MN Thunder, USL and TOA

Many may have already read or heard about the demise of the MN Thunder and PDL Rochester Thunder. Unpaid bills, released players, no communication from owner Dean Johnson, would lead most to believe the MN Thunder no longer exist. Also, with the USL recently being sold to a ownership group with no team, a fraction of the former USL called the TOA (Team Owners Association) which represents angry team ownership for 6 or 7 USL/former USL teams, has been working on putting together a new league for a 2010 schedule.

For more details check out Inside MN Soccer, where Brian Quarstad has done an excellent job following the break story lines. See http://www.insidemnsoccer.com for more details.

What does all of this mean to top level soccer in Minnesota? What will all the former Thunder fans do May-August of 2010?

Boys Club News and Chat

Seems like we've had many months, even years, of talk about the MN U18 boys. With winter tournaments and Midwest Regional League on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how all of the MN boys teams compete this club season.

Girls Club News and Chat

With the high school season over, many MN soccer fans are turning their attention to the upcoming club season. While travel budgets may be smaller with the economic down turn, may team are still planning a full winter season of tournaments.

Lady Gophers Soccer

The lady gophers start the preseason with a #18 national ranking. With last year's outstanding season behind them, and loosing many oustanding seniors, they may not be able to match last year's success. They should be a very entertaining team, loaded with local talent. Get out to a match and support MN's only D1 program! Click here for schedule

Men's D1 Soccer

This year's incoming D1 freshmen class from MN was very small. But the MN men are well represented at D1 programs including: Butler, Brown, Creighton, Marquette, UW-GreenBay, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, Western Illinois and others.

Women's D1 Soccer

Every year MN sends several dozen young ladies into D1 soccer programs. Use this thread to exchange information about the upcoming season.

MIAC, D2, D3, UofM Men's Club, NAIA Soccer

The upper midwest enjoys some of the best non-D1 soccer in the country. The MIAC (Men's & Women's) should be an interesting race this year, and MN's only public D3 school, UMN-Morris, looks to continue improving. Additionally, the UofM Men's club soccer is also a national powerhouse for club soccer and enjoy's a strong series pre-season matchup with the MIAC elite.

'09 Boys HS Season

The 2008 boys high school season had a lot of parity with many very good teams. Who will emerge as this years champion?

'09 Girls HS Season

With coaches practice started at most high schools, the excitement for the 2009 MN high school season is upon us. Should be a great year for HS soccer with many very strong U16, U17 and U18 girls club teams.

2006 Team formation exception for SCV

With the recent blogger discussion regarding the soon to be SCVs U18 boys team forming under suspicious circumstances back in August 2006., a blogger recently provided the meeting minutes of the infamous DOC meeting that documents the first failed attempt to allow the team an exception to policy, and to form at the C1 level. Eventually, a vote did occur that allowed the exception. See "East Boys" section.

The votes, reintroduction, and re-votes, across several meeting may certainly be considered suspicious by some, as the DOC’s son was to be on the team that was eventually given the votes to bypass MYSA rules in team formation. The same policy that has denied other teams, without parent representation on MYSA’s DOC.

What transpired to allow the exception for a team with a DOC’s member’s son on the roster? Should MYSA provide public comment and explanation? Or at a minimum, repost minutes so that all may see who voted for and who voted against the decision?

The first post on this thread is a copy of the meeting minutes as provided by a blogger. It should be noted that the meeting minutes are marked as "draft." Additionally, minutes have been edited for length.

Boys - MYSA Districts and State Tournament

MYSA League Playoffs and State Tournament information can be found here:

http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/events/playoffs.cfm

Girls - MYSA Districts and State Tournament

I guess it is that time of year again. MYSA league teams will be starting districts and then off to the state tournament.

Regionals 2009

Schedule and Scores: http://www.t7sports.com:8080/2005/B102227.htm

Play starts soon in the Regional Tournament in South Dakota. 14 MN teams will take the field to represent MN in the USYSA National Championship series. While few MN teams are expected to make the semi finals, we can all join together to support them in pursuing the dream of going to nationals.

Could this be the year that the WDB 17 girls can find the results to push through to the semis? Can the VLY 17 boys find their form and make a run? Will any of the MTA teams put the club controversy behind them and achieve what few MN teams have?

