This post has certainly created a lot of interest and I will leave it open for a while longer. The MTA will be an interesting option. Please try to stay on topic.
I watched Kare 11 and there was nothing about MTA or soccer in general. Who the heck is writing this crap? I can't wait for the big announcement tomorrow! I know that Bangu never lies (!), but I for one am disappointed...
dear MTA - thanks on 2 fronts. 1. for raising the level of soccer and competitive recruiting in MN. your program has made soccer better across the board. 2. thanks for upsetting so many families this year. our club enjoyed a beautiful recruiting season from your ticked off parents.
you guys are like the ny yankees, love you or hate you it always grabs the headlines. you also will be able to get the best players (doesn't always translate into championships), it will always be cut throat to perform or be gone and you will always raise the standard of play. competing cc are either going to like the twins or the royals.
thanks for the help this year, see you at state cup!
It is unfortunate there is no way for MTA and SSM to combine. With MTA's ability to attract and train the best players from MN and SSM's ability to attract the best players from across the US and Canada the combined teams would have both front line talent and depth and be a national power. Onward Shattuck and Thunder!
9:21, I totally agree with you. My club got much better this weekend (thanks, BNG, for assembling them and then pissing them off!), and we expect our phones will be ringing all week. In fact, we're strategically building less than full rosters in anticipation of the MTA fallout. What a fiasco!
9:26 you could have added the slop of the U13 age group - blue team drops a goose egg in premier; loses to a 12 year team at state cup; white team disbands. Lovely.
And this is different how? Teams are always happy to get former Bangu players for what ever reason they are no longer with them. Why fill your rosters at all? You should be able to get multiple teams from former Goo's from the sounds of it. Good luck developing them though...they have been tainted. Don't let the ones that didn't make the team know your strategy. You may need them next year.
From 8:36 pm on 8/8/08: "The amount of turnout at their (MTA) U9 age group was huge and will continue to get bigger as the club grows. Current U10-U12 will dominate when they play at State Cup." Bwahhhhhh! That might be the single best post in a while for a good belly laugh
Thanks for offering such poor training that the kids who left MTA this year were replaced by the disatified players you have driven from your programs. Our program has gotten much stronger because of their disatisfaction with the lack of training you offer and we are exited for the new players who have joined MTA to make our teams better.
MTA Fan
I guess it goes both ways doesn't. So what if a players left, that is going to happen I hope they all enjoy there experience at there new club because that is what it is about, the kids. The last few posters who think the MTA tryouts were a fiasco are strongly mistaken. MTA is loaded with talent U13-U15, the U16 white team did lose players and the U17 Blue team got much better, all in all a good year and my money is still on them come spring.
1251, Laugh all you want but the statement should be more like U1 - forever. Sorry to hurt your feelings!! Non MTA teams winning State Cup will be very few and far between.
329 I will agree with the exception of SSM who will be competitive at the older age groups. Indeed with the ability to bring in players from outside MN there is no reason they should not be dominant from U16 up if they get their program in order. USSF academy may supplant USYSA though, at least on boys side.
Many have said Bangu/MTA is elevating the level of soccer across Minnesota. Posters here seem to confirm that. Bangu/MTA keeps winning State Cup championships and their castoffs are making the CCs better according to these posters. All in all that's a beautiful thing. Life is good for all involved in Minnesota soccer. All that said, Bangu/MTA girls will win State Cup at U13, U14, U15, U16, U18 and U19.
to all families considering bangu/mta in the future just remember these last few posts (clearly from mta folks): "cc excited to get table scraps", "mta castoffs are making cc's better" let's repeat a truism, MTA is not about developing players, it is about winning state cup and raising the visibility of the club. if you as a player don't help that, you are expendable. just remember when you spend all that extra money training and driving around town that when the time comes to need players to win state cup, if your son or daughter doesn't help, THEY ARE TABLE SCRAPS! That said, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with this approach. their goal is to consolidate the best players and win state cup (and make profit). good for them, nothing wrong with that. just remember though, from year to year (or game to game), you are a few missteps from being a cast off. it ain't me saying in, read the posts
4:40 Should we even show up to play the games, or should we just crown Bangu/MTA as the champs now ? Pretty bold predictions before one summer team is even posted.
Bangu Can't beat EP in the girls 16's next year! EP is a stacked team now and rumor has it that Bangu chased their National team player out of the club.
Bangu may have consolidated some of the best MN talent under one club, but there is no evidence at all that their system has raised the level of MN soccer. There have been regionally successful teams before Bangu's system with excellent athletes and coaches. Measuring success by State Cup is misleading because of the emphasis placed on it by Bangu. It does not mean they are raising the bar.
Whether it is Bangu, MTA, or another club, there will always be one team that can compete at regional and national tournaments.
Like 9:26 said, what is MTA bringing to the table that is new that really will raise the level of MN soccer?
I think they are more likely to lower the overall level,putting the top players all in one system isnt healthy for the overall level. Magic has Sockers who had Wind etc,its having a number of top clubs that can compete with each other that helps raise the overall level.What MTA is doing seems more like little men with little moustaches taking over all high level soccer in Mn,they dont want to compete here they just want to dominate.Its a strange mentality they have at Bangu/MTA,its not really normal.
They bad mouth the other clubs in order to get players to move to their teams, beat those teams by a goal in State Cup and spend all their time trying to convince everyone they have the lock on elite soccer, very odd that people really continue to buy it.
The negative recruiting coming from MTA, especially on the girl's side, has hit a new low and sadly the parents buy it and keep crawling back to them. Their antics are not good PR for the club and it is going to end up hurting their bottom line in the long run. I am sure their new owner's would not be proud of the customer relations going on at and after tryouts.
9:48 Please give us and example of the negative recruiting going on the girls side. I was at the tryouts this weekend and never once heard an MTA person say anything negative about other clubs. In fact the speech at the end of tryouts said that MTA is an option for families that want it and if you choose something else that is fine with them. They know they are not for everyone and said so and told everyone they needed to choose what is best for them. Didn't sound like any negative talk about any club to me. If you ask me some of the CC's have gotten worse far beyond anything at Bangu or MTA has ever done.
With that said, I still want to hear specific examples from the last post or are you just posting things to slam MTA? Specific examples please! I'll be waiting but I doubt you will respond with anything that they have been accused of before.
My daughter attended MTA tryouts. I know they recruit and I have no problem with that.
In our case, my daughter wanted to attend the MTA tryouts so we signed her up. At not time did I hear any parent, player or coach badmouth any other program. In fact, they spoke highly of our former club.
They also were straight forward and honest in evaluation of my daughter all through the process. When it came time for a decision they told us to do what we thought was best for our daughter.
My daughter made the top team. They had no idea who she was when we walked up and yet she made the top team.
She did not experience the same politics that we saw at her former club. In fact, all her former club did when they found out we were going to MTA tryouts is bad mouth the club, the coaches and the parents.
She's excited about her new opportunity and I'm impressed with their professionalism.
I don't recall MTA serving kool aid at tryouts. If they did, I would have had a huge glass because it looks as though the U14 girls will be much improved over last year.
There was a lot of quality at tryouts. I think the days of dismissing any success by that age group as "that age group is weak" are over.
I believe both the blue and white teams will be much improved over last year's Bangu and Wings teams.
5:44/9:50...they're all academy teams. That's why it's called "MN Thunder Academy"...The distintion is Elite and Regional...Congratulations to your DD for making an elite team, but really, there is no problem with the regional teams either...they're still going to get quality coaching, just not at such an intense level. Many of the elite coaches are coaching regional academy teams as well and will also do sessions with many of the regional teams. And the regional academy coaches are good people as well.
Your defensiveness and jump straight to touting State Cup success scares me though. Good luck to your DD's coach. I hope this isn't a preview to your sideline behavior...:)
9:48 The only people who say that age group is weak is athe Bangu guys when they are scrambling for excuses for not fulfilling promises. I assure you when they win you'll hear of how great the age group is.
I would like to relate my experience with Bangu sideline behavior. It seems alot of CC supporters rip Bangu for poor sideline manners but I have not seen it. My child played with Bangu for two years and now plays for a CC. In the time she played we had some parents for the CC behave poorly but not over the top. The Bangu parents were usually about the same. Only once now in the past three years have I seen anyone get rude and aggressive to the other teams parents. It happened to be U15 girls in which a SSP parent threatened a parent from STC for standing in "their" end of the field. So, if you have specific examples pass them along.
As the person that wrote 10:21, I wasn't commenting on Bangu parent sideline behavior. Never had a problem with them. I was only using humor with the parent that wrote the posts I mentioned. I've encountered many poor examples of side-line behavior and I'd really prefer not to provide examples of those as I don't feel any need to discuss them.
Sorry, clarification to my post at 11:16. I've encountered poor behavior watching games from clubs around the US, so I was not referring to any one club in particular. Don't want anyone to get the impression that I was.
And we are supposed to believe that your DD walked into tryouts wihout anyone knowing who she was and make one of the older blue teams? The soccer world is small and the recruiting efforts are wide so, that would be hard to believe. Nice try at some wimp marketing technique.
She was probably a true diamond in the rough, another poor soul that was being misused and under recognized at her club. That was, until one of the fabulous directors at MTA saw her for the true superstar she is. We should all be gratful to have giants like that among us heathens
I played for both a CC and a Premier club in MYSA. While both places may have a bad apple here and there on the sidelines, generally speaking, I would much rather NOT play in front of the CC parents. They generally don't have a clue of what's going on, particularly the moms.
Little Landon kicks it super hard down the field, ball goes high, goes to nobody, and mommy cheers, "Nice kick Landon, wow, great job!" So frustrating as a player to listen to that nonsense. That mommy has now lost all credibility and I hoped she wouldn't ever cheer for me. And then moms wonder why high schools play bootball.
In my experience, particularly as you get older, the intelligent parents at the Premier clubs sit nice and quietly on the sidelines and observe the game in peace.
At least this is how it was for me during 12 years of playing in MYSA.
My DD went to her club tryouts and got selected for the Intergalactic team. See, MTA has regional national and premier we now have Solar system and Intergalactic teams. For those wondering, Intergalactic is the higher level.
