After the MN Thunder imploded over the winter, the National Sports Center put together a replacement team called the "NSC Stars." The NSC Stars (1-1-0) are off to a flying start, getting their first victory in a 1-0 match against the Carolina Railhawks. For those who have not followed the USL v TOA saga, USSF decided to run the 2nd division of professional soccer on their own for 2010. "USSF D-2 Pro League" is comprised of 2 conferences, each named with the battling parties "USL Division" and "NASL Division."
Brian Quarstad (BQ) has done a great job covering the story on Inside MN Soccer. Visit his blog for more details and to see some very good, in depth coverage of soccer around Minnesota and beyond.
Visit the NSC Stars team web site for schedule, tickets, etc.
Visit the USSF D-2 Pro League web site for more information on the league and teams.
123 comments:
I think these guys have their first home game this weekend. They should have played their games somewhere in the center of the metro like Edina HS or the new field near downtown Minneapolis. Blaine is too far away and after the initial buzz of a new team is gone, these guys will go out of business just like the Thunder.
Edina HS? There are league guidelines against playing on football fields.
This will always be a problem. Blaine might be inconvenient for some, but tell the folks in Woodbury, Blaine, White Bear Lake, Apple Valley to drive over to Edina HS.
Also, try telling the folks at NSC (who own the team) to not play their games at NSC.
What about the Minneapolis field. Centrally located, on a bus route. The tax payer funded NSC owns a for-profit team? How does that work?
3:30 - I would suggest you (and any other intested folks) go to the Inside MN Soccer site for answers to those as well as other questions regarding the field, NSC ownership structure, tax dollars, etc.... BQ has done an outstanding job of chronicling the demise of the old Thunder and the rise of the new NSC Minnesota Stars team.
Seems to be some differing opinions on Inside MN Soccer regarding the use of tax dollars. Also a link to a questionable expenditure to buy land with tax dollars for a golf course. Looks like the auditor concluded the expenditure was not "technically" illegal, but none the less, a questionable spend. So now they bought a soccer team? Or was it free?
4:31 - lol. no one bit on the other blog (or better put got shot down with responses regarding this topic) so now you have to drag it over here. get a life, man.
I agree with 3:35 that Parade Stadium would have been a much better place for a team. Not sure what point 4:45 is trying to make (how about a moniker buddy.) But I'm not sure I would call "the other blog" a blog. It seems to be more of an advertisement for the NSC Stars,...er, I guess the NSC does advertise there.
Hey! 5:26....I'm MIAC Fan...get your own moniker.
Nice try 5:38. I've been MIAC Fan on this blog for 3 years. It's ridiculous that you come on this blog and spray accusations. People like you are the ones who make this blog tough to read sometimes. Get a life. I read Inside MN Soccer and I think 4:31 has a valid point. Make your counter point or go away.
lol, i don't like what i'm being told over there so i'm going to take my rants over here. you can't make this stuff up.
The MIAC is a JOKE!, get over yourself, My son plays NAIA Division 1 and his GPAC conf would dominate against any MPLS team
6:55 received a solid edgacayshun. She must have gone to the same school as her son.
I agree. NSC is a terrible location. Always has been. Always will be. I won't go to games there unless there's a really good reason. But the revamped stadium is dramatically improved.
6:45, not sure what your point is, you seem to have a problem with people expressing their opinions...which I'm sure your all for, as long as the agree with you. Get a life!
6:55 There is only 1 MIAC team in Minneapolis. I'm sure your NAIA team could beat at least 1/2 the city conference high school teams though.
I have seen the MIAC teams play, its a slightly faster version of High school Soccer. NAIA teams in the GPAC play D2 teams out of conference and usually beat them. MIAC is all about boot ball, kick and chase. Its funny to watch them struggle with the basics. And mister soccer. I guarantee you i am not a female.
Concordia College Cobbers would have beaten Apple Valley Eagles 10-0 in Fall 2009.
There are plenty of players in the MLS that struggle with basics. It's all relative.
The 2009 high school Mr. Soccer winner is playing in the MIAC in 2010.
