MN State Cup update. The semi-finals are set. Clubs with semi finalists (not including 19s):
16 for MTA
4 each for EDP, SCV and WDB
3 each for BHK, EDI, PSA and SSM
2 for TCF
1 each for BVL, DKT, LKV, NSS, PRL and TRV
This may the the first semi finalists for Three Rivers at girls U17s. Congratulations to all players, coaches, clubs and parents.
1,918 comments:
1 – 200 of 1918 Newer› Newest»Are the Valley 18 boys who won their MRL group eligible for regionals as a wild card?
According to MRL rules, no. The rules were cut and pasted in previous threads, I am lazy to go look them up again and paste them here. I heard a kid who knows some Valley players say that the head guy (probably means the commissioner) might let them play in regionals. Why have the rule if it is so blatantly and openly disregarded? I wonder if the other teams in their division know this? In their shoes, I would be upset that they could lose their chance at the wild card.
I think if you win MRL premiere you are eligible
It should be an interesting weekend. I'm looking forward to the games this weekend. Good luck to all the teams!
Valley will be ineligible to compete in regionals because they have not followed MRL rules to be in the league and as wild card winners: MRL rule 2.02 states:
"Any team making application to the MRL must have competed in the State Cup competition
during the past seasonal year and must participate in its respective State Cup competition
during the current seasonal year."
Furthermore in regards to REgion II wild card slots, rule 5.01 says,"in each age group, two Wild Card slots to the US Youth Soccer Region II Championships may be awarded to MRL Premier Division teams. In order to be eligible for a Wild Card slot, the following conditions must be met:
(a) The team must participate in their State Association State Cup competition for the US
Youth Soccer National Championship Series during the current seasonal year.
(b) The team must meet all current eligibility requirements for the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.
(c) A team’s roster is frozen for MRL play when it is frozen for the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series at the state level.
(d) The team may not have forfeited a game in the MRL or in their State Association State Cup
competition."
So, subpoint A is the main issue for VU.
They could have changed their MRL schedule to work aroung the schedule conflict with our State Cup. The other MRL teams have to accommodate this because MRL rules say that state cup games take precedence .
So, if the MRL follows its own rules, VU would not be able to be the wild card even though they won the division.
why does everyone care so much whether valley will be allowed to participate? I know people from that team and they knew full well when they desided not to do state cup that they forfited that right. They are OK with it how about everyone else joins them. It is MN state cup fault anyway that it could jot be worked out the weekends that MN schedules state cup games are MRL must play weekends and MN is the only state in the entire region to schedule state cup games on MUST PLAY weekends. Maybe MN needs to figure it out. And one last congratulations to them for winning an MRL premier league outright, something that I don't believe has ever been accomplished by an MN boys team.
Three Rivers had a U14 boys team in the finals 3 years ago that lost 1-0 to Bangu. These boys are currently U17.
5:40pm - what is your point?
ALL MTA 15, 16, and 17 boys are playing on Sunday. How about that, Mr. sssssssssssssssssssssssssssss big shot? How's your loser club doing?
The following is also a rule in MRL thus VLY could of rescheduled games if they wished to play in state cup. Now they need to stop compliaing that they did not sign up for state cup.
1.12 Precedence of Games
US Youth Soccer National Championship Series competition will have priority over MRL matches.
Oh yeah what do u no?
As an old Goober, I hope VAL 18s are allowed to play at the Regional tournament. They are one of the best teams at the age group in MN (maybe the best?)
1:13 you forget that MRL changed for 15s-18s boys 3 years ago with the DAP. Most region 2 states have at least 2 or 3 DAPs and their top teams and players are in DAP the academy and not eligible for MRL or the USYSA National championship (state cup.) So the win is certainly impressive compared to how other MN teams fared this year, but comparing them to previous MN boys teams based on MRL performance is not really valid.
I haven't seen anyone from Valley lobbying to play in Regionals or complaining that they are not eligible.
The point about the DAP made by the "old Goober" is is true.
Valley is clearly the best team in MN, it is not even a contest.
State Cup should be scheduled in November, and a lot of this rank silliness could be avoided.
State Cup Update...
Champions
U13 - MTA
U14 - MTA
U15 - MTA
U19 - MTA
U16 Final - MTA v SCV
U17 Final - MTA v MTA
Pretty decent run for the MTA club this year.
I hope something crazy happens in that U17 final so we have something fun to talk about.
3:23,
Don't hold your breath...both teams going to regions so the game really doesn't matter.
12:16 Where would they play in November?
I was suprised by the girls U16 final. Does anyone have a game report, did MTA play poorly?
I'm even more surprised by the U15 girls result.
MTA 16 had two starters out, one def one mid resting for next weekend. Maybe they should have been in? Even played with only 9 field players in early 2nd half waiting for def that was hurt to return instead of subing someone out.
re U16, MTA played really well. SCV had a few starters out and were resting a few more, otherwise it could have gotten out of hand in the first half. Too bad, a lucky late goal was the difference.
SCV style would have been better controlled with regional level refs and would have been sent home sad and broken. Anyone have dreams of playing for BYU on this team?
MTA has achieved the following over last 4 years:
2007 - 3 Boys & 5 Girls Champs
2008 - 4 Boys & 5 Girls Champs
2009 - 4 Boys & 3 Girls Champs
2010 - 5 or 6 Boys & 3 or 4 Girls Champs ***
***(2010 U16 Boys & U19 Girls finals pending)
They are fairly consistent in their results at State Cup.
Minnesota does a fairly good job of getting its youth hockey players into the pros. How does that model work? The youth hockey associations have geographic boundaries from which they assemble the best teams they can, and then compete among each other. The kids who are lights-out good get recruited to a national program in Michigan, where they are removed from the high-school system and are challenged to play at a much higher level. Minnesota hockey does not allow an association to take the best kids from the other associations and then turn around and compete against those same associations. (Shattuck is a similar story, as they recruit nationally and also do not play against Minnesota high school teams, as they already know they are much better.)
Show me who benefits from winning a game 9-0 against the remnants of the team from which you just took the best players.
8:58,
Good point, but you can't compare hockey and soccer in MN, duh.
MN is the state of hockey with umpteen D1 college programs and an NHL team while MN is in the gutter of soccer. Relative to the competition, our hockey is excellent and our soccer is putrid.
so you're saying MTA is the king of putridity?
So what would that make the CCs?
7:01 & 7:15 are talking about the Girls U16 final? I was at the game and I think you were seeing a different contest.
SCV was the better team for the first 30 min. and had some good chances. MTA began to play better after that and put some pressure on the defence. MTA had better midfielders, SCV's defense rose to the challenge and did not give up a good opportunity until late in the game. SCV keeper was very good. SCV outsides and forwards also looked good and got some chances, SCV forward play was as good and sometimes better the MTA. The better team won but it was close.
"King of Putridity"...I like that. You could say that. I mean, when was the last time a MN team won the national championship? We've only had one true MN boys team even make it to the final four...20 years ago.
Not to be a debbie-downer, but MN soccer isn't good and that is why so many players quit before they reach U18 and also why soccer players are often still considered "oddballs" amongst their peers at school (see HS soccer attendance levels). To be realistic, outside of the top couple teams at each age group, the product is quite disgusting and unwatchable around here because there are too many clueless, bad players.
12:56 - if you're a parent, I'd hate to be your kid.
Why do you have to be good to like soemthing why do you need people to watch to enjoy your sport?
Thoughts ports was played by most for the love of the game.
Obvisouly 12:56 has no love in his or her life.
12:56 I disagree completely. I have had the opportunity to watch over the last 10 years or so (my kids were "spaced" apart) and the soccer played by the U16 girls now is better on average then 10 years ago.
