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.
MTA is desperate to keep their U17 players (possessions) because if they lose enough of them they will not have a team to play in the ECNL. If they don't have a team at U15, U16 and U17 they will get booted out of the league. That is a fact.
If they finish too low in the league, they can get booted out as a club. That is a fact.
The players are just along for the ride. The coaches only care about the club. I think that has been demonstrated more than once this year already.
- State Cup: who cares about the girl's experience when we need a certain team to move on. - Region Camp: who cares about their focus on making the Region Team when we have a team to recruit to keep out ECNL status. - Who cares that a US National Staff coach for Region II put in the deciding word for MC to get hired to Region Staff at the last minute only to be made look like a fool when his recommendation got fired after the first week for ethics.
Don't believe for a second that they really care about the players.
11:56 am So, if we make the assumption that there will be no talent moving to these ECNL teams (does it make sense that none of these other clubs will attract quality players to participate in this league?), then I wonder which games will be the draw for college coaches to be scouting at. Is it teams or club names that draw the scouts? You can play some quality teams but if there is nobody there to offer D1/D2 scholarships to the players, one would think that you could have found quality competition closer to home.
2:07 - IMO it's the PLAYERS that draw the scouts. The better teams usually do have better players. Whether it is MTA, EP, WYZ, etc... if there are top players on a team, the scouts will come. The more top players on a team, the more scouts will see ALL the players (whether they are the national/regional kids or not).
kinda interesting that 2 players from girls 93 odp group were selected to regional pool but both had surgery first week of July and cannot play until at least after HS season......
These players that are injured and not in atendance at ODP camp yet still make the regional pools....do they have to pay ANY money for camp? If not, it's quite unfair to those that are at camp AND will have to pay extra money for holdover camp. Free ride?
Did the two players in question take up someone else's regional pool slot or where they just added to the normal list due to their injuries (not uncommon). I looked at the pool listing and counted 40 names with theirs added to the bottom. I believe the normal pool is 36, so wouldn't be surprised if there were a few others also added. No idea about the money part - ask the MN ODP folks.
Anyone know whats up with the new East Ridge Soccer Club (ERSC) in Woodbury? Have two players under the age of 15 that are trying to decide on tryouts. Is this part of the high school there?
DS is ten times the coach JE is. That is fact. JE has coached for just a few years, I think four. DS has the best resume by far. If you play for DS you will get better for sure huge track record, JE has very limited history. DS has a huge history and great reputation. JE has done little and remember she is a goalkeeper and lets be honest a great GK coach but does not understand soccer for the rest of the team. If it were my kid I would want them to play for DS. Believe it or not and my kids played for DS he is all about development and just happens to win a ton of games.
DS is the best youth coach in the history of MN. Who has coached in four regional finals? two national finals, 6 regional semi finals, and won 15 state cups? no coach is even close. No coach has coached in two regional finals let alone four. no coach has won 15 state cups. Last time he lost a game in state cup outside a shoot out. JE was in high school.
DS is the best youth coach in the history of MN. Who has coached in four regional finals? two national finals, 6 regional semi finals, and won 15 state cups? no coach is even close. No coach has coached in two regional finals let alone four. no coach has won 15 state cups. Last time he lost a game in state cup outside a shoot out. JE was in high school.
DS once coached a boys team from CG with all CG kids to a State Cup Championship now that is impressive Cottage Grove is not that good at state cup level
9:23 - agreed. DS is an excellent coach, but it still comes down to the talent out on the pitch. From what I'm hearing, it looks like EP could potentially have a sizable advantage.
What about the U16 State Cup Champs? For those of you with your heads high in the sky, that would be Wayzata. But keep dreaming, maybe some day EP will win a State Cup (if they bring in enough outside talent).
why is evryone so concerned about whether the '93 inferno players stay with the team or go....just 2 people....team is made up of more than 2 people and especially their star '93.
State cup has come and gone, Wayzata had their chance, they went to regions and nothing happened. It all over til next year...
Every team has outside talent, and it is about time EP gets their fair share of it too. The new talent will be a gift to the talented crew they already have.
This will be a real challenge for for all teams next year. To boot, Now they have a coach what a great gift for the EP team.
10:15 - the balance of power is currently very equal in that age group and the addition of the players in question as upgrades would be very good for EP. Don't forget one of them is a U17WNT pool player (not saying her departure from MTA relegated them to State Cup semi-finalists, but you could draw the conclusion it was part of their decline).
DS has said " I do not develop players. By the time I get them they have already been developed".So knock off the DS develops players myth.
Every year he gets the best team Bangu/MTA has. That's how he pads his record. Many coaches could have done the same or better with these teams. He took the 91g and rode them into the ground for three years. He's overrated and everybody knows it except the newbies.
I hear the current MTA U14 blue girls are going to not take their MRL premier spot, but will instead play U15 MYSA premier next year. From what I understand the move was made to keep the team together because more than half the team would have left if they did not have some local games.
9:27, Your jealousy of DS is quite obvious and it's total BS that he said what you claim. Player development is never ending. Players continue to develop every year all the way through U17-U18 and they continue to develop as college players and even in the professional ranks. Good luck trying to get anyone to believe your BS.
He has success because he does have the majority of upper level selfish players, but that being said, most of what he is doing is tactical not technical.
So development is very different. More about reading the player movements, positioning, field awareness, ect.
Are you people not happy without complaining and crying about this and that ALL the time. Why dont you people discuss something positive for a change. This club is bad, this coach is bad, this player is bad, that game was bad, State Assn is bad, scholarships are bad, league is bad, blah blah blah...
6:46 am - I heard the same thing about MTA u14 Blue - that said, every year there are grand rumors of major player defections from MTA (or other Premier teams) and they rarely materialize so this is probably bull as well
The Lightning could get better competiton here in MN rather than traveling out state. MN 18 and 19 are stronger than half the teams in the alleged pro league.Why the heck spend money and waste time.
Nice classy comment about DS mom, she died when he was coaching in TX back in the early part of this decade and he stayed and coached the team. His parents were with him on the trip to TX when she suddenly died you idiot. So I doubt she was up late making the post on this site.
If you think he just gets the good teams then why does nt everyone else do it? How can he take a Cottage Grove team with all CG players and win at State Cup? Jefferson never made it to the Dome for HS and then he shows up and they go a bunch and win one. 15 state cup champions both boys and girls and 4 different age groups.
I understand now he is doing the Master Coach program from the NSCAA. And people say he does not work to get better??? HAHA
So, first of all- people are actually complaining that there is an ethical issue that the DRev team didn't lose by enough points to a team from another club? Umm, you can't be serious?
Secondly, MAYBE ECNL is a great league. The first division is solid, second division is good- but not great. However I would say that that is a perfect kind of league for a VERY MEDIOCRE MTA team (to be U17).
iD2 is not a selling point for this age, they are beyond the "to be" U17 ages. If you haven't made your ODP goal by now, you probably aren't going to.
Mr Storlien is just your typical Minnesota coach. Nothing special. The Lightning beat Cleveland at home 3-0 in a laugher. Then they go to Clev and draw with them 1-1. The Clev coach made adjustments while you know who was asleep at the wheel. What's the excuse this time?
You were not even at the game. Do you know anything about the game? I play on the Lightning. No excuses for us, we should have done better. We played a lot of players who had not played as much this season, we out shot them 19-4, and 8-0 on corners. A lot of great players did not play that much. You take your shots at Danny all the time you have no idea how great he is and what he has done for so many people, even people that don't play for him. Anyone who really knows him know you are a joke for talking trash about him. Just ask him players.
Everyone know you can't compare scores like that. Come on you please tell me you have some soccer experience???? If a team wins by a few baskets, goal, touchdowns, points, runs and then its closer the next time it does not mean the game was that much different. Please tell me you have some clue about sport??
it's just the same "yahoo" that rips him constantly on this blog (thank god for "anons"....). somewhere, sometime, DS must have done something he didn't like to his son/daughter.
I thought I read where DS will be stepping down from coaching the Lightning next year. It will be interesting to see who they select for their new coach as he/she undoubtedly will come from within the MTA ranks which IMO is bit thin on older, higher level girls coaching experience.
It's time the Lightning hire a female coach. Clubs need to start encouraging females to coach. Time for the "old boys club" to retire. They have taken MN soccer as far as they could. Time for change.
12:36 - good comment as most clubs do not have much depth.
The only suggestions that I would have would be internally from MTA maybe Marshak who has high level experience from OH and coaches high school. Maybe they need to look at some of the MIAC schools and bring in a McGill, Chavez, Leaney?, Stehlik, etc.. or one of the DII coaches. The only other coach would be JE, but don't really see that happening.
For every coach I just named I'm sure someone will blast away......
