I'm an old goober, but I must say the WDB U18 teams performance in the MRL Premier Division is impressive. I can't see anyone de-throning them in State Cup.
8:46 - don't go too far out on a limb being that the WDB team has never given up a goal in State Cup (other than when they were U12 playing as U13's). It also doesn't hurt that they have at least 85-90% of that age groups best players all on one team.
MRL teams who are in State cup records (so far) U-14 Dakota Rev 1-1-1 EP 0-3-0
U-15 Burnsville (P) 1-3-2
U-16 Tonka 1-1-0 MTA white 0-1-1 EP 0-2-1 Dakota Rev 3-1-1 St Croix 1-0-1 NSS 0-2-0 Eagan 0-3-0
U-17 Wayzata 4-1-2 SSM 3-2-1 Woodbury 3-3-1 EP (P) 1-1-4
U-18 Woodbury (P) 6-0-0
VERY few winning records so far. Wooodbury 18's look dominant, U-17 mn group has done well as a whole, Other than Dakota Rev U-16 group has underperformed thus far, Burnsville struggling at U-15 Premier, U-14 teams look to be underperforming also.
Remember now MRL *has* been, for the most part, replaced by the ECNL for U15, U16 and U17. I wouldn't put much stock in the MRL results. Most of Region II's top clubs either no longer play MRL or have 2nd or 3rd teams playing in MRL.
not completely true. just because your DD's MTA team opted not to play many of the other clubs top age group teams are still playing. in many ways what MTA did was the exception not the rule.
OK fair enough 9:40. We don't want to leave out the MTA teams who are playing ECNL. Here's how they have fared so far.
MTA 15 2-3-1 (B pool) wins were against Pleasanton Rage and Neusport who have a combined W/L record of 0-12 with a combined -35 goal ratio.
MTA 16 5-0-1 (A pool) They have been very strong in all games.
MTA 17 2-2-2 (B pool) Wins have been against Birmingham United AL ( 6-3) and Pleasanton Rage (4-2) both teams among the league leaders.
Looks like the 15's are underperforming with "soft wins" 16's are continuing as one of the top teams regionally or even nationally, and the 17's show they can play with anyone but are also not consistant enough to be considered a top regional team.
State Cup at 15 still looks like a toss up between MTA and Burnsville.
U-16 looks like it is "Blues to lose" Who can challenge them? Rev? White?Tonka? stcroix?
U-17 Looks open between MTA, Wayzata,SSM, woodbury and I wouldn't rule out EP just yet (4 ties and a lot of scoring could could create problems for teams who don't have a strong offense ).
Based upon very strong performances this year, MN has two legitimate contenders (favorites?)in RII: MTA 16s and Wdby 18s. Unfortuntely for Inferno, the defending Nat'l champs in their age group are also in RII.
probably have to toss in the U13 MTA's based on their regional successes. i don't believe the winner of that age group goes to nationals though. also, they've been saying that every year about WDB and i believe last year was the first time they actually had a winning pool record.
I oftentimes take MRL successes with a grain of salt. 9:40 is somewhat accurate as I looked at the teams that WDB has played and most aren't top national (or even regional) teams. The U16 MTA ECNL results are the most impressive against established top programs/clubs. In looking at the U17's, IMO it's hard to compare when the teams are all not in the same league (ECNL, MRL Premier, MRL 1st Division).
Agree U-15 is between Bville and MTA. Bville playing MRL Premier with sub par success, MTA playing ECNL with same. Why is U-15 so weak an age group in MN ? Looking through the 15 State Cup brackets I still don't see anyone who is likely to compete. Tonka? anyone else?
11:12 - factors involved could be: 1)some years just have a greater quantity/quality of players. 2)greater consolidation of talent onto one top team (U16 & U18) and the corresponding results gives the impression of great success/stronger age group 3)a kid or two who might be "playing up" Last year's U18 age group was very strong, while the this year's U18 is solid but not as strong as last year's. U17's have some depth but are scattered all over. U15's might be an off-year. U14's seem to have some depth (time will tell). IMO.
U-15 is not at all a weak age group in MN, problem is top players spread across multiple clubs. An established top coach needs to step into this age to pool the talent.
11:26 - might have to disagree. There appears to be two teams with mediocre results. At least at U14 & U17 where the talent is spread out there are multiple teams at those age groups with success.
Aren't a couple of the "best" U15's playing up at U16 (which isn't happening much in the other age groups)? If so, if they played their true age on one team at U15 then that would improve that age group.
I don't have DD playing soccer anymore and she was not an MTA/Bangu/Wings player anyway. For 15s-17s, I would say that MRL Premier would be the "C Pool" and MRL 1st Division would be the "D Pool". USYSA and MYSA pissed a way a good thing with MRL by letting everyone play, not just state cup champs from small states and state cup finalists from big states. The last 3 years have really showed a decline in MRL competitive level(girls and boys.)
9:40 hit it on the head when he/she said, "most of the good clubs have their 2nd/third teams playing in the MRL". Agreed, which is why I've always wondered why MTA calls their 2nd/3rd teams "elite", when in fact they are far from that. I call it $ extraction from ignorant parents with much overinflated and misdirected egos. "My kid plays for MTA Elite on their white or gray team." Wow!
Well I guess it's only appropriate that we get a few new threads and go back to the beginning and dredge up some old topics. We're such a creative bunch.
Said this before and will say it again, according to some only the best teams in each age group should play because all other teams and tournaments are no good.
As far as ECNL if that is the only league to play in why is it that only one of the three teams in it managed to win state cup last year obviously they did not earn a spot in the ECNL rather the club they represent did.
Let each team club do what they think is best for them and what makes them happy no need to tell what you think is right or wrong.
Ask the kids that play MRL and or ECNL or just tournaments sure they all give you the same answer it is fun to play none MN teams in competetive games.
Bangu Tsunami/MTA have had many of their teams end up playing each other in State Cup semi finals or finals several times in the past 4-5 years. If you don't want to believe this just go back and look at the State Cup results. They certainly are the "elite" club in Minnesota.
People can cast stones at ECNL, but some facts are: If a CLUB wants to participate in ECNL, they must commit 3 teams (U15, U16, and U17). I would be interested in hearing what other club in MN could commit to that with competative teams at each age group. Also, ECNL is about exposure to college coaches. Girls on the MTA teams have been watched at each event, and several have received verbal offers from D1 schools. Many people on this blog do not know what they are talking about, and think this is simply MTA propaganda. Yes, obviously my daughter plays for MTA, so you can accuse me of drinking the kool aid. However, I have yet to hear of a better way to get that level of exposure if your daughter wants to play for a D1 school out of State. If that is not her goal, then I would agree that ECNL may not be the right fit due to the commitment level as well as the costs. I did find that ECNL is about the same travel costs as MRL, and it is a much more palatable schedule spread over the year compared to MRL.
8:30 - don't disagree with a lot of what you have to say except your last sentence as most of the higher level teams go to the same tournaments or secondary tournaments as the MTA ECNL teams. They also do MRL. The same MTA teams went to the same tournaments the previous year so not really that much has changed other than they passed on MRL, so comparing travel costs isn't a fair comparison.
I am not 8:30, but I can tell you that several U15 and U16 MTA girls have been given offers from multiple schools. The biggest reason, exposure from the two ECNL events they have attended so far.
9:53 you are telling me that coaches or colleges have given these girls scholorship offers? D1 scholorship offers ? or an interest in that player going to that particular school?
9:53 - kids that age have been receiving verbals for years. Nothing new. Same events (Disney, Final Four/CASL, Las Vegas, etc...), just now they are under the ECNL umbrella. It has much less to do with ECNL but much more to with those are the traditional "college showcase" tournaments. Been that way for years. Don't get me wrong, I believe ECNL is a good thing, helps with exposure, and will only get stronger in the future, but to claim it's the "biggest reason" for potential offers is a bit of a stretch. Also (to everyone out there) don't get too carried away by all the "verbal offers" comments you read on this blog. They can range anywhere from 100% to 50% down to next to nothing. Do the math.....there are only 14 DI scholarships and most teams roster over 20 players - few if any are getting "full rides". If your child wants to play soccer in college then that's great, but hopefully they will focus on the student part of "student-athlete" as the odds of them turning soccer into a professional career (playing, coaching, etc...) after college is probably less than 1%. For almost all the only time soccer will be associated with them is as a "soccer mom".
MRL u15 Premier Girls (where Burnsville is playing) has some decent teams (Ohio Premier is rated 10th on Nationalsoccerrankings.com) and Carmel is 15th. Burnsville lost 2-0 to Ohio Premier and has not played Carmel yet. Looks like they have only 5 goals in 6 games (bad) but have only given up 7 (ok). It is missing folks like Eclipse (IL), and Toro and other IL teams. Like the bloggers said, it is a 2 team race at u15 and both teams are decent but not regional contenders
D1 coaches have already talked to sophomores (U16's) and I am sure some U15's and U14's have already been shown interest by coaches, but the kids' sophomore year is important. Coaches (not just soccer, but most sports) look that far ahead these days. While few get full scholarships, many get partial. And for some, getting to play D1 soccer is important to them and they will play regardless of scholarship benefits. Looking at GPA stats of women student athletes - they do take the "student" part of student athlete seriously!
I am a 'soccer mom' (LOVE watching good soccer) and I resent bad mouthing the term. Never played it myself but have have learned a lot watching over the 10 or more years. Played my own sport - don't need to live through my kids but it has been fun watching them go from scrums to playing the beautiful game. Quit giving soccer moms a bad name. We pay for all those games and probably some your livelihoods!!
12:41 If your statement is accurate "D1 coaches have already talked to sophomores (U16's)" then those coaches are in Direct violation of NCAA recruiting rules. The earliest a coach can make contact with a player (parent,guardian etc,) is Sept 1 of their JUNIOR year of high school. Prior to the Sept 1 of Junior yr the most they can do is coach them at a camp and send the player the camp literature.