I may be biased but to watch a boys U16 game is painful, more brute than beautiful (on average). Just an opinion from a former soccer Dad on now an official.
You didn't watch SCV/MTA U16B yesterday then.
I wonder why the South is so poorly represented in state cup finals? not counting SSM which is technically south, was there anyone even in a final girls or boys? any of the MTA teams come from the south?
Above,
Duh. The US Women are probably the best and most dominant team in the sport. US Men are lucky to be ranked in the top 20 after not advancing in 2006. Relative to the competition, US Women and MN Girls are quite good, while US Men and MN Boys are quite putrid.
I'm just being realistic and logical. Isn't an honest evaluation always necessary for improvement? Sorry to burst your bubbles. Good luck at regionals.
Boys High School teams from Apple Valley, Eagan, Bloomington and Minnetonka are perennially in the top 10. It's interesting how those large community clubs are so scarcely represented at State Cup.
MTA, SCV, ARS, BWKS, TCF, MUS, WSD, SSM
It would appear more and more folks (especially at the younger ages) are gravitating to the "soccer" and not "community" clubs.
Valley would have been there this year had they registered. Eagan U17P has NEVER done State Cup (why?), and south and west suburbs are faced with too many club choices. In the East you have Woodbury (where the top players play for MTA...which started at WDB), and Stillwater, where nearly all of the varsity squad comes from strong SCV teams. Woodbury will be the high-school team to beat this year.
Help me understand what a community club is. I see three main levels of soccer in Minnesota: (1) MTA, which has become a one-of-a-kind club in terms of attracting top players, (2) competitive community-based clubs, which attract players to top teams, and play premier and MRL and see some success at State Cup, and (3) true community clubs, which do not seek players outside of their geographic borders.
Examples:
(1) MTA
(2) BHK, MUS, BVL, PSA, SCV
(3) EDI, BLA, BLM, WDB (18G is their last broadly-recruited team)
Thoughts?
1141 Welcome back MA.
Actually not MA. Just seeking to define a third option. MTA promotes itself as the option for the committed kid with skill; compared to a true CC, it is. Compared with a true CC and a competitive CC (see examples above), the committed kid with skill does have options.
But wait, how many state cup titles did MTA win this year?
So if a committed kid with skill wants to win, it seems like the options are limited.
-Not an MTA supporter
There can only be one winner does not mean there is only one good team.
There are good teams at some clubs but you have to cherry pick the age groups and the coaching situation at CCs seems a lot more fluid than at MTA in most cases.
With the new ECNL and now the Development Academy for boys it looks like MTA will be the place to be if you're serious about soccer.
10:07
Wrong - Should you be serious about soccer the options are many. The top level players at most clubs are getting seen by the area college coaches. I have personal experience by way of my own child. She contacted the schools that she was interested in attending, was seen by the coaching staff of those schools and was then recruited by those schools - and was not with MTA!!!. Could it be!!!
10:29,
Most clubs don't have quality teams at the level necessary to get into the top tournaments. You're only kidding yourself...or you're just trying to bash MTA.
10:07 acknowledged there are a few teams who can get into the right events. WDD u18 and EDP U17 are examples. But they're few and far between.
It's obvious you really don't have a clue.
9:26,
On the boys side, when I review the championship scores for U13-U15, it appears there is only one good team.
Then I observe the championship matchup at U17 and it also looks like there is only one good club.
Then I go to U19, enough said.
It might be unfortunate, but that's the way it's gonna be.
-Debbie Downer
11:18, you've drunk a bit too much of the MTA kool-aid. The top U16, U17 and U18 boys teams from my kid's club are getting plenty of attention from colleges, and they're getting into whichever showcases (Phoenix, Sockers, Las Vegas, Muscatine) they apply to. They're getting seen.
Everyone needs to understand that in MN there is a HUGE difference in opportunties for the male and female players! I would say that girls don't have to play for MTA; however they will increase their opportunities to be seen and play D1 if they do play for MTA. On the boys side things are much bleaker. If you want to play D1 you probably need to spend a lot of money and go to SSM. You may not be the best soccer player but their marketing department will get your kid into a D1 program! If you don't have 30K to spend at SSM, your next best bet is MTA. You will still need to do a lot of work (sending out resumes, video, calls to coaches, networking, college camps) But they will get you in the best position to be seen (tournaments and the academy). If your playing for a CC that is descent (yes, they are there) you may not be able to get into the quality tournaments. The academies have had a huge impact on the college recruiting process. This has made things much more difficult for MN male player. We should see a significant difference with MTA going into the academy system
Agreed. The academy program totally changes the game on the boys side. I think the academy will draw even more of MN's top u11-u13 players to MTA (to get into the system). Though I also think MTA will see fewer boys playing at older ages as there will be less interest in playing for a non-academy team. FC Milwaukee saw a similar fate. Kids who did not make the academy teams went to other competitive clubs, leaving their historically strong Blue teams very weak. Hopefully MTA figures out its finances soon, because I hate to say it, but many of the best (boys) soccer players in this state have no ability to pay their bills.
Anon 26/5/10 11:37 AM
Please tell us what club your talking about? BTW did you get into the Adidas Blue Chip or President Day Cup in Virginia or the Dallas Cup? Was your team in the top flight at Las Vegas, Phoenix, Muscantine?
Having manage a quality CC boys team I can tell you, that we could pay the money to get into those tourmanets, we just had a difficult time getting the coaches over to the field to watch the games. In Muscantine, the coaches were lining the fields of the top flight games and watch maybe a half of the other games. I did not think it was money well spent for us, my son and the others who were serious would have been better off playing for MTA abd being in the top flight and getting a quality look at instead of just a glance.
For MN boys, you probably need to be a top 5 player to be D1 material. If you're top 5, you've probably been noticed somewhere and you probably play for an elite club team, so getting noticed is not the extreme process outlined above. Our history proves this.
For all the other players expecting calls from D1 coaches, you and your parents are delusional because you flat out aren't good enough. Remember, MN Boys is basically the gutter of US Soccer.
Anon 26/5/10 11:56 AM
I sometimes question the perception that we have about players abilities to pay. As a parent who has aways paid the soccer bills, but didn't have cell phone in the family. I question the ability to pay when I've seen the scholorship kids walking around in better gear and with cell phones, ipods and the like. For some of these kids it not something they are ashamed of but instead they have an attitude that says, "if you want me to play, you need to pay for me to play for you."
One day when I win the lottery, I'm setting up a soccer scholorship fund. 1/4 of the team fees must be paid by the player, 1/4 of the team fees must be paid by the parents on the team, the club fees must be waived and the fund will pick up 1/2 of the team fees. I think if players had to pay at a minimum 1/4 of their team fees the it would hold more value to the player and families involved.
Anon 26/5/10 12:00 PM
Please give us an example of players who have not played with MTA that are TOP 5 players playing D1, within the last 3 years (DOB 89-92). The last 3 years as that is when the academy system started for boys. Again, IMHO the academy system has vastly changed the landscape of boys soccer. Anything that happened before that isn't relevant anymore.
12:11,
Monasterio and Mallace...top 2 players in class of 2008...both went D1...neither played MTA.
-12:00 / Debbie
12:11, bad example, the best 92's were all VLY and then SSM kids and, such as Bunbury, Sutton, and Kempf (all playing D1 or pro now).
Best 92's play for SSM, VLY, SCV, BHK, ARS, who all have D1 players on them.
90 and 91 were MTA/Bangu based, but each and every age group is different. With the academy system that will most likely change though
12:11 must really drink a lot of the MTA kool-aid. He believes EVERYTHING they tell him.