P.S. Parent's voice boxes are removed so the above poster is not annoyed, a small courtesy for someone who is that great of a player willing to share that deep wisdom with us.
We have Captain James T. Kirk as our Director of Coaching. Take that! Ready at all times to spot new talent created by others labor and he'll hand them a Space soccer card to get directions on what to do next.
James T. Kirk, DOC. Mission: to boldly go where no soccer club ha gone before. To seek out new players form other clubs. To go where no other soccer club has gone before! (not).
Have scanned through a bunch of Club web sites and it looks like Many are slow in releasing summer rosters (MTA included) most had indicated earlier that they would have had the teams posted by now. I can only assume there must be significant "shopping" going on this year causing the delay in team placement.
oops, put this in the wrong thread: In regards to whoever questioned MTA's recruiting. It is happening on the boys side as well. MTA U17B coach has been trying to poach some of our players for weeks. I can see why youngers kids/parents might find it intriguing, but I don't see the benefit for older kids to swithc over to start on a brand new, unproven team. Team chemistry takes years to develop and the clock is running out for that age group.
Klingons would make solid defenders as they are physical and aggressive and would look to attack out of the back.
Vulcans would be better served in the midfield where they would be able to logically analyze the field and distribute the ball. I think they would make solid two way players.
I heard MTA fired the coach of last year's Bangu 13 girls (this year's MTA 14 Blue).
Apparently loosing to 12 year olds in the "biggest tournament of the year" and getting stomped in 14 premiere play, was too much.
From what I understand it was a parent revolt and threats to move clubs that did him in. Now the coach of last year's Wings team (that just won summer state) is taking over.
I can't wait until tryout results are posted and the new coach stacks the team with Wings players.
Maybe all those goo birds that were left out, will quit like last year's white team. They should be careful what they complain about – TOO FUNNY.
I think that the U17B coach is the one who consolidated talent at U17 last year and put together a team that went 2-0-1 at Regionals with 14 or 15 players. My guess is that the players who are being recruited know him and are excited for the chance to play for him. He's been pretty successful and I would say he is probably one of the top young coaches in Minnesota.
i understand there was quite an exodus of top kids off the u12/13 south teams due to similar MTA coaching issues from the past season. i would assume some tried out on the MTA elite teams but several wound up at south teams (ie Dakota Rev). MTA is a powerhouse up north but they still struggle to put quality (coaches,teams) together down south. i would guess with the training venues of the elite teams (blaine, minneapolis), they will have a hard time establishing strong teams in the south metro
it is not my place to announce teams on a blog. move on! teams have been formed and if you are not with the club, then why care so much? why not email to boys in charge and ask them who made what team.
So, would Jar Jar Binks be considered an MTA Intergalactic-level player? How about Yoda? I hear Jar Jar would need a scholarship. Is he good enough to warrant one?
Hard to believe MTA U17 coach (Holker) was recruiting at ODP...at that time it was thought he was coaching the 16s until an NCAA 50-mile radius rule came into play with kids from Mankato. I was told he didn't decide to take the 17s until the last week of July. If he recruited at that point, then he is in the wrong - but it is not like him to do that. He was nothing but a great example for my son this past season.
12:05 What would make you think they were going to post the results online from U13 and Up? There is no spot online that has those age groups. They look to be just posting the jrs. U8 or U9 up to U12.
The only U14s that showed up for tryouts were primarily the U13 blue Bangu and Wings U13 plus a couple others. Any mix of those teams still does not make a top team in the state as many of the top U14s are playing elsewhere. There will be a few competitive teams at this age group. The Blue U14 will only play MRL and parents choose that as an option? The big bucks must pay for some really, really great training!
"Anonymous said... Regarding the 17's and much more. a big announcement is coming tomorrow afternoon from MTA. This, from what I hear is going to be huge for Minnesota soccer.
10/8/08 7:11 PM"
Did I miss the big announcement ?
If so what was it ? I know it was "HUGE" for MN soccer so I don't want to be left out of the know.
12:46 Heard the budget handed out was about $10,000 per player per year. Seems excessive even for the best training in the state. What was included in that budget number?
Does anyone have first hand info of this, or was someone pulling my chain ?
$10,000 per player per year? You have to be kidding me. The budget differs from team to team depending on what that team desides to do, but it never reaches that high. The budget includes, travel, tournament costs, food, hotel, field rental, and the cost of coaching, just like any other team.
Bangu has typically spent more money on dome time than other teams. They do have more indoor training sessions than any club in my opinion. Of course travel costs will vary from team to team. My daughter has graduated out of SCV club now but I know other than dome expenditures costs were comparable to her cousin who plays at Bangu.
Most teams that train 4,5-6 hours a week in the winter and play 8-10 scrimmages with paid coaches and play quality tournaments will have player costs around $2,000 per player plus travel. What can differ is the travel cost. it is a topic that has been beaten to death the difference is that some clubs and teams are upfront with it and other hope that the parents don't do the math.
Money is money,if a kid is involved with a team to say "X" dollars plus, travel,gas etc is outside the costs and is not a true reflection of the total financial exposure a family feels, the are being dishonest. A team decides on the tournaments etc. and if a club says we are playing Midwest league it would only be fair to budget for the travel and expenses. If you were buying a house and didn't include the interest cost in the Mortgage in your budget I think it is fair to say you would have a rude awakening once the first bill hit. Same applies to travel cost for a team that fully intends on playing in a true"travel" league and plans on tournaments you need to fly to.
I too heard the $10,000 number and believe it was a true reflection of the "real" costs of being on the top teams. It is a high number but if you want the best it is worth every cent. These teams will give the kids on them a chance at College scholorships, ODP acceptance and who knows, maybe even a pro career. They are the best teams MN can offer without question.
How do you budget for air travel when you don't know what tickets will cost? Get a grip folks, it isn't possible to do these days. That's why many teams are chartering buses for more of the events.
If MTA is the root of all evil, why are all of you so interested in who made their teams? If you don't know the kids, you won't recognize their initials. So it won't matter to you anyway. It only matters to the players and parents.
Never let it be said that I am not a big enough man to admit when I make a mistake.
I was thinking of this year's sophomores (2011s). The reason I was thinking this is because there is not a SINGLE JUNIOR (even though they could still be U16s) that will be rostered on the SSM U16s. The team is comprised of 8th graders to Sophomores ONLY. The Juniors have all been moved up to U18. That is how the system works.
Sorry, I guess I proved the point of the person above who accused me of talking without all the facts? Sort of? I have the facts, just wasn't thinking straight because the comment was made pertaining to it being too late for development for the 2010s at SSM-- when we were discussing the U16s. Clear as mud?
6:59 Totally agree with your thought that all costs must be considered when joining a team including travel and tournament fees. I think you are "off" in your thinking if you think "it is well worth every cent" because of the College scholorships opportunities etc. For 10 Large per year you could put that money away and pay for a great college .
I certainly hope parents "college savings accounts" aren't being considered to be their MTA fees and associated fees in hopes this is an investment in their future. Some will get scholorships, but you are a torn ACL away from a complete zero. MTA is fine if that is the choice you make but please lower your expectations of College scholorships and Pro careers.
It looks like MTA had a great turnout at tryouts but when measured against other options a large number of families chose to go elsewhere. Time will tell if this type of program can succeed especially with so many "community based clubs" have raised the bar to provide year around training and competitive options to MTA at a much reduced cost.
Most important is the quality of the adults your children are around. Do they conduct themselves in a manner that you want your children around? When winning is the only objective, people begin to cut ethical corners and lose sight of the idea we are working with children.
Are you going to pick your kids boss for their first job too?
Most important is to teach your kids to learn to be adaptable with people in their lives. Particularily with people of authority who you do not get to choose.
Many have played for plenty of coaches they did not like but still learned about the game and about life in the experience.
10:55 FAIRLY MORONIC QUESTION BUT TYPICAL FOR A TRUE GOOBER. YOU'LL PICK THEIR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT BASED ON YOU NEED TO LIVE THROUGH THEIR LIFE BUT NOT THEIR BOSS? TYPICAL BLINDED LOGIC SIMPLY FOLLOW THE LEADER....
The point is that kids need to learn to live their own lives and learn to make good decisions on their own. Hard to do that when mommy and daddy hold my hand and make sure I am only around "quality adults" and people who "conduct themselves" in a proper manner. How bout we interact fairly and justly with everyone and teach our kids to do the same?
Nahh, if the coach doesn't treat our kid like the star he is then bad mouth the coach and look for one who will. Our kid comes before the team. After all, we know our kid is better than all his bumbling teammates. A different coach said so.
12:31 good point and therein lies the ability of the "for profit" clubs to sow the seeds of resentment in a team and club. If the 1-2 true talents from a team or club left, that would work. The problem is there is no end to the need to get big numbers in the for profits to subsidize the salaries of the directors. 1 or 2 leave and the egos of the parents of the next 4 are bruised and there is a stampede. The present open range mentality is hindering MN soccer.
- it is 85 and Sunny everyday - our fields are pristine and in your backyard - we'll turn your awful player into a skilled and creative superstar - we'll turn your unathletic child into a track star - we'll turn your distracted child into a passionate soccer lover - your child is guaranteed to play the entire game - coaches respond to every e-mail and phone call within the hour - all players are treated equally - your coach will win games for you
Completely off topic soccer question. In the men's Olympic game on Sunday moring the US men gave up a goal on a free kick when the wall jumped to block the anticipated high shot. The shot was low, went under the wall and into the net. The color commentator state that was the right thing to do. I have heard others state you should never leave the ground. Which is correct? Does it depend on where the kick is being taken?
Don't think the wall should jump especially not until they know if it is a high or a low shot =) I heard the same comment and could not have disagreed more.
Don't think the wall should jump especially not until they know if it is a high or a low shot =) I heard the same comment and could not have disagreed more.
Part of the risk of conceding a foul in that area (just outside the 18) is that the person taking the free kick does have the option to either try a "top-shelf" shot, or a groundpounder. Most will try "top-shelf," but the Netherlands player taking the free kick took the gamble and won with it.
If that foul had occurred even ten yards further back, the person taking the free kick (realistically) only has the option to get the ball airborne. Add another ten yards, and Guzan has a far better chance of making the save--and probably does--if the person taking the kick tries the groundpounder.