Really the DIII coaches? The women's DIII soccer is so bad its not even funny. The top U15 girls team in the state each year would win the MIAC. The level is terrible at best, some good coaches but most have not coached really great players. Bellis, Driver, Leaney would probably be the best in my opinion. Leaney is great. Has done well at MAC, but the level is way down from 10 years ago with the addition of more scholarships.
The MN Boys 1993 ODP team won the region tournament this past weekend, and 6 players were chosen to the regional pool. Four players from 1992 Boys were also held over.
The coaches did an excellent job too. It's not easy to gel this variety of players in such a short time. And, please, don't bash. Just enjoy MN having a little success.
Anonymous said... You were not even at the game. Do you know anything about the game? I play on the Lightning. No excuses for us, we should have done better. We played a lot of players who had not played as much this season, we out shot them 19-4, and 8-0 on corners. A lot of great players did not play that much. You take your shots at Danny all the time you have no idea how great he is and what he has done for so many people, even people that don't play for him. Anyone who really knows him know you are a joke for talking trash about him. Just ask him players.
20/7/09 9:41 AM
Well Said Player!! I enjoyed your season. You were a fun group to watch and cheer on. Good Luck with your career.
ps. I want to thank all the Lightning players. Most of these girls sacrificed their summer to play the game, most to stay fit for college. Sure, it would of been fun to advance, but, what were they playing for?? A bonus?? NOT. These girls love the sport, its a huge positive to be able to play during the summer months when away from college and post college. The Thunder gives these young women this chance. I want to give the front office a huge thank you.
do ussf academy players participate in odp? just curious. please do not read into this request any attempt at diminishing the 93 boys - outstanding job!!
6:25 Academy players are not allowed in ODP, they already have a path to the national squad. ODP is the alternative for kids who don't have access to an academy team (MN doesn't have one close), or who choose not to attend.
locally 2010's are pretty much done and still kind of early for the 2011's (although I saw where a 2012 back east as already committed - not even a sophomore yet - get real).
2010 Club Recruits / College FROM MTA to IOWA STATE FROM PSA to MANKATO STATE to NORTH DAKOTA STATE FROM WSC to BEMIDJI STATE to COLORADO COLLEGE to DAYTON to FAIRFIELD to FLORIDA STATE to GEORGETOWN to IOWA STATE to IOWA STATE to MANKATO STATE to MANKATO STATE to MINNESOTA to NORTHWESTERN to NORTHWESTERN to WISCONSIN
Sorry 12:49... Yep, girls list and WSC is Woodbury. Boys lists aren't currently in my favorites and seem a bit harder to find . I'm sure they are out there somewhere. Re 12:35... I agree, I would have liked to see more local talent committed to 2010 Gopher soccer.
To all MTA parents and players - it may be time to re-evaluate for financial and personal commitment to MTA. If you haven't evaluated the top community clubs in a while it is probably a good time to take a look. You can get high level, year round training, competitive teams as various ages, access to the best facilities (and the bills are paid) and quality coaches. The top CC teams travel to quality out of state tournaments and often integrate training programs like Coerver into their annual curriculum. Wherever you live in the metro and whatever age you are there are teams to consider (especially on the girls side). If you are a Premier player, on the east you have Woodbury and St. Croix, in the South you have Burnsville and Dakota Rev, in the West you have EP and Tonka, etc. The 'stigma' that you pay for that clearly now needs to not only subsidize aspects of the operations, but clearly based on the strib article may be needed to just keep the lights on. If you work for any organization with financial troubles coupled with ethical issues (think shootout, ODP) you better keep your options open. The top teams are forming their rosters for summer 2010 now so you should ask yourself if you really feel confident in the stability of your summer 2010 team/coach/etc. Again, a $25 investment and a little of your time is worthwhile. My daughter plays on a very successful CC after playing a year at Thunder. Both experiences were equally positive but frankly I don't see the turbulence ahead for my CC that I see at Thunder (in part because they can't take the same risks). I will try out again this year at Thunder just to see what options come forward. This is a great time to be a free agent in soccer because the service levels are great across the metro if you look.
or it could be that the 2010's opted to play elsewhere. this is not a knock on MDW as IMO she is a fine coach, but where is it written that just because you play your youth soccer here you are obligated to be a gopher? lots of other factors weigh into the decision making process.
Inside MN soccer has a link to the Star Trib article. BQ also has some commentary on the issue. Worth a look if you are interested in all things Thunder. http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/
With all of this talk about the lightning coaching situation a name I would like to throw out there is Mark Obarski, he has never been someone a lot of people think of as one of the top coaches in the state but if you look at his track record it is pretty impressive, recent successes included: VLY 17 boys, current state cup champions and ranked #24 nationally by NSR, an age group he has had since the boys were 8 and 9 years old and still has 10 AV kids on the team (8 AVHS, 2 EVHS)
Eagan soccer club girls teams he has recently coached: currently the 12 girls headed to the state tournament
current 15 girls premier team he coached the previous 2 years at 13 and 14 getting them to a league championship and second place finish in state tourney at 13's and then kept premier with virtually an all eagan girls team
previous to that he had the current 17's which have completely broken up now and have players with L'ville, Woodbury, and B'ville premier teams, he took that team of all eagan girls to consecutive state tournament appearances as well
He seems to develop talent well and has not been handed a team of "all-stars" but still has done very well
just my two cents here and I am not saying that he would necessarily be the right coach for the lightning, but he has had a lot of success that has gone pretty much unnoticed and I thought I would just throw it out there
Why wouldnt they exist? Funds I suppose. It cost to play in the WL. And I suppose since they win more than the men, they will be the ones cut. Even thou the PDL club is new, Lightning will be the club to be cut due to budget cuts. Maybe DS saw the writting on the wall and he resigned from the team?
.....the funny thing is if the name of the team in the article was the "CC" Lightning this wouldn't even be a topic. just an open invitation to blast away.
year after year all i keep reading on this blog is how screwed up Bangu or now MTA is.
year after year come the end of May is all i keep reading about on this blog is how Bangu or now MTA has won over half the state cup titles with a growing dominance at the younger ages.
Even if the Thunder organization is struggling financially, the teams in the Academy are fine. Each team handles it's own finances and pays their coaches, tournament fees, training, etc... out of that.
10:58..Im not saying anything negative about MTA/Thunder/etc..It is just a fact that there has been talk in the Lightning circles that Lightning might not be around next yr. Is this true? That there is talk about it not coming back?
Cost to run Lightning...Cost for travel of the team (no airflights), to start up a WL team, just like a PDL team, anywhere from 50-150k, its all in the WL rules, go look it up. USLsoccer.com Now, the question is, once a club is up and running after year 1, then what are the cost?? Refs, Field, Staff, Travel, Uniforms, Insurance, Food, Shirts/Hats, printing of tickets, etc etc..It is a business.
not all MTA coaches are paid on time, see GH and several others. More of an MTA management issue than not. If parents don't pay their bills, coaches or domes don't get paid. Not Thunder issue at all. More parents not paying their bill.
Even with problems 90% of MTA coaches would never set foot again in a CC. unless they were to be DOC's.
Also, even though your CC has Coerver training, doesn't match up to the MTA having so many high licensed coaches at every level with their years of experience. White teams, yes, lots of parity with CC, Blue teams, no match.
Coerver is great for the younger ages, but at the older ages (U14 and above) players SHOULD be doing this work at home on THEIR own!! If you dont have the skill down by U14, then your behind the 8ball. You go CC!!
personally, i would much rather have kids training in a team setting. most higher level teams devote a fair amount of time to technical training and the level of abilities (on most teams) is traditionally a bit more equal so you don't have such a mixture of ages and abilities.
All this talk about "A License" doesn't mean zip. Anybody can get an A license. It doesn't make you a good coach. It just means you put in some time. "A" license is over rated and simply a marketing tool. Give me a coach who's played the game at a fairly high level.
Rumor has it that a Burnsville coach for the U14 Girls Premier team was out recruiting players at a MTA / Coon Rapids game. A soon to be former MTA parent "invited" the coach to recruit more MTA players for next year. This is clearly against MYSA rules. MYSA rules state that recruiting a player who is bound to a club is prohibited. And no, I am not affiliated with MTA, but I know you will think I am anyways. So Be It.
I think it will be interesting to see if the Lightning program will be affected by the the financial woes at the Thunder outlined by the Strib. It's unfortunate, but I would think that if something would be a target in any belt-tightening measures, it would be the women's program. I know the women have to kick in and work very hard to be part of the program as it is, and I think any further burdens would drive off even the die-hards. It's too bad, as they are very fun to watch.
Why all the constant bashing of Shattuck? I get that some see it as a threat, but the development and academic excellence offer a unique opportunity for MN kids, and it seems like the MTA people can't get over the fact that they now have competition on the elite level. Judging from the media the last few days, it may be that there will be hard days ahead for the Thunder people. No such trouble in Faribault! Check it out.
