Inside Minnesota Soccer

Official 2010 NSC Minnesota Schedule

Brian Quarstad — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:15:50 +0000

I’ve gone through the schedule, added important World Cup dates to it and denoted the home and away games as well as the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup games.

•   In conjunction with the release of the schedule, the USSF has also unveiled details of the playoff format for this season. The 12-team league, consisting of two conferences of six teams, has adopted the following format:
•   The first place team (based on total points, at the conclusion of the regular season) in the USL Conference and NASL Conference will become the top two seeds in the playoffs.
•   The next six (6) best teams, based on total points, will round out the playoff field.
•   The four teams with the fewest total points in the regular season are excluded from the playoffs.
•   Playoffs will begin during the week starting Monday, October 4.
•   Quarterfinals will be a two-game, home-and-away series determined by total aggregate goals.
•   Semifinal round will be a two-game, home-and-away series determined by total aggregate goals.
•   Championship will be a two-game, home-and-away series determined by total aggregate goals.
•   Exact dates for playoff games are TBD.

Here are some notes I’ve taken after letting the schedule sink in:

–As stated earlier today, the travel partners for NSC Minnesota are AC St. Louis, Portland and Vancouver. Minnesota will play each of those teams 4 times, 2 at home and 2 away.

–The other travel partner not in our travel group ends up being the Tampa Bay Rowdies. I know for a fact that at one point our other travel partner was Puerto Rico. Not a huge difference but still an improvement going to Tampa over having to go to Puerto Rico twice.

–NSC has 5 summer tournaments and they were allowed home games at all 5 tournaments. In fact, they squeeze 6 games out of the 5 tourneys plus a Blaine Soccer Club tourney, the Blaine Breakout.

–There is definite fixture congestion during Schwan’s USA Cup with home league games on the 10th and 14th which probably will not allow a guest opponent (like Burnley in the summer of 2008) during the USA Cup as has often been done in the past. Unless the team tries to squeeze it in on Friday or Saturday when most of the tournament goers are gone.

–The home schedule gives us 9 Saturday games, 5 Wednesday games and 1 Sunday game which is Sunday, July 4th.

–Toughest stretch of the season may be the first three games where we play away to Vancouver, Carolina and Puerto Rico. All very good teams.

–There are 2 stretches of 3-week periods away from home:

May 29 to June 19 where there are 3 away games against Rochester, Montreal and Portland, but most likely there will be a home Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game in the stretch and on June 15 or 16.

The other is a 3.5 week stretch from August 21 to Sept. 15. But only 2 away games are played during that long stretch. Those games are against Austin and St. Louis.

–Oddest scheduling is two games against Miami home and away May 15 home and May 22 away. We never see the Blues again for the entire season.

–Longest stretch before we see a team is June 26, almost 3 months into the season before we play Crystal Palace Baltimore.

–Worst scheduled game of the season is Wednesday, September 15 against the Carolina RailHawks. A Wednesday evening game when school has begun and both high school and college soccer have started with their seasons well under way? I can’t wait to see the crowd for that game.

–For two years I harped on the old MN Thunder to create a schedule on their website where you could import that game schedule into your Entourage or i-Cal calender. Without asking, the NSC has already made this available along with other options, like requesting an email from them to remind you of games. I only have one word for NSC: OUTSTANDING! Check it out here.

Here is your 2010 NSC Minnesota Soccer Schedule.