Nick and Kenzie Lund (St. Croix Red Devils) will play for Green Bay and Madison next year. I think there is another D1 player on that team too.
Paul Yonga (Arsenal) will play for Madison.
A quality team with a quality coach and a manager who promotes the team can get seen. The world doesn't revolve around MTA.
Also, take a look at the (mens) D1 rosters at Milwaukee, Green Bay, Marquette, Northwestern, Loyola, DePaul. They're virtually ALL Illinois/Wisconsin kids, meaning they don't look outside their state for players. You don't need to go to Dallas or Virginia to get on their radars; they'll come watch you play an MRL game in Rockford if you ask them nicely and show them you're interested in their school.
worse than a kid who has no ability to pay his bills is a kid who has no interest in paying his bills. worst of all is the kid who has no interest or ability to pay his bills. that kid is usually good for at least a goal a game, and usually has an ego the size of uranus. looks like they'll all gravitate to the same club; hopefully the golf tournament will raise millions.
What golf tournament?
If you have 30k to send your kid to SSM in hopes of getting a D1 school to recruit your kid, than think again. Save the 30k and use it to pay for college!
I agree that alot of the top MTA boys players do not have the ability to pay or better stated, do not want to pay! Why should they when clubs pay it for them. I witnessed a young man show up at MTA try-outs, he told them his family didn't have any money. They let him try-out for free and he was very good (not sure if he made top team). After try-outs were done he called his mom on a cell phone (better than my phone) and she shows up in a Cadillac Escalade. I've heard from so many people that they kid know how to manipulate the system and get everything for free.
2:22,
Nice of you to perpetuate that type of myth...it sounds much like the "welfare queen" stories at the grocery stores.
Do you really think anyone believes you?
2:22
There were quite a few of us standing there and hopefully someone reads this blog to back-up the story. Also, did I say it was every boy out there looking for a free ride, no I said I saw ONE boy. I'm sure the majority of kids do have the ability to pay.
But, I am an MTA parent and when we held our annual raffle drive, a good portion of that money was designated towards scholarships for kids that couldn't pay. I believe that we should help the kids that can't pay because of economic hardships, just not the kid that shows up in a Cadillac.
I agree with the above posts indicating that they see scholarship players with luxuries they should not have.
Look at the boots these kids show up to play in, they are not $80-$110, they are the top of the line boots. The I-phones are not free either, nor is the service, along with the brand new clothes -seriously make some sacrifices and pay your share!
Our experience is that these scholarship players also do not show up regularly-maybe if they paid they would...
ah, Brasil...
Brazilian banks will reduce business hours during the World Cup to allow employees to join the rest of the soccer-crazed country in watching their national team chase a world-beating sixth championship.
The measure, announced by the central bank today, seeks to prevent bank security lapses during the tournament, which is being held in South Africa. Streets typically empty during the World Cup as many of the 192 million Brazilians suspend work to watch the matches on television.
Brazil’s Banking Association said banks will close at 2 p.m. local time on June 15 when Brazil opens the tournament against North Korea. Banks regularly close at 4 p.m. in Brazil.
On June 25, banks will halt activity at 10:30 a.m. before Brazil’s final Group G match against Portugal and then resume business at 1:30 p.m. Brazil’s June 20 match against the Ivory Coast takes place on a Sunday, when banks are closed.
Did the Escalade have spinners?
Imagine the day when Ben Bernanke makes a similar announcement for US banks. Someday?
So the scholarship players don't show up to practice and they're still better than your kid? Weird.
and they expect to not have to pay.
Who said they were better than their kid?
what do you mean by "better"?
If they weren't "better" than anyone's kid, why would anyone even consider giving them a scholarship?
I'm seeing a lot of holes in this story and a lot of sour grapes.
Debbie -- Who said they were better than their kid?
I don't think anyone said that they weren't "better" than anoyone's kid. If they weren't "better" than ANYONE'S kid they would not have made the team.
Do you think only the best player or players on teams get financial aid? Can they not be an average player on the team that needs financial aid. If not, it sounds as if we are giving them money not based on financial need but on skill.
I think what most are frustrated with, is that some of the player/parents have the same thought process you have. That my kid is good, you have to pay his fees or waive them for him to play on your team. Whereas in the past financial aid had some shame attached to it. Now it is a badge of honor. I'm so good you, I don't have to work hard, pay my fair share, or fundraise.
I fell really really bad when i read some of these comments. Soccer and sport are meant to bring people kids and communities together. I am doing my best to start and spread that word. I have an anti racism program called For All Youth that goes to directly address some of these issues and blatant racism comments by some parents. I am not talking about kids of color either but of different economic back grounds. Soccer today is more expensive, more controlled, and more organized than it was 2o years ago. That being said, to me, the biggest problem with you soccer is the parents. Teams are forced to win without developing players because winning means success. kids are not allowed to play because parents pay for coaching, if practice is just scrimmage they say why am i paying the coach to open the door. I do agree the kids need to be accountable and we are trying to involve service in our activities. so far when kids in the past have applied to our camp up to a certain point if they could not pay we ask them to volunteer somewhere. or give something. If they give something we know they are vested, but something means time or passing our flyers or doing a free clinic somewhere for underprivledged kids.. We strive to give free gear and shoes to kids that cannot afford it with our Kick IT Back program. I know i am rambling but i am really appalled. Should a scholarship kid be playing with $10 shoes because he is on scholarship. Our For All Youth program works not only to scholarship low income kids but to educate the club and parents what it means to bring diverse children to your club and how to make them feel excepted. what community means. What benefits your child will have of playing in a diverse real world situation. I will also be launching a College prep progam this fall aimed at increasing visability fo highschool kids by division coaches. I invite coaches to my summer camp, but have been meet by heavy battles with local clubs that try to keep money in house when mine is spent bringing college and other coaches in from other states. To this point I have never taken a cent from my foundation. I can not promise this will stay like this forever as it grows and I am further away from a professional salary. I plan on paying myself a inline salary with the job I am doing sometime down the line and i do nto try and hide that. Everyone has there faults and i do not claim to be perfect. I know I won a National championship from minnesota playing with kids from different backgrounds. I know i went to college on a scholarship from the stat of minnesota with help of people around me. I know I played in the world cup and champions league because i worked hard and followed my dreams. I know if a child connects me early enough and simply says i can not pay he does not pay to go to my camp. I know i have asked clubs to help out and give back what i know. I may not be an expert, and parents and local coaches might know better. All I can say is I know soccer and I am trying to share it, and shame on some of you parents for holding some kids accountable for their living situation or their parents lack of investment intheir lives. And lastly I would like to remind everyone that it is a game. If you had a choice and you can only pick one do you want your child to play on a team that 1) he has fun on, 2)improves and gets better, 3) trains to be a pro with pro like training , 4) wins at all cost. Because in reality you can pic only one, and every decision you team makes should derive from that focus. and you have to be honest. If an under 12 trophy is important your child might not be playing by 16. If you want to have fun everyone play, not matter what. If I train like a pro 5 days a week, not exceptions. If i want improvement fundementals are important and winning might not come until years later. Be honest what you want, cause there is no wrong answer, But do not say you want your child just to have fun and lose a lung shouting at a ref in a u13 game.
Tony Sanneh has described the essence of soccer that is prescribed around the world except in the united states. As an immigrant, i was lucky enough to find a coach who had passion for the game but also understood my economic background. As a coach now, i try to give back to the game. As an American, i enjoy watching how the game is played when an ecletic group of boys from all over the world play with each other and against other teams. U S soccer will catch up with the rest of the world when money is not a factor and parents don't have to worry about paying for their kids to play on teams but rather come to games and just watch and enjoy it.
