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:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 292 of 2921. Maybe SCV U16 is 5-5 in MYSA League because the U16 age group has a lot of talent and a lot of good teams. But we already had that discussion about consolidating the talent at U16 Boys.
2. In regards to the statement that MN doesn't have any coaches with high level playing exp, doesn't MN have a DOC who played for Newcastle United of the EPL? From my experience with him, he's a great football mind and highly respected by the upper level football community. I hear many soccer mommies don't like him because he's "too hard on the players." Sounds like a lose-lose situation for coaches in MN when we have soccer mommies out there like this.
3. On that same topic, don't many of the big guns in Thwingu have impressive playing histories? Lagos was national pool. Amos was MLS. Abboud played pro. Looks to me like a solid collection of blokes to lead MN soccer into the next stage. And it's likely some 35-50 year old parent bashing the playing history. Well, it's that generation of football players that a) really sucked and b) coached today's young coaches (and coached them poorly).
4. First we hear complaints that we need to develop technically sound, creative players. Then we bash the most technically sound, creative player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo. I'm very confused. So we want really flashy, creative players that are really humble, like Kobe Bryant and Randy Moss?
The old-school football people in MN need to move over, write checks, and let the next generation handle the future.
The problem 10:44 is that the "next generation" is more interested in finding ways of increasing revenues without necessarily improving the quality of the product or service.
Oh yeah, we have (or have had) former players who are coaches here today and have playing experience from Newcastle, Tottenham, Chelsea, Man U and so on. They played in the reserves (at best) and never made it to the very top. Many of them have various UEFA/FA badges that they have earned, but as has been stated in here over and over, a good player does not necessarily equate to a good coach, nor does a bad player necessarily become a "bad" coach.
Some of us are moving over and out.
Thank God.
And you will need to find another sucker to write the checks, 10:44.
If I had to bet I would say there will be more players attending the Bangu/Thunder tryouts than ever before.
Anyone who thinks the Thunder/Lightning attraction isn't a draw for players and parents is only kidding themselves.
When you look at the amazing results Bangu has had over the last 4 years at State Cup it's no wonder why their tryouts draw more and more each year and they need all the fields they rent at Ft Snelling to handle the numbers of players coming to them.
My hunch is all the "whiners" (or maybe 2-3 whiners who just keep posting) are folks who are jealous that thier little Mia or Landon didn't make the cut and get placed on the team they tried out for.
If your kid is truly a gifted athlete,soccer is one of the last sports he should participate in.He will not get the coaching necessary to advance to the pro level.Baseball,basketball,hockey all have superior coaching and offer many more opportunities both in the short and long term.
Truly gifted athletes are not playing soccer in the first place, not in this country.
Depends on how tall they are for most US sports.
Imagine this starting 11:
GK: Kobe Bryant
LB: Pacman Jones
CB: Andre Johnson
CB: Darren Sharper
RB: Antoine Winfield
LM: Devin Hester
CM: Jason Kidd
CM: LaDainian Tomlinson
RM: Deion Sanders
FW: Allen Iverson
FW: Randy Moss
12:23, now this post made me laugh!! But the agent for Kobe wouldnt let his client play keeper, he would want to be a forward..
I thought that was a convict list - oh I get it now
SCV 16s have a fair amount of talent and had a good early run.What they dont have is a high level Coach and an ability to adjust.They play one style,I think some MYSA Coaches figured that out after seeing them,no surprise
I think they all have the same probation officer Tomass.
I think the SCV U16s have a phenomenal coach. He has taken a strong group of individual players and has them playing as a team.
12/23 high level soccer is a sport that requires hours and hours of practice and skill refinement and self motivated discipline, with the exception of the basketball players on that list half wouldnt have become very good soccer players, the football players would be good kick and run after the ballers. Ive seen countless numbers of the fastest and most athletic players that never developed the skill and touch to play soccer at high levels but not because of the lack of coaching but lack of self motivation to practice on their own .
10:57...I don't think you know what you are talking about. Every one of the players listed would be outstanding soccer players.These are some of the most dedicated athletes in the world and play sports requiring much more skill than soccer. You must be a soccer coach.
