Um. They didn't deserve to advance because they didn't get enough points to advance.
I will give you that the U17 BNG are the best team in the State (best boys U17 team-- they DID win State Cup). I do feel that it is a bit of a stretch to say they are the best team in 10 years. What facts are you basing this on? Tournament results? League play results?
Just like was said (and is true) about the SSM U18 girls...thier run at Regionals is over. Let's see what happens next year, the landscape of MN soccer will be much different next year for many reasons.
SSM wins region 2 championship!!!
You may not want to consider them a MN team, but a handful of the boys on that team list MN as their home (and all of the others live hear for at least 75% of the year). As far as I am aware, these are the only athletes from MN on any team (MN or otherwise) to get a chance to play at nationals for at least the last several years. Congrats to these gentlemen!
12:24 - I agree and we should congratulate them.
If Milwaukee has a blog similar to this then I would bet there are a few posts flying around about the national makeup of the SSM team and the fairness questions that have been beaten to death here on this blog.
The Bangu 17's went 16-2-12 in 30 games...losing to SSM 17's in the adidas tournament and to GSA from Atlanta at Jefferson Cup...no one else beat them. Not too bad.
Congratulations to the Faribault U18s.
The best team in Minnesota that has players from over a dozen states, much less 1 zipcode.
Congratulations to the SSM U18s for making to Nationals on the boys side.
The best team that plays with Minnesota address.
Someone who is the Bangu coaching -buy him a drink and maybe we can learn a thing or two.
Was it SSM Boarding School playing in Regions or was it the Faribault Soccer Association?
call it what you like, bottom line is, Shattuck-St Mary's are the Region II Champs. And remember, they have 17s playing on that team as well.
Here's to a good next year at Shattuck!!
So, I'll ask my question again so we can lay it to rest ONCE AND FOR ALL. Is the general consensus that SSM represents Minnesota or not?
If yes, then congrats to the SSM U18s and to Minnesota for having a second Regional Champion in two years.
If no, then congrats to the SSM U18s-- and thank you to Minnesota for allowing this team to take thier spot at Regionals.
SSMSouthCampus
12:58-- The team is comprised of players from 9 different States. The breakdown is like this:
Minnesota 6 players
Illinois 3 players
Virginia 2 players
South Dak 1 player
New York 1 player
Wisconsin 1 player
Indiana 1 player
Idaho 1 player
Vermont 1 player
This isn't rocket science. Why not check the roster which is online before you make stupid comments?
2:26--I think 12 was just a guess. Doesn't look like a minnesota team to me.
It is hard to call them a Minnesota team whe about 2/3rds of the team is from other states.
As was mentioned earlier though, at least 6 minnesotans are able to experience nationals. That is 6 more than last year, and 6 more than would have gone if SSM did not play State Cup. Congrats to all.
I don't think anybody has any hard feelings toward the Minnesota kids on the Faribault team. After all Faribault in a Minnesota club.
I think a few folks might think having players in your "club" from approx 20 states, 4 Canadian provinces and the UK is highly unusual.
I'll bet their opponents at Region 2 Championships think the same.
We, MN teams, played against teams from IL, KY which had players from several states at regionals. I do not know about Canada. But remember not all SSM players are part of the Faribault club, yet they live in MN 9 months of the year. Some of the kids still play for a team at home, others played club ball for other clubs both in MN and other states,
anon 652
Those teams had players from a reasonable radius from where their club was based. The Chicago metro area abuts Indiana and Wisconin. I know Kentucky teams are going to have a few players from Ohio and Indiana. That just makes sense.
It's not like a "Minnesota team" having players from California, New York, Illinois etc.
Just has to make you wonder.
What is it that is happening in OUR OWN BACK YARD that is motivating QUALITY players from good clubs/teams to move to Faribault to play/train. And some who are just down the road are hesitant to take advantage of it.
Can't see the forest through the trees?
The landscape is changing, change with it or be left out.