If it is the Thunder organization making the coaching desision Obarski could easily be in the mix. I mean, why not, they have made so many other bad decisions why not add one more?
MO plays a very direct style of game, not much of the control game. If the Lightning want a simple format MO may be an option.
I didn't say he was just watching. There were definite conversations and words spoken to parents to entice them to come to Burnsville with the game in progress according to what I heard.
It happens all the time. Phone calls, letters, meetings, etc. are the norm for any team looking to bolster their roster. MTA has approached Lakeville players at next years U16 level for their gray team.
It does happen all the time, but that doesn't make it OK. The Bville coach is recruiting because rumor has it the team will have significant numbers of quality players leaving the team.
Why would "significant nummbers of quality players" leave the State Cup champions? Sounds like wishful thinking of a parent hoping their daughter will make that team.
7:37 - not a fool, idiot or related to the team, but also not as naive as you are to think this doesn't happen (sounds like a few posts might be hitting close to home - if not, why the reaction).
Rumor has it people are leaving all of the top teams. This happens every year (and it is part of the scenery at MTA with the Blue 14's too), and most stay home. The reality is that there are not a lot of quality teams out there, and this is true at U14 in particular. The most interesting part is leaving to where? At U14, there are two decent teams. Unless they leave to go to the other team, players who go are taking a step back. It's usually the end of the bench that wanders and they don't like to be lonely so they do what they can to drag others with them. Blog writing is a wonderful pacifier for an angry parent.
I assume the mysa will deal as harshly with this as they did with the shoot out fiasco. All the bashing of mta for recruiting where is the outrage when another club does it?
7:53 end of the benchers do not try to bring others with as they know there are limited spots at the other clubs. Suspect there may be other things going on at these teams with mass leavings
So many MTA-holes at USA Cup prancing around so proudly in their little MTA outfits. "Look at me! Look at me! I'm important! I'm watching your game, so YOU may be important too!"
12:58 - did you actually spend the time to go through every age group to come up with that stat? If so, you either have a serious axe to grind, way too much time on your hands, or you need to get a life. And since this is not the only thread you posted that comment on, I believe someone else already responded to your comment.
and if this is 9:43/10:59 etc... hope you didn't wake up with too much of a hangover from your am binching......
I think a lot of teams that spend a lot on traveling early in the year pass on USA Cup because of the expense. For the most part it's a very expensive tourney and the overall quality of teams isn't that good.
The level of teams in USA Cup drop off every year. The U16 Boys VElite had some strong teams but its to bad they didn't get a Minnesota team involved. The English team that won was actually made up of U14's and U15's. It seems the cost and timing are issues for out of state teams. I know some people don't like the fields at NSC but it seems the tournament does have enough going for it that they should be able to pull in more regionally strong teams.
There are a lot of top quality clubs who refuse to send their teams to any of the events at NSC because of the poor overall quality of the fields. With USA Cup you have the combo of very high cost/mediocre fields at best and when looking at the total value it just doesn't make sense for a lot of elite clubs/teams.
We (soccer is a family affair at our house) have attended all of the tournaments at NSC this year and have been very disapointed in the level of play this year. The USA Cup has C1,2,3 teams in the same flight. what fun is it to be involved in a 10-0 game (either side) My vote for our team is NO NSC tourneys next year. I would rather travel and get good competition. My kids will miss the atmosphere but will appreciate the better competition.
Arrogant coaches ruin teams. That is why quality players walk away from teams. There is more to soccer than winning, even being a state cup champion. Where are some really good coaches that are coaching for the right reason - love of the game? Most have cheater glasses on or egos inflated like balloons!!
Arrogant parents ruin teams. Winning state cup is part of every serious soccer players team goals. Its true that life lessons can be learned from the top of the roster to the bottom. Parents need to step back , let the coach and his players learn to relate to one another. Many players will make elite teams this year,this does not make them elite players. Ask the coach about playing time before you accept the spot. Its really about kids playing a fun game. Dont let your kid get in over their head.
Arrogant parents ruin teams. Winning state cup is part of every serious soccer players team goals. Its true that life lessons can be learned from the top of the roster to the bottom. Parents need to step back , let the coach and his players learn to relate to one another. Many players will make elite teams this year,this does not make them elite players. Ask the coach about playing time before you accept the spot. Its really about kids playing a fun game. Dont let your kid get in over their head.
How many Burnsville u14 coaches are there? Why would he recruit MTA players? Are you sure they're not coming to him? Burnsville seems to be a solid team at that age group. They may change out a handful of subs for a few quality players like any other premier team in the world.
Looks like MTA is up to more half-truths on their website. They list players as being ODP Pool players when in fact many of them only played in pool games which is MUCH different than being named to a Region Pool.
Hey 11:49, what is not true about what they posted? I double checked their information with the MYSA and Region II Web sites. It looks very accurate to me.
They even differentiated betwwen those who were pooled at camp, held over and invited to national camp. If they were trying to be deceptive, they wouldn't have added that information.
Keep trying though, some unfounded accusation may stick eventually.
Maybe the rules for recruiting need to be changed. What is wrong about talking to players (or their parents) about options?
Besides, as far as MYSA is concerned the teams that are taking part in USA Cup have finished their seasons already. MYSA doesn't even recognize USA Cup as an official event. So if these teams' seasons are over can't you openly recruit?
Is it that uncommom for any soccer family to look around at all the options before deciding where and for whom their child will be playing at? Whether they are MTA looking at other clubs or a family looking at MTA, what's the big deal? As is often written, the players aren't "possessions" of any club and they need to do what is best for their child.
Judging by the amount of defense MTA is playing on the blogs, and given the glowing (not!) story about the "franchise" in the Strib, I'd say they're wetting their pretty little MTA outfits.
11:49 The only mistake on the list is that CN and JR were in the 94 region camp pool not 95. You're right, there is a BIG difference between pool players and regional team players. The MTA list does not refer to them as Region II players but as pool players. But out of the 10 players, 5 were in fact named to the 93 and 95 Region II pool.
8:48, The only chairs to be rearranged will be the number of State Cup championships they win next year. It will be even more than the last 3 years which have been great successes.
We wonder where the money went then, if dome bills are overdue and coaches haven't been paid. Sounds like everyone except the scholarship kids will be paying for more than our share of team expenses next year. We don't plan to stick around for it.
the blog is a wonderful place for chatter but not much changes year over year among top teams. of course upsets happen at state cup and other events but other than eden prairie probably dropping back at u13 next year, the same teams will probably be in the finals at the other age groups. teams rarely come out of nowhere i believe despite all the smoke blown about players changing teams through tryouts
It does look like the mighty have fallen at U14. MTA blue was totally dominated by Tonka at USA cup this week. MTA won on a lucky goal in the last seconds of the game.
Tonka had one of those games where they had the loin's share of the chances, but couldn't finish. They may meet again in the finals today and it will be a totally different result.
So look for MAJOR changes at this age group next year. I wouldn't count on MTA or even BVL looking like the same teams next year.
awesome, the return of tonka "we dominated but lost" guy. since the state cup semi-final exit we've missed you around here. welcome back!
but in all seriousness, good luck to your daughter's team. i agree with 6:40 that as a state, MN really doesn't have a great team or IMO an abundance of regional level talent.
mta and bv will have all of their top players back next year. these are the only teams worth talking about at u14 and good players and informed parents know what they have and stay where they are. the tonka people can have a lot of fun with this, but the fact of the matter is that they are (as near as I can tell) 0-5-0 against those teams this year and I dont know if they have even scored on either of them. Tonka's MRL results, fall and spring, are pathetic in comparison with either MTA or BV, both of which did very well. This is a 2-team age group and any movement from either group will be due to $ worries at MTA or from people who want a bigger role than they got with either team. Just more parent gas.
Now that's a good one. Who's gonna leave MTA blue or BVL for Tonka, MPB or WDB? No, at U14 MN doesn't have a national type team, but both BVL and MTA have had impressive seasons. Everyone else has been a great disappointment. Check the resumes. I wouldn't be surprised if Tonka and WDB lose top players to either of those clubs.
very rarely do the core players (top 6-8) players leave a succesful team (especially teams considered to be one of the top two in the state). most of the chatter on blogs like this come from the parents of players 10-16 who think their little mia/landon should be in that core group or just isn't being appreciated enough for his/her abilities.
bv is ranked #21 in region 2 and MTA Blue is #33. MTA won their MRL league,which included several vg teams, and BV went unbeaten but had a pair of draws. bv won the state cup title and went 10-0-0 in the premier league. MTA would have put up similar numbers and could have won the state cup final. Both have shown well in their other events this summer as well. Tonka? 0-4-2 in MRL and 3-6-1 in premier league. There's a big gap between #s 1 and 2 and the rest of the pack at this age group.