IMHO, that whole sequence started with a stupid caution on the U.S. at the other end where the player drew a yellow for delaying the restart of play. The time that was wasted by the U.S. gave the Netherlands (again, IMHO) additional time to organize their defense. The result was a turnover, resulting in the U.S. trying feverishly to recover in their own end.
It was funny how Michael Bradley's on purpose yellow card completely backfired. I think the US will switch their strategy in the future. We aren't good enough yet to do that kind of trickery. They were thinking to far ahead. We need to go one game at a time when we're ranked #31 in the world. Stuart Holden had no reason to recklessly foul that player.
The person above is correct. The wall shouldn't jump until after the ball is kicked from that distance. And whenever you jump before the ball is kicked, you shouldn't jump over the ball.
Your comment about development b.s. is, of course, not true. The Bangu U15C1 White team advanced to the State Tournament this year, certainly an improvement over last year and a result of player development. But guess what -- lots of CC's are developing their players too. A player from NSSA U15C1 was also placed on the MTA U16 White team. So you can either bash Bangu because their players were not promoted, or celebrate the development of players outside of Bangu who were able to break through. Pretty clear choice to the open minded, I think.
8:30, As U14s, the white team advanced to the finals of the state cup, as 15s they didn't even make it to the semi finals. As far as CC development, the jury is out on that one.IMO.
The plans for two elite academy teams were scrapped by MTA at the U18 level. They will be bringing back the Bangu 17s as the MTA u18s. They were able to fatten their pockets with Try-out fees of many players that expected 2 teams at this level.
My comment related to the boys side. The thread starting with Anon 7:26 was about MTA Boys U16 Blue. You are right that Bangu Girls U14 White was in State Cup Final in 2007. Bangu Boys U14 White did not advance to the playoffs in 2007 State Cup.
Arsenal 17 boys hit hard by MTA should be interesting to see what they have left, now it all makes sense why they wanted back in the minnesota premier league, a place that I could still see them strggling after losing all that
Come on, Anon 8:42, let it go -- no one is making big money in the soccer business in this town. Fatten their pockets with $45 tryout fee? Fields need to be rented, evaluators paid and, in this case, t-shirts purchased. Not a lot of fat left for the pockets.
Nutmeg your point is valid, no one is going to get rich, but for every player that knew they were trying out for the 2nd team and they were not going to make the Blue team it is 45 dollars gone. I work part time and I wish I had the money back, MTA could afford it more than I can. Not everybody is having their parents pay for soccer or getting a free ride....
Anon 6:54: I agree with you on that. If MTA miscalculated at this age level and decided not to create a second team from the tryout pool, then MTA should refund at least a portion of the $45 tryout fee to those who were cut. Parents and players should not be paying for MTA's growing pains. MTA should either create the team and take their lumps that the team is not MRL caliber or refund the tryout fee (the easier choice) and absorb the loss. Shoudn't advertise that you are creating a team, hold tryouts, have enough kids show up to establish a roster, then abandon the team. Sure the kids got 6 hours of field time, but they could have been trying out elsewhere. A refund would be painful but the right decision.
From NCAA Division III Manual-- Rule 13.11.2.3 Local Sports Clubs: An institution's coach may be involved in any capacity (e.g., as a participant, administrator or in instructional or coaching activities) in the same sport for a local sports club or organization located in the institution's home community, provided all prospective student-athletes participating in said activities are legal residents of the area (within a 50-mile radius of the institution). The 50-mile radius restriction shall not apply to prospective student-athletes who reside beyond the 50-mile radius of the institution if the local sports club is the nearest club team to the prospective student-athlete's home. Further, in club teams involving multiple teams or multiple sports, the 50-mile radius is applicable only to the team with which the institution's coach is involved; however, it is not permissible for the coach to assign a prospective student-athlete who lives outside the 50-mile area to another coach of the club. A coach also may be involved in activities with individuals who are not of prospective student-athlete age (i.e., before the ninth grade), regardless of where such individuals reside. (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/16/93, 1/9/06)
From US Youth Soccer's Coaching Education Dept. I received this from MYSA in prep for the Coaching Directors upcoming Fall meeting.
Position Statement #15
We believe that the professional level plays a necessary and vital role in the growth and development of youth and amateur soccer. In all soccer cultures, the professional level serves to provide for the vertical movement of top players and creates the conditions for national heroes to emerge. The professional influence also accounts for much of the indirect education that permeates soccer societies. Television ratings and paid attendance have a significant local and national impact on media perception and civic response. We feel that promoting professional soccer is foundational to all professional coaching positions.
Again this came from MYSA, the organization that just broke their partnership with the Thunder because of MTA. Shoe taste good, no?
I'm a little surprised by the quietness of the Arsenal supporters on here, they were really talking their team up big and then the MTA tryout results were posted and they shut up quick, thank you Arsenal for giving ALL your talent to the future U-17 national champions, good luck with the left-overs in the MYSA premier league :)HAHAHA
In response to 15/8/08 8:42 PM, your information isn't quite accurate. MTA will field two U18 girls teams. The U18 Elite Blue (formerly the Stars) and the U18 Elite White team. The U17 C1 team is not "coming back" as the white team. Only a handful of girls were promoted from C1 to White; most of the "Selects"(White Team) are returning MRL players not C1 girls. MTA is also working on putting together a third U18 C1 team and offering training to those girls at tryouts who were former Bangu players.
In response to 8:20 pm, while MTA is newly formed, its genesis is a merger of two clubs that brought their teams into the new club. So, if Bangu had three levels of teams (C1, MRL First Division and MRL Premier Division) at an age group, it can move players within those three levels up or down, promoting or demoting so to speak.
Why would anybody pay to play for the Lightning.Their style of play is obsolete. It stifles player development.A good coach lets his players personality shine.Lightning stuck with coaches who are offensively inept.Knucleheads..the name of the game today is offensive soccer. To get a clue watch Brazil.
You have to play with what you have. On balance the Lightning is stocked with athletic players with limited skills. Don't see a lot of players out there who could play like Brazil does.
What about the Bangu players on the roster? With the premium development they offer I would think they would be running circles around the other teams.
8:10 good point, isn't the recruiting pitch filled with numbers of players on the Lightning? Wow, can these guys make excuses and talk out of both sides of their mouth.
RE: Premium Development at Bangu. How much has the incoming U-17 Blue team developed since they were formed at U-14? Bottom of MRL First Devision the last two years. Couldn't score a goal to save themselves. That's development? Looks like kickball to me. If they played in the MN Premier League they would barely be .500, if that. As for the U-18 Stars, they were great players when they joined that team at U-14, 15, 16, etc. and peaked at U-15. The past year's U-18 team with the incoming college freshmen were very much developed before most of them arrived at Bangu.
It is easy for a club to say they are developing players when they receive many of the better players at U-14 or U-15, when most other good teams only have two or three solid players. To say they are developing players is hogwash. Let's see in two to three years just how good they are at developing their current U-11's and U-12's etc. Will they burn them out? Will parents begin to realize that NDSU doesn't begin to pay back all the traipsing around the country at $6-8K/year. True, the real elite players like KB and KL did well, but the rest of the roster hasn't fared so well.
No I'm not bitter, as my child isn't yet at the college age. But a good player doesn't need Bangu, just a good coach who will utilize that player the right way.
BTW, Bangu has been calling for four years and it just doesn't make sense at our age group to join that situation when we are currently involved in a better situation with as good a coach as there is in that particular age group.
9:27PM - yep, you're a hater by definition. Who cares that your kid has been called by Bangu for 4 years? Why would you post that if not to try and highlight your kid. Bangu does not corner the market in idiot parents who love to post on blogs and talk about their kid and the choices they make.
The sale by MTA of MRL play for their White teams is an expensive joke unless these teams qualify for MRL Premier league. MRL 1st division = MYSA Premier League with way more travel expense, more spoiled kids who are told they are playing in a better league, and parental illusions of grandeur.
Bangu's upper level coaches train for tactics, but not for improved skills and fundamentals. Players should be improving their skills well into their 20s. If MTA coaches think individual skill development stops at U14 or U15, they have the wrong coaches. Their teams will peak early, and their players will be surpassed by by players whose clubs did not burn kids out and stifle development by prioritizing winning and ridiculous travel schedules at U14.
10:34- When do you expect a player to learn tactics? If you say that they should be coaching tactics and skills/fundamentals, how many hours or days a week should they be training? At what point or age do you believe that the player has responsibility for continuing to work on individual skills?
I am guessing that you may be one of the people who would complain about frequency of training and such? Focusing on tactics at the older ages is appropriate according to many at the top levels of youth coaching today. Either they're right or you're right....I'm going with them.
why is it that virtually every post that knocks MTA development rarely ever offers any kind of alternatives or examples of a better program (other than we like our currrent club/coach)? if most of the better players who do tend to go on after club to play college recently have come out of MTA, what does that say for everyone else's programs?
Expensive joke. Yes. My daughter has four HS teammates who played in MRL this past year. Neither of the two teams belonged their and if the MYSA Premier 25% guidelines were used, they'd have been relegated to C-1, which is what these two MTA teams really were. Sadly, the seniors of this group are now disillusioned, and, basically realize their soccer careers will be finished after this HS season. I hope the $5K per year was worth it.
8:20 - wouldn't their soccer careers be over anyway (or are these the classic delusional parents who need to blame anyone/anything for their child not fulfilling "their" hopes, dreams and expectations).
You tell me if a $5-6000/yr. habit playing on a white team was meant to cease after the senior HS year. These players expected to play in college and no one came knocking. At U-18 it's back to the CC for fun.
If MTA set these expectations then shame on them. I guess the bigger question is........why didn't anyone come knocking? This might require much deeper inward reflection and possibly an acceptance of reality (tough for many parents to face).
MTA = big promises and not much return except for a very few top teams. The others stay for reasons such as the sliver of hope they'll get a chance to play on one of the top teams and parents unwillingness to change their minds and go elsewhere.
What it means is Bangu was best at consolidating the talented players.It says nothing about development.
Part of the Bangu marketing strategy is mentioning how many state cup champs,how many kids play in college etc..Again it's all about consolidating the best talent.