Please use this post to report scores, play and the overall excitement of the Regional Tournament. Please leave other topics in the other posts and just enjoy the reports from the tournament.

2010 World Cup Qualifying and USMNT

Nice to see the US bounce back on Saturday, handing the game Honduras side a 2-1 defeat. After a world class finish from Costly, the US responded from what usssocer.com says is "first come-from-behind win in qualifying since 1985." The US midfield certainly picked up the play 25 minutes into the first half, and inspite of Altidore's frequent lapses with the ball at his feet, move the ball into the attacking area. I don't think Altidore and Cassey are the answer for the surprisingly sloppy attack. On a bright note former ManU defender Jonathan Spector impressed with the quick and clever Honduran attack.

The US seemed to dominate the match after the opening 10-12 minutes against a less than world class side. How can the US solidify a spot and be better than 3 and out at WC2010? Should Bradley look harder for an impact player who is not currenlty in the mix? What's your line up?

On to Regionals

Congratulations to all teams representing Minnesota at this year's USYSA regional tournament. This is probably a MN State Cup that will not be forgetten.

.........Boys...............................Girls
U13.. MTA East 96 Blue.......Eden Prairie
U14.. MTA Elite 95 Blue......Burnsville Fire
U15.. MTA Elite 94 Blue......MTA East 94 Blue
U16.. Shattuck Academy.....Wayzata Rage
U17.. Valley United...............Woodbury Inferno
U18.. MTA Elite 91 Blue...... MTA Elite 91 Blue
U19.. TBD...............................TBD

Hopefully all Minnesota Youth Soccer fans can pull together and support these teams in South Dakota.

U13G Semi Final Controversy

The Sunday 5/17 MN State Cup U13 Girls semi final game between MTE13GC101 (U12s playing up) and MTA13GC101 ended with a bit of controversy. According to the MTE13GC101 coach's statements in his own blog:

"I told them I was so proud of their efforts, but I wanted them to step up and pass the ball to the U13 GK when it was their turn to shoot. "

This has stirred up many questions about ethical behaviour. Some are speculating that the MTA13GC101, Coach AK, may have known what was going to happen as well. There seems to be more bloggers chiming in with strong concerns about Coach MA's decision. Still a few are defending his actions.

The MTA "club" has tried to distance themselves from the controversy by stating on their web site:

"The MTA Executive Board is aware of an incident at State Cup this past weekend. It was a coach's decision that came into question; an individual decision, and it was not supported by the club. We are looking into it further to deem whether any disciplinary action is needed."

What could be even more disturbing is that Coach MA may have informed the team parents of his plans, during the previous winter. If true, why wasn't anything done?

What's next? What will MYSA do? What will USYSA do? What will MTA do?

'09 Boys State Cup Results

Should be an exciting tournament. Good luck to all the teams.

http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/events/statecup.cfm#sched

'09 Girls State Cup Results

Hard to believe games start today. Good luck to all team, coaches, parents and referees.

http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/events/statecup.cfm#sched

MN Soccer Happenings: MRL, MYSA, MTA, SSM, ODP and MN Thunder

Somehow the previous post on these topics was deleted. Feel free to use this for ranting and raving about club topics, MRL, MYSA, MTA, SSM, ODP, MN Thunder, etc.

College Bound Player

Recent annoucements on College Signing Day show once again that MN is hot bed for girls soccer development. The boys still have a way to go to represent MN at the D1 level. Then again, many of the top boys players end up going to SSM and don't get any press.

'09 Boys State Cup

Boy's parents don't seem to get as worked up as the girls, but they are usually not as well behaved on the sidelines. Regardless, should be competative at all boys age groups, except U19.

http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/events/statecup.cfm#sched

'09 Girls State Cup

Brackets are posted, teams are practicing, parents are getting worked up...must be state cup time. You can find the brackets here:

http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/events/statecup.cfm#sched

U17 girls should go to WDB, but will be the most competative in years. U18 girls a toss up...the rest could go to MTA.

Boys Winter Tourneys

Any boys teams heading out state for winter/spring tournaments?

Girls Winter Tourneys & Scrimmages

It's time for Winter/Spring tourney news.