Ha. So Kobe will have to actually pass the ball?
American Football is not a highly skilled based sport. It does demand a high degree of athletic skills.
If you are as old as me you will remember the ABC show - oh geez what was its name now! Had Superstars in the name. It was a decathlon type of competition of all the major sport stars from all the major sports at the time.
Kyle Rote Jr. a top US player for the Cosmos at the won 2-3 times in a row. Every soccer player except 1-2 always performed in the upper third. Kyle was a hero to us that played back then because it showed that soccer players had to be one of the better trained athletes. You think soccer got no respect now. You should have seen it back then in the US
of course that was then and now days the athletes in all sports are bigger, faster, stronger.
I would say hitting a baseball or golf ball is one of the hardest sport skills to master, wheres as a complete skilled base sport like soccer or hockey requires the greatest skill set to master.
Toby Charles - maybe time for a pre-season report on HS soccer. I heard the towns of Fertile- Climax - Embarrass are possible sleepers this year.......some 5th grade farm girl phenom??
Are they a northern power?
if there is such a term ;-)
On the St.Croix in the U16 saying they were not the best team is false... They Won their midwest leage group (beating eclipse and placing higher then them in the in the group) by the way Eclipse got second at regional, won the playoffs and is the only team representing MN in the highest league in the midwest, they were a finalist in the Casl shoutout loosing to a team ranked in the top 5 in Nation, they beat shattuck "for some who think shattuck is the best in the state", they won every thing that counted. Not taking the fact out that they did not performe in the league which to me was a surprise to me but with all that said there is not a team in the state at the U16 division with a record that imppresive....
You can't spell 12:11, or you have had too much to drink. Please explain your performance at regionals then. Thank you.
Convict list, real funny.
I believe the point of the convict list is: If those athletes were highly trained soccer players, they would dominate the sport. Moss is a bigger, faster version of Didier Drogba. Kobe is a everything better version of Edwin Van Der Sar.
The NBA and NFL certainly contains the world's top athletes, however skilled or unskilled they may be. I hope Tomass isn't trying to say that Landon Donovan is a better athlete than LeBron James.
Take this for a starting 5 (assuming they are highly trained basketball players):
PG: Freddie Adu
SG: DeMarcus Beasley
SF: Clint Dempsey
PF: Tim Howard
C: Oguchi Onyewu
That team might be able to compete with Hopkins High.
I am a Bangu parent of a player NOT playing U/16. During this year, I saw the St Croix U/16 play on three separate occasions.
They are good. They deserve recognition. ANYBODY who downplays their accomplishments needs to re-evaluate their thinking about what the soccer experience is all about.
I feel strongly about this. Consequently, I am signing my name to this post.
Duke Powell
Burnsville, MN
I believe that he is making a joking reference to the race of the people on the list. Maybe he can explain.
SCV team is good compared to the current crop of U16 teams in Minnesota.
As many have noted about this age group the talent is much more spread out among several teams than in the past few years.
While SCV fared well in state (other than their premier league record)it was a given they would struggle at regions.
People who know this age group well saw the writing on the wall for the lack of results in Rockford.
SCV. Had a 1.1 a 2.1 and another 1.1result all of those games could have easily been wins for the team I truly think they should have advanced I saw them play there all three games
SCV had Nebraska and South Dakota for 2 of their games. They should have won games against these team but didn't.
Most decent Minnresota teams are able to put away teams from those two states.
Check out the overall records of Minnesota teams vs SD and NE over this year and the last few years.
The draw doesn't get any easier than SCV U16 boys had this year.
Unless there is a lot of player movement as these current U16 teams form for next year we can expect to see similar results at next years regionals.
So, why not have all U16Bs move to SCV then? They have great indoor and outdoor facilities, year-round skills and strategy training, an excellent coaching director (Nathan Klonecki) and a phenomenal U16BP coach (Marc Baumbach).
-A Proud SCV Dad (Go Celtic/Rossoneri/Chelsea!)