All I see on that roster of boys are all dedicated soccer players with a goal of getting better.
I applaud each player and family!!
Ah yes, the landscape is changing!!
I see that the IMG U18 Girls were beat (upset) in the semis at the Region III tournament. That is funny, its happening somewhere else besides here in Sota.
One more thing, check the roster of the U18 Fire Jr's team that plays in the DAP. You will find more than Ctown players.
Open your eyes fellow northern
people. Your way too sheltered.
You know what I can't figure out? I live in a MN/WI border community, so my club draws players from Wisconsin. A few years ago one of our teams couldn't play in Minnesota's State Cup because more than half of the kids lived in Hudson. I thought there was a rule that at least half of your players have to live in Minnesota...do these players qualify because they go to school here?
Correct 11:20.
No rules have been or are being broken!
I say congrats to SSM .
With 12 boys from Region 2 states...
The Sabres managed to "consolidate" talent and go all the way.
8:22
More proof that consolidating talent is necessary for smaller to mid-size states to win at Regions.
It can be done as Tsunami Sota proved a couple of times and as Abboud's U13s proved last year.
The Super Eagles of a few years ago are another good example.
But it will not happen more consistently until Minnesota consistently consolidates top talent onto 1 team.
Folks, why are we thinking so small? I mean, why stop at our state boundaries? Let's build a midwest powerhouse club and rule the world!
I think that SSM is just trying emulate what they have done with hockey. They need a "National Championship" banner to hang on the dome or whatever. I think that they have tried USClub and who knows what else and the only trophy that really means anything is USYS. They can win all of the tournaments they want, expose players to college coaches at showcase tournaments, and get the players into good college programs, but they need to recruit and the best way is to have the Nat Champ banner flying high.
Faribault club, no. Minnesota, kinda. Fair?....good for Minnesota soccer kids?.....
Its good for a VERY SELECT group of players, but to say SSM "raises the standard of Minnesota soccer" by bring in kids from all over to whip Minnesota players... well... I'll say its debatable and leave it at that.
I still find the whole thing intriguing and should they win nationals I fully expect other USYS members to cry foul. There is already such a backlash building within Region II following their victory. They simply ARE NOT the same kind of team that everyone else is, and it will raise competition and fairness questions. What if just one country in the Olympics was allowed to use more than 3 over age players, how would the others feel about that. How honest is the competition at that point?
Personally, I champion the Thunder Academy over SSM because it focuses on DEVELOPING MINNESOTA KIDS AND MAKING THEM BETTER. SSM, well, they'd tell you thats what they are about, but then look at their roster breakdown. I'm just not buying.
That being said, I still think SSM is a great thing for that elite group of players and not only should it exist, but it should have the soccer communities support - I just think they'd be a better fit in the US Academy thing and out of state cup/regionals/nationals. Maybe thats their goal?
Dumb parent question: I can't imagine SSM is the only program like this in the country. I mean, there are boarding schools all up and down the east coast, and I'd expect soccer academies exist in Florida and other warm weather states like they do for tennis. Don't any of them field teams for these types of competitions? Or do their players/students/athletes go home for the summer and play for their home states?
Seprately, I watched SSM play several of their State Cup games, even driving up to watch the championship on a night my kids weren't playing. If you get a chance to watch them, it's a treat. They'd beat the Thunder for sure.
Who cares where the SSM players are from? The players are just teenagers looking to play some football and to get some schooling. I bet the SSM players couldn't care less about whether you consider them a MN team or not. Shouldn't we just consider them Americans? Aren't we really in this to develop American soccer and not just MN soccer?
SSM is helping develop MN players and they do raise the bar. The SSM Hockey program has being doing this for years. The SSM Hockey team scrimmages youth teams around MN. Would MN Hockey boys get a chance to play against Sidney Crosby (who played a year at SSM) if it weren't for SSM. The next Freddie Adu might play at SSM. It's good for MN Soccer players to play against Freddie Adus.