The number one excuse Bangu has for poor performance at the national level is the players have plateaued. The root cause of the problem is Bangu does a poor job of developing players.Anybody who played a high level sport knows development never stops.But development is hard work ,takes time and requires a dedicated coach.It's so much easier to just consolidate talent and make excuses.
In all fairness, MTA has some of the best coaches in the state. In all fairness MTA has some lousy coaches. MA is as good a trainer as there is. Others in that club I wouldn't let my kid play for. Heck, give me, a former parent coach, quality, motivated players, I'll hire a trainer, not let them get big heads, keep them curbed and not let tham get burned out. At times it appears to be a meat market for coaches to build their resume. Think people!
This comment has been expressed on countless occasions on this and other threads.........coaches do not create great soccer players........hard working soccer players with superior athletic ability create great soccer players.
How often do most teams train?????? Maybe 6-8 hours per week?????? But somehow we have all these parents who want to blame the coaches and organizations for their little mia/landon not becoming great. You want your kid to become a better player?????? Inspire, motivate, maybe even coerce them into practicing as much as they can on their own. Whether it's skill development or strength/fitness training, anything and everything is good. Especially as the teams get older, the practice sessions do become more tactical than technical. The same parents who complain about skill development would most likely be the first ones complaining about their 17 year old daughters running cone dribbling drills, center cross drills, etc.... for half the practice.
Same people who complain about little jimmy/julie not getting good grades in school......must be the teacher's fault.......
MTA has and will do nothing to develop soccer beyond its current state. Look at the Boys side at U18 and U17, count how many of the roster have been with Bangu and been developed. MTA is simply player recruitment at the highest level. The Bangu U17 team last year was good because they recruited the best players not because Bangu developed players......
9:04 - I'm not a coach, just a parent of a soccer player. Did Anson Dorrance make Mia Hamm a great player? Name one top level coach who was the #1 reason that a player became great? I'm not saying they aren't instrumental, but the best players got there on primarily their own hard work. 3:10pm.
I also don't think it's a cop out, just an opinion.....no one says you have to agree. If you are putting all hopes in a coach to make it happen, I believe you will sorely disappointed in the future.
WNT being absolutely dominated by Brazil but still holding to a 0-0 score. All US can do is launch 50 yard prayers, unable to possess. Is Sundhage an MTA coach?
This talk about MTA/Bangu White MRL play being the "end" of a soccer career doesn't hold water unless "end of soccer career" means no D1 school or scholarship. Those opportunities are very rare, but they are not the only way to play in college. Bangu(now MTA) gives great training, a club with an excellent, recognized nationwide reputation (that college coaches pay attention to), exposure to different college markets via travel, and in some cases, team managers and coaches who help make college connections. However, nonscholarship D2 and D3 opportunities do not materialize from thin air. Players need to go to the website of their colleges of choice, fill in and submit the soccer interest form, start the dialogue with the college coaches, invite them to watch the player play and send out the highlights video. Unless your child is a total standout on the field and a coach fortuitously happens to be at a game, getting an opportunity to play on a good D2 or D3 team of choice takes a little effort. Bangu/MTW offers a great take off platform but the player needs to do the work to translate that into something more. These disallusioned MRL/MWL players may not have done their homework.
This has Mark Aboud's(spelling?) finger prints all over it. Been around the block a few times with MYSA soccer and this all about money, money, money. You know playing for this new and improved club is going cost the families a "gob" of cash. And for what? Who is going to coach these so called "elite" teams? They give 20 something year old kids with no national license $5,000 or more a year to coach...are they really qualified?? Just because they are affliated with the Thunder does not mean squat! There are plenty of USSF B/C/D coaches at club level that provide excellent coaching.....and you know what? Some of those coaches are volunteers. Imagaine that!!! The only payment they get is the joy of coaching. WOW! What a concept! The ODP Program is about "trying out" to be selected. During the District phase there is not alot of "coaching" going on. The evaluators are looking at how the kids perform 1v1, in a small group and then in a game either 8v8 or 11v11. But this new club will fill a niche to the families that have a bunch of cash burning a hole in their pocket to have their future Mia Hamm get the coaching that the parents think they need to so the parents can have their egos stroked to say their son or daughter plays at a elite level. But at what cost?
The fixation on greed for me is bizarre. When I look at what these supposedly greedy coaches are making, I see peanuts in the big picture. Pretty much anyone who coaches in this state is coaching for the love of the game, except for some parent coaches who seek only to put their kids on pedestals. These accusations of being getting rich off this stuff are humorous and obvious red herrings.
As a Bangu and now MTA parent, the speculations that MTA/Bangu costs a "gob of cash" are ill founded. The cost is comparable to a premier team elsewhere. The team expenses (running around $2200 per season) include everything except uniforms. Even meals for the kids while at the tournaments are built into the cost. The "gob of cash" parents spend are their own expenses when they decide to go watch their kid play in other states.
1158 - You have obviously listened to all the rumors about the cost of Bangu/MTA. Not sure why you care so much how people spend their own money? You get what you pay for! I know of other clubs that are in the same cost range as MTA.
3:10 pm 8/20 - the tired refrain is yours. It is obvious that the players need to put in the reps to learn the skills, but the coaches should spend a significant part of their practice time teaching the skills that the players practice.
Spending the majority of practice time teaching systems of play is easy for the coach, satisfying for parents who want to see wins, and a sell-out for the players.
I believe the players, or students have not reached the pinnacle of knowledge or skills at age 15. If the coach, or teacher tries to teach skills, and the player/student fails to put in the work, it is the player/student's failing. If the coach or teacher makes little or no attempt to teach skills, you have failed the player /student.
I like the education analogy, though. In your argument, the computer science teacher would teach the students to become proficient at playing video games instead of teaching how to program one.
12:06 - I believe your third paragraph says it all. As 3:10 has noted and you would appear to agree, it is up to the player to put in the work. The vast majority of coaches out there (at all clubs) do try to teach skills and do not fail the players. I'm guessing it all depends on what your expectations are.
As this is the MTA/Bangu/Wings thread.... Anyone know how the Wings players have sorted out now that their club is gone. From the posts on this blog, an uninformed mind would really have no idea Wings once existed.
137, Boy your hilarious!! Wings and Bangu did what every other large soccer out of State market has already done, they combined forces, enabling them to offer top level players a chance to compete against other top level teams from other states.
1,754 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1201 – 1400 of 1754 Newer› Newest»I watched Kare 11 and there was nothing about MTA or soccer in general. Who the heck is writing this crap? I can't wait for the big announcement tomorrow! I know that Bangu never lies (!), but I for one am disappointed...
I think it was on ESPN - MTA is much bigger news than to just cover on a local channel.
dear MTA - thanks on 2 fronts. 1. for raising the level of soccer and competitive recruiting in MN. your program has made soccer better across the board. 2. thanks for upsetting so many families this year. our club enjoyed a beautiful recruiting season from your ticked off parents.
you guys are like the ny yankees, love you or hate you it always grabs the headlines. you also will be able to get the best players (doesn't always translate into championships), it will always be cut throat to perform or be gone and you will always raise the standard of play. competing cc are either going to like the twins or the royals.
thanks for the help this year, see you at state cup!
It is unfortunate there is no way for MTA and SSM to combine. With MTA's ability to attract and train the best players from MN and SSM's ability to attract the best players from across the US and Canada the combined teams would have both front line talent and depth and be a national power. Onward Shattuck and Thunder!
9:21, I totally agree with you. My club got much better this weekend (thanks, BNG, for assembling them and then pissing them off!), and we expect our phones will be ringing all week. In fact, we're strategically building less than full rosters in anticipation of the MTA fallout. What a fiasco!
9:26 you could have added the slop of the U13 age group - blue team drops a goose egg in premier; loses to a 12 year team at state cup; white team disbands. Lovely.
And this is different how? Teams are always happy to get former Bangu players for what ever reason they are no longer with them. Why fill your rosters at all? You should be able to get multiple teams from former Goo's from the sounds of it. Good luck developing them though...they have been tainted. Don't let the ones that didn't make the team know your strategy. You may need them next year.
What is the latest MTA fiasco now? How were numbers at the GU14 - 16 tryouts?
From 8:36 pm on 8/8/08: "The amount of turnout at their (MTA) U9 age group was huge and will continue to get bigger as the club grows. Current U10-U12 will dominate when they play at State Cup." Bwahhhhhh! That might be the single best post in a while for a good belly laugh
Dear cc's,
Thanks for offering such poor training that the kids who left MTA this year were replaced by the disatified players you have driven from your programs. Our program has gotten much stronger because of their disatisfaction with the lack of training you offer and we are exited for the new players who have joined MTA to make our teams better.
MTA Fan
I guess it goes both ways doesn't. So what if a players left, that is going to happen I hope they all enjoy there experience at there new club because that is what it is about, the kids. The last few posters who think the MTA tryouts were a fiasco are strongly mistaken. MTA is loaded with talent U13-U15, the U16 white team did lose players and the U17 Blue team got much better, all in all a good year and my money is still on them come spring.
So the rosters are already posted?
1251, Laugh all you want but the statement should be more like U1 - forever. Sorry to hurt your feelings!! Non MTA teams winning State Cup will be very few and far between.
329 I will agree with the exception of SSM who will be competitive at the older age groups. Indeed with the ability to bring in players from outside MN there is no reason they should not be dominant from U16 up if they get their program in order. USSF academy may supplant USYSA though, at least on boys side.
Wow, I love how some people are excited to get table scraps.
My dog enjoys them too, but they're still table scraps.
Anyone seen the new MTA jerseys yet?
Many have said Bangu/MTA is elevating the level of soccer across Minnesota.
Posters here seem to confirm that.
Bangu/MTA keeps winning State Cup championships and their castoffs are making the CCs better according to these posters.
All in all that's a beautiful thing. Life is good for all involved in Minnesota soccer.
All that said, Bangu/MTA girls will win State Cup at U13, U14, U15, U16, U18 and U19.
to all families considering bangu/mta in the future just remember these last few posts (clearly from mta folks): "cc excited to get table scraps", "mta castoffs are making cc's better"
let's repeat a truism, MTA is not about developing players, it is about winning state cup and raising the visibility of the club. if you as a player don't help that, you are expendable. just remember when you spend all that extra money training and driving around town that when the time comes to need players to win state cup, if your son or daughter doesn't help, THEY ARE TABLE SCRAPS!