12:33 Do your research. MTA coulda ,woulda,shouda. No U14 State Cup. A 1 team MRL league, to which they lost. BVL was tied by a regional semi-finalist, defeated the league champ and had a noplay game. Twin City Fire can contend with a couple of key additions. Tonka has some good athletes, but really lacks coaching.
Very funny on the MTA 14 v. tonka comment - MTA played down a player and two out with injuries. After today, MTA prevails again with USA Cup championship in the Puma flight. Another fluke Tonka? Did the coach's advice to push the MTA girls off the ball, since they have much better foot skills (according to the tonka coach) not work for you?
It was nothing more than another last minute goal that gave MTA the win - AGAIN!
If it didn't start raining in the last five minutes of the game, it would have been a different story. Tonka has much better athletes than MTA and they were slowed by the wet conditiions.
I think someone's just trying to mess around now with the whole tonka thing. if not, then you've got to admire his/her misguided confidence in the face of the facts. I wonder if he/she watches this clip during his/her spare hours?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHaDR92T9TY
but on the bright side, tonka did score on mta yesterday.
hhhmmm.... so Minnesota thunder didn't get affected by playing in the rain to? It just seems that someone is mad that the better team won! and you know what our athletes are just as competive as tonka so someone^^ needs to grow up and get over the fact that minnesota thunder won
what will eventually happen is one day tonka will win (after losing the previous ten times....) and you'll get a "see I told you they were the better team all along". Maybe the tonka guy is really Lloyd from "Dumb & Dumber" - "so your telling me there's a chance...".
It's not like MTA kicked butt on Tonka. It was a one goal game on both occasions this week. MTA is just another team in MN. Sounds like game could have gone either way.
Several Tonka parents are talking it up about putting together a package to lure Dan Storlien away from MTA. One of the guys has very deep pockets. This could happen.
911, sure it could!? when cows fly!! I can't see him taking over a team of players where he would have to replace a majority if not all the team. Sorry to offend, but they don't know how to play soccer. No not a hater just not impressed. PS not from Thunder!!
this stuff is awesome. before we all rag on the u14 girls age group in MN as not being regionally competitive, remember that not a single MN team boys or girls made it out of pool play this year at regions. all teams are average when they play the top teams in our region. let's be honest, if MTA didnt put the worlds worst premier team (MTA West u14) in the league, Tonka would have been relegated. you don't go from there to the top team by adding players from the bottom of the best teams bench. of course when DS comes in and takes over the team they will be great. you cant make this stuff up!
Posted in the old college bound thread but wasn't sure if any one still checked there. Was surprised to hear of players backing out of committments at this late date. Two removed from UWGB roster (one changed mind and headed to play DII and other had a parent pass away, totally get that, how sad). Also heard GK headed to UW-Milwaukee not playing there and also not on roster. Would be interesting to explore how many players change mind (nationally) this late in the game and whether the pressure to committ early is a factor.
10:38 - why don't you give us your name, club affiliation, name of your child (first name only), the team she plays on etc. then we can reference back to you
Weren't they the worst teams in Premier???!! They wouldn't make finals playing down a year with the same team. I propose a new rule: No one can blog about their kids teams!
Any reports on the U17 recruiting wars between EP and MTA? Is WYZ (the defending State Cup Champion) in the battle? Do they even know about it? Is it too late for that splintered/weak age group to consolidate?
Why would anyone want to join an overdrawn club that can't pay its trainers, and yet offers scholarships like there's no tomorrow? Are indoor facilities even going to rent time to them?
Nice sales pitch: - We're expensive, and yes, we're a little overdue on some bills. - You may have to pay a little extra at times, especially if we find a player who is better than you who can't pay our fees.
SCOOP: tonka's blockbuster announcement - they won the OATHS award for u14 premier! since no MTA team deserves and OATHS award and the Tonka team was next to last, they won the award! they decided to no longer consider score the deciding criteria for rankings but team spirit. so they have decided in cooperation with MYSA to announce they are MN first OATH-Oriented Club! come one come all!
The soon to be U17's will never completely come together. Too many coaching egos, too many parent egos, too many player egos. At the end of the day you need to have 18 kids all going in one direction (with one ball) and personally I just can't see that happening with this group. Too many have been "chiefs" on their teams for too long and it might be too late to turn them all into "indians".
Hey Casehardened Minty Mount, you should think before you read too much into a poorly written article. Everyone knows the StarTrib is a rag at best, editing and writing are poor and sensational to try to sell a paper.
The Minnesota Thunder team, and the MTA club are seperate legal entities. Thunder is a for profit corporation. MTA is a not for profit corporation. Their budgets and all moneys are seperate.
MTA owes no money to domes or coaches, including Holker. He is owed (and Augsburg dome, where he is asst. facility guy) is owed by the Thunder professional team. By the way, Holker is continuing to be a MTA coach.
Tonka Deep Pockets donating $250k to strengthen program. They will be bringing in a top coach to turn around the program. Big money talks and coaches walk.
I don't think Tonka has had a money issue in the past, so not sure what the extra money would do for the Tonka program as a whole. Can you elaborate on what Tonka would do differently than it currently does?
1,009 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 801 – 1000 of 1009 Newer› Newest»5 out of the 6 teams at Nationals next week at U16 are not in the ECNL.
MTA is desperate to keep their U17 players (possessions) because if they lose enough of them they will not have a team to play in the ECNL. If they don't have a team at U15, U16 and U17 they will get booted out of the league. That is a fact.
If they finish too low in the league, they can get booted out as a club. That is a fact.
The players are just along for the ride. The coaches only care about the club. I think that has been demonstrated more than once this year already.
- State Cup: who cares about the girl's experience when we need a certain team to move on.
- Region Camp: who cares about their focus on making the Region Team when we have a team to recruit to keep out ECNL status.
- Who cares that a US National Staff coach for Region II put in the deciding word for MC to get hired to Region Staff at the last minute only to be made look like a fool when his recommendation got fired after the first week for ethics.
Don't believe for a second that they really care about the players.
11:56 am
So, if we make the assumption that there will be no talent moving to these ECNL teams (does it make sense that none of these other clubs will attract quality players to participate in this league?), then I wonder which games will be the draw for college coaches to be scouting at. Is it teams or club names that draw the scouts? You can play some quality teams but if there is nobody there to offer D1/D2 scholarships to the players, one would think that you could have found quality competition closer to home.
2:07 - IMO it's the PLAYERS that draw the scouts. The better teams usually do have better players. Whether it is MTA, EP, WYZ, etc... if there are top players on a team, the scouts will come. The more top players on a team, the more scouts will see ALL the players (whether they are the national/regional kids or not).
kinda interesting that 2 players from girls 93 odp group were selected to regional pool but both had surgery first week of July and cannot play until at least after HS season......
Then if LM is injured(?) why isn't she listed on any of the pools?
These players that are injured and not in atendance at ODP camp yet still make the regional pools....do they have to pay ANY money for camp? If not, it's quite unfair to those that are at camp AND will have to pay extra money for holdover camp. Free ride?
Did the two players in question take up someone else's regional pool slot or where they just added to the normal list due to their injuries (not uncommon). I looked at the pool listing and counted 40 names with theirs added to the bottom. I believe the normal pool is 36, so wouldn't be surprised if there were a few others also added. No idea about the money part - ask the MN ODP folks.
Word is PM to be named assistant coach with JE at EP. That is a strong staff if true.
who is pm?
LM is in the 95 pool this year. Pulled hamstring not at camp this year.
Isn't EP required to have at least 80% of the roster from EP? Or did that requirement leave with WH?
Anyone know whats up with the new East Ridge Soccer Club (ERSC) in Woodbury? Have two players under the age of 15 that are trying to decide on tryouts. Is this part of the high school there?
What happened to College thread/posts??? How do you access last page?
DS is ten times the coach JE is. That is fact. JE has coached for just a few years, I think four. DS has the best resume by far. If you play for DS you will get better for sure huge track record, JE has very limited history. DS has a huge history and great reputation. JE has done little and remember she is a goalkeeper and lets be honest a great GK coach but does not understand soccer for the rest of the team. If it were my kid I would want them to play for DS. Believe it or not and my kids played for DS he is all about development and just happens to win a ton of games.
DS is the best youth coach in the history of MN. Who has coached in four regional finals? two national finals, 6 regional semi finals, and won 15 state cups? no coach is even close. No coach has coached in two regional finals let alone four. no coach has won 15 state cups. Last time he lost a game in state cup outside a shoot out. JE was in high school.
DS is the best youth coach in the history of MN. Who has coached in four regional finals? two national finals, 6 regional semi finals, and won 15 state cups? no coach is even close. No coach has coached in two regional finals let alone four. no coach has won 15 state cups. Last time he lost a game in state cup outside a shoot out. JE was in high school.
DS once coached a boys team from CG with all CG kids to a State Cup Championship now that is impressive Cottage Grove is not that good at state cup level
kinda looks like DS's mom couldn't get to sleep last night.......