Should SSM not have let Sidney Crosby play there because he's Canadian? Wouldn't any American player playing with or against Crosby during that time benefit from it?
SSM is just a school with kids looking to excel in soccer. They aren't out to get anyone.
11:01 - I don't disagree with what you are saying. I wonder what the backlash would be if SSM opted to play in the MSHSL State hockey tournament.
They ARE out to get the best players from around the country. They can do so by winning national tournaments.
wait til ssm applies to play mshsl soccer.
If SSM is out to get the best players from around the country, good for them, good for MN soccer!
SSM doesn't play in the HS Hockey league. SSM won't play in the HS Soccer league. They don't want to waste their time playing in that fluff.
10:26 - saying that SSM would "beat the Thunder for sure" is quite possibly one of the dumbest things anyone has ever said IN THE HISTORY OF THIS BLOG.
I have no loyalties to either, but saying a group of (albeit talented) 17 and 18 year olds would even COMPETE is RIDICULOUS.
You are indeed... a dumb parent
uh - yeah, considering the THUNDER RESERVES have beaten SSM many, many, many times - 10:26 has my vote to for the latest "most ignorant statement of all time" statements.
Did anyone see the SSM U18 final game. How did it go?
The first half was played in a driving rain with poor footing and little skill. Both teams had difficulty controlling their first touch and moving off the ball. First half was even with FC Milwaukee having the edge based on free kicks and corners. Shattuck had two excellent opportunities, one a shot that hit the inside post and another shot that squirted wide. FC Milwaukee did not sub until 15 minutes left in game, Shattuck used more players on outside mid and up front which did seem to pay off in the second half. Second half field was still wet and soggy but rain let up. Still messy but Shattuck was able to stretch the field and get some solid attacks. Milwaukee began to foul more and they were getting beat to the ball. Both goals were quality with one touch passes that bulit up to a head off a cross and a Bunbury flick over his shoulder to finish off with a solid shot. Milwaukee was frustrated and had a player sent off with an ugly challenge from behind with 6 minutes left. It would have been interesting to see both teams play on a dry field because the conditions neutralized the attacking styles of both teams.
Food for thought....if some within Minnesota would open thier eyes and send their kids to SSM, there would be fewer "out of State" kids at SSM.
It is an option for kids EVERYWHERE, including Minnesota. Just because you are too blind to see it would benefit little Johnny, that is your shortsightedness.
5:13 - please provide us with your bank account so we can all pay the $35K annual bill.
Many MN kids went to SSM when the program started. Almost all have left either of there own volition or because they were cut.
IMG acadamy from FL had its U18 Girls get to the Semis before being upset at the Region 3 tournament. The landscape is a changing.
8:16, you have no clue as to what you are even talking about. You are correct on the first part, some kids did opt to go back home, but they were not just from Minnesota.
To your second accusation, there are NO kids that have left the school because they were "cut." Three years ago, some young men were sent home for disciplinary reasons.
Before you come in here and try to fling poo around, make sure you kinow what you are talking about!
SSM Parent
SSM parent before you fling poo around realize there are two genders in the world. 816 is exactly correct.
They left 742. No argument there. They were NOT cut. I know there are two genders.
SSM Parent
Cut may be wrong word. How about it was made clear to them that their playing time would be extremely limited so they left.
I can honestly say that I am not paying $35k a year for my kid to be at SSM. Nor is anyone else who cannot afford full tuition.
Instead of looking at the "list price" and turning away in disgust, look into the program and make INFORMED decisions. Or, don't. But if you don't research it, don't complain that somehow Minnesota kids are being excluded or overlooked. They have the same opportunity as the rest of the kids who attend SSM now.
People have left the program for many reasons. Heck, even Sidney Crosby and Ty Gretzky left early (both for different reasons). But, I suppose that means that the hockey program is fatally flawed also?
SSMSouthCampus
It won't be long before someone will propose a rule at the MYSA AGM limiting the number of out of state boarding school students that can be rostered on MYSA teams.
