Regionals 2009

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

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

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

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

2010 World Cup Qualifying and USMNT

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

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

On to Regionals

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

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

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

U13G Semi Final Controversy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'09 Boys State Cup Results

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

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

'09 Girls State Cup Results

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

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

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

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

College Bound Player

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

'09 Boys State Cup

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

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