Mrs. 3:07,
Regardless of your desired gender, you're stoopid.
Mrs. 3:07 is dumm to.
Is this going to be the NAIA argument again? I played NAIA, it is comparable to D3. Sure top D3 teams can compete with some D2 teams and even some D1 teams. Sure NAIA teams can compete with some D2 teams and even some D1 schools. People who's kids for whatever reason don't get recruited to a NCAA school, and end up playing NAIA, love to talk crap.
Who wants to play D3 and get no money? Why not go NAIA and get a fat scholarship and get a good education for a good price, your right that is STOOPID, NCAA D3 is high school soccer times 2, not that big of a difference, slightly faster and bigger guys/girls. Its Funny to hear the coaches yell "BOOT IT" thats a smart game plan if you ask me, I remember when I played 4th grade soccer and had some ones dad as my Coach. Just Ridiculous to compare NAIA with D3, not even close. When NAIA plays some teams that have 0 americans on it and they make it to the national tourney for 5 consecutive years. NAIA is straight up better, no if ands or buts.
Stupid argument, from a stupid person. Most NAIA Div 1 teams do not fully fund their scholarships. And they are primarily schools with questionable academics, and for the most part, in rural areas. So getting some money to go to a crappy school, in a crappy town, to play against a few former professional players...how is that better?
Changing the subject -- Here is an email sent out yesterday by the Chan/Chaska club president campaigning against the new pro team and NSC:
Dear Fellow Soccer Fans, Youth Soccer Club Presidents,
I hope this message finds you all well and excited about the upcoming season.
Regarding the NSC Stars:
I would like to share with you a message I sent out to our membership on the topic of the NSC Stars and their camps. (See below)
I am deeply saddened by the NSC’s lack of response (Beyond intensified marketing efforts) to what I believe are straight forward common sense requests. I was hoping to be at the home-opener, season tickets in-hand to kick of another chapter in the history of Professional Soccer in our great state.
Regarding the USA Cup:
Taking nothing away from any of the many other wonderful tournaments offered in our great state, I do believe the “USA Cup” is a special event that I wish was accessible to our youth teams.
The NSC has been quiet on this subject and the only response I have heard was what is quoted in the message below. I am not sure whether this merely was a well-meaning individual’s speculating on the curious behavior of their own leadership or someone relaying information from within their organization. I am inclined to think the first.
Regarding the “NSC Camps through Coerver”
We at CC United have wonderful coaches with strong ties to the Coerver Camps and it pains me to have to discourage our membership from signing up for these camps. Based on my experience with the Minnesota Thunder I have however taken the position that the written guarantee requested must be provided prior to any further conversation with the Coerver team. The Coerver team has so far been unwilling to do so.
I encourage you as leaders in your Clubs/Associations to consider communicating with your membership on this important issue.
Based on the total lack of response from the NSC I have no choice but to believe that their allegiance is, definitely not to Youth Soccer, perhaps not even to Golf, but rather to revenue!
Our only means of getting these sticky issues out of the way is to align our needs as Youth Soccer organizations with their need for revenue.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a professional soccer experience we all could promote to our memberships without worrying about all the politics!
All we need is the NSC and Coerver leadership teams to step up and do the right thing. Not only for our youth athletes, but for soccer in Minnesota!
Thank you for your time and attention!
Yours in Soccer
Niels Wartenberg
Life Long Soccer Fan
President, CC United Soccer Club
[Message sent to the CC United membership to follow in next post]
Dear Fellow Soccer Fans, CC United Members,
Thank you for all the support you continue to show our Kids’ Club. I hope this message finds you all well and enjoying our soccer friendly weather.
Update Regarding CC United’s relationship with the NSC Stars and their camps through Coerver:
As you may be aware the National Sports Center (NSC) in Blaine is once again attempting to launch a professional soccer team.