Chelsea recruiting players from Russia.UK soccer goin down the tubes.
Proud Dad,
Why don't you go recruit them? That's the only way a Minnesota team will win at that age next year at regions.
If your team, coach and location are so great it should be an easy sell.
Nothing to it but to do it!
MTA Directors are working to get 20+ of MN's top U16 boys together to train under the Burnley managers when the Championship side is in town next week for USA Cup. Starting to show what a pro-run youth system can do for talented kids.
Who/what are Burnley? Are they to English football what the Thunder is to American soccer? If so, SIGN MY KID UP!!!!!!
Shekki
Here we go again, putting "Thunder" and "pro-run youth system in the same sentence again. Sheesh, didn't you pay attention in English class? Never put conflicting clauses into the same sentence (or paragraph, or soccer program, for that matter).
Idiots and mindless followers are so easy to make fun of.
Shekki
Burnley did alright this year in the FA Cup competition.
tomass, you might be thinking of Barnsley.
Shekki, you're just a complete idiot and as easy to wind up and the Bangu people you bait into verbal warfare. You have no possible idea of what an affiliation like this might mean for a few select MN boys in the years to come.
Tell me honestly - have you ever been down to Regionals? Have you had a player who has had the opportunity to play against some of the nation's top players? That's what I thought. Until you get some additional experience leave the elite player development to people who know what they are doing. You continue to do what you can to thwart the movement. I really think you're making some headway posting on this blog. There have to be 40 or 50 thousand readers daily and I can feel the anti-Thunwingu sentiment shifting in your favor. I don't think there will even be enough players at tryouts to form a team. Keep up the good fight. I look forward to your soon to be posted words of wisdom.
The closest Shekki has ever come to regionals is when his kids tried out for teams who actually won State Cup.
That's not true. He was less than a mile from Regionals this year when he drove through Rockford a few weeks back on his way to attend a 12 Step Program in Chicago that his wife and kids made him attend b/c for some reason he goes absolutely ballistic whenever one of them comes home with a newly purchased piece of clothing that is light blue in color. They think he has a slight problem but they can't put their finger on it.
anon 1209 - you are correct, I was mistaken- thanks
Ah, more mindless followers. 12:09, I imagine there are maybe 10 active posters and maybe another 5 active readers here. But you're so much fun -- and SO easy -- to ridicule.
Shekki's 2012 prediction
Burnley...huh?
Thunder...huh?
Thwingu...huh?
SSM...Minnesota's powerhouse!
Shekki
Poor Shekki is clueless about USSF Academy and the ramifications it will have on youth soccer in Minnesota.
But that isn't surprising since "Clueless" is his middle name.
I've read all about the USSF Academy. You assume Thwingu has the ability to carry it off...I don't.
Once again, Shekki's 2012 prediction:
Burnley...huh?
Thunder...huh?
Thwingu...huh?
SSM...Minnesota's powerhouse!
Tick, tick, tick...
Shekki
i always love people who ridicule for just the love of ridiculing (or most likely there is some much deeper conflict deep down inside).
instead of responding to Shekki, we should include him in all our prayers at night.
8:34,
You're right. Poor little WeeWee. We should all say a prayer for him.
He needs help.
Just having a little fun at your expense. My middle name is Jehovah, by the way.
Shekki
Hate to admit it but me thinks Shekki is correct especially as the Thunder are tanking and the Lightnings slaughter the last game.All you have to go by are the scores and they ain't good.
The Lightning record is 5-1-2.
Pretty respectable any way you slice it.
The Lightning's only loss was to FC Indiana who hasn't lost a match yet. They are 10-0-1. The draw was against the Lightning.
FC Indiana has scored 55 goals and allowed 3 to put it into perspective.
Anyone bashing the results of the Lightning is grasping at straws.
Lightning: They're a top women's team with a lot of top players from MN and a top MN coach. They're about as good as it gets for women's football. If you aren't satisfied, you're dumb and your expectations are too high.
Thunder: They're an average USL team. They're easily the best team in MN and would slaughter any other MN team. On any given day, they could unluckily lose to Cleveland City or they could luckily beat DC United. If you aren't satisfied, you're dumb and your expectations are too high.