ALL D1,D2 coaches are well aware of this NCAA rule and would never put their program at risk by directly violating it. I do know several coaches will talk to a players club/high school coach and express that they may have interest in the player at a future date therefore request contact info for that player.
3:58 pm I believe that the the NCAA recruiting rules allow the players to call the coaches directly, as well as make unofficial visits (all at their own expense, of course).
4:29 is completely correct. The players can call the coaches all they want - the coaches just can't call them or return their calls. Also, if you are on an unofficial visit on their campus then they can talk to you all they want. The way most players/families get around this is to use their coaches as the intermediaries to pass along interest, times to call, etc....
4:29 Unofficial visits are permitted and yes, I agree a player may contact a coach. BUT I want to call BS on the above posts regarding the players being verbally offered scholorships like 8:30 and some of the following posts indicate. I have no doubt the kids were watched by several coaches, but offering a u-15 or u-16 a scholorship? didn't happen. It might happen but not until they are past Sept of their Junior year in high school.
bfd. why sell your soul for little or no money to play D1 ball when your studies (and your future career options) suffer? My tip: Find a D1 school with a strong club team (club teams at D1 schools tend to be very good), and pursue your soccer passion there without the insanity of being owned by a school's athletic department.
Ben, You should get counseling - really, it can help you deal with your disappointments in life. Sounds clear that you weren't able to live up to the school's athletic department.
Some girls actually selected (and got scholarships from) great academic schools! Perhaps the soccer was secondary to the school and they just love soccer!
3:58 is absolutely wrong. D1 coaches not only make verbal offers to sophomores, but some athletes make their verbal commitment during their sophomore year, and often both parties decide to make the commitment public by posting it on web-sites such as this one: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=te2GVkHQTlqYnSB2pMfsjsQ&output=html&gid=3
If you're a parent of a player who has the talent and desire to play D1, the sophomore year is critical. Your daughter needs to be aggressive in letting coaches know she is interested in their program and where/when she will be playing so they can scout her. Coaches only have a limited amount of time and budget for scouting, so they need to primarily focus on the kids who are interested in their schools. They will be especially interested in seeing your daughter play against top talent.
You and your daughter can e-mail and phone the coach whenever you want. If the coach is interested in your daughter and has seen her play, these conversations will lead to an invitation to make an unofficial visit to campus. The campus visit will allow your daughter to find out more about the academic and athletic programs, student housing, team chemistry, etc. This will help her determine if the school is truly a good fit. Some coaches will make a verbal offer at the end of the on-campus visit. Others will want to wait until you let them know that you have narrowed down your choices and they are one of your finalists.
Your daughter should also consider attending camps at schools of interest her freshman and sophomore years. This is a great way for her to learn more about the coaches, the school, and often the team chemistry as existing players will likely help run the camp.
10:25 - good advice - the big key is that the process is player (not parent or college coach) driven. One error.....both parties do not decide to make the commitment public by posting it on any website. That is completely player driven. College coaches cannot comment or acknowledge who is coming to play for them when it is in the VERBAL stage. Once a National Letter of Intent (NLI) is signed (earliest is 2/1 senior year for soccer) only then can a coach comment on any player.
IMO - camps are a waste of time and money. If there are schools of interest and you opt for an unofficial visit it needs to be over a weekend with the player staying with the team (sorry all of you helicopter parents). Great way to get to know the girls, team chemistry, school scene, etc.... This should be during their junior year.
You all forget one important thing if a player is good enough to be a impact player the schol will find him or her not the other way around, the rest is fighting for the left overs and 80& of them want even play four years in college
Here is the NCAA web site regarding recruitment: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/d1fe7f004e0b872488edf81ad6fc8b25/D+I+Other+Sports+Guide.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=d1fe7f004e0b872488edf81ad6fc8b25
I do agree also with the above posts (10:25) If your daughter has an interest in a school she should contact the college to at least "get on their radar" .
My experience has been, college coaches ask the club coach for information about a player at a tournament and let the club coach know that their school would be interested in that particular player. I have not seen a college coach approach any U-15/16 player at a tournament as some of the above posts seem to indicate. Reading the NCAA chart on recruiting that particular approach would appear to be in violation of NCAA rules.
5:46 is completely correct. Even after verbal commitments that are done at the appropriate times, coaches cannot talk to parents/players at these tournaments. Coaches definitely keep their distance because they know the rules. But they do let club coaches know which players they are interested in coming for a visit or to put a call in to the college coach. If you ever want to be nervous as a parent - try listening to a one-sided conversation of your 15-16 year old dd talking to a college coach!!!
I am more unsure about the camp's value as well. Sometimes girls can get on a coach's radar with a great camp but other times I think it can work against a girl. If her club team is elite and they are playing top notch teams then I think camps may be unnecessary but if the girl is on a lower team and they aren't traveling or getting into showcase level tournaments then they should go to the camps for exposure.
Half of the teams will come away with wins. Then about 2/3 of those teams with wins will lose at least 2 of 3 of the pool games. If you can't beat sisters-of-the-cousins-of-the-infirmed on a weekly basis- don't register for State Cup. MN State Cup is turning into a waayy larger tournament than it needs to be. What do these teams hope to accomplish?
There really should be some qualification criteria put in place to keep the tournament at a reasonable number of teams.
Mikki and the Gophers have already made an offer to a U15 player in MN. This is a fact and if you know of the player you would be offering her to. It is not a violation if the player is on campus on an unofficial visit. A lot of players who end up playing D1 get offered on unofficial visits.
MTA U16 Blue has the true U15 and U14 players. They both play on the national team. The U 15 player who was offered the scholarship is not on that team, but those girls have received multiple offers as well. I agree another thread for this topic may be appropriate, but there is a lot of inaccurate information out there about scholarships. It does happen, and if your daughter is graduating in 2012 and wants to play D1, you need to be sending emails to coaches, doing campus visits, etc. Many colleges are finalizing their rosters for that age group, and now looking at the 2013's. The days of waiting until your junior year to start looking are long gone.
more misinformation......most colleges are not "finalizing" their rosters for 2012. they just wrapped up 2011 and nothing really gets solidified until the fall. now there might be a player here and a player there that colleges have expressed interest in (along with 25 other kids - some cast a pretty wide net) but the real nitty-gritty doesn't happen until the fall. i do agree that the players need to be very proactive in contacting coaches and informing them of their interest in their programs, extending invitations to watch them play, and providing game information for their matches.
Regarding Spring MRL - if my information is accurate, the following states offer girls high school soccer in the spring: Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconisn, Missouri, Kansas. Fall HS Soccer: Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota. So, by the time girls hit 15/16, the best players will likely be on their HS team. Spring MRL does not get top level participation at U15 or above from most states in the midwest.
12:01 do you really think 14 yr olds choke? Its a game...the sooner you jackass's figure that out the sooner you'll figure out life...which some of you clearly don't have.
Rev 14's blow it again. three years in a row. drink more of that rev kool-aid. bet the girls don't make it out of their group again. big game vs MTA whites will decide the group and your retention for next year. So what did all of that travel over the winter buy ya?
I have a hard time understanding what kind of people come on here and write "hahahahaha" over a U14 girls team not winning a game. Seriously? DRev's team had 5 key players who are unable to play and 11 girls that played their hearts out with no subs to tie a game. I find it impressive and gutsy.
I applaud the MTA Blues as well. I know they too work hard all year long and have suffered untimely injuries on their team. Why is it funny that they won a game 1-0? Is there an expectation for a team to win by a large margin?
This is the challenges of sports that I hope my DD learns in life. Persevere, overcome and do your best every day. And in the meantime, ignore the ignorant idiots that sit on the sidelines and hope you fail. They're the real losers.
Misprint. MTA Blues won 7 or 8 to 0. If REVs girls managed to come back from a 3-0 deficit with only 11 players and missing 5 starters, that a feat unto itself. Congrats to that group, and hopefully they learned their lesson - MRL is not all it's cracked up to be. The crammed spring schedule leaves teams battered and bruised for MN state cup.
not really 10:26. Maybe a bit more for Woodbury than for Wayzata. The Wayzata HS players are scattered out a bit with some of their better players being on other club teams like U16/MTA, U17/EP, and U17/Wayzata. Being that WDB has won this age group every year I would be surprised if the score was close - but you never know and that's why they play the games!
As a very senior observer of the girl's game in Minnesota, here are a few thoughts: -if your daughter is really an ambitious and high quality player at a young age, you want nothing more than other players being developed well so teams can consolidate at older ages. Cheer on your competitors and watch for their talented kids. They will all play together in club and ODP. -There is simply no place in youth sports for adults being negative and competitive to the point of mocking or celebrating losses. That is like feeding your kids poison. -Recruiting has become the tail that wags the dog, with, yes, at least two 15 year olds I know of being heavily recruited -- it's better than in basketball, where it starts at U10. We are best served by letting our kids know that if they are good and strong and desirable, they don't have to lose sleep in freshman year worrying about it, and it can wait until Junior year. -This blog is most fun when knowledgable people share their expertise, people banter and predict based on observation, and people report what they've seen. Let's try not to load this up with club versus club (It used to be nearly impossible to find clubs to fit so many different philosophies) or calling people names. It could be a great place to be.
i don't understand the logic of 1. cheering against other kids to fail, and 2. not supporting MN teams to go out state to compete. the glee people show on hear at Drev's u14 tie, MTA and Bville u15 Premier results, etc. is really sad. i am sure these teenage girls maxed out their effort beyond their talent and should be congratulated. the likelihood of these girls developing the life skills, relationships and experiences to succeed in life far exceeds the 'everyday' teenage girl that is more interested in boyfriends, music and socializing than stretching themselves physically and mentally to compete.
9:23 - ????? The only age groups that played were U13 & U14 and those scores are all posted. You might want to hit your "refresh" button so you can show us all you shouldn't be included in your MYSA description.
Haters gripe about MTA having non-elite teams at the lower levels and then applaud and count those lower level teams when they provide stats attempting to bash MTA. Funny.