(The first time was a few years ago when the now defunct Minnesota Thunder moved from the NSC to St. Paul)
I would be the first to recognize the benefits of ties between youth soccer and professional soccer. Providing youth players the opportunity to experience Professional Soccer first hand can be a great source of enthusiasm and motivation. I grew up in Europe and since my move to Minnesota I was a long-time season ticket holder with the Minnesota Thunder prior to the creation of the MTA with its history of gauging of players and their families and the shameful match-fixing incident where the guilty party was one of the leaders of MTA and the Technical Camp Director/Assistant Coach for the Minnesota Thunder.
As I pointed out in my previous communication on this subject matter, the NSC has for several years now stubbornly refused to offer the same consideration to the Minnesota youth soccer players that they so willingly offered to…….a golf tournament?
I am of course speaking of moving the wonderful "USA Cup" tournament to make sure it does not interfere with post season play-offs.
In order for me to recommend/encourage our membership to buy tickets to the NSC Stars games and/or sign up for their camps through Coerver, the NSC would have to show that they actually see youth soccer as an important partner…….not just a source of revenue.
As you may remember the specific actions the NSC should take to show this commitment are:
Two things would need to be guarantied in writing by the NSC Stars:
1. Starting in 2011 and going forward the NSC will make sure that they do not facilitate, conduct, and/or host any tournaments that in any way conflicts with Minnesota Soccer’s post season play-off dates.
2. Absolutely no camp staff at any level with any association with the MTA, Wings, Bangu or any other non- development Clubs. Individuals with match-fixing offenses in their past would never be acceptable regardless of affiliation.
My initial request for these basic common sense actions were sent to the NSC’s representatives as well as a number of Youth Soccer Club/Association Presidents almost a month ago.
As far as responses from NSC and their associates:
USA Cup:
No official response from the NSC.
(One of their staffers met with our Director of Coaching and explained that the reason USA Cup could be moved for Golf but not for Soccer was that “the individuals behind the NSC are more closely tied to Golf than Soccer”)
NSC Camps through Coerver:
The communications with the Coerver team have been very pleasant but with no commitment to run their operations without the MTA coaches.
That Coerver is unwilling to “clean up their act” is particularly difficult and painful as some of our own fantastic coaches have long time work relationships with this entity. I had hoped that they would have put this behind them swiftly so we could have looked further into recommending their camps.
Given the NSC’s unwillingness to show consideration for our Youth Athletes, I have no other choice than to strongly discourage all CC United members from buying NSC Stars tickets or signing up for their camps until our concerns are addressed.
I hope we all can stand together so we can create a situation where the needs of our Youth Athletes are considered.
(I had hoped this could have been resolved sooner to assure the NSC Stars a sell-out crowd for their home opener, but based on the non-responsiveness of the NSC this appears to not be a priority for their leadership team.)
Yours in Soccer
Niels Wartenberg
President, CC United Soccer Club
Whew!! Questions -- isn't MTA's success in getting accepted to DA good for development of MN soccer (so why continue to demonize them) (is CC United going to apply for DA?)? Is NSC to be held responsible for the MA shenanigans at 2009 State Cup? When were MTA and NSC ever two sides of same coin? Isn't this the attitude that will retard MN soccer development to the level of the Dakotas?
Shoot, I didn't even know there was a youth soccer club in Chan-Chaska (let alone that it was "United").
Reminds me of a Brady Bunch episode:
Jan: "Marsha Marsha Marsha. It's always all about Marsha.
Jan= CC
Marsha=NSC/MTA
Mr. Wartenberg is one of those guys who yells "charge!" but forgets to look behind him. Reality is that many club presidents value NSC's contribution to soccer, understands they need to pay their staff, realizes they need to set schedules for big events 2 years ahead of time, and is hoping that MYSA can swallow some pride and negotiate with them. MYSA's decision not to sanction Schwan's last year (because they determined the application was too late in the end) was petty. You get the impression that MYSA would be happy to drive Schwan's out of business -- a true victory that would be for MN youth soccer and validation of the iron fist authority of MYSA!! ;-p
Yep, good one. The cc united guy MIGHT be holding back maybe 4 fans (including him, apparently) from attending NSC games. Probably resents the 45 minute drive to get to Blaine. Where's the results of YOUR sparkling player development plan Niels? Not a lot of soccer noise from the Chan Chaska part of the world.