Sunday, April 11 at Vancouver Whitecaps @ A
Friday, April 16 at Carolina RailHawks @ A
Sunday, April 18 at Puerto Rico Islanders @ A
Saturday, April 24 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (held during NSC’s Spring Cup youth tournament) @H
Wednesday, April 28 vs. Rochester Rhinos @H
Saturday, May 1 vs. Austin Aztex (held during the Blaine Breakout youth tournament) @H
Sunday, May 9 at Montreal Impact @ A
Saturday, May 15 vs. Miami FC @ H
Saturday, May 22 at Miami FC @ A
Thursday, May 27 at Tampa Bay Rowdies @ A
Saturday, May 29 vs. AC St. Louis (held during the NSC Cup youth tournament) @H
Friday, June 4 at Rochester Rhinos @ A
Wednesday, June 9 vs. Montreal Impact @ A
Saturday, June 12 USA v England World Cup
Tuesday, June 15 or Wednesday June 16 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First Round
Thursday, June 17 at Portland Timbers @ A
Friday, June 18 USA v Slovenia World Cup
Saturday, June 19 vs. Portland Timbers (held during the Wal-Mart All-American youth tournament) @H
Wednesday, June 23 USA V Algeria World Cup
Tuesday, June 22 or Wednesday June 23 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round
Saturday, June 26 at Crystal Palace Baltimore @ A
Tuesday, June 29 or Wednesday June 30 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round
July 2 and 3 -World Cup Quarterfinals
Sunday, July 4 vs. Crystal Palace Baltimore @H
July 6 and 7 – World Cup Semifinals
Tuesday, July 6 or Wednesday July 7 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
Saturday, July 10 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (held during Schwan’s USA CUP youth tournament) @H
July 11 – World Cup Final
Wednesday, July 14 vs. AC St. Louis (held during Schwan’s USA CUP youth tournament) @H
Sunday, July 25 at Vancouver Whitecaps @ A
Wednesday, July 28 vs. Puerto Rico Islanders @H
Sunday, August 1 at AC St. Louis @ A
Wednesday, August 11 at Portland Timbers @ A
Saturday, August 14 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps @H
Saturday, August 21 vs. Portland Timbers @H
Tuesday, August 31 or Wednesday, September 1 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals
Saturday, September 4 at Austin Aztex @ A
Saturday, September 11 at AC St. Louis @ A
Wednesday, September 15 vs. Carolina RailHawks @H
Saturday, September 18 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps @H
Friday, September 24 at Tampa Bay Rowdies @ A

Click More for the entire 2010 USSF Division II schedule.