1020, it would not be enforceable since the rule is a USYS rule, not an MYSA rule. Time to move on.
I requested my sons team to give me a recap of the teams budget and expenses for the year to see how the funds were spent and also an estimate of our cost for next year so we could budget. Should't they provide this info if requested?
IMHO they should. I would be very concerned if they said a flat-out "NO."
Please do some research on IMG Academy in Florida. The resident boarding school thing is NOT new. Why is it that the folks in Florida have no problems with this concept, but some in MN do?
provincial (pro·vin·cial)-
1. Limited in perspective; narrow and self-centered.
1:36 - how do you know they didn't? I would bet those same issues came up back then. What makes FL different is that there are a lot of larger cities (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa/St. Pete, Orlando, Jacksonsville, etc....) vs. here where 80% of the people live in one metro area. It might have been discussed in the Tampa Bay area, but doubtful anyone down in Miami is too focused on events occurring in Bradenton, FL.
ssmsouthcampus (2030), I believe you are correct in saying thank you to Minnesota for letting them take a Minnesota teams spot. How can everyone not see a problem with that, unless your kid is on one of those teams. It is not going to elevate play in Minnesota. Their success will get the attention of other top players from other states and guess what? 6 Players will go down to maybe a couple from our state. Then we will be lucky to have maybe a couple Minnesotans represent Minnesota. Yes, I know winning is important, but only one team out of maybe 50 wins. 49 teams lose. The important part is the journey and the experience and the memories. This year 6 kids from Minnesota got to experience regions and living out their dreams. It should have been 17 or 18. Instead a bunch of kids from other states get our kids opportunities. Sounds like some people made a huge mistake in their decision to let them play. Yes I know they are the better team, but it is not about who is better, and contrary to popular belief sending a SSM team to regions only says we want to win without doing all the work ourselves. If we really want to do well why don't we ask some clubs from California to play for us at regions. Boy think how many region champs we would have then. Pretty #@%* sad.
bitter, bitter, bitter.
SSM playing in USYS State Cup and Region tournaments will only be another year at most.
After that SSM and Bangu/Thunder will be playing in USSF Academy and not eligible for State Cup or any MRL or MYSA leagues.
Mmmm...wrong. BTW will field teams in MYSA leagues, MRL and will play State Cup to get to Regionals. However, SSM will be on the outside.
This year of exception players will not be matched next year. There is a huge drop off when they loose this group of seniors. They will still be a very competative side, but may not be the favorite at U18s next year.
BTW should win State Cup at every age group for girls, and probably 5 for the boys. The rest will follow the year after. Only SSM will be able to compete at U18 in the coming years.
I'm sure the MYSA clubs will try to create some silly rules about limiting the number of state championships any 1 club can win...as silly as it sounds, this has already been on the drawing board at two CCs based on 2007 state cup results. With 2008 results and BTW it is only a matter of time before MYSA is relegate to C2 and rec soccer...which would not be a bad thing.
And by-the-way, congrats to the SSM MN State Cup champions winning regionals. They will represent MN and Region 2 very well at the national tournament. MN is proud of your accomplishments!
923, Congratulations to the region 2 winners. 1/3 minnesotans doesn't make it a Minnesota team. I wonder how much playing time some of those Minnesota kids get? Before you call me bitter let me tell you I have two girls and no boys and one of my daughters says she wants to go to SSM when she gets older. Some things are common sense and wrong!!!
Send her to SSM....if she is a good fit it is truly a special place..these kids, wherever they are from, will remember Fairbault for the rest of there lives...more so than college...3:09..very bitter and very naive...bordering on ignorant
Some miss the point by an incredibly long distance. You want to consolidate the talent in MN? You want to have a choice in where that consolidation takes place? Well, you have a choice. Send them to either BTW or to SSM. Either place would be fine, but if you want to complain about the number of Minnesota kids at SSM-- look in the mirror first. Everyone in Minnesota has the same opportunity as those in other states to send thier kids to SSM. You choose not to participate. Fine. Quit whining about the lack of Minnesota kids then.