Post all the records you want. In the end it will be about who hoists the cup at each age group. There will likely only be one club name that dominates the results sheets at the end of May, let alone finishes the event with multiple titles in multiple age groups, and that's as it should be if we want our top players to have the chance to compete on the national state.
MTA wins 5 Girls State Cup Champions and 6 Boys State Cup Champions.
The nice thing for the clubs that want to win more State Cup Championships is 15, 16, 17. 18 Girls will soon be just ECNL and no more MYSA State Cup or Leagues for their top teams. The White teams will play and some of them will win. The boys will be out at 16 and 18 in the USSF Developmental Academy.
SCV 16 needs to beat EP - depends a bit on which EP team shows, but SCVs play in MRL makes them the favorite.
REV 16 has never been able to beat MTA White, maybe this year, but sometimes teams don't match up well with another. B bracket is the most balanced - hard to get the wildcard.
Hey 4:27, were you the manager or waterboy of your high school's badminton team? Real men don't "project" like you just did unless they aren't real men.
I should have been more clear so people could understand, albeit blinded by their own insecure hate. "Our" players means Minnesota's top talent, not one particular club's own players. People who think players are possessions have no business in youth sports, unless you're from Chan/Chaska.
10;17 thanks...didn't realize the issues cc has. To send out an email like that? wow. I can see idiots on this blog doing it anonymous, not club pres sending it out.
Please keep all real soccer discussions on the IMS site. This blog is reserved for the haters, kool-aid drinkers, over-involved parents, and ego-maniacal coaches and coaching directors... myself included. Thank you.
1:41, How many of the MTA "blue" teams have lost? How many State Cup championships do you think they'll win this year? 4? 5? 6? He who laughs last laughs best.
All of you people taking shots at MTA crack me up.
1. MTA wins the most State Cup Championships. Even when it was a different name they won the most State Cup Champions by FAR!!!!
2. MTA 15, 16, 17 play in the ECNL. Next year it will be the 15, 16, 17, 18s. This is the best collection of clubs by FAR in one league. MTA is the only team invited from MN to play and will continue to be the only team to play in the ECNL.
3. MTA boys teams are not in the United States Soccer Federation Developmental Academy.
4. The club has the most A licensed coaches in the State by FAR. The club has the highest level of coaches with a C license or higher in the state by FAR.
No other club can claim the above FACTS!!!
This is only one way to measure the quality of a club.
Now lets look at the alumni of the group that has played for MTA, Bangu, Tsunami, Wings. This club has the most players who have gone on to play in college in the last five years. No other club is even close.
Must be doing something right. Those who want to complain are on the outside looking in.
2:11- While many of your facts are correct, they are a bit skewed to your point of view. Let's go through these:
1) Can't argue much with this one, you are right. But, let me ask you one question- how many kids/teams do they have? If you have the majority of the kids "BY FAR", then you SHOULD own this statistic.
2) The error in your facts are that MTA applied to the ECNL, the others you are trying to disparage did not. They were not turned down, and MTA was not "invited" by divine intervention. They were accepted. And what has their success level been since they have been in the league?
3) Yes. They are indeed in the DAP, but so is SSM. To be included IS a great accomplishment, but you could NOT have been accepted on your own. As in #2, talk trash after some results have come in.
4) I would only disagree with this fact (because I don't know the actual numbers) in that you are talking overall numbers. Again, what percentage of the total number of MTA coaches are A licensed? Take that percentage and then compare it with SSM. SSM has 100% of head coaches who hold A licenses.
As for your last statement, I would again argue that in sheer numbers you are correct. However, percentage wise I would guess that SSM has you beat over the last 4 years (that the program has been in existence).
I did not jump on here to talk trash, only to expose that you can skew the numbers to show anything you want.
Bottom line- find the program that fits YOUR kid and the needs of YOUR kid. Other than that, club spirit is fine- but you are well over the top.
SSM has what? 4 teams or 5 team? If all MTA was going to do was field 4-5 teams they too would have 100% of their coaches with "A" licenses. You're comparing apples and oranges. SSM wouldn't have been accepted into the USSF Academy if MTA wasn't. It was obvious the league need 2 clubs to make it work.
Your DD plays for a team, not a club. If your daughter's team is good, whether ep, mta, ssm or woodbury, then congratulations - it doesn't matter (or shouldn't) how good other teams in your club are.
If your daughter's team is no good, then what good is it to proclaim how many titles the club has won? The team still stinks.
Sorry. It is bad enough that parents stroke their own egos due to their daughter's team success, but it is just obnoxious when it is due to another team in the same club as their daughter.
634, I'm sure you are trolling but I'll bite. I watched the game and MTA was the better team and did not get dominated. A majority of the play was in Wayzata's end. Wayzata keep numbers back and only had a few forrays in MTA's end.
Wayzata's goal was a beautiful shot that got carried by the wind. MTA was out coached by Wayzata - the coach knew what needed to be done to win (or tie, in this case). Congrats to them for a well played game, very strategic and aggressive.
Oh yea, who do you guys think is the best player in the EPL? ( Not who scores the most goals) The most consistently solid player. In my opinion bullard.
I saw most of the second half of the MTA Wayzata game waiting to watch the Woodbury 18s play the blackhawks on the same field. Here's what I saw...
MTA had the better side and yes, 80% of the play was in Wayzata's end. Wayzata had a flurry of chances toward the end of the game as they earned several corners.
I did not see how MTA scored, but I did see Wayzata's goal. It was definitley wind - aided, but that's soccer. You cannot control the elements and both teams had to play in the same wind.
MTA is a talented group of girls. It seemed they built their attack well, but there are some girls that are a bit selfish in the attacking third. They forced a lot and would not give up the ball, even when the defense collapsed on them. I saw three or four girls that were playing as individuals. They possesed well as a team and seemed to play together well until they got to the attacking third, that is where they seemed a bit selfish.
They may be one of the most talented group of players at this age, but they (for the most part) seemed disconnected as a team. I think some of that selfishness affects the teams ability to finish. When they get close some players seem to want the glory rather than do what is best for the team.
This seemed to get more apparent as time started winding down and players started to try to do more.
That said, MTA did have a couple good chances on crosses during the second half.
Go ahead, start slamming me, but that is an unbiased opinion from someone without a horse in the race. I will also say this, it is the only time I've seen this MTA team play and some of the individual play may have been the result of the team finding itself tied late and playing a bit tighter as a result.
Any thoughts on the U17 games yesterday? The MTA teams that played against each tied, with that help either of those teams? Any surprise wins yesterday for U17? Heard that SSM struggled against BlackHawks.
It's tough to read too much into any of yesterday's results due to the wind. Before the knee jerk reply of "both teams had to play in it", IMO, weather does and can level the playing field as it strips away much of the skill out of the game. The better teams still shouldn't lose, but scores are going to be all over the board. Agree, disagree, it's just one person's opinion.
910 is obviously a MTA parent who feels bad because his daughter is not getting all the attention...why else would someone comment on the observations? Nobody else really cares. Mud slinging at team members? Keep it off the field and off this site.
A little sensitive 508? It sounds like you're the MTA parent.
Someone gave an objective review of a game and 910 appreciated the observations. I believe we need more of that on this site, someone who actually understands and appreciates the game, breaking down what they saw.
I don't think there was any mud slinging. I think it was just an objective review. I did not see the game and have not seen those team play, but no player was named or called out specifically, so you should just relax. That is unless it hit close to home for you.
910 here again, I am not an MTA parent or Wayzata parent, Just someone who agreed with 633. You seem very sensitive to the comments above, I'm guessing you feel like 633 might have been watching your kid.
U18 PSA vs Edina ,,,PSA didnt score first half with wind despite playing well and creating some chances. Edina scored on transition goal by special kick from midfielder. Second half Edina cushioned lead when PSA pressed and midfield caught openings in PSA defense. Solid goalkeeping and Edina team defense continues to improve with each game. Despite the score PSA pressed and played competive game.
sssssssssssssssssssssss. can you hear it deflating?
MTA is barely over .500 in State Cup. Not very impressive from a soccer "Academy". I think the "A" should stand for "Average", the "W" for "Weak", and the "N" for "Not so good". When they add a club south of the river, they'll name it MTS, as in "So so". Keep paying those coaching fees and supporting those who can't!
Both 6:32 and 7:29 are perfect examples of why we should require licensure to become a parent.
I find it very hard to believe that either can be serious, and actually believe both posts to be from the same person-- and designed only to get people riled up.
I wondered how long it was going to take for people to start praising TCF for their 2-1 loss.
TCF never once put three passes together, had 1 shot on goal that was a free kick just outside the box. To their credit it was a good strike. However, they were completely played off the park and only the score was close. Kudos to TCF for defending with 10 people behind the ball and only giving up two goals, but you cannot say they are a very skilled team that gave MTA a good game. It just wasn't the case.
127 MTA had only a couple quality shots. TCF shut them down on most runs. 2nd goal was a garbage goal. TCF did string more than 3 passes (not many, but still did). TCF was not played off the park! MTA for sure was the better team, but TCF played exactly how they needed to against them. Not impressed by MTA that game as most shots went high or wide.
127 Funny how you have to rip on TCF for MTA's poor performance! Not a very impressive game. Goalie didn't have to make many saves. To think they are top in the country - huh!
This is why I hate State Cup. Teams play garbage soccer in hopes of getting a tie. It is frustrating for the girls who are on the field. Compare the out of state record for these two teams, the tournaments they have been in, and who they played. I would agree that the TCF coach and players may have done what they had to in order to keep the game close, but it is still ugly soccer.
729 Did you see the game? MTA did not have many quality shots. They hit high and wide. TCF goalie did not have to make many saves. Call it ugly all you want but include MTA in that as they had many opportunities to put the game away. Love how you guys come on here and blame the way the other team played for your poor game. I am pretty sure that the free kick was cause TCF was going in ON GOAL and MTA had to obstruct to keep her from shooting.