Looks to me like someone is very nervous about the U17 movement
9:23 - agreed. DS is an excellent coach, but it still comes down to the talent out on the pitch. From what I'm hearing, it looks like EP could potentially have a sizable advantage.
What about the U16 State Cup Champs? For those of you with your heads high in the sky, that would be Wayzata. But keep dreaming, maybe some day EP will win a State Cup (if they bring in enough outside talent).
why is evryone so concerned about whether the '93 inferno players stay with the team or go....just 2 people....team is made up of more than 2 people and especially their star '93.
State cup has come and gone, Wayzata had their chance, they went to regions and nothing happened. It all over til next year...
Every team has outside talent, and it is about time EP gets their fair share of it too.
The new talent will be a gift to the talented crew they already have.
This will be a real challenge for for all teams next year.
To boot, Now they have a coach what a great gift for the EP team.
10:15 - the balance of power is currently very equal in that age group and the addition of the players in question as upgrades would be very good for EP. Don't forget one of them is a U17WNT pool player (not saying her departure from MTA relegated them to State Cup semi-finalists, but you could draw the conclusion it was part of their decline).
One player was part of their decline? Does not say much about the rest of the team if that's true!
DS will not be at regionals.
LOL not hard to figure out which parents and coaches are busy blogging today!
which ones do you think?
1:22 - ??
agree with 1015 Inferno will not miss any of the younger players if they go. The team will be just as strong without them.
DS has said " I do not develop players. By the time I get them they have already been developed".So knock off the DS develops players myth.
Every year he gets the best team Bangu/MTA has. That's how he pads his record. Many coaches could have done the same or better with these teams. He took the 91g and rode them into the ground for three years. He's overrated and everybody knows it except the newbies.
I hear the current MTA U14 blue girls are going to not take their MRL premier spot, but will instead play U15 MYSA premier next year. From what I understand the move was made to keep the team together because more than half the team would have left if they did not have some local games.
9:27,
Your jealousy of DS is quite obvious and it's total BS that he said what you claim.
Player development is never ending. Players continue to develop every year all the way through U17-U18 and they continue to develop as college players and even in the professional ranks.
Good luck trying to get anyone to believe your BS.
I do believe what 9:27 said.
He has success because he does have the majority of upper level selfish players, but that being said, most of what he is doing is tactical not technical.
So development is very different. More about reading the player movements, positioning, field awareness, ect.
Good Luck MTA and DS you will need it
Are you people not happy without complaining and crying about this and that ALL the time. Why dont you people discuss something positive for a change. This club is bad, this coach is bad, this player is bad, that game was bad, State Assn is bad, scholarships are bad, league is bad, blah blah blah...
I can't be heading to NSC for Scwan's weekend. Feels like HS season.
It's really bad when people post on here about how everyone posts what is bad.
Everything is wonderful!! Everyone Sing along.. Don't worry, be happy!!
6:46 am - I heard the same thing about MTA u14 Blue - that said, every year there are grand rumors of major player defections from MTA (or other Premier teams) and they rarely materialize so this is probably bull as well
646, or maybe the parents didn't feel like seeing their kids get beat by the better teams at that level.
I doubt that the majority of people who post here know the difference between tactical and technical yet they are self proclaimed experts. LMAO
The Lightning could get better competiton here in MN rather than traveling out state. MN 18 and 19 are stronger than half the teams in the alleged pro league.Why the heck spend money and waste time.
jeeez 3:55..can you say players staying fit and getting fit for college?? Instead of sitting around doing nothing.
Nice classy comment about DS mom, she died when he was coaching in TX back in the early part of this decade and he stayed and coached the team. His parents were with him on the trip to TX when she suddenly died you idiot. So I doubt she was up late making the post on this site.
If you think he just gets the good teams then why does nt everyone else do it? How can he take a Cottage Grove team with all CG players and win at State Cup? Jefferson never made it to the Dome for HS and then he shows up and they go a bunch and win one. 15 state cup champions both boys and girls and 4 different age groups.
I understand now he is doing the Master Coach program from the NSCAA. And people say he does not work to get better??? HAHA
6:53 - do you get a per post allowance for all your comments? Paid by the word?
So, first of all- people are actually complaining that there is an ethical issue that the DRev team didn't lose by enough points to a team from another club? Umm, you can't be serious?
Secondly, MAYBE ECNL is a great league. The first division is solid, second division is good- but not great. However I would say that that is a perfect kind of league for a VERY MEDIOCRE MTA team (to be U17).
iD2 is not a selling point for this age, they are beyond the "to be" U17 ages. If you haven't made your ODP goal by now, you probably aren't going to.
Mr Storlien is just your typical Minnesota coach. Nothing special.
The Lightning beat Cleveland at home 3-0 in a laugher. Then they go to Clev and draw with them 1-1.
The Clev coach made adjustments while you know who was asleep at the wheel. What's the excuse this time?
You were not even at the game. Do you know anything about the game? I play on the Lightning. No excuses for us, we should have done better. We played a lot of players who had not played as much this season, we out shot them 19-4, and 8-0 on corners. A lot of great players did not play that much. You take your shots at Danny all the time you have no idea how great he is and what he has done for so many people, even people that don't play for him. Anyone who really knows him know you are a joke for talking trash about him. Just ask him players.
Everyone know you can't compare scores like that. Come on you please tell me you have some soccer experience???? If a team wins by a few baskets, goal, touchdowns, points, runs and then its closer the next time it does not mean the game was that much different. Please tell me you have some clue about sport??
it's just the same "yahoo" that rips him constantly on this blog (thank god for "anons"....). somewhere, sometime, DS must have done something he didn't like to his son/daughter.
I thought I read where DS will be stepping down from coaching the Lightning next year. It will be interesting to see who they select for their new coach as he/she undoubtedly will come from within the MTA ranks which IMO is bit thin on older, higher level girls coaching experience.
It's time the Lightning hire a female coach. Clubs need to start encouraging females to coach. Time for the "old boys club" to retire. They have taken MN soccer as far as they could. Time for change.
Seems a coach we all know of has taken a couple of teams to the USYSA national championships on more than one occasion.
11:02,
Who do you know who isn't "thin" on high level girls coaching experience?
Let's hear your suggestions.
12:36 - good comment as most clubs do not have much depth.
The only suggestions that I would have would be internally from MTA maybe Marshak who has high level experience from OH and coaches high school. Maybe they need to look at some of the MIAC schools and bring in a McGill, Chavez, Leaney?, Stehlik, etc.. or one of the DII coaches. The only other coach would be JE, but don't really see that happening.
For every coach I just named I'm sure someone will blast away......
JE doesn't really have much experience with older team if you look at her history. I think the oldest team she's done was this summer's U17s.
I think Chavez is going to coach with MTA next season.
Leaney has his hands full with MAC and his young child now that his wife has passed away. He can't do much more than MAC under the circumstances.
How about the Lightning hire someone from outside the MN network.
Really the DIII coaches? The women's DIII soccer is so bad its not even funny. The top U15 girls team in the state each year would win the MIAC. The level is terrible at best, some good coaches but most have not coached really great players. Bellis, Driver, Leaney would probably be the best in my opinion. Leaney is great. Has done well at MAC, but the level is way down from 10 years ago with the addition of more scholarships.
The MN Boys 1993 ODP team won the region tournament this past weekend, and 6 players were chosen to the regional pool. Four players from 1992 Boys were also held over.
The coaches did an excellent job too. It's not easy to gel this variety of players in such a short time. And, please, don't bash. Just enjoy MN having a little success.
Congrats guys!
Anonymous said...
You were not even at the game. Do you know anything about the game? I play on the Lightning. No excuses for us, we should have done better. We played a lot of players who had not played as much this season, we out shot them 19-4, and 8-0 on corners. A lot of great players did not play that much. You take your shots at Danny all the time you have no idea how great he is and what he has done for so many people, even people that don't play for him. Anyone who really knows him know you are a joke for talking trash about him. Just ask him players.
20/7/09 9:41 AM
Well Said Player!! I enjoyed your season. You were a fun group to watch and cheer on. Good Luck with your career.
ps. I want to thank all the Lightning players. Most of these girls sacrificed their summer to play the game, most to stay fit for college. Sure, it would of been fun to advance, but, what were they playing for?? A bonus?? NOT. These girls love the sport, its a huge positive to be able to play during the summer months when away from college and post college. The Thunder gives these young women this chance. I want to give the front office a huge thank you.
Any word on the U15G Premier situation?
do ussf academy players participate in odp? just curious. please do not read into this request any attempt at diminishing the 93 boys - outstanding job!!
Can we revive the college thread? I enjoyed the Gopher news and hearing about local players at other colleges.
6:25 Academy players are not allowed in ODP, they already have a path to the national squad. ODP is the alternative for kids who don't have access to an academy team (MN doesn't have one close), or who choose not to attend.