Tree Huggers....I bet you were picked last or not at all for dodge ball when you where in 2nd grade huh? Whats next, my little Johnny and Suzy get a free ride to Regions next year?? And maybe the rest of there lives?? Without competing? Grow up and stop crying. Your an embarrassment to yourself.
Anon 4:03
WTH are you talking about? I bet you picked out the weakest girl in dodgeball in second grade and slammed the ball as hard as you could into her face, and laughed. What is your point?
Consolidate all you want but nothing will change until the quality of coaching improves.
anon 11:48
Any suggestions on how to improve coaching?
Any clubs better than others?
Any coaches here in MN you think know what they're doing?
It's easy to criticize but do you have any suggestions that will improve things?
I would like to know from anon1148 what constitutes good coaching? Because there is a big difference at the younger ages to developing players versus winning games. What is the coach's benchmark in being evaluated?
most parents do not realize the difference between winning and developing
It seems to me a quality coach can can develop a good athlete into a good "player". Either our coaches don't know the difference or aren't willing to take the time to do it. What's pretty obvious is that training priorities need to be changed.To start spend less time on conditioning and more on technique. Anybody can get conditioning at a health club and it costs a lot less. Coaches are getting paid to improve soccer skills.This would be a good start.
You also have to realize that no coach has a magic wand that they can wave and make a player better if they don't have the desire, heart, or attitude to become better.
I think some parents think, "here is my player...ummmm, I mean child" make her better
I believe players need to do more when no one is watching. The best individual skill training comes on one's own time. There isn't an individual skill training program, that after you participate once, can't be done on your own at home or down at the park.
tomass,
I believe you have hit the nail on the proverbial head. Heart and attitude are something that a player must have to really make themselves better. I believe you can teach the fundamentals, skills all you want and if the player has no desire to get better they will not reach that premier player plateau, and that is fine if that player doesn't have that desire.
Tomass....How much time do you or WH devote to teaching or reinforcing tech skills in a typical practice session?
I believe I said this a while ago, players need to play more, go to the park, play in pick up games and get better. Tomass is correct. Players cannot rely on the 90 minute training session to develop the skills to be a good "player." It took a lot more than coaching to develop Tiger Woods. It took a lot more than coaching to develop Ronaldinho.
On the other hand, I was watching my U8 nephew at a CC training session a few days ago. There were 4 paid coaches in fancy coaching uniforms and about 30 players. I watched for 90 minutes. First they played tag. Then they ran across the field a couple times. Then they played tag. Then they sat and talked about who knows what. Then they played more tag.
There is a place for developing coordination, quickness and allusiveness, but give me a break! Not one football was touched and the players were wearing cleats and shin guards (so it was certainly a "football" practice). A lot of people appear to be dropping the ball here. The young, paid coaches. The program coordinator. The clueless soccer mommies. Me, for not barfing on the pitch.
Bottom line, this isn't a football culture. Coaches, players, and parents don't know what they're doing.
anon 941 - what age are you asking about?
younger players should have the focus on skill development. Too often coaches show how, but do not correct flaws when they see them so the kid thinks they are doing something right but just develops bad habits with the coach telling them to correct their mistakes without letting them know what they are doing wrong.
At U17 I only had about 4 strictly technical training sessions out of maybe 70 sessions since we showed some fundamental flaws in our technique or lack of focus in using them in certain games. But every tactical training session had different changing conditions that required using different techniques.
At the older ages the individual skill development needs to be done on their own. That should be their homework between sessions.
No, Maradona...what you saw (and I have seen the same thing too) is the soccer version of P.T. Barnum.
As long as there are enough sucker parents out there willing to write check after check to guys in snazzy warmups with funny accents, the mediocrity will go on. And on.