8:30 - agreed, but somewhere along the line someone has to pay for all this. Who should that be? Should US Soccer, sponsors, donations, advertisers just pick up the entire tab along the way?
Unfortunately, youth sports in the US do not function that way. Although there are national federations for virtually every sport, youth/AAU basketball, Little League baseball, youth volleyball, youth/Pop Warner football, youth swimming, etc... are all in many ways "user fee" based.
Other countries do things differently and hats off to them, but until things progress over here where professinal clubs have academy programs that they are subsidizing then we are a long way off.
Please do not take this post as being argumentative, but my observations and opinion. As the expression goes - "there is no free lunch".
Our system works for football, hockey, baseball and basketball, and the best kids seem to rise to the top regardless of economic background.
If you were Lebron's mom and saw his amazing ability at a young age, would you push him to play soccer?
Until kids/parents see dolar signs in a soccer future, the very very best American athletes will continue to play other sports.
Stay classy, people.
Tony,
1. Be careful with what you get yourself into on this dangerous blog.
2. Thank you for getting involved. MN Boys soccer could use some help and leadership from you. Unfortunately, the majority of today's MN soccer families don't even know who you are and don't even know what "champions league" is. However, I believe most of your work touches families from minority groups who tend to have a deeper knowledge of football.
3. I recommend not using your iPhone when writing PR statements. The intended message can often be misinterpreted due to spelling and grammatical errors.
I appreciate your efforts, but I still don't like a less committed, player showing up for free and having more than my son who is working part time to help his parents pay. Sorry, human nature.
Of course, Mister Soccer is so intelligent about soccer. He even believes that the primary reason to be involved in youth soccer is to help USA win a World Cup.
Why the focus on the number of times a club is in the semi-finals? Does MN youth soccer improve if one team dominates?
Perhaps it doesn't instantly improve MN soccer if one team dominates, but it improves US soccer. We'll be sending stronger teams to national tournaments which will help things on a national level. Bigger picture, kids. There is life outside of the Twin Cities.
I want the USA to win a World Cup and I want Minnesotans on the team. The philosophies of the majority in MN, as in those who hate everything about "elite clubs," seems to make US Soccer move backwards from this goal.
When you get past all the crud, I see there to be 2 primary reasons to be involved in youth soccer.
1. To educate our youth.
2. To help USA win a World Cup.
I don't believe in educating youth through sports. Sports teach too many negative lessons (see MTA State Cup scandal, see steroids, see ESPN headlines).
Other than some kind of soccer mommy response like:
1. To have fun.
2. To build self-esteem.
3. To promote good health.
And other than some soccer daddy response like:
1. To get a college scholarship.
2. To make money.
3. To develop skills to crossover to hockey.
What would you say is the primary reason to be involved in youth soccer?
2:43 - You are off base. The reason you play soccer is because you enjoy it or love it. It is fun!! If it is not fun it doesn't matter how much you train you will never reach your fullest potential. Unfortunately some kids do it because there parents push them. It all depends on the kid and what they want out of it. Being a parent who has a kid who plays for an elite team I believe a majority of the hate is created by how parents and coaches of the elite teams act, not all of them but a large amount. I also know that there are people who are going to hate just because they believe everything should be fair and even and no one's feeling should get hurt. You know " the liberal belief system"
Let's ask Tony Sanneh. Tony, why should young boys and girls play soccer?
Mister soccer is right on some accounts! Why do we keep bashing on one club(MTA)? Why because they win. When they win, they go to regionals and nationals. Come on we're all hoping every Minnesota team goes far because it is better exposure for all teams. Maybe somewhere down the road, my CC playing child will go up against MTA and just what if a couple of college coaches were there to watch MTA and they see my child play and just maybe they show interest.
But a scholarship is not the ultimate goal though. I have girls and it's a proven fact that girls in sports do better in school and handle peer pressure better than girls that aren't in sports. I have one girl on a premier team and one on a C1 team and everyday I ask "are you having fun"? I truly believe if they weren't having fun, they wouldn't have advanced as far as they have. If it was my choice they would be playing tennis and basketball, but they fell in love with soccer. I never thought I would say this, but I fell in love with soccer too.
So we play because it is fun?
That sounds like a pretty easy concept and an easy goal for coaches and parents. If that's the case, why do so many players quit before U17 and U18? Why do I see so many coaches reaming players for things that aren't even right? Why do I see so many young players crying because of the pressure? Why do so many teenagers hate going to practice? Why are there so many stories about fights and dirty play? Why do so many coaches get fired? Why do so many people complaint about coaches?
Yeah, seems like we're doing a good job of "making it fun" when that's the obvious #1 reason to be involved in soccer.
So, we've sifted through that crud. Next...
Wow, Mr. Soccer you are bitter! Maybe it's time to hang up those youth cleats and enjoy life a little bit more.
Maybe they quit before U17 and U18 because it stops being fun due to many of the reasons that you allude to.
IMO, the answer to this question is not some simple reason #1, reason #2, etc... I sincerely doubt you are that naive. Very few things are black and white and why kids participate in youth sports is a thousand shades of gray - with the colors always changing. What is important at age 10 will most likely not be as important at age 17.
If you took a poll of youth soccer players I would bet my last dollar that 99% of would not list "helping the USA win a World Cup" as any kind of reason.
Feel free to throw this in with your crud. Done.....
5:30pm AMEN
I would bet everything I have that the kids aren't playing soccer "to help the USA win World Cup". They start playing because it's fun. I have a 17 year and a 15 year old (17 yr old is going to D2 school on a partial). 15 year old getting bites from D1. Never once did they want to quit. They've meet so many friends throughout their soccer years. In fact I hear them say "I can't wait to get to practice to see how ___ prom went", etc, etc, etc? Not, I have to get to soccer to help the USA win World Cup or to get a scholarship. I believe if they weren't having fun they would not have gotten where they were today. If you truly enjoy something, you'll love working harder.
I agree, but 99% means that 1 out of every 100 soccer players in the State have would list "helping the US win a World Cup." That is 1 out of every 100 players! Not bad! I suspect that is why MTA exists - finding those kids and doing what they can to help those dreams come true!
745 (child please), Money is why MTA exists, Bangu was about elite soccer, If it was truly about finding those players they wouldn't have teams for every color of the rainbow. Lets not fool ourselves into thinking the kids make the choice to go to MTA it's the parents who want their kids to be superstars. Parents are the ones that wreck youth sports.
what bothers me in this sport is the total overal focus on winning. winning isnt everything striving to is. i have been coaching around 10yrs. coached at different clubs, i have had teams with winning records and teams without. i dont judge success by the number of trophies or team record, but by the number of players who have showed inprovement in their technical abilities and tactical understanding of the game. i have coached at all levels in cc.have some state titles,and other team trophys, but what gives my joy in coaching is watching the players improve, increase their passion for the game, learn the meaning on being a part of a "team". i do not coach winning at all costs. one of my teams had a few losses due to me not over coaching them, have no ego to bruise, they at times need to figure it out on their own, sure, at times a coach needs to step in, but the lesson they learned from it, made them better players and were able to beat those two teams later in the season. its is all about the players figuring it out and playing to their best potential no matter what level that potential may be.i am a paid coach, but my fees strictly cover transportation: milage" and a little for me time. i dont do it for the money, because i dont charge alot.i have seen what other people are paying for some of their coaches, it is right that some players who may have talent to play on a specific team might lose out or be turned away due to cost. if any of my players have money issues, i wave my fees. if most coahes are in it for the good of the players and not themselves, then an easy way to get past the money issue, they should wave their fees. it is starting to get into a money driven sport.
the best teacher is the game itself. thank you for youre time.