Anon 9:24
HERE HERE ...
College preseason is about to begin.
2010 / 2011 recruits are trikling in.
Let's reopen the discussion.
locally 2010's are pretty much done and still kind of early for the 2011's (although I saw where a 2012 back east as already committed - not even a sophomore yet - get real).
2010 Club Recruits / College
FROM MTA
to IOWA STATE
FROM PSA
to MANKATO STATE
to NORTH DAKOTA STATE
FROM WSC
to BEMIDJI STATE
to COLORADO COLLEGE
to DAYTON
to FAIRFIELD
to FLORIDA STATE
to GEORGETOWN
to IOWA STATE
to IOWA STATE
to MANKATO STATE
to MANKATO STATE
to MINNESOTA
to NORTHWESTERN
to NORTHWESTERN
to WISCONSIN
Pretty impressive list. A little strange that Minnesota only got one out of that bunch.
Am I correct, that by WSC you mean Woodbury not Westside?
Are these all girl recruits?
Does anyone know what boys have been contacted, committted etc?
And, let's all try not to get into a pissing match over who is better than who, just looking for positive MN soccer discussion.
Sorry 12:49...
Yep, girls list and WSC is Woodbury.
Boys lists aren't currently in my favorites and seem a bit harder to find .
I'm sure they are out there somewhere.
Re 12:35...
I agree, I would have liked to see more local talent committed to 2010 Gopher soccer.
Thanks 12:56
To all MTA parents and players - it may be time to re-evaluate for financial and personal commitment to MTA. If you haven't evaluated the top community clubs in a while it is probably a good time to take a look. You can get high level, year round training, competitive teams as various ages, access to the best facilities (and the bills are paid) and quality coaches. The top CC teams travel to quality out of state tournaments and often integrate training programs like Coerver into their annual curriculum. Wherever you live in the metro and whatever age you are there are teams to consider (especially on the girls side). If you are a Premier player, on the east you have Woodbury and St. Croix, in the South you have Burnsville and Dakota Rev, in the West you have EP and Tonka, etc. The 'stigma' that you pay for that clearly now needs to not only subsidize aspects of the operations, but clearly based on the strib article may be needed to just keep the lights on. If you work for any organization with financial troubles coupled with ethical issues (think shootout, ODP) you better keep your options open. The top teams are forming their rosters for summer 2010 now so you should ask yourself if you really feel confident in the stability of your summer 2010 team/coach/etc. Again, a $25 investment and a little of your time is worthwhile. My daughter plays on a very successful CC after playing a year at Thunder. Both experiences were equally positive but frankly I don't see the turbulence ahead for my CC that I see at Thunder (in part because they can't take the same risks). I will try out again this year at Thunder just to see what options come forward. This is a great time to be a free agent in soccer because the service levels are great across the metro if you look.
Good luck everyone at state, see you at tryouts!
3:13 - Your post may apply to current/prospective MTA coaches as well.
1256 MDW likely banking her money to take a run at a much stronger 2011 class.
or it could be that the 2010's opted to play elsewhere. this is not a knock on MDW as IMO she is a fine coach, but where is it written that just because you play your youth soccer here you are obligated to be a gopher? lots of other factors weigh into the decision making process.
is there a link to the Strib article on the MTA thing?
Inside MN soccer has a link to the Star Trib article.
BQ also has some commentary on the issue.
Worth a look if you are interested in all things Thunder.
http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/
With all of this talk about the lightning coaching situation a name I would like to throw out there is Mark Obarski, he has never been someone a lot of people think of as one of the top coaches in the state but if you look at his track record it is pretty impressive, recent successes included:
VLY 17 boys, current state cup champions and ranked #24 nationally by NSR, an age group he has had since the boys were 8 and 9 years old and still has 10 AV kids on the team (8 AVHS, 2 EVHS)
Eagan soccer club girls teams he has recently coached:
currently the 12 girls headed to the state tournament
current 15 girls premier team he coached the previous 2 years at 13 and 14 getting them to a league championship and second place finish in state tourney at 13's and then kept premier with virtually an all eagan girls team
previous to that he had the current 17's which have completely broken up now and have players with L'ville, Woodbury, and B'ville premier teams, he took that team of all eagan girls to consecutive state tournament appearances as well
He seems to develop talent well and has not been handed a team of "all-stars" but still has done very well
just my two cents here and I am not saying that he would necessarily be the right coach for the lightning, but he has had a lot of success that has gone pretty much unnoticed and I thought I would just throw it out there
That is IF the Lightning has a team next yr?? $$?
Why wouldn't they exist? Do the players have to pay to be on this team and if so is it much money?
WHY would anyone want to be affiliated with this mess?
http://www.startribune.com/sports/51267487.html
Why wouldnt they exist? Funds I suppose. It cost to play in the WL. And I suppose since they win more than the men, they will be the ones cut. Even thou the PDL club is new, Lightning will be the club to be cut due to budget cuts.
Maybe DS saw the writting on the wall and he resigned from the team?
What kind of cost are we talking about to play on the Lightening?
.....the funny thing is if the name of the team in the article was the "CC" Lightning this wouldn't even be a topic. just an open invitation to blast away.
year after year all i keep reading on this blog is how screwed up Bangu or now MTA is.
year after year come the end of May is all i keep reading about on this blog is how Bangu or now MTA has won over half the state cup titles with a growing dominance at the younger ages.
Even if the Thunder organization is struggling financially, the teams in the Academy are fine. Each team handles it's own finances and pays their coaches, tournament fees, training, etc... out of that.
10:58..Im not saying anything negative about MTA/Thunder/etc..It is just a fact that there has been talk in the Lightning circles that Lightning might not be around next yr. Is this true? That there is talk about it not coming back?
Cost to run Lightning...Cost for travel of the team (no airflights), to start up a WL team, just like a PDL team, anywhere from 50-150k, its all in the WL rules, go look it up. USLsoccer.com Now, the question is, once a club is up and running after year 1, then what are the cost?? Refs, Field, Staff, Travel, Uniforms, Insurance, Food, Shirts/Hats, printing of tickets, etc etc..It is a business.
http://www.uslsoccer.com/aboutusl/franchise/index_E.html
Rules to start up a USL club.
not all MTA coaches are paid on time, see GH and several others. More of an MTA management issue than not. If parents don't pay their bills, coaches or domes don't get paid. Not Thunder issue at all. More parents not paying their bill.
Even with problems 90% of MTA coaches would never set foot again in a CC. unless they were to be DOC's.
Also, even though your CC has Coerver training, doesn't match up to the MTA having so many high licensed coaches at every level with their years of experience. White teams, yes, lots of parity with CC, Blue teams, no match.
Coerver is great for the younger ages, but at the older ages (U14 and above) players SHOULD be doing this work at home on THEIR own!! If you dont have the skill down by U14, then your behind the 8ball. You go CC!!
409, I agree Coerver is great, but disagree about U14 and above. Even Tiger Woods has a Golf teacher. Learning doesn't end at U14.
personally, i would much rather have kids training in a team setting. most higher level teams devote a fair amount of time to technical training and the level of abilities (on most teams) is traditionally a bit more equal so you don't have such a mixture of ages and abilities.
Does anyone know the outcome of the U13 Girls game between Edina and Coon Rapids? If so, what was the result?
All this talk about "A License" doesn't mean zip. Anybody can get an A license. It doesn't make you a good coach. It just means you put in some time. "A" license is over rated and simply a marketing tool. Give me a coach who's played the game at a fairly high level.
A lot of the Lightning players won't be back even if it's the only game in town. Too costly and time consuming and inadequate coaching.
Rumor has it that a Burnsville coach for the U14 Girls Premier team was out recruiting players at a MTA / Coon Rapids game. A soon to be former MTA parent "invited" the coach to recruit more MTA players for next year. This is clearly against MYSA rules. MYSA rules state that recruiting a player who is bound to a club is prohibited. And no, I am not affiliated with MTA, but I know you will think I am anyways. So Be It.
Watching a game is not recruiting.
Recruiting is offering a spot on a team.
Shattuck recruits 24/7/365 and no one seems to care
Inadequate coaching? DS is the best coach any of those women ever had. They'll be lucky if he opts to return.
Could Obarski really receive serious consideration for the Lightning job if Danny hangs it up? What about JE?
I think it will be interesting to see if the Lightning program will be affected by the the financial woes at the Thunder outlined by the Strib. It's unfortunate, but I would think that if something would be a target in any belt-tightening measures, it would be the women's program. I know the women have to kick in and work very hard to be part of the program as it is, and I think any further burdens would drive off even the die-hards. It's too bad, as they are very fun to watch.
Why all the constant bashing of Shattuck? I get that some see it as a threat, but the development and academic excellence offer a unique opportunity for MN kids, and it seems like the MTA people can't get over the fact that they now have competition on the elite level. Judging from the media the last few days, it may be that there will be hard days ahead for the Thunder people. No such trouble in Faribault! Check it out.
