'08 Girls Regionals

The MN girls draw is probably not as good as the boys. But generally I think the quality of the MN girls teams is higher than the boys (in comparison to the competition at Regionals.) That said, the girls with a chance to get out of their group are the 14s and 18s. All other teams should at least be competative.

Link with most Regional information is: http://www.region2.com/2008Cup/teaminfo.html

'08 Boys State Cup - Let the Games Begin

Time for the kids to take the field and show us what they've got. Good luck to all the players and teams. This should be a great cup with many outstanding match ups in the group stages.

Schedule and results here: http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/events/statecup.cfm#sched

'08 Girls State Cup - Let the Games Begin

With all the nonsense in the previous posting, its time to let the kids play. Looks like MN weather will keep the games from starting for a few more days. Hopefully the fields will hold up. Good luck to everyone in the tournament!

Schedule and results here: http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/events/statecup.cfm#sched

Blog Administrator Wanted

It's been fun, but I am moving out of the area and will no longer have time to keep this blog up to date. If you have interest in taking over, please send me an email at mnfutbol@yahoo.com with your thoughts and ideas on what you would do with the blog (a couple of sentences will do.)

'08 Boys State Cup

The MN state cup draw was held this past weekend and the draws are now available at the MYSA web site. There appears to be many interesting groups at many of the age levels. If the weather and fields hold up, it should be a great tournament.

The U16 bracket is the largest on the boy’s side with 16 teams. Can the MUS U14 boys repeat? Will the U16 AFC SE team be able to repeat with a change in club and roster? Or will their arch rivals BNG finally get their chance at Regionals? Will BNG’s dominance at U17 finally be broken by CDA or EDP? Will the U18 age group be dominated by Shattuck? With the U19s be a toss up like recent years?

'08 Girls State Cup

With a regional champ at U13 last year, the hopes for up and coming regionally-competitive girls teams is high. The girl’s draw shows 16 teams entering at U16 and 17 teams at U13. Can the BNG U14s repeat? Will WDB keep a strangle hold on the U16 age group? Can the BNG 17s maintain their dominance? Can the Shattuck U18 girls really compete with the likes of BNG, TNK and WBL? Can anyone give the SCV U19 girls a run for their money this year?

Thunder Youth Development Plan

With all of the talk of the Thunder trying to build a youth program or academy and building a competitive A League team, they should be very busy this spring and summer. There have been rumors of some local clubs joining forces with the Thunder to seed an academy at several age groups.

League Speak – MYSA, MRL and National

Midwest league officially started over the past few weekends. At least 1 MN team has already traveled south to face MRL competition. With the expanded MRL format, it will be interesting to see how MN teams compete this spring.

Club Scene – A Kinder and Gentler Soccer Community

I shut down the previous “club scene” post hoping this newer version might offer a chance for reconciliation and a more positive, upbeat discussion on club happenings. ;)