Niels sure has an axe to grind, doesn't he?
Lumping all the MTA/Bangu coaches together with one broad brush stroke is juvenile at best and to attack the new NSC pro club is ridiculous.
It seems USSF Development Academy thinks MTA is doing a good job of developing players.
Wonder what's really behind his whining?
JOHNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!
I"LL BE THERE SO JUST WATCH HIM TEAR IT UP AGAIN!
Neils - who are you again?
Unfortunately, this clown probably represents the standard thinking in most CC boards and management. They can't stand that something better might be offered outside their community.
Unfortunately only 2300 people showed up last night for the Stars home opener.
Do you think most people still think they're affiliated with the MTA youth program?
Or is it just that there aren't all that many people interested in spending their money on soccer in this economy? Let's hope the weather kept many away.
They need a lot more than 2300 to turn out to survive. C'mon folks lets support this team?
imo, the weather was a factor and lack of a real build up (the team only came alive 2-3 months ago) also didn't help. If they win, folks will come out. Their biggest crowds have always been during the summer months when the weather is nicer and it seems to be more like "soccer season".
At least Neils is a happy man today. Crowd might have been 2306 without his campaign!
2300? Where did that attendance number come from? They were nowhere near that many at the game.
The Strib article said 2310 attendance.
The Strib article said attendance was 2310.
I'm sure some of the count was season ticket sales from folks that did not show up.
We need to give credit where credit is due. NSC has done a great job in assembling and fielding what appears so far to be a competitive team (better than last year), the field looks great, awesome new scoreboard (old school charm), public BBQ for pre-game tailgating, and they've spruced things up as well in a very short amount of time. You have to give them an A for effort.
They have also done a good job at communicating everything on their website - you can watch every game on their webcast (so you can even see their home games if you can't make it up to Blaine).
I would estimate the crowd at 400 - 500...and that is being generous. How many season tickets were sold? Compared to last year?
This is incredible. I'm embarrassed for ChanChaska. This certainly does seem to represent everything that is wrong with youth soccer in MN.
Do the Vikings, Twins or Wild have strong relationships with developing youth in their sports? Why should the NSC Stars have that obligation?
Soccer in MN isn't big enough to boycott all coaches with MTA, Bangu, Wings, etc affiliation. That's ridiculous. If you took all those coaches away, you're taking away a lot of dedicated soccer people. That's contradictory to any developmental goals.
For Niels, as president of anything writing to administrators of anything, it might help his argument if he used flawless grammar and spelling. It's hard to take him seriously with some of those errors. Perhaps that's why he didn't get a response.
A longtime soccer fan who doesn't go to games because it's cold, NSC is in a crappy location and tickets are overpriced,
Mister Soccer
Neils
I would be careful what I put my name on. I think you are making a big mistake. Just my two cents.
I can't believe Tudor Jr let this fly. Unbelievable. Didn't his dad have a storied professional career?
Niels, I agree with 9:47. You are in a minority.
Regarding the D1 v NAIA v D3 discussion above:
It's interesting to note that the minutes played leader on the NSC Stars is a D3 graduate while most of the players on that team have playing backgrounds well above D3. Further, it's also interesting to note that one of the Thunders better players in the last 5 years was a D3 MIAC graduate.
Mister Soccer
7:31 calls Niels a minority.
7:31 = Shekki!
I hope Niels is in the minority.
Don't soccer coaches teach things like:
- retaliation is bad
- the 2nd guy always gets caught
- negative energy only makes things worse
- two wrongs don't make a right
- lead by example
ChanChaska is really living up to those principles. Neils probably never played so he never learned those lessons.
DM
The Chan/Chaska is an idiot. You are what is wrong with youth soccer in MN. You hatred for MTA/Bangu/MA is laughable.
What was the true reason for the emails?? To keep you CC United kids from jumping ship by attacking MTA and using NSC Stars as your scapegoat. Your a complete idiot, it is a shame you run a soccer club in MN. JT jr, get rid of this guy, he is an embarressment to you.