That said, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with this approach. their goal is to consolidate the best players and win state cup (and make profit). good for them, nothing wrong with that. just remember though, from year to year (or game to game), you are a few missteps from being a cast off. it ain't me saying in, read the posts
4:40 Should we even show up to play the games, or should we just crown Bangu/MTA as the champs now ? Pretty bold predictions before one summer team is even posted.
4:40 I would say you will see significant competition at U-13 and U-14 also. Several teams at both of these age groups have improved their rosters.
Bangu Can't beat EP in the girls 16's next year! EP is a stacked team now and rumor has it that Bangu chased their National team player out of the club.
Nice going Bangu!
There you go, just another rumor. OS was at MTA tryouts last night. If she'd been chased away doubt that she would have shown up!!
Bangu may have consolidated some of the best MN talent under one club, but there is no evidence at all that their system has raised the level of MN soccer. There have been regionally successful teams before Bangu's system with excellent athletes and coaches. Measuring success by State Cup is misleading because of the emphasis placed on it by Bangu. It does not mean they are raising the bar.
Whether it is Bangu, MTA, or another club, there will always be one team that can compete at regional and national tournaments.
Like 9:26 said, what is MTA bringing to the table that is new that really will raise the level of MN soccer?
what would we do without over involved parents bragging about their kids or teams on soccer blogs.
I think they are more likely to lower the overall level,putting the top players all in one system isnt healthy for the overall level.
Magic has Sockers who had Wind etc,its having a number of top clubs that can compete with each other that helps raise the overall level.What MTA is doing seems more like little men with little moustaches taking over all high level soccer in Mn,they dont want to compete here they just want to dominate.Its a strange mentality they have at Bangu/MTA,its not really normal.
They bad mouth the other clubs in order to get players to move to their teams, beat those teams by a goal in State Cup and spend all their time trying to convince everyone they have the lock on elite soccer, very odd that people really continue to buy it.
The negative recruiting coming from MTA, especially on the girl's side, has hit a new low and sadly the parents buy it and keep crawling back to them. Their antics are not good PR for the club and it is going to end up hurting their bottom line in the long run. I am sure their new owner's would not be proud of the customer relations going on at and after tryouts.
9:48 Please give us and example of the negative recruiting going on the girls side. I was at the tryouts this weekend and never once heard an MTA person say anything negative about other clubs. In fact the speech at the end of tryouts said that MTA is an option for families that want it and if you choose something else that is fine with them. They know they are not for everyone and said so and told everyone they needed to choose what is best for them. Didn't sound like any negative talk about any club to me. If you ask me some of the CC's have gotten worse far beyond anything at Bangu or MTA has ever done.
With that said, I still want to hear specific examples from the last post or are you just posting things to slam MTA? Specific examples please! I'll be waiting but I doubt you will respond with anything that they have been accused of before.
My daughter attended MTA tryouts. I know they recruit and I have no problem with that.
In our case, my daughter wanted to attend the MTA tryouts so we signed her up. At not time did I hear any parent, player or coach badmouth any other program. In fact, they spoke highly of our former club.
They also were straight forward and honest in evaluation of my daughter all through the process. When it came time for a decision they told us to do what we thought was best for our daughter.
My daughter made the top team. They had no idea who she was when we walked up and yet she made the top team.
She did not experience the same politics that we saw at her former club. In fact, all her former club did when they found out we were going to MTA tryouts is bad mouth the club, the coaches and the parents.
She's excited about her new opportunity and I'm impressed with their professionalism.
5:44
Prepare yourself to be called a kool aid drinker!!
5:44 What team did your daughter join? I'm guessing a younger team where they accept most anyone into their academy.
anon 8:00,
They don't "accept most anyone" of the blue teams.
Nice try.
I don't recall MTA serving kool aid at tryouts. If they did, I would have had a huge glass because it looks as though the U14 girls will be much improved over last year.
There was a lot of quality at tryouts. I think the days of dismissing any success by that age group as "that age group is weak" are over.
I believe both the blue and white teams will be much improved over last year's Bangu and Wings teams.
5:44 here,
It was NOT an academy team. It was an elite team that I'm sure will be favored when state cup rolls along.
5:44
Which age level?
5:44/9:50...they're all academy teams. That's why it's called "MN Thunder Academy"...The distintion is Elite and Regional...Congratulations to your DD for making an elite team, but really, there is no problem with the regional teams either...they're still going to get quality coaching, just not at such an intense level. Many of the elite coaches are coaching regional academy teams as well and will also do sessions with many of the regional teams. And the regional academy coaches are good people as well.
Your defensiveness and jump straight to touting State Cup success scares me though. Good luck to your DD's coach. I hope this isn't a preview to your sideline behavior...:)
9:48 The only people who say that age group is weak is athe Bangu guys when they are scrambling for excuses for not fulfilling promises. I assure you when they win you'll hear of how great the age group is.
10:21
I would like to relate my experience with Bangu sideline behavior. It seems alot of CC supporters rip Bangu for poor sideline manners but I have not seen it. My child played with Bangu for two years and now plays for a CC. In the time she played we had some parents for the CC behave poorly but not over the top. The Bangu parents were usually about the same. Only once now in the past three years have I seen anyone get rude and aggressive to the other teams parents. It happened to be U15 girls in which a SSP parent threatened a parent from STC for standing in "their" end of the field. So, if you have specific examples pass them along.
As the person that wrote 10:21, I wasn't commenting on Bangu parent sideline behavior. Never had a problem with them. I was only using humor with the parent that wrote the posts I mentioned. I've encountered many poor examples of side-line behavior and I'd really prefer not to provide examples of those as I don't feel any need to discuss them.
Sorry, clarification to my post at 11:16. I've encountered poor behavior watching games from clubs around the US, so I was not referring to any one club in particular. Don't want anyone to get the impression that I was.
And we are supposed to believe that your DD walked into tryouts wihout anyone knowing who she was and make one of the older blue teams? The soccer world is small and the recruiting efforts are wide so, that would be hard to believe. Nice try at some wimp marketing technique.
She was probably a true diamond in the rough, another poor soul that was being misused and under recognized at her club. That was, until one of the fabulous directors at MTA saw her for the true superstar she is. We should all be gratful to have giants like that among us heathens
All Hail MTA!
Long live MTA!
Praise MTA!
I can't be the only one who thinks of the old Kingston Trio song M.T.A. everytime I read this blog, am I?
You know, the one about Charley and the evil money grubbing MTA?
Way to date yourself 1:40 :)
I played for both a CC and a Premier club in MYSA. While both places may have a bad apple here and there on the sidelines, generally speaking, I would much rather NOT play in front of the CC parents. They generally don't have a clue of what's going on, particularly the moms.
Little Landon kicks it super hard down the field, ball goes high, goes to nobody, and mommy cheers, "Nice kick Landon, wow, great job!" So frustrating as a player to listen to that nonsense. That mommy has now lost all credibility and I hoped she wouldn't ever cheer for me. And then moms wonder why high schools play bootball.
In my experience, particularly as you get older, the intelligent parents at the Premier clubs sit nice and quietly on the sidelines and observe the game in peace.
At least this is how it was for me during 12 years of playing in MYSA.
2:41:
Too bad for Sufferage. If that hadn't happened, we'd all be better off today. For those of you who don't get it, I'm not surprised.
My DD went to her club tryouts and got selected for the Intergalactic team. See, MTA has regional national and premier we now have Solar system and Intergalactic teams. For those wondering, Intergalactic is the higher level.
P.S. Parent's voice boxes are removed so the above poster is not annoyed, a small courtesy for someone who is that great of a player willing to share that deep wisdom with us.
Oh great. Does this mean a backfield made up of Klingons?
3:13 Now that's funny!
Klingons are much too logical to play in the back. Maybe mids?
SSMSouthCampus
GO WOOKIES!!!!!
luke, i am your forward....
We have Captain James T. Kirk as our Director of Coaching. Take that! Ready at all times to spot new talent created by others labor and he'll hand them a Space soccer card to get directions on what to do next.
You people are such unbelievable losers.
James T. Kirk, DOC. Mission: to boldly go where no soccer club ha gone before. To seek out new players form other clubs. To go where no other soccer club has gone before! (not).
1031, get a sense of humor. It will help.
Have scanned through a bunch of Club web sites and it looks like Many are slow in releasing summer rosters (MTA included) most had indicated earlier that they would have had the teams posted by now. I can only assume there must be significant "shopping" going on this year causing the delay in team placement.
7:42 or they are completely disorganized
oops, put this in the wrong thread:
In regards to whoever questioned MTA's recruiting. It is happening on the boys side as well. MTA U17B coach has been trying to poach some of our players for weeks. I can see why youngers kids/parents might find it intriguing, but I don't see the benefit for older kids to swithc over to start on a brand new, unproven team. Team chemistry takes years to develop and the clock is running out for that age group.
Vulcans are logical not Klingons.
Klingons would make solid defenders as they are physical and aggressive and would look to attack out of the back.
Vulcans would be better served in the midfield where they would be able to logically analyze the field and distribute the ball. I think they would make solid two way players.
8:13 For weeks? that is a direct violation of recruiting rules, and we know those paragons of virtue don't break the rules.
I heard MTA fired the coach of last year's Bangu 13 girls (this year's MTA 14 Blue).
Apparently loosing to 12 year olds in the "biggest tournament of the year" and getting stomped in 14 premiere play, was too much.
From what I understand it was a parent revolt and threats to move clubs that did him in. Now the coach of last year's Wings team (that just won summer state) is taking over.
I can't wait until tryout results are posted and the new coach stacks the team with Wings players.
Maybe all those goo birds that were left out, will quit like last year's white team. They should be careful what they complain about – TOO FUNNY.
results have already happened for that age group! hate to break it you, but they took the BEST players from both teams. Move on Dude!
funny, there's nothing on the Web stie.
thats cause they received phone calls. too bad for you. you have no clue who made the team and who didn't!!