I have no daughter, do not care which team played this way or that in the above discussion but did see the game.
A few observations. Both teams were a little ugly that day, partially because of wind, lumpy field and choices made by a coach to defend against a stronger offense. Even TCF has to agree on that point. I don't know many coaches that would have done differently.
MTA was also ugly, as mentioned above not many scoring opportunities and numerous misses wide or tall. Did have some good build ups, but fizzled out with some decent defending and poor choices near the 18.
Settle down folks, these are girls playing soccer. Mistakes are required to grow as a player, risks should be encouraged to see if they pan out. Both teams attempted to win. Both played hard. One team won the game. The girls went home and hopefully every one of them still loves the game, and will continue playing.
By the way obstructing is not a direct free kick, and the foul is called "impeding" now. The actual foul looked like a player ran into another. Anyway, the hit on that free kick was terrific. That girl could not have done better.
One thing that has not been discussed much at this point (and 820 alluded to) is the condition of the fields at LWB. I have been unimpressed with the fields. I believe they are not only too small, but in horrible condition. There is such a rut in front of the north goal on field 23, that you cannot see the keepers legs from about half-way to her knees.
Other fields slope on the corners and the goals are slanted every which way and there are several holes and bumps on the field.
8:31 - agreed, unfortunately, they are somewhat at the mercy of the locations that bid for the games. Coon Rapids might have been a bit better (big time crowns but they did have lights) but have backed away (I believe to preserve the fields for their own association and community play as they got destroyed every year during State Cup). NSC's fields aren't much better and except for a few, can also be on the small side (plus MYSA & NSC......right). It wouldn't hurt to at least mow the fields out in Lakeland. I'd love to hear some other options out there.
Why does everyone have to play at the same place? Why not have multiple sites, so more locations can "bid" for games, and MYSA can select the best fields. LWB has one great field (21, all by itself); why not play one or two age groups there and one or tww groups at NSC (if there is a regulation-size field up there), one or two age groups out west and one or two age groups down south.
Heck, you could probably get onto some of the nicer high school fields if you didn't overload them with games.
Good question. Last year there were two age groups up in Cambridge-Isanti. Might all come down to who wants to bid on the fields. Probably tough for some communities to give preferential prime weekend field times to MYSA over their community associations. Not many high schools have soccer specific fields - usually footbal fields with multiple lines which I don't MYSA (and I would agree) wants. MYSA & NSC - maybe if they could stop feuding? Where are all these great fields you are proposing? You would need at least 3 at each site in order to play most of one age group at the same time.
I think the fields at LWB are quite nice. They are light years better than the NSC fields. Which ones do you think needed to be mowed? I thought the ball played well on all the fields (I didn't watch any games on #21 though).
The idea behind one location includes the ability to field better crews of referees, fairness to teams, ease of administration. Sending people all over the place doesn't work.
Field 21 is normally a great field but this year is brutal. Enormous ruts in the field, some appear to be 8 or more inches deep, long and wide too.
I agree LWB is still better than the tiny fields NSC and MYSA seemed to think were acceptable in years past. Also do not agree that NSC using green colored sand is a remedy for bad spots or ruts.
This will probably start some sarcastic string of comments, but Thank you MTA parent from a TCF parent. We know the coach had them boxed in the first half, but the team knows MTA talent and MTA had the wind. The players hoped to keep it close and maybe break it loose a couple times knowing that MTA had a couple injuries. And some the new Fire players really stepped up and played the best we have seen them play. The scouting report among all these girls who go to school together and Facebook with each other was excellent!
What about Bielenberg? I haven't been there this year, but If I remember correctly, the fields were in decent shape last year. Plus it's 10 minutes closer for most people.
Not a bad suggestion. I guess the part of the equation that we all seem to forget is that MYSA only gets to select from those facilities that have applied. For many associations it's a lot to ask in terms of giving up the fields on weekends plus all the wear and tear - does anyone recall the CR fields at the end of the tourney? Nothing but dirt, ruts, and trashed before the summer soccer season has even started. Plus the repair costs. Not sure the situation with WDB.
I believe there will be close to 14 fields on the Bielenberg/East Ridge HS site in Woodbury. It is an ideal site for State Cup when it's completed, and will give MN a good chance to bid for hosting regionals. This is all assuming the powers that be designed for adequate enough field dimensions (unlike most of the fields at NSC).
This is also assuming they want to even do it. It would be an ideal location. All you really need are 6-8 of the fields to be truly full-size. Any lights out in WDB?
Lights were added at the old (now Blue) fields. The new east (Green and Red) fields are showing good grass growth this spring. And there is a stadium, turf field at the adjacent East Ridge High School.
766 comments:
1 – 200 of 766 Newer› Newest»Soon my daughter's team will dominate state cup and win regionals, proving once and for all that I am smarter and better looking than you.
Oh, you must be from Dakota Rev!
I thought all the beautiful people lived on lake minnetonka!
I'm an old goober, but I must say the WDB U18 teams performance in the MRL Premier Division is impressive. I can't see anyone de-throning them in State Cup.
8:46 - don't go too far out on a limb being that the WDB team has never given up a goal in State Cup (other than when they were U12 playing as U13's). It also doesn't hurt that they have at least 85-90% of that age groups best players all on one team.
MRL teams who are in State cup records (so far)
U-14
Dakota Rev 1-1-1
EP 0-3-0
U-15
Burnsville (P) 1-3-2
U-16
Tonka 1-1-0
MTA white 0-1-1
EP 0-2-1
Dakota Rev 3-1-1
St Croix 1-0-1
NSS 0-2-0
Eagan 0-3-0
U-17
Wayzata 4-1-2
SSM 3-2-1
Woodbury 3-3-1
EP (P) 1-1-4
U-18
Woodbury (P) 6-0-0
VERY few winning records so far. Wooodbury 18's look dominant, U-17 mn group has done well as a whole, Other than Dakota Rev U-16 group has underperformed thus far, Burnsville struggling at U-15 Premier, U-14 teams look to be underperforming also.
Remember now MRL *has* been, for the most part, replaced by the ECNL for U15, U16 and U17. I wouldn't put much stock in the MRL results. Most of Region II's top clubs either no longer play MRL or have 2nd or 3rd teams playing in MRL.
http://www.eliteclubsnationalleague.com
not completely true. just because your DD's MTA team opted not to play many of the other clubs top age group teams are still playing. in many ways what MTA did was the exception not the rule.
OK fair enough 9:40. We don't want to leave out the MTA teams who are playing ECNL. Here's how they have fared so far.
MTA 15 2-3-1 (B pool) wins were against Pleasanton Rage and Neusport who have a combined W/L record of 0-12 with a combined -35 goal ratio.
MTA 16 5-0-1 (A pool) They have been very strong in all games.
MTA 17 2-2-2 (B pool) Wins have been against Birmingham United AL ( 6-3) and Pleasanton Rage (4-2) both teams among the league leaders.
Looks like the 15's are underperforming with "soft wins" 16's are continuing as one of the top teams regionally or even nationally, and the 17's show they can play with anyone but are also not consistant enough to be considered a top regional team.
State Cup at 15 still looks like a toss up between MTA and Burnsville.
U-16 looks like it is "Blues to lose" Who can challenge them? Rev? White?Tonka? stcroix?
U-17 Looks open between MTA, Wayzata,SSM, woodbury and I wouldn't rule out EP just yet (4 ties and a lot of scoring could could create problems for teams who don't have a strong offense ).
Can anyone challenge MTA at U-13 this year?
How about 14? is it still between MTA Blue and Rev? Any others?
Based upon very strong performances this year, MN has two legitimate contenders (favorites?)in RII: MTA 16s and Wdby 18s. Unfortuntely for Inferno, the defending Nat'l champs in their age group are also in RII.
probably have to toss in the U13 MTA's based on their regional successes. i don't believe the winner of that age group goes to nationals though.
also, they've been saying that every year about WDB and i believe last year was the first time they actually had a winning pool record.
I oftentimes take MRL successes with a grain of salt. 9:40 is somewhat accurate as I looked at the teams that WDB has played and most aren't top national (or even regional) teams.
The U16 MTA ECNL results are the most impressive against established top programs/clubs.
In looking at the U17's, IMO it's hard to compare when the teams are all not in the same league (ECNL, MRL Premier, MRL 1st Division).
Agree U-15 is between Bville and MTA. Bville playing MRL Premier with sub par success, MTA playing ECNL with same. Why is U-15 so weak an age group in MN ? Looking through the 15 State Cup brackets I still don't see anyone who is likely to compete. Tonka? anyone else?
11:12 - factors involved could be:
1)some years just have a greater quantity/quality of players.
2)greater consolidation of talent onto one top team (U16 & U18) and the corresponding results gives the impression of great success/stronger age group
3)a kid or two who might be "playing up"
Last year's U18 age group was very strong, while the this year's U18 is solid but not as strong as last year's. U17's have some depth but are scattered all over. U15's might be an off-year. U14's seem to have some depth (time will tell). IMO.
U-15 is not at all a weak age group in MN, problem is top players spread across multiple clubs. An established top coach needs to step into this age to pool the talent.
11:26 - might have to disagree. There appears to be two teams with mediocre results. At least at U14 & U17 where the talent is spread out there are multiple teams at those age groups with success.
Aren't a couple of the "best" U15's playing up at U16 (which isn't happening much in the other age groups)? If so, if they played their true age on one team at U15 then that would improve that age group.
I don't have DD playing soccer anymore and she was not an MTA/Bangu/Wings player anyway. For 15s-17s, I would say that MRL Premier would be the "C Pool" and MRL 1st Division would be the "D Pool". USYSA and MYSA pissed a way a good thing with MRL by letting everyone play, not just state cup champs from small states and state cup finalists from big states. The last 3 years have really showed a decline in MRL competitive level(girls and boys.)
11:33 The two you are probably speaking about, one is a true U15 and the other is a true U14 playing up on the U16 team.