Jonathan has no authority or responsibility regarding the club president or anyone on the board. His paycheck is signed by them. Besides, Jonathan is more interested in the actual soccer aspect of the club and is too smart to get involved with the politics of others
Niels - did play youth soccer in Denmark. He is a very likable, intelligent guy that most of you would enjoy if you spoke with him. He is a gentle giant and has done a lot of good for the CC United club.
That being said- I don't understand his intent or method here and what he actually hopes to accomplish.
If he supports MYSA and what they try to do, then I know we disagree.
Disagree with him all you want but he is entitled to his opinions as each of you are. The name calling doesn't make your argument stronger or more valid.
I agree with Niels. Sooner or later NSC has to decide if they value soccer more than golf.
The last time I checked, NSC stood for National Sports Center. Not National Soccer Center, not National Golf Center, not National Hockey Center, not National Velodrome Center.
Few if any large cities in the country are fortunate to have a complex of this magnitude within their metro area that is devoted to overall sports - especially youth sports. Hockey tournaments, ice time, soccer fields, soccer tournaments, saving professional soccer with the Stars, etc....
Is it perfect for everyone - no, never will be.
Is it geographically convenient for everyone - no, never could be.
What's the old expression about looking a gift horse in the mouth?
Complain all you want (some people), but until you can come up with solutions that are better for everyone involved in the big overall picture (not just a MYSA playoff), I'll just sit back and say thanks.
TomASS, DM, others -- I'm confused about the basis for Neils' anger. I have a son playing for MTA and last year to my knowledge NSC’s relationship with MTA was not significant and was confined entirely to being a vendor of the NSC indoor/outdoor fields. I know that MTA took NSC’s side in the Schwan’s dispute with MYSA, but so did lots of others who watch the soccer soap opera in this state. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the paid MTA coaches worked at Thunder camps, but I don't know that they did. And most importantly -- NSC has always been a separate organization from the MN Thunder professional club -- in fact it looks like NSC was the creditor that took the biggest bath when Johnson bolted town. What am I missing?
Assuming for sake of argument that all of the MTA board, coaches, parents and, especially, those talented kids are all complete scoundrels (and I’ll happily take the other side of that argument) – isn’t Neils barking up the wrong tree? What facts support his rant? Looking for an some objectivity here – a description of facts I apparently don’t know. Otherwise, I just don’t get his point.
2:13 - I'm with you. As I said, I don't understand his intent or method.
So we can chalk this up as a "mistake" made by an "intelligent, likable and gentle" person? A "mistake" that was likely made based on an emotional response in the heat of the moment?
This sounds like the kind of mistake that a U12 girls coach made in last year's State Cup.
Or are these people actually idiots who don't think before they act and don't live by the same principles they should be teaching?
Hmmm 4:07, it seems like Mr. W's campaign is not analogous to the MA moment at State Cup, although they are both similar in one respect -- they were not at all emotinoal responses made in the heat of the moment.
MA's decision, which of course was a terrible mistake, was one that (per his blog) he had carefully considered ahead of time.
Also, NW has been on this rant for some months. On 3/10/2010 he had copied club presidents on an email to NSC in which he set forth his "requests" which he demanded be "guarantied in writing."
While obviously infused with emotion, this is not a spur of the moment threat sent to NSC. He's been working this for a while.
Sounds like my soccer associate has become a puppet for the MYSA.
Another soul lost to soccer hell
The similarities between NW and MA's actions are...
1. Most of their respective haters will use those actions to fuel their hate
2. Most of their respective supporters will see reason in their actions and look past mistakes
3. Many people without a clue will chime in and spout sanctimonious drivel to feel important
And the greatest majority... won't give a crap.
NW and MA should get married.
I think all 17 of the fans at the NSC Stars game tonight can agree that outside of the first 7 minutes of the 2nd half, it was a disappointing game. They would also agree that the 4th referee "the A" is one of the worst refs in the state..what floats to the top?