Ummmm, you lost me at hello 10:26.
But really, how do we explain why so many players quit soccer at 15, 16, 17?
Also, if we have so many coaches doing such a great job coaching an improved tactical understanding of the game, come September, why will there be so many people complaining about how poor and ugly high school soccer is? Oh yeah, those high school coaches brainwash all these uber-talented players into becoming bad players with zero tactical understanding. Please.
They quit at 16 or 17 because:
- They have a driver's license
- They have a BF or GF
- They have a job
- They realize they are not going to play college soccer even if Mommy or Daddy is still fantasizing about it
- School projects are more complex and time-consuming than just collecting butterflies. Many are in music, theater, etc.
- The sport that used to be "fun" is now one more addition to an already overbooked schedule
- (an oldie but a goodie) The kid is in the wrong clique or goes to the wrong school and is an outsider on the team
AND...
- All of the above
At 16 and older, these kids are standing up and speaking up for themselves and saying "ENOUGH!"
For MOST players at this age, it is no longer about winning or losing. It is about a desire to have fun and socialize as long as it fits the schedule. Once the fun is gone, so is the player unless the helicopter parent is forcing the kid to play as a condition of getting (fill in the blank).
It really isn't rocket science- once the kids are allowed to make their own decisions on what consumes what little spare time they have, they gravitate toward the activities they enjoy the most.
Those who are leaving must not find something appealing enough about soccer. Seems pretty simple to me?
So basically, soccer isn't fun enough?
To Mister Soccer's point, that seems kind of strange if this is "the sport they love" and if "to have fun" is the #1 purpose and goal.
So youth soccer should be catered only to those who are committed to Mister Soccer's ideal(ie., to help US win the world cup? Fun-seekers presumably can play rec ball.
It IS fun and beautiful until psycho parents and controlling coaches ruin it.
But, I'm preaching to the choir.
Or, I should say, I'm preaching to the deaf.
You can't love the game once you stop playing?
Hey Mister Soccer - did you play youth soccer? Did you play for fun or to help US win a world cup?
"When you get past all the crud, I see there to be 2 primary reasons to be involved in youth soccer.
1. To educate our youth.
2. To help USA win a World Cup."
Seems like Mister Soccer is talking about why to be involved, not why to play.
Seems like #2 is a more specific way of saying, "To help build and promote the growth of soccer in the US, with the ultimate goal for any competitive player being a World Cup championship."
From the perspective of a coach and administrator, I kind of like Mister Soccer's ideals.
Oh really?
11:43 you missed my point, i wasnt saying their is alot of coaches teaching tactical understanding.alot of minnesota soccer is ugly, thats the problem, too focused on winning to worry about the players themselves, thats the problem.if you focus on developing the player, the play will improve as well as players doing their best, and winning is a consequnce of doing youre best.does that make sense......
I agree completely with 3:05. Coaches and parents are completely focused on winning instead of improving players and teams. It disgusts me to see the cheap shots and hear the trash talking that, if not openly endouraged by coaches and parents, is condoned. My guess is that its easier to just win ugly than to teach the game and have a team improve over time.
At high school it should be about winning state, right?
Hopefully 3:05 & 3:59 can let us know at which age group they coach at because if my children are at that age I would like them to coach them. Based on their comments I am assuming they are both coaches, but don't want to be presumptuous.
So the DAP headed SSM gets 1 of 4 teams through to regionals? And that's only cuz the best team at 18 didn't bother playing State Cup...funny!
Summer State is way more fun to win that high school state.. You advance for summer to regionals to take on the new challenge. So no, obviously that is the ultimate goal of high school but you can't be national champions without taking the state title first.
Summer State is way more fun to win that high school state.. You advance for summer to regionals to take on the new challenge. So no, obviously that is the ultimate goal of high school but you can't be national champions without taking the state title first.
MTA coming full force to regionals and a personal prediction is that the 3 MTA teams advance to the semi's. The 19s will FINALLY do it, the 17s, and the 15s. I'd love to see one of them make it to nationals as well.
11:48pm just got back from a night of bar-hopping.
Summer State is way more fun to win than high school state? I doubt that very much.
Anonymous said... 2/6/10 11:45 PM
Summer State is way more fun to win that high school state.. You advance for summer to regionals to take on the new challenge. So no, obviously that is the ultimate goal of high school but you can't be national champions without taking the state title first.
This doesn't even make sense. First, Summer State is broken into C1, C2, and C3, and on rare occasions Premier. There is no Regional for the winner of Summer State.
State Cup has Regionals.
From a coaching perspective, I would say experiencing Regional Cup would be more beneficial to the players.
From a player perspective, winning the High School State Tournament with your buddies cannot be beat.
Nice try, 9:39. But, hmmm....no takers. Move on, try and bait someone else.
12:18, I'm making the letter "L" with my fingers over my head, and I'm pointing your way. Dolt.
When is the
At U17 boys, MTA Blue wins 2-0 over MTA White, both goals scored in extra time. Congrats to both MTA teams for advancing to regionals.
Where is the
6:58, i am 3:05, i coach at ages between u12 and u15. currently u12.
highschool ball as someone stated a question is to win state. thats their main focus, i guess, but i do feel for most highschool coaches because, not talking about all, but some are not qualified to coach from the correct approach, and even if they are, the season is so short it is hard to teach anything and have it sink in in a matter of weeks, they are stuck with a product put together from the club level during the summer. and if the coaches are not "developing" the players during the longer season, the school coaches dont have a chance in such a short time. the team i am coaching this summer is playing u12c1. i am trying to develop the players. we are playing up from c2 to c1, better competition, slightly quicker speed of play, they are being forced to take lighter touches, make quicker decissions,at times the decissions they are making are not right due to the speed they need to make them, but over the coarse of time they have been figuring it out and the decissions have been better and they are a much better team playing up to improve rahter than playing down to win. we havent won many games this year, some teams we have played have been kick and run, which when teaching possession is hard to defend, but will give us an advantage when we hit the 11v11 field. i am coaching to prepare them for their next two seasons and focused on winning this year. this is the approach coaches should be taking. develop the player long term. unfortunatley it isnt the majority case.
correct a statement from the previous post at 10:48, i am preparing them for thier next two seasons and am NOT focused on winning this year
coaches at the youth level should be coaching for these reasons in my opinion= they have a passion for the game. they want to pass along experience, knowledge, and to develop the players in the correct enviroment physically, mentally, and emotionally. enjoy watching players improve and not enjoy winning as a focus, winning is good but you have to develop the players first for that to happen. in it for the players, not themselves. i will shut know that i made my point
Where's the "sssssssssssssss" guy now?
MTA has 10 teams heading to Dayton, Ohio for regionals.
This is the most teams any single club has ever sent in Minnesota history breaking their own record of 9 teams in 2008.
"sssssssssssssssssss" is the sound of a red hot club.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Look behind the curtain. The finances are crumbling.
So, when do they post the regional pool/pairings?
You will soon be hearing the following terms everywhere to describe the definition of offside to the casual soccer/football fan:
(1) "when the ball is played" (the Mexico player was NOT offside on their goal)
(2) "second-to-last defender" (the Mexico player WAS offside on the disallowed goal)
Please bear with the announcers, as there's a huge population that will not be able to grip this.
brackets are out for regionals
ww.region2.com/assets/regionii_championships/2010%20BracketDraw%20for%20Posting%20June%2010.pdf
13B: Tough (IL, IN, OhioN).