True. Or players can try to go to a club where there are a lot of dedicated players with a lot of "young", innovative and experienced coaches. Oh wait, that's what Thwingu is trying to do, yet there are so many parents whining about them. And I don't think many of their coaches have funny accents - I think most of them are from MN.
That's an unintentional plug for Thwingu as I'm not involved with them in any way.
Sorry, but to an Iowan....everyone in Minnesota has a funny accent! You betcha now....
Sorry, had to try and inject some humor.
SSMSouthCampus
I tried to mention that a few post before, about sometimes the players have to take some of the responsabilty for loosing. The coach can only do so much. He cant get out there and play.
About the player doing skill training away from team practice, I couldnt agree more!!
#10's Dad
Shouldn't the clubs be providing the parents with year end financials? Something's not right.
anon 5:25
You're right. Much of the responsibility belongs to the players. I've heard coaches tell the kids to work on their own with the ball away from team events. I don't know about other kids but mine didn't do that very often.
When we were young (sound like my dad now)we used to play baseball during summer vacation from morning to supper time in pick-up games at the park.
If we didn't have enough kids for a decent game on the diamonds we played "fast pitch" up against a wall on the school yard with a strike zone marked with chalk.
We must have played baseball like that at least 25-30 hours a week with our organized team practices 2 times a week for 2 hours.
Just think if our kids were playing soccer 25-30 hours a week like the kids in Brazil???
Think we'd have a lot more creativity and players with better awareness and touch?
But my son doesn't have time do do that after trumpet lessons, track meets, confirmation classes, AP studying and mandatory choir concerts. And we can't afford to have him play outside our CC.
Our CC coach needs to teach him these "creativity" and "touch" things that you speak of. Cripes, we're paying the coach $2000 for the season. You'd think he'd be able to teach our 16 year old something!
When I break it down, that's $125 per player. At approximately 7 hours per week for 4 months, that's about $1.12 per hour with my son. You'd think at that rate with that amount of time, our son would do at least one of the moves that Christian Ronald did during the World Cup last month.
maradona,
You're exactly right. Even with an elite coach earning $8000 a year for a 9 month "season" that comes to about $450 per player for 9 months of training.
Let's say between games and training it's 8 hours of coaching and instruction contact time per week over the course of 9 months.
That player is getting is getting almost 300 hours of training and instruction over that period which equates to $1.50 per hour.
Trust me, that's a hell of a lot cheaper than dance class.
And, of course, the quality of that training will triple if your kid moves to Thwingu.
sorry maradona I can't resist..........you want a coach to teach your son how to fall down needlessly and whine about it afterwards ;-)
And I know you meant Euro 08
Lousy coaching at any price is still lousy coaching.Our coaches are elite in excuse making only.We don't have one coach who was a better than average pro player at a level higher than a beer league.The coaches were wannabe players and now are wannabe coaches.The bottom line is all the options are poor.Just grin and bear it.
615 and you did what in soccer to make you an expert to judge? What makes a superior coach in your opinion then?
Ah, I miss Gregg Thompson.
The USA would be much better off if we could produce 1 player of the caliber of Christiano Ronaldo. To say (fall down needlessly and whine about it afterwards) about him is ridiculous.
LOL - hardly, never said he couldn't play soccer but he has a spoiled brat attitude and tries to take advantage of his stardom.
Yeah...ALL GREAT PLAYERS FALL DOWN NEEDLESSLY AND COMPLAIN ABOUT IT LATER!!!
your right about Gregg
I don't think you get FIFA wpoty award if you can "play soccer". The point is when was the last US player even nominated for the award?
What's going on with SCV U16 boys? They are 5-5 in Premier League play. And they represented MN at Regionals. Thought they might be the real deal, but looks more like a flash in the pan...
The ignorance in this post is unbelievable. How do you go about bashing other coaches when you know NOTHING about them? Some ballucks you have. What you see on the sideline is only one area of a coach (and person). So my integrity, soccer history, intelligence, ethics and personality gets called in check just because I coach for Thwingu? How childish can we be as a community? ... I thought we had more too us.
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