I think that the U17B coach is the one who consolidated talent at U17 last year and put together a team that went 2-0-1 at Regionals with 14 or 15 players. My guess is that the players who are being recruited know him and are excited for the chance to play for him. He's been pretty successful and I would say he is probably one of the top young coaches in Minnesota.
If they called players, I guess you have no idea either.
That doesn't change the fact that over bearing parents will pull their little superstar before she plays on a white team.
Oh yeah, the coach is still fired.
The MTA U17B coach also had inside information being the '92 MN ODP coach. His scouting started with who he chose for that bunch...
i understand there was quite an exodus of top kids off the u12/13 south teams due to similar MTA coaching issues from the past season. i would assume some tried out on the MTA elite teams but several wound up at south teams (ie Dakota Rev). MTA is a powerhouse up north but they still struggle to put quality (coaches,teams) together down south. i would guess with the training venues of the elite teams (blaine, minneapolis), they will have a hard time establishing strong teams in the south metro
how do you know that i am not a parent from that team?
you might very well be - and that's fine. My point is you have no idea which 16 - 18 girls made the top team if you "received a phone call."
You also have no idea which players were offered spots on the white team.
If you are so in the know, give me an axeact breakdown of Bangu/Wings players on each team. You can't if they haven't posted the rosters.
10:15
You understand...
You assume...
MTA is a powerhouse up north?
You would guess...
What do you really know?
parents talk!
I know watching goobers fight is fun.
it is not my place to announce teams on a blog. move on! teams have been formed and if you are not with the club, then why care so much? why not email to boys in charge and ask them who made what team.
So, would Jar Jar Binks be considered an MTA Intergalactic-level player? How about Yoda? I hear Jar Jar would need a scholarship. Is he good enough to warrant one?
Ask Rodrigo
Did he receive a "wow" card from the Jedi master himself? If yes, he's good to go unless another comes along half a step faster.
I don't want an announcement - just numbers.
For example...
Blue team
8 Bangu
8 Wings
2 new
White Team
8 Bangu
8 Wings
2 New
Still waiting...
Hard to believe MTA U17 coach (Holker) was recruiting at ODP...at that time it was thought he was coaching the 16s until an NCAA 50-mile radius rule came into play with kids from Mankato. I was told he didn't decide to take the 17s until the last week of July. If he recruited at that point, then he is in the wrong - but it is not like him to do that. He was nothing but a great example for my son this past season.
12:05 Did you not get the phone call?
12:05 What would make you think they were going to post the results online from U13 and Up? There is no spot online that has those age groups. They look to be just posting the jrs. U8 or U9 up to U12.
Why would I get a phone call if my daughter did not and would not attend the MTA tryouts?
847, 927, 937, 1038, 1205 and 1236 = shekki.
I wouldn't bother fueling that fire anymoer.
then why do you care?
The only U14s that showed up for tryouts were primarily the U13 blue Bangu and Wings U13 plus a couple others. Any mix of those teams still does not make a top team in the state as many of the top U14s are playing elsewhere. There will be a few competitive teams at this age group. The Blue U14 will only play MRL and parents choose that as an option? The big bucks must pay for some really, really great training!
"Anonymous said...
Regarding the 17's and much more. a big announcement is coming tomorrow afternoon from MTA. This, from what I hear is going to be huge for Minnesota soccer.
10/8/08 7:11 PM"
Did I miss the big announcement ?
If so what was it ? I know it was "HUGE" for MN soccer so I don't want to be left out of the know.
12:46 Heard the budget handed out was about $10,000 per player per year. Seems excessive even for the best training in the state. What was included in that budget number?
Does anyone have first hand info of this, or was someone pulling my chain ?
2:35 - we're all left out of the know. someone's having a bit of fun.
2:38 - hook, line and sinker...
Jingle, jangle, jingle, your chain has been yanked.
238, It is probably close to $2100 per year not counting travel expenses like Airfare/Gas/Hotel/Meals.
1044,
Still waiting...
312 Please reread post 1246. get on with your life!
$10,000 per player per year? You have to be kidding me. The budget differs from team to team depending on what that team desides to do, but it never reaches that high. The budget includes, travel, tournament costs, food, hotel, field rental, and the cost of coaching, just like any other team.
This blog is proof that the country really has been dumbed down.
Bangu has typically spent more money on dome time than other teams.
They do have more indoor training sessions than any club in my opinion.
Of course travel costs will vary from team to team.
My daughter has graduated out of SCV club now but I know other than dome expenditures costs were comparable to her cousin who plays at Bangu.
Most teams that train 4,5-6 hours a week in the winter and play 8-10 scrimmages with paid coaches and play quality tournaments will have player costs around $2,000 per player plus travel. What can differ is the travel cost. it is a topic that has been beaten to death the difference is that some clubs and teams are upfront with it and other hope that the parents don't do the math.
Money is money,if a kid is involved with a team to say "X" dollars plus, travel,gas etc is outside the costs and is not a true reflection of the total financial exposure a family feels, the are being dishonest. A team decides on the tournaments etc. and if a club says we are playing Midwest league it would only be fair to budget for the travel and expenses. If you were buying a house and didn't include the interest cost in the Mortgage in your budget I think it is fair to say you would have a rude awakening once the first bill hit. Same applies to travel cost for a team that fully intends on playing in a true"travel" league and plans on tournaments you need to fly to.
I too heard the $10,000 number and believe it was a true reflection of the "real" costs of being on the top teams. It is a high number but if you want the best it is worth every cent. These teams will give the kids on them a chance at College scholorships, ODP acceptance and who knows, maybe even a pro career. They are the best teams MN can offer without question.
How do you budget for air travel when you don't know what tickets will cost?
Get a grip folks, it isn't possible to do these days.
That's why many teams are chartering buses for more of the events.
Hi, folks. Shekki here. This is my first post in several days. I know, it's hard to believe there are others who think like I do.
I heard what a few of the MTA coaches will earn and was shocked.
So much for so little.
So unproven.
So scary.
So short-lived.
Shekki
...So stupid.
Not-the-Shekki
If MTA is the root of all evil, why are all of you so interested in who made their teams? If you don't know the kids, you won't recognize their initials. So it won't matter to you anyway. It only matters to the players and parents.
So MEAN!
Shekki
Never let it be said that I am not a big enough man to admit when I make a mistake.
I was thinking of this year's sophomores (2011s). The reason I was thinking this is because there is not a SINGLE JUNIOR (even though they could still be U16s) that will be rostered on the SSM U16s. The team is comprised of 8th graders to Sophomores ONLY. The Juniors have all been moved up to U18. That is how the system works.
Sorry, I guess I proved the point of the person above who accused me of talking without all the facts? Sort of? I have the facts, just wasn't thinking straight because the comment was made pertaining to it being too late for development for the 2010s at SSM-- when we were discussing the U16s. Clear as mud?
SSMSouthCampus
6:59 Totally agree with your thought that all costs must be considered when joining a team including travel and tournament fees.
I think you are "off" in your thinking if you think "it is well worth every cent" because of the College scholorships opportunities etc. For 10 Large per year you could put that money away and pay for a great college .
I certainly hope parents "college savings accounts" aren't being considered to be their MTA fees and associated fees in hopes this is an investment in their future. Some will get scholorships, but you are a torn ACL away from a complete zero.
MTA is fine if that is the choice you make but please lower your expectations of College scholorships and Pro careers.
It looks like MTA had a great turnout at tryouts but when measured against other options a large number of families chose to go elsewhere. Time will tell if this type of program can succeed especially with so many "community based clubs" have raised the bar to provide year around training and competitive options to MTA at a much reduced cost.
Most important is the quality of the adults your children are around. Do they conduct themselves in a manner that you want your children around? When winning is the only objective, people begin to cut ethical corners and lose sight of the idea we are working with children.
Are you going to pick your kids boss for their first job too?
Most important is to teach your kids to learn to be adaptable with people in their lives. Particularily with people of authority who you do not get to choose.
Many have played for plenty of coaches they did not like but still learned about the game and about life in the experience.
10:55 FAIRLY MORONIC QUESTION BUT TYPICAL FOR A TRUE GOOBER. YOU'LL PICK THEIR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT BASED ON YOU NEED TO LIVE THROUGH THEIR LIFE BUT NOT THEIR BOSS? TYPICAL BLINDED LOGIC SIMPLY FOLLOW THE LEADER....
12:10 Turn off the caps and stop shouting.
The point is that kids need to learn to live their own lives and learn to make good decisions on their own. Hard to do that when mommy and daddy hold my hand and make sure I am only around "quality adults" and people who "conduct themselves" in a proper manner. How bout we interact fairly and justly with everyone and teach our kids to do the same?
Nahh, if the coach doesn't treat our kid like the star he is then bad mouth the coach and look for one who will. Our kid comes before the team. After all, we know our kid is better than all his bumbling teammates. A different coach said so.
12:31 good point and therein lies the ability of the "for profit" clubs to sow the seeds of resentment in a team and club. If the 1-2 true talents from a team or club left, that would work. The problem is there is no end to the need to get big numbers in the for profits to subsidize the salaries of the directors. 1 or 2 leave and the egos of the parents of the next 4 are bruised and there is a stampede. The present open range mentality is hindering MN soccer.
For profit 1242?
THere are no for profit clubs.
When will it end? This is soooo redundant
maybe but 1231's illustration seems to have come around to bite the "elite" clubs now also. Not just CC's.
to 1:30 - AMEN this is horrible. although there are no games going on so there isn't much to talk about
Plenty of parents talking about their kids.
more like a few parents talking about their kids plenty
yes, what we all need is more sales pitches from the MTA crew on here.
Come to MTA where:
- it is 85 and Sunny everyday
- our fields are pristine and in your backyard
- we'll turn your awful player into a skilled and creative superstar
- we'll turn your unathletic child into a track star
- we'll turn your distracted child into a passionate soccer lover
- your child is guaranteed to play the entire game
- coaches respond to every e-mail and phone call within the hour
- all players are treated equally
- your coach will win games for you
Sales pitches by soccer clubs are so dumm.
We give wow cards too!
SSMSC I don't understand your emphasis. U16's are never juniors unless they are August birthdays. Juniors are almost always U17's.
8:27-- I posted in the wrong thread, please see the MRL, Premier League thread for context.
Sorry for the placement here.