Sat., April 10  Rochester Rhinos at Miami FC  AC St. Louis at Carolina RailHawks
Sun., April 11  NSC Minnesota at Vancouver Whitecaps  Montreal Impact at Austin Aztex
Fri., April 16  NSC Minnesota at Carolina RailHawks  Montreal Impact at Puerto Rico Islanders  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Crystal Palace Baltimore
Sat., April 17  Austin Aztex at AC St. Louis  Rochester Rhinos at Portland Timbers  Vancouver Whitecaps at Miami FC
Sun., April 18  NSC Minnesota at Puerto Rico Islanders
Wed., April 21             Puerto Rico Islanders at Crystal Palace Baltimore
Thu., April 22             AC St. Louis at Portland Timbers
Sat., April 24  Rochester Rhinos at Austin Aztex  AC St. Louis at Vancouver Whitecaps  Tampa Bay Rowdies at NSC Minnesota
Sun., April 25  Portland Timbers at Montreal Impact
Wed., April 28             Rochester Rhinos at NSC Minnesota
Thu., April 29             Vancouver Whitecaps at Portland Timbers
Sat., May 1       Austin Aztex at NSC Minnesota  Crystal Palace Baltimore at AC St. Louis  Carolina RailHawks at Rochester Rhinos  Puerto Rico Islanders at Montreal Impact  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Miami FC
Sat., May 8       Austin Aztex at Tampa Bay Rowdies  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Vancouver Whitecaps  Carolina RailHawks at Miami FC  AC St. Louis at Rochester Rhinos
Sun., May 9     NSC Minnesota at Montreal Impact
Thu., May 13  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Portland Timbers
Fri., May 14     Tampa Bay Rowdies at Carolina RailHawks
Sat., May 15     Miami FC at NSC Minnesota  Montreal Impact at Vancouver Whitecaps AC St. Louis at Portland Timbers
Sun., May 16  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Austin Aztex
Wed., May 19  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Rochester Rhinos  Montreal Impact at Portland Timbers  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Austin Aztex
Sat., May 22     NSC Minnesota at Miami FC  Portland Timbers at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Rochester Rhinos at Vancouver Whitecaps  Tampa Bay Rowdies at AC St. Louis
Wed., May 26  Austin Aztex at Miami FC  Carolina RailHawks at Puerto Rico Islanders
Thu., May 27  NSC Minnesota at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sat., May 29     Austin Aztex at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Puerto Rico Islanders at Tampa Bay Rowdies  AC St. Louis at NSC Minnesota  Vancouver Whitecaps at Rochester Rhinos
Sun., May 30  Carolina RailHawks at Montreal Impact
Wed., June 2    Miami FC at Puerto Rico Islanders
Fri., June 4     NSC Minnesota at Rochester Rhinos
Sat., June 5     Puerto Rico Islanders at Austin Aztex
Sun., June 6    Carolina RailHawks at Portland Timbers  Miami FC at Montreal Impact Tampa Bay Rowdies at Vancouver Whitecaps
Wed., June 9    Crystal Palace Baltimore at Miami FC  Carolina RailHawks at Vancouver Whitecaps  Montreal Impact at NSC Minnesota  Portland Timbers at Austin Aztex
Sat., June 12  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Rochester Rhinos  Montreal Impact at Tampa Bay Rowdies  Portland Timbers at Miami FC  AC St. Louis at Puerto Rico Islanders  Vancouver Whitecaps at Austin Aztex
Wed., June 16  Vancouver Whitecaps at Puerto Rico Islanders
Thu., June 17  NSC Minnesota at Portland Timbers
Sat., June 19  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Carolina RailHawks  Miami FC at Austin Aztex  Portland Timbers at NSC Minnesota  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Puerto Rico Islanders
Sun., June 20  Rochester Rhinos at Montreal Impact
Sat., June 26  Austin Aztex at Miami FC  NSC Minnesota at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Montreal Impact at Carolina RailHawks  Puerto Rico Islanders at Rochester Rhinos  Vancouver Whitecaps at AC St. Louis
Sun., June 27  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Portland Timbers
Wed., June 30  Vancouver Whitecaps at Montreal Impact
Sat., July 3      Carolina RailHawks at AC St. Louis  Montreal Impact at Rochester Rhinos  Puerto Rico Islanders at Austin Aztex  Vancouver Whitecaps at Portland Timbers
Sun., July 4     Crystal Palace Baltimore at NSC Minnesota  Miami FC at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Thu., July 8     AC St. Louis at Vancouver Whitecaps
Fri., July 9      Austin Aztex at Rochester Rhinos  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Puerto Rico Islanders
Sat., July 10    Miami FC at Portland Timbers  Montreal Impact at AC St. Louis  Tampa Bay Rowdies at NSC Minnesota
Sun., July 11  Carolina RailHawks at Puerto Rico Islanders
Wed., July 14  Carolina RailHawks at Montreal Impact  Miami FC at Vancouver Whitecaps  Rochester Rhinos at Crystal Palace Baltimore  AC St. Louis at NSC Minnesota
Thu., July 15  Puerto Rico Islanders at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sat., July 17    Carolina RailHawks at Rochester Rhinos Puerto Rico Islanders at Miami FC  AC St. Louis at Austin Aztex
Sun., July 18  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Montreal Impact
Wed., July 21  AC St. Louis at Montreal Impact
Thu., July 22  Portland Timbers at Vancouver Whitecaps  Rochester Rhinos at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sat., July 24    Rochester Rhinos at Puerto Rico Islanders  AC St. Louis at Crystal Palace Baltimore
Sun., July 25  Miami FC at Tampa Bay Rowdies  NSC Minnesota at Vancouver Whitecaps
Tue., July 27  Rochester Rhinos at Carolina RailHawks
Wed., July 28  Portland Timbers at AC St. Louis  Puerto Rico Islanders at NSC Minnesota  Vancouver Whitecaps at Montreal Impact
Sat., July 31    Miami FC at Austin Aztex  Montreal Impact at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Portland Timbers at Tampa Bay Rowdies  Vancouver Whitecaps at Carolina RailHawks
Sun., Aug. 1    NSC Minnesota at AC St. Louis
Wed., Aug. 4    Miami FC at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Portland Timbers at Rochester Rhinos
Fri., Aug. 6      Vancouver Whitecaps at AC St. Louis
Sat., Aug. 7      Miami FC at Puerto Rico Islanders  Montreal Impact at Carolina RailHawks Tampa Bay Rowdies at Austin Aztex
Wed., Aug. 11  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Montreal Impact  NSC Minnesota at Portland Timbers  Rochester Rhinos at Carolina RailHawks  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Puerto Rico Islanders
Sat., Aug. 14    Vancouver Whitecaps at NSC Minnesota  Austin Aztex at Puerto Rico Islanders  Carolina RailHawks at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Montreal Impact at Rochester Rhinos  Portland Timbers at AC St. Louis  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Miami FC
Wed., Aug. 18  Miami FC at Carolina RailHawks  Rochester Rhinos at Crystal Palace Baltimore
Fri., Aug. 20    Puerto Rico Islanders at AC St. Louis
Sat., Aug. 21    Carolina RailHawks at Austin Aztex  Miami FC at Rochester Rhinos  Montreal Impact at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Portland Timbers at NSC Minnesota  Vancouver Whitecaps at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Wed., Aug. 25  Carolina RailHawks at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Thu., Aug. 26  Austin Aztex at Portland Timbers
Fri., Aug. 27    Rochester Rhinos at Montreal Impact
Sat., Aug. 28    Puerto Rico Islanders at Carolina RailHawks
Sun., Aug. 29  Austin Aztex at Vancouver Whitecaps  Crystal Palace Baltimore at Portland Timbers  AC St. Louis at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Thu., Sept. 2    Puerto Rico Islanders at Portland Timbers
Fri., Sept. 3     Crystal Palace Baltimore at Carolina RailHawks
Sat., Sept. 4     NSC Minnesota at Austin Aztex
Sun., Sept. 5    Miami FC at AC St. Louis  Puerto Rico Islanders at Vancouver Whitecaps
Sat., Sept. 11  Austin Aztex at Puerto Rico Islanders  NSC Minnesota at AC St. Louis  Montreal Impact at Miami FC  Portland Timbers at Carolina RailHawks  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Rochester Rhinos  Vancouver Whitecaps at Crystal Palace Baltimore
Wed., Sept. 15  Carolina RailHawks at NSC Minnesota
Thu., Sept. 16  Austin Aztex at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Fri., Sept. 17  Miami FC at Rochester Rhinos
Sat., Sept. 18  Carolina RailHawks at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Portland Timbers at Puerto Rico Islanders  Vancouver Whitecaps at NSC Minnesota  Austin Aztex at AC St. Louis
Sun., Sept. 19  Tampa Bay Rowdies at Montreal Impact
Wed., Sept. 22  AC St. Louis at Miami FC
Fri., Sept. 24  NSC Minnesota at Tampa Bay Rowdies  Montreal Impact at Vancouver Whitecaps
Sat., Sept. 25 Portland Timbers at Crystal Palace Baltimore  Puerto Rico Islanders at Carolina RailHawks  Rochester Rhinos at Miami FC  AC St. Louis at Austin Aztex
Thu., Sept. 30 Austin Aztex at Carolina RailHawks
Fri., Oct. 1       Crystal Palace Baltimore at Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sat., Oct. 2 Portland Timbers at Vancouver Whitecaps  Puerto Rico Islanders at Miami FC  Rochester Rhinos at AC St. Louis
Sun., Oct. 3
Austin Aztex at Montreal Impact