8:44 there were at least 41 fans at the game, don't minimize the NSC success.
man, you read the threads on this blog and you ask yourself are there that many people out there who actually hope (and I sense even pray) for kids and teams to fail? Kinda sad IMO (and I'm sure someone will probably rip this.....).
10:38, when one lives vicariously through their kid's sports, it is easy to end up with that kind of attitude. The attitude you describe was easy to see last night at State Cup.
NSC Stars lose last night 3-0.
Announced attendance was 627 but there wasn't anywhere near that in the stands.
Come on folks...let's get out and support this team. We don't want NSC to make a tough financial decision after this year because of poor attendance resulting in lack of revenue.
I would go to NSC Stars games and drink beer (I would probably hold season tickets) if I didn't have to drive to Blaine and if tickets weren't priced the same as Target Field.
Especially when Bara-Inter is on my TV.
KLear -- your comment squarly falls into your item 3. Z
Mister Soccer, who gives a crap what you would do??!!
Lame excuse. The CL game was over by 4:00pm (unless you were watching a replay which you could do at any time).
a great seat for the Stars is $11.00.
outfield seat for the Twins is $18.00
parking is simple and cheap for Stars (I bet from the time you left your house to sitting in your seat would be quicker at a Stars game vs. a Twins game when you factor in parking, walking distance, etc...)
parking is ?$?$?$ for Twins
Much cheaper beer at Stars
In all honesty, Mister Soccer, on behalf of this blog we might have to request that you give up your moniker.
10:03 AM I agree
10:03 - I respectfully disagree, bad soccer is still bad soccer.
Put a winning, exciting team on the field and you will get the crowd.
I use to drive from Cambridge to Bloomington to watch the Kicks play. I had season tickets throughout their tenure here
Don't get into the professional soccer business unless you have sufficient cash flow for 5 years of substantial investment and expectations of losses.
When you have low level amateurish "pro" soccer, location is extremely important. I understand NSC has their hands tied with location.
give me a reason to come watch besides the fact if we don't support the team it will fold. The beer in my fridge is cheaper than at NSC, parking in my driveway is a no brainer, and the price to watch replay of quality matches a couple dollars a month
I'm confused on your first two comments.
Bad soccer is still bad soccer, but put a winning, exciting team on the field and you will get the crowd.
So they can win and be exciting, but still play bad soccer (not mutually exclusive in my book) and they will get a crowd?
BTW, I also used to watch the Kicks play and a lot of that was bad soccer. Help me understand why they aren't around any more?
I am also making the assumption that you have seen them play to base your bad soccer opionion on. If so, did you go to one of their games or watch a webcast? If not, then your comment is based on what...assumption, speculation, stereotype, opinion. Statements have some form of basis.
1120 & 1128 - good questions
your right winning and exciting soccer can still be bad soccer. Better defined, at least make it the best soccer at the highest level it can be in the state. You forget there were some very fine professional players on the Kicks. This new team would not stand a chance against the likes of Ace Ron F. Alan W. etc
I did go watch the opener - I think there are some college teams in this state that could beat them
The atmosphere was not what one would expect from a so called professional team.
They will not get my consumer dollar again
Z, I for sure have a clue and that in and of itself precludes me from falling into my category #3. I also am posting fact, not hypocritical pious speak, again precluding me from my category #3. I am happy to say that I fall in both 1 and 2.
12:31 PM whatever, just another worthless post. Z
TOMass -- For once i agree with you. Bring back the Kicks!
Haha! My fault Z, I should have used smaller, one-syllable words for you so you could understand. Sorry you're so worked up. I suggest you don't visit this blog and chill out a bit. However, I know you'll have to respond to this post as well so please enlighten all of us readers with more of your wisdom.
Anyone who says that there are college teams in Minnesota that could beat the Stars has lost all credibility.
The team is made up of almost exclusively Division 1 and Professional talent. Additionally, if the D2/D3 players in the state could make the Stars (or other professional teams) many of them would continue their careers.