MN people who bash these teams, you or your child would be lucky to be good enough to play for either of these teams.
Saying the Thunder is an "average USL team" is like saying my dad is an average garbage truck driver.
Kareem
hey the world needs average garbage truck drivers too along with average ditch diggers
as well as average wanna-be youth soccer coaches!!
LOL!
Tomass, Fertile- Climax - Embarrass. Thought you had a low budget movie in the works there. Somwhat Juno-esque. Glad that you are still on the blog. I am about ready to move on, this new crop of anons are not as witty and savvy as us oldtimers.
Still waiting for the budget/expense info requested from our club two weeks ago.
you are correct mrs.robinson - maybe this should be a wrap eh?
instead of calling it a blog maybe I should just call it the "bored" (no offense mnsoccer)
wake-up call for 9:52 - you didn't say what club? Why should your club be any different than the state's leadership at the MYSA. They evidently are leading by example. HooRAH!
You're right Tomass....look at how many other youth sports have had their funds siphoned off by a club official in recent years. Usually covers gambling losses.
It would be interesting to see how much is spent by the MYSA politburo on travel and entertainment.
...and lawsuits...
Shekki
Go away and stay away, bigot.
We've seen too much of your pathetic hatred and racism.
anon 250 - he has as much right to be on here as you do. If you truly believe he is what you say he is then do not read, just skip over his posts or completely ignore him.
I already explained why I don't think he is what you describe him to be. And no one, absolutely no one told me what word or phrase he should have used ......maybe legal immigrants, but then again they could have been illegal aliens or regular US citizens for all I know.
anon 250 you liberals (I presume) are the ones that preach tolerance but are the same ones that are intolerant of views you don't understand or agree with.
tomass - your last comment was very uncharacteristic of you. you usually don't stoop to assumptions, innuendo's and stereotypes. why do you presume he is a liberal? how do you know he is not the leader of the john birch society? where is it written that only liberals preach tolerance.... please help me understand.
Thank you - so you understand my last statement is no better than anon250 stooping to assumptions, innuendos, stereotypes about Shekki.
Someone gets it. No double standards then.
To those who I may have offended, I apologise. OK? Can we get back to bashing each other now?
Shekki
Shekki, it's interesting you should mention lawsuits. Perhaps you were recently involved with one??? And have some other legal problems you are currently dealing with???
huh?
Shekki
There were some excellent boys games in the U16 Cup flight.
How was the level of competition at other boys age groups?
Any teams in the week long event worth making a special trip to watch this week?
Yea, I noticed he mentioned lawsuit as well. Soccer, Youth, MN = Lawsuits. Freaking crybabies, and I bet they drive home after getting spanked in a game bitching and crying in front of there little Stevie or Stacie about this and that, and how it isnt fair, and this club recruits, and this other club has coaches that suck, and this and that, its a freaking game people, just leave it at that. OR, you can sue someone if it makes you feel like you won something for a change.
What lawsuits?
Wow has this blog turned into a sequel to "Grumpy Old Men."
MYSA's lawsuits against some parents/members a few years ago.
http://mnyouthsoccer.org/lawsuit/summary.cfm
Things were fine in here until all the grumpy Shekki bashers popped up.
Shekki
Things were fine in here until some bigot started with the racist comments.
One of our Minnesota boys just scored his 1st MLS goal! And he's only 17 years old!
It's on Toronto's MLS website:
http://web.mlsnet.com/t280/
Valley United boys ended up being the best U-16 boys team by the end of the season, they got no breaks in state cup but then came back to win the U-16 premier league and then won USA cup weekend, not the elite flight, but they proved they should have been in that flight by going 6-0 with 26 goals for and 0 against for the tournament, did not surrender a goal in their final 9 games of the year and scored an amazing 38 in that same stretch
That's impressive! This further shows the depth of teams at U16 Boys. Why weren't they in the top flight...that's not impressive.
I also heard they only beat Eagan C1 1-0 while Eagan was playing without subs for an entire tournament.