9:40 hit it on the head when he/she said, "most of the good clubs have their 2nd/third teams playing in the MRL". Agreed, which is why I've always wondered why MTA calls their 2nd/3rd teams "elite", when in fact they are far from that. I call it $ extraction from ignorant parents with much overinflated and misdirected egos. "My kid plays for MTA Elite on their white or gray team." Wow!
MTA is no more expensive than any other club with the same training, travel and tournament schedule.
Well I guess it's only appropriate that we get a few new threads and go back to the beginning and dredge up some old topics. We're such a creative bunch.
Said this before and will say it again, according to some only the best teams in each age group should play because all other teams and tournaments are no good.
As far as ECNL if that is the only league to play in why is it that only one of the three teams in it managed to win state cup last year obviously they did not earn a spot in the ECNL rather the club they represent did.
Let each team club do what they think is best for them and what makes them happy no need to tell what you think is right or wrong.
Ask the kids that play MRL and or ECNL or just tournaments sure they all give you the same answer it is fun to play none MN teams in competetive games.
Bangu Tsunami/MTA have had many of their teams end up playing each other in State Cup semi finals or finals several times in the past 4-5 years.
If you don't want to believe this just go back and look at the State Cup results.
They certainly are the "elite" club in Minnesota.
People can cast stones at ECNL, but some facts are: If a CLUB wants to participate in ECNL, they must commit 3 teams (U15, U16, and U17). I would be interested in hearing what other club in MN could commit to that with competative teams at each age group. Also, ECNL is about exposure to college coaches. Girls on the MTA teams have been watched at each event, and several have received verbal offers from D1 schools. Many people on this blog do not know what they are talking about, and think this is simply MTA propaganda. Yes, obviously my daughter plays for MTA, so you can accuse me of drinking the kool aid. However, I have yet to hear of a better way to get that level of exposure if your daughter wants to play for a D1 school out of State. If that is not her goal, then I would agree that ECNL may not be the right fit due to the commitment level as well as the costs. I did find that ECNL is about the same travel costs as MRL, and it is a much more palatable schedule spread over the year compared to MRL.
8:30 - don't disagree with a lot of what you have to say except your last sentence as most of the higher level teams go to the same tournaments or secondary tournaments as the MTA ECNL teams. They also do MRL. The same MTA teams went to the same tournaments the previous year so not really that much has changed other than they passed on MRL, so comparing travel costs isn't a fair comparison.
8:30: are you telling me that U-15 and U-16 girls are already getting verbal offers from D1 schools?
I am not 8:30, but I can tell you that several U15 and U16 MTA girls have been given offers from multiple schools. The biggest reason, exposure from the two ECNL events they have attended so far.
9:53 you are telling me that coaches or colleges have given these girls scholorship offers? D1 scholorship offers ? or an interest in that player going to that particular school?
What schools?
9:53 - kids that age have been receiving verbals for years. Nothing new. Same events (Disney, Final Four/CASL, Las Vegas, etc...), just now they are under the ECNL umbrella. It has much less to do with ECNL but much more to with those are the traditional "college showcase" tournaments. Been that way for years.
Don't get me wrong, I believe ECNL is a good thing, helps with exposure, and will only get stronger in the future, but to claim it's the "biggest reason" for potential offers is a bit of a stretch.
Also (to everyone out there) don't get too carried away by all the "verbal offers" comments you read on this blog. They can range anywhere from 100% to 50% down to next to nothing. Do the math.....there are only 14 DI scholarships and most teams roster over 20 players - few if any are getting "full rides".
If your child wants to play soccer in college then that's great, but hopefully they will focus on the student part of "student-athlete" as the odds of them turning soccer into a professional career (playing, coaching, etc...) after college is probably less than 1%. For almost all the only time soccer will be associated with them is as a "soccer mom".
MRL u15 Premier Girls (where Burnsville is playing) has some decent teams (Ohio Premier is rated 10th on Nationalsoccerrankings.com) and Carmel is 15th. Burnsville lost 2-0 to Ohio Premier and has not played Carmel yet. Looks like they have only 5 goals in 6 games (bad) but have only given up 7 (ok). It is missing folks like Eclipse (IL), and Toro and other IL teams. Like the bloggers said, it is a 2 team race at u15 and both teams are decent but not regional contenders
10:25 - I think you are wrong about these girls becoming soccer moms.
Soccer moms (and dads) are those who feel the need to live out their own failed dreams through their children's achievements.
These girls, hopefully, will be satisfied with their own successes.
At U15 Ohio Premier has their 2nd team playing in MRL. Their 1st team plays in ECNL.
Wrong 11:52 (hate to burst your ECNL bubble). Just because MTA isn't playing MRL doesn't mean others club aren't.
Check the MRL website (here's a copy & paste):
OP Eagles U15 Green (OS) 4 0 1 13 9 2
That's wins/losses/ties/points/goals scored/goals against
Here's GotSocce rankings (another copy & paste):
OHIO PREMIER EAGLES GREEN OS:1 Reg 2:3
Same team (unless Ohip Premier has decided to name two teams both Eagles Green.....).
Ranked 3rd in RII, 10th in the nation
Ohio Premier ECNL and Ohio Elite ECNL playing in U17 Premier MRL.
D1 coaches have already talked to sophomores (U16's) and I am sure some U15's and U14's have already been shown interest by coaches, but the kids' sophomore year is important. Coaches (not just soccer, but most sports) look that far ahead these days. While few get full scholarships, many get partial. And for some, getting to play D1 soccer is important to them and they will play regardless of scholarship benefits. Looking at GPA stats of women student athletes - they do take the "student" part of student athlete seriously!
I am a 'soccer mom' (LOVE watching good soccer) and I resent bad mouthing the term. Never played it myself but have have learned a lot watching over the 10 or more years. Played my own sport - don't need to live through my kids but it has been fun watching them go from scrums to playing the beautiful game. Quit giving soccer moms a bad name. We pay for all those games and probably some your livelihoods!!
Sorry 12:09, hate to burst your bubble...this has nothing to do with MTA...get a life!
12:41 If your statement is accurate "D1 coaches have already talked to sophomores (U16's)" then those coaches are in Direct violation of NCAA recruiting rules. The earliest a coach can make contact with a player (parent,guardian etc,) is Sept 1 of their JUNIOR year of high school. Prior to the Sept 1 of Junior yr the most they can do is coach them at a camp and send the player the camp literature.
ALL D1,D2 coaches are well aware of this NCAA rule and would never put their program at risk by directly violating it. I do know several coaches will talk to a players club/high school coach and express that they may have interest in the player at a future date therefore request contact info for that player.
3:58 pm I believe that the the NCAA recruiting rules allow the players to call the coaches directly, as well as make unofficial visits (all at their own expense, of course).
1:20 - I believe 12:09's post had more to do with correcting the mis-information/inaccuracies of 11:52's post than with MTA.
4:29 is completely correct. The players can call the coaches all they want - the coaches just can't call them or return their calls. Also, if you are on an unofficial visit on their campus then they can talk to you all they want.
The way most players/families get around this is to use their coaches as the intermediaries to pass along interest, times to call, etc....
4:29 Unofficial visits are permitted and yes, I agree a player may contact a coach. BUT I want to call BS on the above posts regarding the players being verbally offered scholorships like 8:30 and some of the following posts indicate. I have no doubt the kids were watched by several coaches, but offering a u-15 or u-16 a scholorship? didn't happen. It might happen but not until they are past Sept of their Junior year in high school.
Soccer mom agrees with you 4:47
bfd. why sell your soul for little or no money to play D1 ball when your studies (and your future career options) suffer? My tip: Find a D1 school with a strong club team (club teams at D1 schools tend to be very good), and pursue your soccer passion there without the insanity of being owned by a school's athletic department.
Ben,
You should get counseling - really, it can help you deal with your disappointments in life. Sounds clear that you weren't able to live up to the school's athletic department.
Some girls actually selected (and got scholarships from) great academic schools! Perhaps the soccer was secondary to the school and they just love soccer!
3:58 is absolutely wrong. D1 coaches not only make verbal offers to sophomores, but some athletes make their verbal commitment during their sophomore year, and often both parties decide to make the commitment public by posting it on web-sites such as this one:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=te2GVkHQTlqYnSB2pMfsjsQ&output=html&gid=3
If you're a parent of a player who has the talent and desire to play D1, the sophomore year is critical. Your daughter needs to be aggressive in letting coaches know she is interested in their program and where/when she will be playing so they can scout her. Coaches only have a limited amount of time and budget for scouting, so they need to primarily focus on the kids who are interested in their schools. They will be especially interested in seeing your daughter play against top talent.
You and your daughter can e-mail and phone the coach whenever you want. If the coach is interested in your daughter and has seen her play, these conversations will lead to an invitation to make an unofficial visit to campus. The campus visit will allow your daughter to find out more about the academic and athletic programs, student housing, team chemistry, etc. This will help her determine if the school is truly a good fit. Some coaches will make a verbal offer at the end of the on-campus visit. Others will want to wait until you let them know that you have narrowed down your choices and they are one of your finalists.
Your daughter should also consider attending camps at schools of interest her freshman and sophomore years. This is a great way for her to learn more about the coaches, the school, and often the team chemistry as existing players will likely help run the camp.
10:25 - good advice - the big key is that the process is player (not parent or college coach) driven. One error.....both parties do not decide to make the commitment public by posting it on any website. That is completely player driven. College coaches cannot comment or acknowledge who is coming to play for them when it is in the VERBAL stage. Once a National Letter of Intent (NLI) is signed (earliest is 2/1 senior year for soccer) only then can a coach comment on any player.
IMO - camps are a waste of time and money. If there are schools of interest and you opt for an unofficial visit it needs to be over a weekend with the player staying with the team (sorry all of you helicopter parents). Great way to get to know the girls, team chemistry, school scene, etc.... This should be during their junior year.