Let me ask you Tomass..Do you also think that a collection of football players that did not go in the draft could beat an NFL team? Or maybe a group of D2 and D3 basketball players could beat an NBA team?
1. The NSC Stars are far better than any MN college team.
2. At least I have a moniker.
3. I've been to 2 Twins games with $11 seats and never sat in "my" seat. Target Field is slightly nicer than NSC. I took the lightrail which my employer reimburses.
4. If the stands weren't empty, the weather was perfect, the admission wasn't the same as a Twins game and I wasn't watching the 7 pm CL replay...I might drive to Blaine for a game. It's a desperate product.
5. I almost always agree with Tomass. The rest of you are clowns.
tomASS, do you (or anyone else reading) know where someone can find any old Kicks souveniers or videos of games?
My picture of Ace would look much better next to a orange 11 jersey.
Man, it makes me sad when people talk about soccer and did not get to experience the brilliance some of the Kicks could produce.
How about Ade Coker? Geoff Barnett?
How about seeing the Cosmos at the MET? Free parking, and total party atmosphere (even though I was way too young to partake). How about the old NASL shootout-priceless.
Dang Mister Soccer is good. How did he know I was wearing a flower on my lapel that shoots water!
old Ref -
you can get a replica Kicks jersey from Toffs
Here is their website:http://www.toffs.com/
Sorry The Stars failed to impress me with their ability and play
Soccer? We talkin soccer???
Ouch...only 753 in attendance at NSC Stars game last night.
I thought all this was going to change because they weren't affiliated with a youth club anymore?
yeah, now all the youth and their families that came out aren't.....
A lot of u12 - u14 boys were down at ODP tryouts in Shakopee until 7:30
yep. and every one of them wanted to be at the NSC game. yep.
Are the NSC attendance numbers this year lower than the 1st few Thunder games last year?
Way lower, I was told by someone at the game on Saturday that total attendance was closer to 150 people. The lightning used to get that many to games.
7:20 not every one wanted to be at the game, but some did. Some is better than none.
I hear that the CSC (Centennial Soccer Club) is starting to fail and go down? Is this true? anyone else heard of this??
did not know they had a club
The 738 number is accurate for last Saturday night. Definitely disappointing, but the Thunder would have probably announced 2,000.
All in all, the three games and the counts given are accurate in my opinion.
Now, if the team could find a way to finish and close out a game with 11players they might have a winning product.
The 738 number is accurate for last Saturday night. Definitely disappointing, but the Thunder would have probably announced 2,000.
All in all, the three games and the counts given are accurate in my opinion.
Now, if the team could find a way to finish and close out a game with 11players they might have a winning product.
NSC seeks host families for Star players. Wow.
Will they do yard and house work?
Hahahaha!!!! tomASS, you crack me up sometimes. I might just home-stay one myself and get free semi-private lessons daily for my kids.
KLear - mine are gone or that is an outstanding option!
tomASS: the oficiating this year has been superb!
I think Tina and co should be given credit for doing a job job with ref placements.
Maybe this year, we can go thru' a whole state cup and not complain about refs so let it be know that the crews did a good job this year Kudos all! Any comments!
Keep the Brit Twit away from state cup for starters.
who are the NSC Stars? are they affiliated with MTA?
I can comment on the refs without seeing any games. MN has quite a few refs who are just poor. The can't keep up with the play and are inconsistent. Then there are a handful, mostly the refs with advances grades, who always make the game about them. So the ref'ing was probably sub par. Poor leadership and training produces poor refs.
Come on out 10:53, get your certification, get good, and we can get rid of the lower level referees.
I am not defending anyone, nor am I joking. Please, anyone if you think you are in shape, understand the game, the laws of the game, and the way FIFA and USSF ask they be interpreted, WE NEED YOU!
Only one defense for the referees, there are too many games. The good referees can't be everywhere, nor are any of us perfect. Honestly, most average referees turn down multiple games per day.
The best referees like to work the best games, that usually means older, higher level. Even State Cup games are not competitive enough for many average refs, plus they are the worst paying games around-to drive to LWB and be abused by parents who do not understand the interpretations of the laws- all for less than $30, most decline, or do a few to pay back the assignor for other more difficult games.