14B: OK (IN, MI, IA)
15B: Our best chance (WI, ND, NE)
16B: Tough (MRL1, OhioN, KS)
17B (Blue): Have a shot (SD, MO, IL)
17B (White): Tough (IN, NE, MRL1)
18B: Tough (IA, MRL2, MO)
19B: OK (MO, IA, IL)
Anyone know the strength of the pools for the girls?
My thoughts on the girls pools (just my opinions so please don't shoot me):
13G: the MTA team is very talented, but will have their hands full with both MI and OS
14G: the EP team is a below average RII team with little regional success so will have their hands full with MI and MO (St. Louis)
15G: the MTA team is an slightly below average RII team and have a very difficult pool with IL and MI
16G: the MTA has always been good and if they don't win this pool they should get a new coach (NE, KY, & IA). They don't get much easier than this.
17G: the EP team is an above average RII team and drew a very tough pool with ON, OS & WI
18G: WDB is a very talented team, but drew I believe the defending champs (IL?) in their pool
19G: MTA has always been strong in their age group, but have no idea who's back from college on their team or any of the other teams.
As a whole, IMO, the girls teams ended up in pools that for the most part border on difficult with on most occassions two quality state representatives. Lots of MI, Il & Ohio's - traditionally more elite states. I would be happy if the combined w-l-t record is .500. If more than one team wins it's pool (U16G) then that would also be an accomplishment.
Best of luck to all the teams!
You are correct that the U16 girls have an easy group. However Toro Bravo won the region at U14 and they are a very good team. It will come down to them and MTA for the group in game one.
SSM 18 boys do NOT have a tough group, one of the easier draws in 18's.
Results from earlier this season against other MN teams from this group:
IA: LOST 4-2 vs Valley
MRL: LOST 5-2 vs St. Croix
MO: Won 2-1 vs St. Croix
SSM should have a very good chance at winning at 3 of these games and it should be considered a disappointment if they do not advance
MTA elite team fees are going up by about $900 for next season. Wow!
and you know this why?
Why do you haters care?
It covers dramatically increasing scholarship needs. You gotta collect from the people who can pay, you know, numbers 12-18 on the bench.
Nice try, same old boring rant. Hater's can't realize the same thing happens in their own club, it's just not as transparent.
729, I know.
730, I suppose because it makes the haters feel more righteous?Anyway, the innocent should know the big increase is coming now, not at tryouts.
10:32 AM -- Yep a 36% increase happens all the time. No big deal. I guess that's why MTA has not publicly announced the fee increase.
Whatever the fee, it's worth it! MTA haters are only jealous. Live with it or join the top club in the state.
1120, jealous of what, you pinko!
4:55 100% False, you have no idea what you are talking about.
1131, wow you are jealous to call MTA a pinko. Your kid must not have made an MTA team. Well good news is that try-outs are coming up again, so get your kid out there and practice and maybe this year you can join "pinko"!
11:51 you make me laugh! I repeat--jealous of what?
prove it 11:39
11:51 who called MTA a pinko?
1131 - called MTA pinko. Whatever floats his/her boat!
MTA has 6 boys teams going to regionals next week. That's pretty amazing when you think about it.
Everyone keeps trying to tear them down and they just get more successful.
Now they have the USSF Development Academy their boys program will get even stronger.
1:10pm - I agree. People can hate MTA all they want, but they have success. Call them names and spread rumors but they do just get stronger stronger.
What MTA has accomplished is great.
I think many, worry that the fees for an academy will make MTA unaffordable for middle class familes. This has been a problem in the United States for at least 10 years. Here in MN we have for the most part avoided the issue. These next couple of years, will really bring home that soccer in the United States has become a elite sport that only the upper middle class or the very talented poor will participate in. Which is too bad, as it will continue to severely hinder the developement of soccer in the United States.
2:47,
So what would be a solution to this dilemma you raise?
How to you get around those issues?
There is and must be an alternative to the MTA model -- some CC clubs have strong teams and have developed strong players and are more affordable than MTA.
326 - problem with most CC's is they are run by parents that are not typically soccer people. Most directors of coaching do not run the CC clubs. DOCs have to serve the parents since they pay the salary.
At least MTA allow coaches to coach and do not allow parental interference
this web site is getting old. mta bashing, mta supporting. what the heck.everyone is entitled to their opinion but dont try to get others to have youre view. if you hate mta, why? cant afford it, kid not good enough. what other reasons why you would bash them. if you cant afford it then you cant go. do you bash bentley because you cant afford the car. i have a daughter who tried out but do to my money circumstances we went else where, i do not bash another club. we are all minesotans and should be encourangeing all players at all clubs to do their best and all clubs that have teams going to regionals regardless of the said club to wish them success in representing minesota. this is turning into a bitch session and it is getting old.to busy complaining about clubs we loose sight on whats important and that should be the players themselves. i dont expect to change anyones mind this is my opinion
what it looks like inside a typical overbearing soccer parents head
"win win win win win win take them out win win win kill them win win crush them win win win win at all costs win win win" some of those statements came out of a mouth of a parent at a u12 game. crush them kill them. what the hell, i wouldnt want to be that kid with parents like that. that kid will grow up to be totally screwed up. those comments were being yelled loudly accross the field. other parents moved away, but nobody except for one person said anything, not the coaches or refs. sad day in the sport for me.
There is a place for community clubs and a place for a club like MTA.
We have similar situations in all major cities across the USA.
We're all familiar with clubs like Chicago Magic, Vardar, Scott Gallagher and the Dallas Texans.
We need a club in state that aspires to compete at that level to give the best soccer players and opportunity to play at the highest levels.
We also need the community clubs to provide opportunities for kids who enjoy the game but aren't able to play at premier of higher levels.
As stated earlier this goes on in every major city across the country. Why it's such a controversial issue here in Minnesota is puzzling to me.
Let's enjoy each type of program for what it is and what it provides for the kids.
MNFutbol, how about a Regional thread for the boys and the girls?
17/6/10 10:31 PM Why would the referee or coach say something? The referee's responsibility is to the game and the players. Referees are taught to ignore as best they can, crazy spectators and focus on the game.
Coaches should coach players, not parents. Clubs and other parents should take care of the spectator areas.
By the way, what did you do?
MTA raises fees to pay retainer for an immigration attorney to verify the ages of all the new players coming to the academy. A proud day.
MTA has had a pretty good two years thanks in most part to the efforts of MA to put it all together and teh strength of the Bangu academy.
Boys finally have a legit high-level playing opportunity in US Dev Acd. thanks to the strength of the MA-led merger (and thanks to SSM being here). Zahl has been a passionate figurehead in the boys program as well and deserves props.
Girls blue teams 17 and younger are all here thanks again in the most part to MA (and now Kaasa) and the east academy.
However the currently ex-Wings dominated board and coaching director pool threatens to ruin everything that has fallen into their laps. The club is being sued over the use of the Thunder logo. MTAers, don't buy new uniforms. The club cannot use the Thunder logo anymore and will likely come up with something extremely marginal in its place; if their recent marketing campaigns on their website and Soccer Times are any indications.
Directors were not paid for a while this season as the club was out of money. If you think I'm spouting BS, ask any director or board member whom you trust... if you can find one. Expect fees to rise in order to keep 6 paid coaching directors in the money. Ask for job descriptions and demand accountability. That's what I plan on doing if I have a kid in the club next year. But it's obvious from my attempts and digging up answers that more people have to weigh in for anything to happen.
It will be interesting to see now that MA (he ruffled too many feathers in the name of elite player development) is out of the mix if other CCs will join up with MTA. Honestly, I foresee MTA's strangle hold on girls soccer dying out in the coming years. The word on the boys program is still out there, though the club needs to find a quality boys coaching director to take the reigns of the development program.