Plus I bet all their good players were hurt.
MN's best U16s on showcase tomorrow with the English Championship side at NSC. Should be a great experience for the boys.
Apple Valley was not the best team at the U_16 Apple Valley were embarrased at state cup were embarrased at MRL DIVISION 1 playoff with no wins and a deafete to St.Croix U-16's 3-0. They are just the only team that think the premier league means anything.Insteand the teams and clubs who know anything about having an elite team/club in a state like MN the exposure is won in OUT of state competition exluding State Cup. Saying that a team like Apple Valley who plays a kickball game with all but 1 or 2 players defending. Its embarassing to say they were the best at the U16 division this year. Every one know the USA weekend B flight means nothing
the 16 debate is interesting.
Facts are facts,bad break here,missed pen there,it actually evens out in the end but the season is short.
Congrats to A.V. i6s,they had a great sason in premier mysa and did well in their div. at mrl,so they never made it at playoffs,big deal!They were there and should be applauded for that.At state cup I think they lost 3 games 1 2,one gets a feeling a break here or there and who knows.
I dont thnk many teams show up at u16 premier league and say who cares,lets not try!
Congrats A.V.you won the league fair and square,from a rival Coach.
mns best u16s,nice ad!Should stick with the truth though!
There are two seasons for MN premier teams.
State Cup, which you use the MRL in order to prepare and then the regular premier league season.
I think it says a lot about a team that can overcome a disappointing State Cup run and then win the league. League consists of playing each team twice.
anon 10:06: feel good for yourself and pat your U16 boys and make them feel good for winning lower class events. I recall from standing SE won the state cup last two years, won the league last two years but were considered a bad team by VU standards. How come it is the best for VU to win the league and now we all should rally for them. Get to a good level and then write about your accomplish.
Good Luck Shattuck 17 and 18 boys at USClub and USYSA Nationals!!
If the system was better the premier league winner would represent the State in regions,not the team that wins the pre season cup.
The richest teams have a huge edge in State Cup as they "own" the domes in winter.
Valley was the most consistent team in the league,they did wel,8 1 1,impressive.
Valley lost to SCV, Blackhawks and Arsenal at State Cup.
They went 0-3 when it counted most.
Are those clubs "richer" than Valley?
SCV certainly isn't richer, but they have phenomenal winter training at their Dome in Stillwater...which may help explain why they had more State Cup semifinalists than any other non-Super Club. Granted, all the good players go to Bangu, but they do pretty well with what they've got.
I like 8:00 am's first thought - and in the same context I think the MYSA league play for C1 and below should do away with District Tournaments.
The first two teams in each league should qualify for state. It lessens the importance of the season by having a tourney.
yeah,that SCV area is full of poverty stricken families with kids playing youth soccer to stay off the mean streets of Stillwater.
The dome does suck though,buy some turf.
only SCV,BHKS and Arsenal can answer that.It appears that at least two invest more money than Valley,ever heard of Arsenals budget?No,nor did PSA
Regarding removing District Tournaments:
Districts are fun and they add competitive games to the schedule. It allows all teams to play in competitive games.
Classic leagues are for the more recreational player who isn't training year round. Thus Classic teams aren't prepared for those May games the way they can be for July games. If Districts are removed, more emphasis is put on those May games when teams aren't prepared and when many players are in Track, Band, Lacrosse, etc. It's not easy to convince a U15 C2 player that a game in May is as important as a game in July.
It's unfortunate USA Cup conflicts with Districts.
The MIAC recently adopted the conference playoff system to spice up the end of the season. I think Districts do the same thing and they would be missed if removed.
It continues to impress me the percentage of non-white boys that MN places in the ODP regional pools. Good for them! As somebody previously mentioned, this proves how little coaches impact the development of young players as most of these boys are likely developing on their own, outside of structured coaching, before they sign on with the premier clubs.
This needs to be understood by all the parents out there who belittle MN coaches for not developing their teenage children. It has nothing to do with coaching. It has everything to do with the commitment of the player to play on their own at a young age.
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