You all forget one important thing if a player is good enough to be a impact player the schol will find him or her not the other way around, the rest is fighting for the left overs and 80& of them want even play four years in college
Here is the NCAA web site regarding recruitment: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/d1fe7f004e0b872488edf81ad6fc8b25/D+I+Other+Sports+Guide.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=d1fe7f004e0b872488edf81ad6fc8b25
I do agree also with the above posts (10:25) If your daughter has an interest in a school she should contact the college to at least "get on their radar" .
My experience has been, college coaches ask the club coach for information about a player at a tournament and let the club coach know that their school would be interested in that particular player. I have not seen a college coach approach any U-15/16 player at a tournament as some of the above posts seem to indicate. Reading the NCAA chart on recruiting that particular approach would appear to be in violation of NCAA rules.
5:46 is completely correct. Even after verbal commitments that are done at the appropriate times, coaches cannot talk to parents/players at these tournaments. Coaches definitely keep their distance because they know the rules. But they do let club coaches know which players they are interested in coming for a visit or to put a call in to the college coach. If you ever want to be nervous as a parent - try listening to a one-sided conversation of your 15-16 year old dd talking to a college coach!!!
I am more unsure about the camp's value as well. Sometimes girls can get on a coach's radar with a great camp but other times I think it can work against a girl. If her club team is elite and they are playing top notch teams then I think camps may be unnecessary but if the girl is on a lower team and they aren't traveling or getting into showcase level tournaments then they should go to the camps for exposure.
Hello?
Is this a state cup thread or what?
Enuf D1 uber player talk. Most of the kids playing over the next few weeks in State Cup will play club in college or perhaps D3.
Wasn't it taking youth soccer way too seriously that put a cloud over last year's event?
Go to it girls and have fun. Enjoy this game you have come to love.
Any thoughts on the play in games this weekend?
Half of the teams will come away with wins. Then about 2/3 of those teams with wins will lose at least 2 of 3 of the pool games. If you can't beat sisters-of-the-cousins-of-the-infirmed on a weekly basis- don't register for State Cup. MN State Cup is turning into a waayy larger tournament than it needs to be. What do these teams hope to accomplish?
There really should be some qualification criteria put in place to keep the tournament at a reasonable number of teams.
Mikki and the Gophers have already made an offer to a U15 player in MN. This is a fact and if you know of the player you would be offering her to. It is not a violation if the player is on campus on an unofficial visit. A lot of players who end up playing D1 get offered on unofficial visits.
what's your daughters name??
What U16 team has the true U15 and the true U14 player?
re who will win play in games, MTA will win everything, even games they're not playing.
MTA U16 Blue has the true U15 and U14 players. They both play on the national team. The U 15 player who was offered the scholarship is not on that team, but those girls have received multiple offers as well. I agree another thread for this topic may be appropriate, but there is a lot of inaccurate information out there about scholarships. It does happen, and if your daughter is graduating in 2012 and wants to play D1, you need to be sending emails to coaches, doing campus visits, etc. Many colleges are finalizing their rosters for that age group, and now looking at the 2013's. The days of waiting until your junior year to start looking are long gone.
more misinformation......most colleges are not "finalizing" their rosters for 2012. they just wrapped up 2011 and nothing really gets solidified until the fall. now there might be a player here and a player there that colleges have expressed interest in (along with 25 other kids - some cast a pretty wide net) but the real nitty-gritty doesn't happen until the fall. i do agree that the players need to be very proactive in contacting coaches and informing them of their interest in their programs, extending invitations to watch them play, and providing game information for their matches.
Regarding Spring MRL - if my information is accurate, the following states offer girls high school soccer in the spring: Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconisn, Missouri, Kansas. Fall HS Soccer: Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota. So, by the time girls hit 15/16, the best players will likely be on their HS team. Spring MRL does not get top level participation at U15 or above from most states in the midwest.
Sounds to me if you're a psycho parent, you need to start hounding the colleges when your DD is U12. I'm sure they'll love you for it.
616, Is nuts and the parent of the player she is talking about.
I thought this was about girls state cup.
my dd is the best and she will go on to play d1 soccer and then she will be done with soccer for good.
MN thunder lost both playins. 2 down, 14 to go.
REVdad
those Mn thunder teams are the West or former Wings teams, almost like Rev c2 or c1 teams.
heres to your rev 14s choking again like they did at 13 and 12
What teams do you see in the semi-finals and finals for the U16 age group?
REVdad,
Way to root against 13 - 17 year old girls. Classy.
And no, I'm not a MTA parent. I just think there's a difference between rooting for your DD and hoping a group of young girls fail.
unfortunately 12:19 you are wasting your time with folks who have that mentality.
My picks for U-16
Group A: MTA Blue
Group B: D Rev
Group C: SCV
Wildcard: MTA White
Final: MTA Blue VS. D Rev
Looks like Burnsville U15 will be relegated from MRL premier level based on their final points standing
Classy 12:01. Not a parent for either MTA or Rev. Shame on you for hoping 14 year old girls "choke".
people do you really think 10:40 is a revdad?
12:01 do you really think 14 yr olds choke? Its a game...the sooner you jackass's figure that out the sooner you'll figure out life...which some of you clearly don't have.
Best of luck to all the teams (and players)!
ok people...enough of that. Any scores or updtaes...just the facts, keep the opinions (unless constructive) to yourself.
they just updated the scores on MYSA
Hey REVdad, ha ha, ha ha ha...to bad, so sad, your premier team tied a C1 team! Looks like your a long shot to get out of your group!!!!!!!!
In U-16 I don't see REV getting out of pool play.
MTA White wins Group B, wildcard comes from Group C.
MTA Blue wins title in a cakewalk
Rev 14's blow it again. three years in a row. drink more of that rev kool-aid. bet the girls don't make it out of their group again. big game vs MTA whites will decide the group and your retention for next year. So what did all of that travel over the winter buy ya?
A beautiful game with ugly parents.
Can't make this stuff up.
It looks like the two self proclaimed "best" teams at U-14 struggled this weekend .
Blue wins 1-0 over an average C1 team and Rev ties (3-3) an average C1 team.
It just shows that all of these blog predictions are worthless.
I do understand both of these teams are really beaten up with injuries. I have no doubt both teams will welcome the two week break.
Agree with 2:38. Someone is trying to stir the pot, highly unlikely they are attached to either REV or MTA for that matter. Sad.
6:12 am - you hit it on the head.
I have a hard time understanding what kind of people come on here and write "hahahahaha" over a U14 girls team not winning a game. Seriously? DRev's team had 5 key players who are unable to play and 11 girls that played their hearts out with no subs to tie a game. I find it impressive and gutsy.
I applaud the MTA Blues as well. I know they too work hard all year long and have suffered untimely injuries on their team. Why is it funny that they won a game 1-0? Is there an expectation for a team to win by a large margin?
This is the challenges of sports that I hope my DD learns in life. Persevere, overcome and do your best every day. And in the meantime, ignore the ignorant idiots that sit on the sidelines and hope you fail. They're the real losers.
Misprint. MTA Blues won 7 or 8 to 0. If REVs girls managed to come back from a 3-0 deficit with only 11 players and missing 5 starters, that a feat unto itself. Congrats to that group, and hopefully they learned their lesson - MRL is not all it's cracked up to be. The crammed spring schedule leaves teams battered and bruised for MN state cup.
According to MYSA, Wayzata plays Woodbury this Thursday in U18. Isn't that sort of a rematch of the State HS championship game? Should be interesting.
not really 10:26. Maybe a bit more for Woodbury than for Wayzata. The Wayzata HS players are scattered out a bit with some of their better players being on other club teams like U16/MTA, U17/EP, and U17/Wayzata.
Being that WDB has won this age group every year I would be surprised if the score was close - but you never know and that's why they play the games!
Hi all.
As a very senior observer of the girl's game in Minnesota, here are a few thoughts:
-if your daughter is really an ambitious and high quality player at a young age, you want nothing more than other players being developed well so teams can consolidate at older ages. Cheer on your competitors and watch for their talented kids. They will all play together in club and ODP.
-There is simply no place in youth sports for adults being negative and competitive to the point of mocking or celebrating losses. That is like feeding your kids poison.
-Recruiting has become the tail that wags the dog, with, yes, at least two 15 year olds I know of being heavily recruited -- it's better than in basketball, where it starts at U10. We are best served by letting our kids know that if they are good and strong and desirable, they don't have to lose sleep in freshman year worrying about it, and it can wait until Junior year.
-This blog is most fun when knowledgable people share their expertise, people banter and predict based on observation, and people report what they've seen. Let's try not to load this up with club versus club (It used to be nearly impossible to find clubs to fit so many different philosophies) or calling people names. It could be a great place to be.
Peace Out,
Soccrgeek.
i don't understand the logic of 1. cheering against other kids to fail, and 2. not supporting MN teams to go out state to compete. the glee people show on hear at Drev's u14 tie, MTA and Bville u15 Premier results, etc. is really sad. i am sure these teenage girls maxed out their effort beyond their talent and should be congratulated. the likelihood of these girls developing the life skills, relationships and experiences to succeed in life far exceeds the 'everyday' teenage girl that is more interested in boyfriends, music and socializing than stretching themselves physically and mentally to compete.
In U14, I know that MTA Blue won and Rev Rampage tied - what about the other games in that age group?
now everyone can follow along with the scoring updates:
http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/events/statecup.cfm#sched
The bleeping scores from SUNDAY are still not posted. Come on, MYSA. Show us you're not TOTALLY incompetent.
9:23 - ????? The only age groups that played were U13 & U14 and those scores are all posted. You might want to hit your "refresh" button so you can show us all you shouldn't be included in your MYSA description.
MTA is 7-6-0 after playins and the first weekend. Two teams already eliminated through playins. Pretty lousy.
Actually, MTA is above average.
12:58...what are you looking at 2008 results? The only thing lousy is your navigating skills!
Who if any will challange Burnsville and MTA at U15?