How is everyone, by the way? Ready for a new year/new experience? I, for one, cannot wait for the new season to begin! Soccer deprived......
SSMSouthCampus
Completely off topic soccer question. In the men's Olympic game on Sunday moring the US men gave up a goal on a free kick when the wall jumped to block the anticipated high shot. The shot was low, went under the wall and into the net. The color commentator state that was the right thing to do. I have heard others state you should never leave the ground. Which is correct? Does it depend on where the kick is being taken?
Soccer Novice
Don't think the wall should jump especially not until they know if it is a high or a low shot =) I heard the same comment and could not have disagreed more.
Don't think the wall should jump especially not until they know if it is a high or a low shot =) I heard the same comment and could not have disagreed more.
Part of the risk of conceding a foul in that area (just outside the 18) is that the person taking the free kick does have the option to either try a "top-shelf" shot, or a groundpounder. Most will try "top-shelf," but the Netherlands player taking the free kick took the gamble and won with it.
If that foul had occurred even ten yards further back, the person taking the free kick (realistically) only has the option to get the ball airborne. Add another ten yards, and Guzan has a far better chance of making the save--and probably does--if the person taking the kick tries the groundpounder.
IMHO, that whole sequence started with a stupid caution on the U.S. at the other end where the player drew a yellow for delaying the restart of play. The time that was wasted by the U.S. gave the Netherlands (again, IMHO) additional time to organize their defense. The result was a turnover, resulting in the U.S. trying feverishly to recover in their own end.
Didn't work.
It was funny how Michael Bradley's on purpose yellow card completely backfired. I think the US will switch their strategy in the future. We aren't good enough yet to do that kind of trickery. They were thinking to far ahead. We need to go one game at a time when we're ranked #31 in the world. Stuart Holden had no reason to recklessly foul that player.
The person above is correct. The wall shouldn't jump until after the ball is kicked from that distance. And whenever you jump before the ball is kicked, you shouldn't jump over the ball.
We have recieved the list for the MTA U/16 Blue team.
10 are from Bangu
1 NSSA
2 Blackhawks
1 Edina
1 PSA
3 Unknown
We have recieved the list for the MTA U/16 Blue team.
10 are from Bangu
1 NSSA
2 Blackhawks
1 Edina
1 PSA
3 Unknown
Anon 7:26:
Actually, two of the MTA U16 Blue players came from NSSA U15C1. More proof that there are still strong players down in the C1 leagues.
Ummm, you are incorrect on the NSSA players...
Anon 7:44:
DZ and JCA were NSSA U15C1 players in summer 2008.
So much for promoting within the ranks! Guess the "development" of white and green team players is a bunch of bs.
Anon 8:10:
Your comment about development b.s. is, of course, not true. The Bangu U15C1 White team advanced to the State Tournament this year, certainly an improvement over last year and a result of player development. But guess what -- lots of CC's are developing their players too. A player from NSSA U15C1 was also placed on the MTA U16 White team. So you can either bash Bangu because their players were not promoted, or celebrate the development of players outside of Bangu who were able to break through. Pretty clear choice to the open minded, I think.
8:30, As U14s, the white team advanced to the finals of the state cup, as 15s they didn't even make it to the semi finals. As far as CC development, the jury is out on that one.IMO.
The plans for two elite academy teams were scrapped by MTA at the U18 level. They will be bringing back the Bangu 17s as the MTA u18s. They were able to fatten their pockets with Try-out fees of many players that expected 2 teams at this level.
Anon 8:37:
My comment related to the boys side. The thread starting with Anon 7:26 was about MTA Boys U16 Blue. You are right that Bangu Girls U14 White was in State Cup Final in 2007. Bangu Boys U14 White did not advance to the playoffs in 2007 State Cup.
Anon 8:30
Arsenal 17 boys hit hard by MTA should be interesting to see what they have left, now it all makes sense why they wanted back in the minnesota premier league, a place that I could still see them strggling after losing all that
Come on, Anon 8:42, let it go -- no one is making big money in the soccer business in this town. Fatten their pockets with $45 tryout fee? Fields need to be rented, evaluators paid and, in this case, t-shirts purchased. Not a lot of fat left for the pockets.
Nutmeg your point is valid, no one is going to get rich, but for every player that knew they were trying out for the 2nd team and they were not going to make the Blue team it is 45 dollars gone. I work part time and I wish I had the money back, MTA could afford it more than I can. Not everybody is having their parents pay for soccer or getting a free ride....
Anon 6:54: I agree with you on that. If MTA miscalculated at this age level and decided not to create a second team from the tryout pool, then MTA should refund at least a portion of the $45 tryout fee to those who were cut. Parents and players should not be paying for MTA's growing pains. MTA should either create the team and take their lumps that the team is not MRL caliber or refund the tryout fee (the easier choice) and absorb the loss. Shoudn't advertise that you are creating a team, hold tryouts, have enough kids show up to establish a roster, then abandon the team. Sure the kids got 6 hours of field time, but they could have been trying out elsewhere. A refund would be painful but the right decision.
Do any of you or your kids have a library card?
Nope. Speedyrewards. :-)
Yup and have been reading all summer between soccer games and practices.
There were three players ODP players that couldn't play for the Bangu U17s because of the NCAA-50 mile radius rule-----could have been a lot better..
what is the NCAA-50 mile radius rule?
I think this is the rule referred to:
From NCAA Division III Manual-- Rule 13.11.2.3 Local Sports Clubs:
An institution's coach may be involved in any capacity (e.g., as a participant, administrator or in instructional or coaching activities) in the same sport for a local sports club or organization located in the institution's home community, provided all prospective student-athletes participating in said activities are legal residents of the area (within a 50-mile radius of the institution). The 50-mile radius restriction shall not apply to prospective student-athletes who reside beyond the 50-mile radius of the institution if the local sports club is the nearest club team to the prospective student-athlete's home. Further, in club teams involving multiple teams or multiple sports, the 50-mile radius is applicable only to the team with which the institution's coach is involved; however, it is not permissible for the coach to assign a prospective student-athlete who lives outside the 50-mile area to another coach of the club. A coach also may be involved in activities with individuals who are not of prospective student-athlete age (i.e., before the ninth grade), regardless of where such individuals reside. (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/16/93, 1/9/06)
From US Youth Soccer's Coaching Education Dept. I received this from MYSA in prep for the Coaching Directors upcoming Fall meeting.
Position Statement #15
We believe that the professional level plays a necessary and vital role in the growth and
development of youth and amateur soccer. In all soccer cultures, the professional level serves to
provide for the vertical movement of top players and creates the conditions for national heroes to
emerge. The professional influence also accounts for much of the indirect education that permeates
soccer societies. Television ratings and paid attendance have a significant local and national impact
on media perception and civic response. We feel that promoting professional soccer is foundational
to all professional coaching positions.
Again this came from MYSA, the organization that just broke their partnership with the Thunder because of MTA. Shoe taste good, no?
Who said the Thunder and Lightening were pro teams?
The Lightning is not, their players pay to play. The Thunder is a pro team though. Your point?
I'm a little surprised by the quietness of the Arsenal supporters on here, they were really talking their team up big and then the MTA tryout results were posted and they shut up quick, thank you Arsenal for giving ALL your talent to the future U-17 national champions, good luck with the left-overs in the MYSA premier league :)HAHAHA
In response to 15/8/08 8:42 PM, your information isn't quite accurate. MTA will field two U18 girls teams. The U18 Elite Blue (formerly the Stars) and the U18 Elite White team. The U17 C1 team is not "coming back" as the white team. Only a handful of girls were promoted from C1 to White; most of the "Selects"(White Team) are returning MRL players not C1 girls. MTA is also working on putting together a third U18 C1 team and offering training to those girls at tryouts who were former Bangu players.
well, 9:56 seemed to shut most people up. Good for you.
I'm confused by 1:29 PM's post:
How does a player get promoted between teams in a newly formed club (MTA)?
In response to 8:20 pm, while MTA is newly formed, its genesis is a merger of two clubs that brought their teams into the new club. So, if Bangu had three levels of teams (C1, MRL First Division and MRL Premier Division) at an age group, it can move players within those three levels up or down, promoting or demoting so to speak.
Why would anybody pay to play for the Lightning.Their style of play is obsolete. It stifles player development.A good coach lets his players personality shine.Lightning stuck with coaches who are offensively inept.Knucleheads..the name of the game today is offensive soccer. To get a clue watch Brazil.
You have to play with what you have. On balance the Lightning is stocked with athletic players with limited skills. Don't see a lot of players out there who could play like Brazil does.
What about the Bangu players on the roster? With the premium development they offer I would think they would be running circles around the other teams.
8:10 good point, isn't the recruiting pitch filled with numbers of players on the Lightning? Wow, can these guys make excuses and talk out of both sides of their mouth.
Lightning roster has 4 youth players from Bangu. Of the 19
primary players:
St Croix 6
Bangu 6
Out of State 5
Other MN 2
RE:
Premium Development at Bangu. How much has the incoming U-17 Blue team developed since they were formed at U-14? Bottom of MRL First Devision the last two years. Couldn't score a goal to save themselves. That's development? Looks like kickball to me. If they played in the MN Premier League they would barely be .500, if that.
As for the U-18 Stars, they were great players when they joined that team at U-14, 15, 16, etc. and peaked at U-15.
The past year's U-18 team with the incoming college freshmen were very much developed before most of them arrived at Bangu.
It is easy for a club to say they are developing players when they receive many of the better players at U-14 or U-15, when most other good teams only have two or three solid players. To say they are developing players is hogwash. Let's see in two to three years just how good they are at developing their current U-11's and U-12's etc. Will they burn them out? Will parents begin to realize that NDSU doesn't begin to pay back all the traipsing around the country at $6-8K/year. True, the real elite players like KB and KL did well, but the rest of the roster hasn't fared so well.
No I'm not bitter, as my child isn't yet at the college age. But a good player doesn't need Bangu, just a good coach who will utilize that player the right way.
BTW, Bangu has been calling for four years and it just doesn't make sense at our age group to join that situation when we are currently involved in a better situation with as good a coach as there is in that particular age group.
9:27 Well said but know you'll be called a bitter kid got cut hater soon. You make several valid points that should be read and pondered by parents.