By the way, if you want to move up in the ranks of refereeing, you have to limit yourself to u17 or older, to have any chance to move up a grade. That means skipping most youth games and taking adult games.
Another way to help the refereeing is to read up on what we are asked to ignore, and asked to enforce more strictly. This can be done at USSoccer website, look for referee. Lots of interesting video on the week in review and more.
I'd do it but the costume is just too butt-ugly.
The games I saw at State Cup ( 6 ) were extremely well officiated. All the officiating crews worked very well together as teams.
Oh, you could make it look good!
2:26 - it would match your face and attitude then, Might as well complete the ensemble.
;-)
LOL That was too easy of a setup.
are you calling me black? Yellow? Green? Red? What are you calling me?
One fuchsia-up person
;-)
I am a grade 5 referee from WI. MN refs, for the most part, are poor. Here is an example. A certain "better" MN referee, decided that during a mens league game last summer he would call no fouls. He told the players many times throughout the game, joked with his ARs at half time and after the game. Both teams had injuries during the game from bad tackles. This story was confirmed by players from both teams. And it isn't the first time he has pulled this stunt. I have also heard from about 1/2 the teams in MASL that this guy will not give yellow cards because he doesn't like to do the paperwork. He will even tell angry player that he doesn't want to do the paperwork. I have personally watched this referee walk off the field during mens league at Augsburg to talk to someone he knew or answer his phone.
10:53 If you are a Grade 5, what have you done about this referee? If you have not informed everyone including MN SRC, SRA, SDI, SDA and MSA rep and all assignors-YOU are not fulfilling your responsibility to the game and YOUR peers.
One example, does not mean all MN referees are bad. There are many that need to be mentored, corrected, even disciplined but wholesale everyone in MN is poor? Stop adding to the misperception. It is not professional nor is it worthy of a Grade 5.
old ref
I think that was a properly served verbal warning to WI Grade 5 Anon.
Next time show him the yellow.
I have informed MN SRA. They don't care...he is their frankenstien! I have also talked to this ref after 2 or 3 games...he is arrogant and thinks that he can not be faulted. My attempts have been genuine and sincere. The problem exists with those running MN SRA. They can not grasp anything but the obscure, remotely possible events that may occur during games.
Might the ref in question have a British accent?
I think the Stars need to threaten to move if they (1) don't start averaging 12,000 fans a game, or (2) don't get a new portable stadium with a retractable roof.
When is the
Where is the
cmon you stars!
who are the stars?
Can't sleep tonight so I thought I'd check out what going on the blog. I've been out of town for quite a while, imagine my surprise.
However, be advised, I did not post Anon 21/4/10 6:55 PM, 22/4/10 3:07 PM nor 22/4/10 11:37 PM.
Personally, I think someone was bored and wanting to stir the pot. Kind of makes me wonder if CC United President really posted that junk or if it just the same yahoo wanting to stir things up.
"be humble and gentle" (Eph 4:2). Don't think too highly of yourself, but consider others better than yourself (Phil 2:3). If you have a complaint or criticism, communicate it with humility, realizing that you could be wrong. And in all interactions, treat people with gentleness, remembering that they are precious to God.
Came across this today and thought of this blog. Something all here should think about before they post.
Guess you kind of made that point, huh.
4/8/10 9:21 AM and 5/8/10 12:14 AM have assembled probably the funniest combo I've ever read on a blog. Abbott and Costello-ish, or maybe more Penn and Teller-ish.
Well done.
I haven't seen or heard anything about the NSC Stars attendance figures this year.
Better or worse than last year?
5:18
There's an article in today's Strib discussing the poor attenadance at the NSC Stars soccer games this year.
Evidently all the ranting about not going the past few years to Thunder games due to their affiliation with MTA was just so much BS.
The attendance this year is lower than last and isn't close to breaking even financially.
We need to get out and support the Statrs or we'll lose them.
Lets start a MIAC blog
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