MTA - you need a sugar daddy. Someone with deep enough pockets to take the $$ out of the equation so that the best of the best can play year round regardless of family income. A facility would help as well as my kid has been forced to train on the other side of town all spring/summer. You also need another visionary to step up, someone who thinks outside the box from a youth development perspective. Hire a single person like this, ditch half of your current so-called directors, and save all your members some hard-earned cash.
Not an enviable task but that's what should be next on the MTA radar. Sit on your laurels and US Dev Acd./ECNL won't save you. Not here in the MN soccer world where all these fancy national leagues mean jack squat to the masses - masses you need at the younger age groups to id future talent.
I'm sick of not getting any answers to my inquiries. It is obvious that MTA directors read and post on this blog. Maybe my words will at least give some of them pause to listen.
jg, I agree with most of what you say but I don't think the outlook is that bleak for MTA. The Bangu foundation that has been built is solid. MA was for sure at the heart of it but many others have made contributions, albeit none as controversial nor as impactful. MA has obviously moved on to other things besides club soccer but the whisper of a new progressive club initiative on the east side make me think that he's still involved with things. Time will tell I guess.
If our fees increase and you choose to go elsewhere, you're free to make that choice. But don't come on this blog looking for answers. I believe the club is in good hands with the current directorship and I'm excited to see what the coming years will bring to elite level club soccer in our state.
P.S. good luck to all the teams in Dayton! Girls draws look tough and it could be the year for some of the boys teams to get out of pool play.
What is this new club that is being talked about - is it MA's new venture?
East Ridge Soccer Association and it wouldn't be a surprise if he moves to bring his current U13s over next year. The ER president (Goulding) has a daughter on Abboud's team. Kaasa is heavily involved with ER club as well.
East Ridge will be a threat. Woodbury, Cottage Grove and St. Croix should be concerned. I watched several younger ERSA girls' teams at the St. Croix tournament and they were gooood. I had to look closer at the uniforms to figure out who they were (I originally thought they were from Elk River, but nothing good ever comes out of Elk River). Plus, check out the East Ridge fields (just east of Bielenberg). Amazing fields-to-be. Looks like they will be hosting major tournaments there.
MTA has benefited from sugar daddies (love the term) who have supported individual teams, but teams without deep-pocket daddies (love that term too) have had to cut loose some strong kids who can't pay.
I predict MTA will not be able to compete at the high levels they aspire to (at least on the boys' side, where the best players tend to be scholarship players) if they can't figure out a way to pay for the kids who can't pay. There's no money in the coffers, and those teams ain't cheap.
-Sugar Bear
Apparently CC loving parents rationalize their inadequacies by stating all the good players at MTA are poor, and those other players on the team are just fillers.
So are they racist, elitist or both? Are they full of themselves thinking that their community is rich enough to pay for themselves and therefore have an excuse when they lose to any other club, that has poor athletes?? What a sad state to live in.
Get over yourselves people!
East Ridge Soccer Association lists Mark Abboud and Andy Kaasa as voting board members. Kaasa is listed a the Director of Program Development. Isn't this a conflict of interest with MTA?
Unless East Ridge Soccer Association becomes a member of ECNL (kind of doubtful), not sure what incentive there would be for any current MTA Blue player to move.
10:03 i was the one parent who told them to shut up and watch the game, those comments are not acceptable escpecially at this age. i beleive a coach does have some responsibility to the parents who maybe distracting or acting outside of club rules,if he says nothing then he is condoning the behavior. i guess we all have our views on how it should be handled so lets agree to disagree
Don't under estimate MA. He has his ways to get around things! Although why would he leave MTA for East Ridge SC unless he wants the project of building up a new club. You never know, because there has been some small about the break-up of the MTA academies. East, West, North and South all have their own agendas. Time will tell.
21/6/10 1:08 PM
Why do you insist on bring race into it? No one said anything about race. The fact of the matter is the boys side of soccer in Minnesota plagued with scholorship players. Most of the elite teams are comprised of 1/3 to 1/2 scholorship players. Believe it or not, not all have darker skin. When financial aid/scholorship are NOT based on finances but on keeping a certain goal keeper, midfielder etc.... you are going to have problems. That is NOT a race issue.
BTW I did not mean to bash MTA or even CC, we have a serious problem in US in how elite soccer is made available.
Here is one solution, allowing sponsors/adverting, on shirts, fields and coaches. Little League teams have bail bond sponsors and soccer in the US/MN for some reason seems to think we shouldn't plaster some sort of sponsorship on kids, fields and coaches. That is something to bring to MYSA and would actually do something. I think here in MN we have developed a lazy attitude regarding team finances. Why fundraise or get sponsors when it much easier to just ask the parents. There one idea on how to start changing things.
So coaches are expected to teach players how to play and they are also expected to teach parents how to parent?
Good luck with that...especially after seeing how stubborn and idiotic many parents are on this blog.
But, of course, Mister Soccer is not stubborn or idiotic????
Parent: Kill them. Smash them. Put it in the goal.
Coach: Excuse me, Mrs. Anonymous, could you please refrain from using such aggressive words on the sideline.
Parent: Maybe you should try it yourself to get our team to play better.
Coach: I don't think that's appropriate.
Parent: I'm an adult. Don't tell me what's appropriate.
Coach: Fair enough.
Parent: This is America. I can support my kid however I want to.
Coach: Ok, but please try to be respectful to everyone around.
Parent: I pay you. Don't tell me what to do. You won't be coaching this team next year.
Coach: Uhhhhhhhhh, ok.
it is not about teaching parents how to parent, it about parents learning how to act. kids see how they are acting and think its ok if nobody says anything.why do you think thiers foul language and unnessecary "spelled wrong" injuries caused by playing the body instead of the ball. some of this just comes with the game, but when parebts are yelling take her out, thats a huge problem. unfortunately, it is a nieve problem. " most, some" parents dont even understand the game or its rules.hearing handball 1000000000000000000 times a game is the most annoying. ball to hand no, hand to ball yes, intent comes in as well. it is a contact sport, but having every contact constantly called out, doesnt happen in hockey, hockey is contact, if you cant handle contact according to the rules dont watch the freakin game. every team has them, the parent sideline coach taking credit for what he yells out to the parents always against what the coach says, and the most annoying person who constantly calls out the obvious, hand ball, tripping, lets go give 110%, all of which is obvious to everyone and the ref never changes his calls, but they still feel the need to inform everyone of the obvious. i know this will never go away but i cant be the only one annoyed by this stuff. put in ear plugs and watch the game. ha
Why are we paying soccer coaches so much money? Maybe the coaches should seek financing/team sponsors if they want to make a career out of coaching youth soccer. Face it, youth soccer has gotten totally out of control -- both at the coaching and parent level. Let the kids play; don't make them into robots.
Youth soccer in MN should have been organized on a school district model. I'm certain a separate program without geographic boundaries would have developed,with the ability to recruit players. So, MA and MTA would still flourish as well as youth soccer in general in MN.
Coach: Parent is acting inappropriate at our games. Other parenst are complaining and its affecting my kids.
Director: Ok, I will speak with parent and remind him of the ethic code he signed. The parent will need to send an email to parents apologizing for his actions. If his behavior continues, let me know.
mr soccer, well, one parent doesnt hold 100% decision on the coach,and if the coach is in it for the team and not the money, if he is in a inappropriate enviroment for the players then he should find a different team. not all parents from that team held this individuals comments to be appropriate, most of them moved away from her, most clubs have parent pledges to sighn, some state if you cannot abide leave the field. the players hear all of this and if nothing happens they see it as being acceptable. i will not coach in an enviroment harmfull to the players, theirs other coaches out thier for that. a line has to drawn at some point before over time it gets worse. that doesnt happen at everygame all the time, but would i sighn up for that team again with parents like that, no. dont care how much you paid me.