If it is the Thunder organization making the coaching desision Obarski could easily be in the mix. I mean, why not, they have made so many other bad decisions why not add one more?
MO plays a very direct style of game, not much of the control game. If the Lightning want a simple format MO may be an option.
11:36
I didn't say he was just watching. There were definite conversations and words spoken to parents to entice them to come to Burnsville with the game in progress according to what I heard.
It happens all the time. Phone calls, letters, meetings, etc. are the norm for any team looking to bolster their roster. MTA has approached Lakeville players at next years U16 level for their gray team.
It does happen all the time, but that doesn't make it OK. The Bville coach is recruiting because rumor has it the team will have significant numbers of quality players leaving the team.
Why would "significant nummbers of quality players" leave the State Cup champions? Sounds like wishful thinking of a parent hoping their daughter will make that team.
7:37 - not a fool, idiot or related to the team, but also not as naive as you are to think this doesn't happen (sounds like a few posts might be hitting close to home - if not, why the reaction).
Rumor has it people are leaving all of the top teams. This happens every year (and it is part of the scenery at MTA with the Blue 14's too), and most stay home. The reality is that there are not a lot of quality teams out there, and this is true at U14 in particular. The most interesting part is leaving to where? At U14, there are two decent teams. Unless they leave to go to the other team, players who go are taking a step back. It's usually the end of the bench that wanders and they don't like to be lonely so they do what they can to drag others with them. Blog writing is a wonderful pacifier for an angry parent.
I assume the mysa will deal as harshly with this as they did with the shoot out fiasco. All the bashing of mta for recruiting where is the outrage when another club does it?
7:53 end of the benchers do not try to bring others with as they know there are limited spots at the other clubs. Suspect there may be other things going on at these teams with mass leavings
like winning?
ouch, sounds like a few folks are hitting a bit close to home this am.......
this is always a fascinating time to watch all the behind the scenes parental maneuvering.....not as interesting as hockey, but pretty close.
So many MTA-holes at USA Cup prancing around so proudly in their little MTA outfits. "Look at me! Look at me! I'm important! I'm watching your game, so YOU may be important too!"
you really can't make stuff up like 9:43's comments. too funny.
That is funny. Why does anyone read this stuff? It's like some kind of disgusting fast food that you continue to eat only to feel sick again.
There's more where that came from. I'm just getting warmed up.
9:43 must be some 12 year old punk...or could it be an "adult" with the mentality of a 12 year old punk?
maybe 10:59 is using the "it must be 5:00pm somewhere" expression to its fullest....
Is MTA coming apart on the field? For USA Cup Weekend, MTA entered 29 teams, and had only one winner (and 28 whiners, I suspect).
Not too good for a club that promotes and prices itself as a regional powerhouse.
ouch.
12:58 - did you actually spend the time to go through every age group to come up with that stat? If so, you either have a serious axe to grind, way too much time on your hands, or you need to get a life. And since this is not the only thread you posted that comment on, I believe someone else already responded to your comment.
and if this is 9:43/10:59 etc... hope you didn't wake up with too much of a hangover from your am binching......
methinks the mta p.r. rebuttal will be, "our top teams are too good for usa cup."
I think a lot of teams that spend a lot on traveling early in the year pass on USA Cup because of the expense.
For the most part it's a very expensive tourney and the overall quality of teams isn't that good.
for some teams there were also MYSA district playoff conflicts
The level of teams in USA Cup drop off every year. The U16 Boys VElite had some strong teams but its to bad they didn't get a Minnesota team involved. The English team that won was actually made up of U14's and U15's. It seems the cost and timing are issues for out of state teams. I know some people don't like the fields at NSC but it seems the tournament does have enough going for it that they should be able to pull in more regionally strong teams.
There are a lot of top quality clubs who refuse to send their teams to any of the events at NSC because of the poor overall quality of the fields.
With USA Cup you have the combo of very high cost/mediocre fields at best and when looking at the total value it just doesn't make sense for a lot of elite clubs/teams.
We (soccer is a family affair at our house) have attended all of the tournaments at NSC this year and have been very disapointed in the level of play this year. The USA Cup has C1,2,3 teams in the same flight. what fun is it to be involved in a 10-0 game (either side) My vote for our team is NO NSC tourneys next year. I would rather travel and get good competition. My kids will miss the atmosphere but will appreciate the better competition.
Arrogant coaches ruin teams.
That is why quality players walk away from teams. There is more to soccer than winning, even being a state cup champion. Where are some really good coaches that are coaching for the right reason - love of the game? Most have cheater glasses on or egos inflated like balloons!!
Arrogant parents ruin teams. Winning state cup is part of every serious soccer players team goals. Its true that life lessons can be learned from the top of the roster to the bottom. Parents need to step back , let the coach and his players learn to relate to one another. Many players will make elite teams this year,this does not make them elite players. Ask the coach about playing time before you accept the spot. Its really about kids playing a fun game. Dont let your kid get in over their head.
Arrogant parents ruin teams. Winning state cup is part of every serious soccer players team goals. Its true that life lessons can be learned from the top of the roster to the bottom. Parents need to step back , let the coach and his players learn to relate to one another. Many players will make elite teams this year,this does not make them elite players. Ask the coach about playing time before you accept the spot. Its really about kids playing a fun game. Dont let your kid get in over their head.
USA cup is awesome.
How many Burnsville u14 coaches are there? Why would he recruit MTA players? Are you sure they're not coming to him? Burnsville seems to be a solid team at that age group. They may change out a handful of subs for a few quality players like any other premier team in the world.
Looks like MTA is up to more half-truths on their website. They list players as being ODP Pool players when in fact many of them only played in pool games which is MUCH different than being named to a Region Pool.
Preying on the uneducated once again.
sounds like 11:49's daughter wasn't mentioned.....
Or...the MTA players/parents are looking at other options and initiated the meeting with WDB. Get your story straight.
Hey 11:49, what is not true about what they posted? I double checked their information with the MYSA and Region II Web sites. It looks very accurate to me.
They even differentiated betwwen those who were pooled at camp, held over and invited to national camp. If they were trying to be deceptive, they wouldn't have added that information.
Keep trying though, some unfounded accusation may stick eventually.
Maybe the rules for recruiting need to be changed. What is wrong about talking to players (or their parents) about options?
Besides, as far as MYSA is concerned the teams that are taking part in USA Cup have finished their seasons already. MYSA doesn't even recognize USA Cup as an official event. So if these teams' seasons are over can't you openly recruit?
Is it that uncommom for any soccer family to look around at all the options before deciding where and for whom their child will be playing at? Whether they are MTA looking at other clubs or a family looking at MTA, what's the big deal? As is often written, the players aren't "possessions" of any club and they need to do what is best for their child.
Judging by the amount of defense MTA is playing on the blogs, and given the glowing (not!) story about the "franchise" in the Strib, I'd say they're wetting their pretty little MTA outfits.
"Re-arrange those chairs, deckhands."
11:49 The only mistake on the list is that CN and JR were in the 94 region camp pool not 95. You're right, there is a BIG difference between pool players and regional team players. The MTA list does not refer to them as Region II players but as pool players. But out of the 10 players, 5 were in fact named to the 93 and 95 Region II pool.
8:48,
The only chairs to be rearranged will be the number of State Cup championships they win next year.
It will be even more than the last 3 years which have been great successes.
Mark this time and date for a major prediction:
MTA will win fewer State Cups in 2010 than they did in 2009.
Let's all talk after this weekend. I'm predicting record turnout for MTA tryouts.
9:00, besides CN and JR, SK was also with the 94 age group.
3:09 Thanks, I did indeed miss SK.
Gotta fill those magenta, fuschia and marigold teams so you can "fund" the blue players (and maybe pay a few overdue dome bills).
3:57 You and others keep saying that the lower teams fund the blue teams. THEY DON'T. It is a fact. Period.
Your jealousy will not change the fact that each teams budget is seperate from the other teams.
You're like a broken record, if the other teams funded the blues, parents like you would be even more desperate to get your kids on the team.
I'd love to hear the sales pitch for staying on one of the gray or navy teams. Perhaps they offer free season tickets to Thunder games.
A Casehardened Minty Mount
We wonder where the money went then, if dome bills are overdue and coaches haven't been paid. Sounds like everyone except the scholarship kids will be paying for more than our share of team expenses next year. We don't plan to stick around for it.
the blog is a wonderful place for chatter but not much changes year over year among top teams. of course upsets happen at state cup and other events but other than eden prairie probably dropping back at u13 next year, the same teams will probably be in the finals at the other age groups. teams rarely come out of nowhere i believe despite all the smoke blown about players changing teams through tryouts
It does look like the mighty have fallen at U14. MTA blue was totally dominated by Tonka at USA cup this week. MTA won on a lucky goal in the last seconds of the game.