Who will lose to Blue in the U16 final
How good is EP and MTA? Can St Croix, Wayzata, Shattuck or Woodbury challange at U17?
Looks like May 3rd there could be a preview of things to come? GU15 Bvl vs Mta in league play.
16 - Blue heavy favorite.
count the playins and first weekend games. yes, MTA is above average...barely. The decline steadily continues...
will SCV U16's be in the semi-finals?
Haters gripe about MTA having non-elite teams at the lower levels and then applaud and count those lower level teams when they provide stats attempting to bash MTA. Funny.
Post all the records you want. In the end it will be about who hoists the cup at each age group. There will likely only be one club name that dominates the results sheets at the end of May, let alone finishes the event with multiple titles in multiple age groups, and that's as it should be if we want our top players to have the chance to compete on the national state.
Many of the posters in this blog are in need of serious therapy. Like waterboarding.
MTA wins 5 Girls State Cup Champions and 6 Boys State Cup Champions.
The nice thing for the clubs that want to win more State Cup Championships is 15, 16, 17. 18 Girls will soon be just ECNL and no more MYSA State Cup or Leagues for their top teams. The White teams will play and some of them will win. The boys will be out at 16 and 18 in the USSF Developmental Academy.
4:36, I totally agree. 4:27 has to go.
A strange thing on the updated scores. Using Firefox, I only got U14 Boys. With IE8, I got all U13 and U14 scores.
SCV 16 needs to beat EP - depends a bit on which EP team shows, but SCVs play in MRL makes them the favorite.
REV 16 has never been able to beat MTA White, maybe this year, but sometimes teams don't match up well with another. B bracket is the most balanced - hard to get the wildcard.
Hey 4:27, were you the manager or waterboy of your high school's badminton team? Real men don't "project" like you just did unless they aren't real men.
Oh, and BTW 4:27, these aren't "our" top players, they are kids playing for their own enjoyment, not yours.
take a deep breathe and count to ten 5:47/9:24/9:27. it doesn't appear that it takes too much to get you all riled up.
2:09,
There is an asterisk next to the May 3 BVL MTA U15 game, meaning it's been rescheduled.
I should have been more clear so people could understand, albeit blinded by their own insecure hate. "Our" players means Minnesota's top talent, not one particular club's own players. People who think players are possessions have no business in youth sports, unless you're from Chan/Chaska.
Facts is facts, Jack. Deal with it.
chan/chaska? Whats the deal there?
you need to check out the NSC Stars thread (first one on this blog) to read some comments by that club's president.
St Croix and REV in MRL today is this a preview of a possible state cup semifinal?
10;17 thanks...didn't realize the issues cc has. To send out an email like that? wow. I can see idiots on this blog doing it anonymous, not club pres sending it out.
Never ceases to amaze...the girls parents have a lot to say...but don't ever seem to say anything of consequence.
I doubt boys parents are any different!
You doubt wrong!
you can't use this blog as your indicator!
u18 women - rain/lightning delays:
PSA beat St. Croix
Woodbury beat Wayzata
SSM beat Blackhawks
Edina beat MTA
Remember the guy last year who said Gareth Bale sucked? Look whos laughing now.
Who's Garth Bale?
plays for tottenham hotspur.
Looking forward to seeing him play in the World Cup for England.
8:23 - unless things change with the current England player pool, you'll have to be looking in the spectator stands to see him.
is that a typo, or did inferno give up their first ever state cup goal yesterday evening? quite a nice streak.
Bale is a Welshman as is Craig Bellamy ( no relation to Wayne) they would play for Wales rather than the losers of the 6/12 match ;-)
Please keep all real soccer discussions on the IMS site. This blog is reserved for the haters, kool-aid drinkers, over-involved parents, and ego-maniacal coaches and coaching directors... myself included. Thank you.
8:42 No...not their first goal. When they were 12 playing in u13 state cup was their first...but none since then.
KLear -- keep those meaningless posts coming.
MTA falls below average. 7-8-0 overall.
sssssssssssss is the sound of the tires deflating.
1:41,
How many of the MTA "blue" teams have lost?
How many State Cup championships do you think they'll win this year? 4? 5? 6?
He who laughs last laughs best.
All of you people taking shots at MTA crack me up.
1. MTA wins the most State Cup Championships. Even when it was a different name they won the most State Cup Champions by FAR!!!!
2. MTA 15, 16, 17 play in the ECNL. Next year it will be the 15, 16, 17, 18s. This is the best collection of clubs by FAR in one league. MTA is the only team invited from MN to play and will continue to be the only team to play in the ECNL.
3. MTA boys teams are not in the United States Soccer Federation Developmental Academy.
4. The club has the most A licensed coaches in the State by FAR. The club has the highest level of coaches with a C license or higher in the state by FAR.
No other club can claim the above FACTS!!!
This is only one way to measure the quality of a club.
Now lets look at the alumni of the group that has played for MTA, Bangu, Tsunami, Wings. This club has the most players who have gone on to play in college in the last five years. No other club is even close.
Must be doing something right. Those who want to complain are on the outside looking in.
Point #3 on the above post is now in the USDA.
why do you guys bite when 1:41 goes trolling?
Maybe I am a masochist, but the more ignorant people hate MTA the more successful it looks to me.
If any club begins to rival the success this club has, people start to complain and hate it-ask SCV, MU and others who recently have had some success.
People used to hate Blackhawks too.
2:11- While many of your facts are correct, they are a bit skewed to your point of view. Let's go through these:
1) Can't argue much with this one, you are right. But, let me ask you one question- how many kids/teams do they have? If you have the majority of the kids "BY FAR", then you SHOULD own this statistic.
2) The error in your facts are that MTA applied to the ECNL, the others you are trying to disparage did not. They were not turned down, and MTA was not "invited" by divine intervention. They were accepted. And what has their success level been since they have been in the league?
3) Yes. They are indeed in the DAP, but so is SSM. To be included IS a great accomplishment, but you could NOT have been accepted on your own. As in #2, talk trash after some results have come in.
4) I would only disagree with this fact (because I don't know the actual numbers) in that you are talking overall numbers. Again, what percentage of the total number of MTA coaches are A licensed? Take that percentage and then compare it with SSM. SSM has 100% of head coaches who hold A licenses.
As for your last statement, I would again argue that in sheer numbers you are correct. However, percentage wise I would guess that SSM has you beat over the last 4 years (that the program has been in existence).
I did not jump on here to talk trash, only to expose that you can skew the numbers to show anything you want.
Bottom line- find the program that fits YOUR kid and the needs of YOUR kid. Other than that, club spirit is fine- but you are well over the top.
SSM has what? 4 teams or 5 team? If all MTA was going to do was field 4-5 teams they too would have 100% of their coaches with "A" licenses.
You're comparing apples and oranges.
SSM wouldn't have been accepted into the USSF Academy if MTA wasn't.
It was obvious the league need 2 clubs to make it work.
In MRL action tonight in EP
MTA White 2
Eden Prairie 0
What's the hang up with all this club v. club bs?
Your DD plays for a team, not a club. If your daughter's team is good, whether ep, mta, ssm or woodbury, then congratulations - it doesn't matter (or shouldn't) how good other teams in your club are.
If your daughter's team is no good, then what good is it to proclaim how many titles the club has won? The team still stinks.
Sorry. It is bad enough that parents stroke their own egos due to their daughter's team success, but it is just obnoxious when it is due to another team in the same club as their daughter.
You do get that, right?
Any other scores? U15 girls - Wayzata tied MTA Blue.
Yep. Wayzata totally dominated the game. MTA was lucky to squeak out a tie. They got lucky on a corner.
634, I'm sure you are trolling but I'll bite. I watched the game and MTA was the better team and did not get dominated. A majority of the play was in Wayzata's end. Wayzata keep numbers back and only had a few forrays in MTA's end.
Could we please go back to talking about the Wales National Team.
Wayzata's goal was a beautiful shot that got carried by the wind. MTA was out coached by Wayzata - the coach knew what needed to be done to win (or tie, in this case). Congrats to them for a well played game, very strategic and aggressive.
A tie will not put them through since they want score more goals than MTA against the next two opponents, Wayzata would have needed a win.
Wayzata just packed it in ,90% of the game was played in the wayzata end.
hey who guys thinking will win world cup this year?? Not wales ( not even in it ) but the U.S. is looking pretty solid.
Oh yea, who do you guys think is the best player in the EPL? ( Not who scores the most goals) The most consistently solid player. In my opinion bullard.
I saw most of the second half of the MTA Wayzata game waiting to watch the Woodbury 18s play the blackhawks on the same field. Here's what I saw...
MTA had the better side and yes, 80% of the play was in Wayzata's end. Wayzata had a flurry of chances toward the end of the game as they earned several corners.
I did not see how MTA scored, but I did see Wayzata's goal. It was definitley wind - aided, but that's soccer. You cannot control the elements and both teams had to play in the same wind.
MTA is a talented group of girls. It seemed they built their attack well, but there are some girls that are a bit selfish in the attacking third. They forced a lot and would not give up the ball, even when the defense collapsed on them. I saw three or four girls that were playing as individuals. They possesed well as a team and seemed to play together well until they got to the attacking third, that is where they seemed a bit selfish.
They may be one of the most talented group of players at this age, but they (for the most part) seemed disconnected as a team. I think some of that selfishness affects the teams ability to finish. When they get close some players seem to want the glory rather than do what is best for the team.
This seemed to get more apparent as time started winding down and players started to try to do more.
That said, MTA did have a couple good chances on crosses during the second half.
Go ahead, start slamming me, but that is an unbiased opinion from someone without a horse in the race. I will also say this, it is the only time I've seen this MTA team play and some of the individual play may have been the result of the team finding itself tied late and playing a bit tighter as a result.
633, excellent observations.
Another windy day
U16 Predictions
Tonka
St Croix
Blue
Northern Lights Eagan tie
REV
White
Any thoughts on the U17 games yesterday? The MTA teams that played against each tied, with that help either of those teams? Any surprise wins yesterday for U17? Heard that SSM struggled against BlackHawks.