Anon 9:27 will never be called a bitter parent they are where there kid wants to be with good coaching.
9:27PM - yep, you're a hater by definition. Who cares that your kid has been called by Bangu for 4 years? Why would you post that if not to try and highlight your kid. Bangu does not corner the market in idiot parents who love to post on blogs and talk about their kid and the choices they make.
The sale by MTA of MRL play for their White teams is an expensive joke unless these teams qualify for MRL Premier league. MRL 1st division = MYSA Premier League with way more travel expense, more spoiled kids who are told they are playing in a better league, and parental illusions of grandeur.
Bangu's upper level coaches train for tactics, but not for improved skills and fundamentals. Players should be improving their skills well into their 20s. If MTA coaches think individual skill development stops at U14 or U15, they have the wrong coaches. Their teams will peak early, and their players will be surpassed by by players whose clubs did not burn kids out and stifle development by prioritizing winning and ridiculous travel schedules at U14.
.
10:34- When do you expect a player to learn tactics? If you say that they should be coaching tactics and skills/fundamentals, how many hours or days a week should they be training? At what point or age do you believe that the player has responsibility for continuing to work on individual skills?
I am guessing that you may be one of the people who would complain about frequency of training and such? Focusing on tactics at the older ages is appropriate according to many at the top levels of youth coaching today. Either they're right or you're right....I'm going with them.
SSMSouthCampus
why is it that virtually every post that knocks MTA development rarely ever offers any kind of alternatives or examples of a better program (other than we like our currrent club/coach)? if most of the better players who do tend to go on after club to play college recently have come out of MTA, what does that say for everyone else's programs?
10:34:
Expensive joke. Yes. My daughter has four HS teammates who played in MRL this past year. Neither of the two teams belonged their and if the MYSA Premier 25% guidelines were used, they'd have been relegated to C-1, which is what these two MTA teams really were. Sadly, the seniors of this group are now disillusioned, and, basically realize their soccer careers will be finished after this HS season. I hope the $5K per year was worth it.
I should add, the parents are quite bitter.
8:20 - wouldn't their soccer careers be over anyway (or are these the classic delusional parents who need to blame anyone/anything for their child not fulfilling "their" hopes, dreams and expectations).
8:34:
You tell me if a $5-6000/yr. habit playing on a white team was meant to cease after the senior HS year. These players expected to play in college and no one came knocking.
At U-18 it's back to the CC for fun.
If MTA set these expectations then shame on them. I guess the bigger question is........why didn't anyone come knocking? This might require much deeper inward reflection and possibly an acceptance of reality (tough for many parents to face).
Where were these kids looking to play? D1?, D2?, D3?
MTA = big promises and not much return except for a very few top teams. The others stay for reasons such as the sliver of hope they'll get a chance to play on one of the top teams and parents unwillingness to change their minds and go elsewhere.
11:17 - You do realize you gave the top MTA teams credit for something??? That may get you kicked out of the haters club!!!
Nice try with the follow-up rhetoric. Always more of the same.
Back to my Kool Aid.
8/20 7:23am
What it means is Bangu was best at consolidating the talented players.It says nothing about development.
Part of the Bangu marketing strategy is mentioning how many state cup champs,how many kids play in college etc..Again it's all about consolidating the best talent.
The number one excuse Bangu has for poor performance at the national level is the players have plateaued. The root cause of the problem is Bangu does a poor job of developing players.Anybody who played a high level sport knows development never stops.But development is hard work ,takes time and requires a dedicated coach.It's so much easier to just consolidate talent and make excuses.
11:06--At least at D-2 level. SAD!
12:41 you are dead on!
In all fairness, MTA has some of the best coaches in the state. In all fairness MTA has some lousy coaches. MA is as good a trainer as there is. Others in that club I wouldn't let my kid play for. Heck, give me, a former parent coach, quality, motivated players, I'll hire a trainer, not let them get big heads, keep them curbed and not let tham get burned out. At times it appears to be a meat market for coaches to build their resume. Think people!
This comment has been expressed on countless occasions on this and other threads.........coaches do not create great soccer players........hard working soccer players with superior athletic ability create great soccer players.
How often do most teams train?????? Maybe 6-8 hours per week?????? But somehow we have all these parents who want to blame the coaches and organizations for their little mia/landon not becoming great. You want your kid to become a better player?????? Inspire, motivate, maybe even coerce them into practicing as much as they can on their own. Whether it's skill development or strength/fitness training, anything and everything is good. Especially as the teams get older, the practice sessions do become more tactical than technical. The same parents who complain about skill development would most likely be the first ones complaining about their 17 year old daughters running cone dribbling drills, center cross drills, etc.... for half the practice.
Same people who complain about little jimmy/julie not getting good grades in school......must be the teacher's fault.......
310, You are completely 100% right.
3:10--Ditto.
LOL....Heck, give me, a former parent coach....Now this is the answer to all your worries.
And this is the mind set in MN?? Good Luck Dude!! Hope your player ends up at Notre Dame!!
400, Does your first initial start with a J?
MTA has and will do nothing to develop soccer beyond its current state. Look at the Boys side at U18 and U17, count how many of the roster have been with Bangu and been developed. MTA is simply player recruitment at the highest level. The Bangu U17 team last year was good because they recruited the best players not because Bangu developed players......
8/20 3:10
Your post is a typical coaches cop out.Nobody is buying that any more.
9:04 - I'm not a coach, just a parent of a soccer player. Did Anson Dorrance make Mia Hamm a great player? Name one top level coach who was the #1 reason that a player became great? I'm not saying they aren't instrumental, but the best players got there on primarily their own hard work. 3:10pm.
I also don't think it's a cop out, just an opinion.....no one says you have to agree. If you are putting all hopes in a coach to make it happen, I believe you will sorely disappointed in the future.
WNT being absolutely dominated by Brazil but still holding to a 0-0 score. All US can do is launch 50 yard prayers, unable to possess. Is Sundhage an MTA coach?
936, He must be!! They won!!
This talk about MTA/Bangu White MRL play being the "end" of a soccer career doesn't hold water unless "end of soccer career" means no D1 school or scholarship. Those opportunities are very rare, but they are not the only way to play in college. Bangu(now MTA) gives great training, a club with an excellent, recognized nationwide reputation (that college coaches pay attention to), exposure to different college markets via travel, and in some cases, team managers and coaches who help make college connections. However, nonscholarship D2 and D3 opportunities do not materialize from thin air. Players need to go to the website of their colleges of choice, fill in and submit the soccer interest form, start the dialogue with the college coaches, invite them to watch the player play and send out the highlights video. Unless your child is a total standout on the field and a coach fortuitously happens to be at a game, getting an opportunity to play on a good D2 or D3 team of choice takes a little effort. Bangu/MTW offers a great take off platform but the player needs to do the work to translate that into something more. These disallusioned MRL/MWL players may not have done their homework.
This has Mark Aboud's(spelling?) finger prints all over it. Been around the block a few times with MYSA soccer and this all about money, money, money. You know playing for this new and improved club is going cost the families a "gob" of cash. And for what? Who is going to coach these so called "elite" teams? They give 20 something year old kids with no national license $5,000 or more a year to coach...are they really qualified??
Just because they are affliated with the Thunder does not mean squat!
There are plenty of USSF B/C/D coaches at club level that provide excellent coaching.....and you know what? Some of those coaches are volunteers. Imagaine that!!! The only payment they get is the joy of coaching. WOW! What a concept!
The ODP Program is about "trying out" to be selected. During the District phase there is not alot of "coaching" going on. The evaluators are looking at how the kids perform 1v1, in a small group and then in a game either 8v8 or 11v11.
But this new club will fill a niche to the families that have a bunch of cash burning a hole in their pocket to have their future Mia Hamm get the coaching that the parents think they need to so the parents can have their egos stroked to say their son or daughter plays at a elite level.
But at what cost?
The fixation on greed for me is bizarre. When I look at what these supposedly greedy coaches are making, I see peanuts in the big picture. Pretty much anyone who coaches in this state is coaching for the love of the game, except for some parent coaches who seek only to put their kids on pedestals. These accusations of being getting rich off this stuff are humorous and obvious red herrings.
As a Bangu and now MTA parent, the speculations that MTA/Bangu costs a "gob of cash" are ill founded. The cost is comparable to a premier team elsewhere. The team expenses (running around $2200 per season) include everything except uniforms. Even meals for the kids while at the tournaments are built into the cost. The "gob of cash" parents spend are their own expenses when they decide to go watch their kid play in other states.
1158 - You have obviously listened to all the rumors about the cost of Bangu/MTA. Not sure why you care so much how people spend their own money? You get what you pay for! I know of other clubs that are in the same cost range as MTA.
11:58 does not sound like an MA comment.
JT steps down at Tonka.
11:58 Name the clubs.
3:10 pm 8/20 - the tired refrain is yours. It is obvious that the players need to put in the reps to learn the skills, but the coaches should spend a significant part of their practice time teaching the skills that the players practice.
Spending the majority of practice time teaching systems of play is easy for the coach, satisfying for parents who want to see wins, and a sell-out for the players.
I believe the players, or students have not reached the pinnacle of knowledge or skills at age 15. If the coach, or teacher tries to teach skills, and the player/student fails to put in the work, it is the player/student's failing. If the coach or teacher makes little or no attempt to teach skills, you have failed the player /student.
I like the education analogy, though. In your argument, the computer science teacher would teach the students to become proficient at playing video games instead of teaching how to program one.
12:06 - I believe your third paragraph says it all. As 3:10 has noted and you would appear to agree, it is up to the player to put in the work. The vast majority of coaches out there (at all clubs) do try to teach skills and do not fail the players. I'm guessing it all depends on what your expectations are.
As this is the MTA/Bangu/Wings thread....
Anyone know how the Wings players have sorted out now that their club is gone.
From the posts on this blog, an uninformed mind would really have no idea Wings once existed.
In the future when someone does something they deeply regret later it will be called "wings" As in " he really pulled a wings on that".
137, Boy your hilarious!! Wings and Bangu did what every other large soccer out of State market has already done, they combined forces, enabling them to offer top level players a chance to compete against other top level teams from other states.
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