I wonder how many refs undertand that rule -- ball to hand no, hand to ball yes, intent comes in as well.
Two examples of Anon idiots above.
Soccer coaches are paid because parents are willing to pay them. Soccer coaches are also paid because of the limited number of people in MN who know how to coach the sport. Why aren't youth hockey coaches paid in MN even while they are the coaches producing professional athletes.
5% understand, in the same game i was watching, an attacker during a coener kick had their hands abover thier head, hand hit the ball, hands not in a natural position, ball went outside of box, intent ball drastically changed direction in their favor, second attacker shot into net, no hand ball.
later in the same game, a defender was about 3yrds away from attacker, attacker takes a one time kick from a pass and drills the defenders arm, with arms at side having no time to react, ball to hand with no intent, and it is called. refs are the weakest link in youth sports. calls are so inconsistant and some dont even make sense.
22/6/10 11:34
um.. well I'm a soccer player for the MTA. And I say that we are not being forced into being robots, our coaches work us hard so we actually succeed unlike your son or daughter that probably doesn't even succeed.
Also the soccer coaches make money because they actually teach us good thing's and can make us learn and grow to be better soccer players.
um.. well I'm not a soccer player for the MTA and i think you've been brainwashed. MTA is not the only place where you learn and grow to be a better soccer player.
1:28,
Can you explain to my idiot self why most soccer coaches in MN are paid and most hockey coaches in MN are not paid?
-11:45
because hockey coaches actually develop talent and soccer coaches just recruit talent.
because youth hockey is based on geographic location and youth soccer is .... not.
because soccer coaches have cool accents and hockey coaches don't
There are my top three reason, I'm sure we could have fun with this and come up with more.
22/6/10 11:50 AM Please get certified and put some time into refereeing so we can get rid of what you think is the weakest link.
It won't be as easy as you think, in fact you'll probably miss some of the same things the ref you were watching misses, until you get calm, structured, knowledgeable feedback and decide to get good as a referee.
I would hope you have a fairly thick skin too, as other posters have noted, not many (including many top level coaches) understand what FIFA and USSF ask of the referees.
Again, if any of you really want to understand what FIFA and USSF consider Intentional Handling, please go to USSOCCER website, click on referee and look for the Law and interpretations. It is very subjective, and actually easier to call at the highest level v. lower amateur levels where intention and ability issues get in the way.
2:41 PM -- I wonder how many of those hockey coaches who are not paid played beyond high school?
If you think you can coach soccer, and will do it for free. Find a team, I for one will applaud you, regardless of the quality.
But, I will not degrade those coaches we ask to be paid for the time and energy they use for our kids. If your kid is not worth the money the coach is asking, that is your problem, not his/hers.
You pay less to a coach than you would spend to send your kid to a movie, or to the mall, or down the street with the losers. Get off the coaches are overpaid bull$%^# it just isn't reality.
I wouldn't coach if I wasn't paid, but for the 3rd time on this blog:
Why are soccer coaches paid and not hockey coaches?
-hockey coaches in MN have produced hundreds of more scholarship and professional players than soccer coaches in MN have.
-how many paid soccer coaches never played and simply checked out a couple library books?
2:20pm well ummmmmm! I'm not brainwashed for wanting to play with MTA. my parents want me to play for Edina or Eden Prairie. Not a chance, i want to play for the best club in the state. i want to play for the coaches that have taught me more about soccer than any other club I have played for. NO I AM NOT BRAINWASHED. Get over it and stop talking trash about MTA! or maybe it's just cuz you're jealous your kid can't play for the best club ever!
4:03 PM -- you write nonsense. How much does MTA pay an elite coach? How many hours per week does he spend training/coaching? What basis are you using to say they are underpaid?
Anyone out there know how much a bantam A coach earns at edina or wayzata or other association that uses a non-parent as a headcoach?
4:28 PM You are sick but funny!
hmm, 10K minimum a year to the coach. 16 players, 9 months of the year, average 2 times a week is 8.68 a time. Here the catch, I don't go to the movies twice a week and the cost is never divided between 16 players. On the boys side, a more realistic number is ten to twelve players that are paying. Which means it now cost $12-$14 a session.
Do I consider the cost of my coach worth it, yeah if it was divided between 16 players. If the coach feels he NEEDS 4-6 scholorship player then I think the coach should fund that. Otherwise, he should work at developing the players he has. Most of the time it is not the parents or the players that think they NEED a certain player, it is the coach.
4:19 PM
Your first reason simply supports the argument that hockey coaches should be paid and paid considerably more than soccer coaches.
Your second reason does not deserve an answer, but I will. Is there a magic number of years of playing that is necessary in order to coach? Is high school enough? Do you need credentials like Maradona? Do you have to read books to get coaching licenses? What makes a soccer coach a good coach?
As the parent of kids who have played at competitive levels in both hockey and soccer I can tell you the reason hockey coaches are not paid is simple. There are men standing in line to coach hockey and they will gladly do it for free. The motivations can be different but each association owns your kid, they can't move to another association as the rules of youth hockey prevent it without a waiver which our association would never grant. So there are a lot of bad coaches in hockey. But it is the glory sport in Minnesota and attracts the best athletes. We choose soccer. Better coaching, better culture, better role models all the way around. I gladly pay to have my kids in this environment. Too many bad experiences in hockey, we will never go back.
22/6/10 4:43 PM, 4:03 here. You tell me how much MTA pays their coaches, you are the one stating it is too much. Guess you are basing your opinion on myth and inaccuracies. I wasn't even talking about MTA- your hate got in the way of common sense.
Just for fun, I am going to take a stab at your other questions, and I will use your logic (guessing).
How many hours per week does he spend training/coaching? More quality time than you spend with your brat. By the way, last I saw, MTA, SCV, BHK, EP etc train or play 4-5 times per week in peak season and at least 3 times most of the year for premier and Elite players. Plus ODP and individual training for those players with higher desire.
What basis are you using to say they are underpaid? I played, coached, refereed and now have a child playing for whom I pay a coach who is worth more than I pay. See the above post of someone who has broken their team cost down.
Anyone out there know how much a bantam A coach earns at edina or wayzata or other association that uses a non-parent as a headcoach? Who cares!! This is about soccer coaches, not hockey. Anyone know an executive in a corportation, how much do they earn ... are they all brilliant, deserving, and moral??? Good point, not.
Is it me, or have you seen a LOT more diving and over-the-top theatrics in your kids' league games this past week? Why would that be?
yes - lots of flopping and overacting... at least the girls are actually watching World Cup games!
USA, USA, USA!!!! GOAL!!!!
7:55 AM Loser
7:55
"More quality time than you spend with your brat."
Nice classless post.
So 10:28 and 11:45 agree. And 1:28 disagrees with this comment:
"11:45, clearly you are an idiot when you say soccer coaches are paid "because of the limited number of people in MN who know how to coach the sport." That statement is so self-aggrandizing."
So it doesn't seem so "clear" to me. I think 1:28 is the idiot. Clearly there are more men in MN who have hockey experience than there are men in MN with soccer experience.
Seems like Suppy & Demand to me. Soccer coaches are paid because there aren't many who think they can coach. Hockey coaches aren't paid because there are many who think they can coach.
That's odd because it's the hockey coaches producing multi-million dollar contracts out of this state.
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