It's tough to read too much into any of yesterday's results due to the wind. Before the knee jerk reply of "both teams had to play in it", IMO, weather does and can level the playing field as it strips away much of the skill out of the game. The better teams still shouldn't lose, but scores are going to be all over the board. Agree, disagree, it's just one person's opinion.
What happened to PSA 18's vs. Edina?
U-16 Nssa 2 Dakota Rev 1
910 is obviously a MTA parent who feels bad because his daughter is not getting all the attention...why else would someone comment on the observations? Nobody else really cares. Mud slinging at team members? Keep it off the field and off this site.
A little sensitive 508? It sounds like you're the MTA parent.
Someone gave an objective review of a game and 910 appreciated the observations. I believe we need more of that on this site, someone who actually understands and appreciates the game, breaking down what they saw.
I don't think there was any mud slinging. I think it was just an objective review. I did not see the game and have not seen those team play, but no player was named or called out specifically, so you should just relax. That is unless it hit close to home for you.
910 here again, I am not an MTA parent or Wayzata parent, Just someone who agreed with 633. You seem very sensitive to the comments above, I'm guessing you feel like 633 might have been watching your kid.
U18 PSA vs Edina ,,,PSA didnt score first half with wind despite playing well and creating some chances. Edina scored on transition goal by special kick from midfielder. Second half Edina cushioned lead when PSA pressed and midfield caught openings in PSA defense. Solid goalkeeping and Edina team defense continues to improve with each game. Despite the score PSA pressed and played competive game.
sssssssssssssssssssssss. can you hear it deflating?
MTA is barely over .500 in State Cup. Not very impressive from a soccer "Academy". I think the "A" should stand for "Average", the "W" for "Weak", and the "N" for "Not so good". When they add a club south of the river, they'll name it MTS, as in "So so". Keep paying those coaching fees and supporting those who can't!
6:32,
Hey Bubba...Let us know how many Thunder Academy teams end up in semi-finals and finals...okay?
Oh yeah, Bubba...one more thing. Isn't it great MTA is now part of the USSF Academy for their boys and the ECNL for the girls?
sssssssssssss <--- thats the sound of your little pea brain boiling over with anger and jealousy.
Did EP 17s give up 2 goals to a team who is new to MN Premier this year? I know, I know...the wind.
Both 6:32 and 7:29 are perfect examples of why we should require licensure to become a parent.
I find it very hard to believe that either can be serious, and actually believe both posts to be from the same person-- and designed only to get people riled up.
Is it just me or is this year's State Cup a big snoozer? Maybe the action and conversation will pick up after pool play.
snoozer. MTA isn't what they used to be, so no one is going after them.
lol 3:21 - do love your persistence.
Great job U-16 TCF! against Mta in your 2-1 loss to the blue team.
U16 TCF vs MTA Blue must have been a great game - both teams are very skilled.
I wondered how long it was going to take for people to start praising TCF for their 2-1 loss.
TCF never once put three passes together, had 1 shot on goal that was a free kick just outside the box. To their credit it was a good strike. However, they were completely played off the park and only the score was close. Kudos to TCF for defending with 10 people behind the ball and only giving up two goals, but you cannot say they are a very skilled team that gave MTA a good game. It just wasn't the case.
Thanks for your insight into TCF-MTA game.
127 MTA had only a couple quality shots. TCF shut them down on most runs. 2nd goal was a garbage goal. TCF did string more than 3 passes (not many, but still did). TCF was not played off the park! MTA for sure was the better team, but TCF played exactly how they needed to against them. Not impressed by MTA that game as most shots went high or wide.
WOW! MTA gives up only ONE SHOT and IT STILL WENT IN!
That's a 0.00000000% SAVE PERCENTAGE! Has to be the WORST IN THE STATE!
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
6:38's head is still ready to blow due to jealousy and anger...poor little man.
702 why do you think everyone is jealous of MTA?
127 Funny how you have to rip on TCF for MTA's poor performance! Not a very impressive game. Goalie didn't have to make many saves. To think they are top in the country - huh!
This is why I hate State Cup. Teams play garbage soccer in hopes of getting a tie. It is frustrating for the girls who are on the field. Compare the out of state record for these two teams, the tournaments they have been in, and who they played. I would agree that the TCF coach and players may have done what they had to in order to keep the game close, but it is still ugly soccer.
729 Did you see the game? MTA did not have many quality shots. They hit high and wide. TCF goalie did not have to make many saves. Call it ugly all you want but include MTA in that as they had many opportunities to put the game away. Love how you guys come on here and blame the way the other team played for your poor game. I am pretty sure that the free kick was cause TCF was going in ON GOAL and MTA had to obstruct to keep her from shooting.
Keep it coming!
Now that the 15s have played two group games, here's how i think things will shake out...
Group A BVL
Group B MTE
Group C WDBY
Group D TCF
Woodbury will play the Fire in the finals and win it all.
That's my dark horse prediction.
I have no daughter, do not care which team played this way or that in the above discussion but did see the game.
A few observations. Both teams were a little ugly that day, partially because of wind, lumpy field and choices made by a coach to defend against a stronger offense. Even TCF has to agree on that point. I don't know many coaches that would have done differently.
MTA was also ugly, as mentioned above not many scoring opportunities and numerous misses wide or tall. Did have some good build ups, but fizzled out with some decent defending and poor choices near the 18.
Settle down folks, these are girls playing soccer. Mistakes are required to grow as a player, risks should be encouraged to see if they pan out. Both teams attempted to win. Both played hard. One team won the game. The girls went home and hopefully every one of them still loves the game, and will continue playing.
By the way obstructing is not a direct free kick, and the foul is called "impeding" now. The actual foul looked like a player ran into another. Anyway, the hit on that free kick was terrific. That girl could not have done better.
Thanks for the comments 820.
One thing that has not been discussed much at this point (and 820 alluded to) is the condition of the fields at LWB. I have been unimpressed with the fields. I believe they are not only too small, but in horrible condition. There is such a rut in front of the north goal on field 23, that you cannot see the keepers legs from about half-way to her knees.
Other fields slope on the corners and the goals are slanted every which way and there are several holes and bumps on the field.
Very dissapointing conditions for state cup.
8:31 - agreed, unfortunately, they are somewhat at the mercy of the locations that bid for the games. Coon Rapids might have been a bit better (big time crowns but they did have lights) but have backed away (I believe to preserve the fields for their own association and community play as they got destroyed every year during State Cup). NSC's fields aren't much better and except for a few, can also be on the small side (plus MYSA & NSC......right).
It wouldn't hurt to at least mow the fields out in Lakeland.
I'd love to hear some other options out there.
Why does everyone have to play at the same place? Why not have multiple sites, so more locations can "bid" for games, and MYSA can select the best fields. LWB has one great field (21, all by itself); why not play one or two age groups there and one or tww groups at NSC (if there is a regulation-size field up there), one or two age groups out west and one or two age groups down south.
Heck, you could probably get onto some of the nicer high school fields if you didn't overload them with games.
Good question. Last year there were two age groups up in Cambridge-Isanti. Might all come down to who wants to bid on the fields. Probably tough for some communities to give preferential prime weekend field times to MYSA over their community associations.
Not many high schools have soccer specific fields - usually footbal fields with multiple lines which I don't MYSA (and I would agree) wants.
MYSA & NSC - maybe if they could stop feuding?
Where are all these great fields you are proposing? You would need at least 3 at each site in order to play most of one age group at the same time.
I think the fields at LWB are quite nice. They are light years better than the NSC fields. Which ones do you think needed to be mowed? I thought the ball played well on all the fields (I didn't watch any games on #21 though).
The idea behind one location includes the ability to field better crews of referees, fairness to teams, ease of administration. Sending people all over the place doesn't work.
Field 21 is normally a great field but this year is brutal. Enormous ruts in the field, some appear to be 8 or more inches deep, long and wide too.
I agree LWB is still better than the tiny fields NSC and MYSA seemed to think were acceptable in years past. Also do not agree that NSC using green colored sand is a remedy for bad spots or ruts.
When was the last time State Cup was at NSC?
This will probably start some sarcastic string of comments, but Thank you MTA parent from a TCF parent. We know the coach had them boxed in the first half, but the team knows MTA talent and MTA had the wind. The players hoped to keep it close and maybe break it loose a couple times knowing that MTA had a couple injuries. And some the new Fire players really stepped up and played the best we have seen them play. The scouting report among all these girls who go to school together and Facebook with each other was excellent!
What about Bielenberg? I haven't been there this year, but If I remember correctly, the fields were in decent shape last year. Plus it's 10 minutes closer for most people.
Not a bad suggestion. I guess the part of the equation that we all seem to forget is that MYSA only gets to select from those facilities that have applied. For many associations it's a lot to ask in terms of giving up the fields on weekends plus all the wear and tear - does anyone recall the CR fields at the end of the tourney? Nothing but dirt, ruts, and trashed before the summer soccer season has even started. Plus the repair costs. Not sure the situation with WDB.
SSM-South Campus -- If you have nothing positive to say, SHUT UP!
205, lighten up!!! Freak!
I believe there will be close to 14 fields on the Bielenberg/East Ridge HS site in Woodbury. It is an ideal site for State Cup when it's completed, and will give MN a good chance to bid for hosting regionals. This is all assuming the powers that be designed for adequate enough field dimensions (unlike most of the fields at NSC).
This is also assuming they want to even do it. It would be an ideal location. All you really need are 6-8 of the fields to be truly full-size. Any lights out in WDB?
3:16 PM -- same to you!
Lights were added at the old (now Blue) fields. The new east (Green and Red) fields are showing good grass growth this spring. And there is a stadium, turf field at the adjacent East Ridge High School.
this weather sucks..............
Parents no need to get your undies in a bundle.
who is going to be in the final and win state cup for u18 boys?
who is going to be in the final and win state cup for u18 boys?
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