Tonka had one of those games where they had the loin's share of the chances, but couldn't finish. They may meet again in the finals today and it will be a totally different result.
So look for MAJOR changes at this age group next year. I wouldn't count on MTA or even BVL looking like the same teams next year.
MTA 14 Blues have never been that strong of a team. Talent is spread out all over at 14.
awesome, the return of tonka "we dominated but lost" guy. since the state cup semi-final exit we've missed you around here. welcome back!
but in all seriousness, good luck to your daughter's team. i agree with 6:40 that as a state, MN really doesn't have a great team or IMO an abundance of regional level talent.
mta and bv will have all of their top players back next year. these are the only teams worth talking about at u14 and good players and informed parents know what they have and stay where they are. the tonka people can have a lot of fun with this, but the fact of the matter is that they are (as near as I can tell) 0-5-0 against those teams this year and I dont know if they have even scored on either of them. Tonka's MRL results, fall and spring, are pathetic in comparison with either MTA or BV, both of which did very well. This is a 2-team age group and any movement from either group will be due to $ worries at MTA or from people who want a bigger role than they got with either team. Just more parent gas.
Now that's a good one. Who's gonna leave MTA blue or BVL for Tonka, MPB or WDB? No, at U14 MN doesn't have a national type team, but both BVL and MTA have had impressive seasons. Everyone else has been a great disappointment. Check the resumes. I wouldn't be surprised if Tonka and WDB lose top players to either of those clubs.
very rarely do the core players (top 6-8) players leave a succesful team (especially teams considered to be one of the top two in the state). most of the chatter on blogs like this come from the parents of players 10-16 who think their little mia/landon should be in that core group or just isn't being appreciated enough for his/her abilities.
bv is ranked #21 in region 2 and MTA Blue is #33. MTA won their MRL league,which included several vg teams, and BV went unbeaten but had a pair of draws. bv won the state cup title and went 10-0-0 in the premier league. MTA would have put up similar numbers and could have won the state cup final. Both have shown well in their other events this summer as well. Tonka? 0-4-2 in MRL and 3-6-1 in premier league. There's a big gap between #s 1 and 2 and the rest of the pack at this age group.
12:33
Do your research. MTA coulda ,woulda,shouda.
No U14 State Cup. A 1 team MRL league, to which they lost. BVL was tied by a regional semi-finalist, defeated the league champ and had a noplay game. Twin City Fire can contend with a couple of key additions. Tonka has some good athletes, but really lacks coaching.
it always makes me laugh when low level RII teams fight over MN supremacy......
Very funny on the MTA 14 v. tonka comment - MTA played down a player and two out with injuries. After today, MTA prevails again with USA Cup championship in the Puma flight. Another fluke Tonka? Did the coach's advice to push the MTA girls off the ball, since they have much better foot skills (according to the tonka coach) not work for you?
It was nothing more than another last minute goal that gave MTA the win - AGAIN!
If it didn't start raining in the last five minutes of the game, it would have been a different story. Tonka has much better athletes than MTA and they were slowed by the wet conditiions.
No rain - different result.
I think someone's just trying to mess around now with the whole tonka thing. if not, then you've got to admire his/her misguided confidence in the face of the facts. I wonder if he/she watches this clip during his/her spare hours?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHaDR92T9TY
but on the bright side, tonka did score on mta yesterday.
hhhmmm.... so Minnesota thunder didn't get affected by playing in the rain to? It just seems that someone is mad that the better team won! and you know what our athletes are just as competive as tonka so someone^^ needs to grow up and get over the fact that minnesota thunder won
what will eventually happen is one day tonka will win (after losing the previous ten times....) and you'll get a "see I told you they were the better team all along". Maybe the tonka guy is really Lloyd from "Dumb & Dumber" - "so your telling me there's a chance...".
It's not like MTA kicked butt on Tonka. It was a one goal game on both occasions this week. MTA is just another team in MN. Sounds like game could have gone either way.
Several Tonka parents are talking it up about putting together a package to lure Dan Storlien away from MTA. One of the guys has very deep pockets. This could happen.
911, sure it could!? when cows fly!! I can't see him taking over a team of players where he would have to replace a majority if not all the team. Sorry to offend, but they don't know how to play soccer. No not a hater just not impressed. PS not from Thunder!!
Tonkas 6 losses in the state league,0ferd in mrl,must have been a rainy spring.
this stuff is awesome. before we all rag on the u14 girls age group in MN as not being regionally competitive, remember that not a single MN team boys or girls made it out of pool play this year at regions. all teams are average when they play the top teams in our region. let's be honest, if MTA didnt put the worlds worst premier team (MTA West u14) in the league, Tonka would have been relegated. you don't go from there to the top team by adding players from the bottom of the best teams bench. of course when DS comes in and takes over the team they will be great. you cant make this stuff up!
Thats the problem, you can make it all up.
Posted in the old college bound thread but wasn't sure if any one still checked there. Was surprised to hear of players backing out of committments at this late date. Two removed from UWGB roster (one changed mind and headed to play DII and other had a parent pass away, totally get that, how sad). Also heard GK headed to UW-Milwaukee not playing there and also not on roster. Would be interesting to explore how many players change mind (nationally) this late in the game and whether the pressure to committ early is a factor.
I know it's early, but mark my words. Next year's U15 state cup final will be Woodbury vs Tonka.
1038, didn't anyone tell you not to inhale.
10:38 - why don't you give us your name, club affiliation, name of your child (first name only), the team she plays on etc. then we can reference back to you
Weren't they the worst teams in Premier???!! They wouldn't make finals playing down a year with the same team. I propose a new rule: No one can blog about their kids teams!
Tonka's blockbuster announcement to be made before the end of august.
954 that is incorrect.
Storlien is co-coaching the MTA Girls Blue U16's and U17's next season. He is in no way jumping to Tonka. Dream on...
Any reports on the U17 recruiting wars between EP and MTA? Is WYZ (the defending State Cup Champion) in the battle? Do they even know about it? Is it too late for that splintered/weak age group to consolidate?
I heard the same bit about a DS move to TNK. That would be big.
Why would anyone want to join an overdrawn club that can't pay its trainers, and yet offers scholarships like there's no tomorrow? Are indoor facilities even going to rent time to them?
Nice sales pitch:
- We're expensive, and yes, we're a little overdue on some bills.
- You may have to pay a little extra at times, especially if we find a player who is better than you who can't pay our fees.
A Casehardened Minty Mount
12:45...where you come up with splintered/weak age group? That age group has done fairly well in MRL/ODP.
SCOOP: tonka's blockbuster announcement - they won the OATHS award for u14 premier! since no MTA team deserves and OATHS award and the Tonka team was next to last, they won the award! they decided to no longer consider score the deciding criteria for rankings but team spirit. so they have decided in cooperation with MYSA to announce they are MN first OATH-Oriented Club! come one come all!
The soon to be U17's will never completely come together. Too many coaching egos, too many parent egos, too many player egos. At the end of the day you need to have 18 kids all going in one direction (with one ball) and personally I just can't see that happening with this group. Too many have been "chiefs" on their teams for too long and it might be too late to turn them all into "indians".
Hey Casehardened Minty Mount, you should think before you read too much into a poorly written article. Everyone knows the StarTrib is a rag at best, editing and writing are poor and sensational to try to sell a paper.
The Minnesota Thunder team, and the MTA club are seperate legal entities. Thunder is a for profit corporation. MTA is a not for profit corporation. Their budgets and all moneys are seperate.
MTA owes no money to domes or coaches, including Holker. He is owed (and Augsburg dome, where he is asst. facility guy) is owed by the Thunder professional team. By the way, Holker is continuing to be a MTA coach.
Your jealousy is showing...
like the old journalism saying goes....."never let the facts get in the way of a good story".
What do they call those people who clean up after a PR disaster?
spindoctors?
Shekki the racist is back again...with yet another moniker.
Rumors of the MTA gray team disbanding for next years U16. Look for players to attend many CC try-outs.
Tonka Deep Pockets donating $250k to strengthen program. They will be bringing in a top coach to turn around the program. Big money talks and coaches walk.
Thats GREAT
I don't think Tonka has had a money issue in the past, so not sure what the extra money would do for the Tonka program as a whole. Can you elaborate on what Tonka would do differently than it currently does?
Tonka still have the issue of a lack of player commitment. They have the numbers but not the attendance in the winter
Typical answer, throw money at something and make it better.
What a joke.
Maybe Tonka can spend some of that money on their theater arts.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHaDR92T9TY
You've gotta love that clip!
It looks like Tonka U14 girls are a solid three in the rankings.
1 - MTA
2 - Burnsville
3 - Tonka
http://www.gotsport.com/rankings/results.aspx?Level=National&Gender=Girls&Age=14&Region=&State=MN&Search=&pos=
Post a Comment