2010 USSF 2nd Division Schedule Should Be Released Today or Tomorrow-NSC Minnesota Openers Revealed

Brian Quarstad — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:58:01 +0000

All sources seem to be saying that the USSF 2nd Division schedule will FINALLY be out this afternoon or tomorrow morning. It also sounds as if US Soccer will be releasing the schedule themselves in a press release. After all, it is their league this year, which is probably something they are regretting more and more by the day. US Soccer is quickly learning what a pain in the ass running a league can be with owners who all have legitimate reasons why they do and don’t like a schedule.

I don’t have the full schedule but I can tell you a number of things about NSC Minnesota’s schedule.

1) As was reported here several weeks ago, the USSF 2nd Division league schedule will be based on a system that is not balanced but will instead try to be economical by playing teams within a region more often than teams out of a team’s region. These regions would not be conference affiliated and are for scheduling purposes only. The 2-conferences, USL and NASL, will both be broken down into 3 regions with 4 teams in each region. All teams will play the three other teams in their region 4 times (2 home and 2 away) and one team out of their region 4 times (2 home and 2 away). A team would then play all other teams in the other 2 regions 2 times (1 home and 1 away) making a 30-game schedule.

2) NSC Minnesota will have Portland, Vancouver and AC St. Louis in their travel group. Rumors are that Minnesota will end up playing Puerto Rico 4 times as the opponent out of their group. If this is correct, it makes a very brutal and possibly the worst travel schedule out of all 12 teams. It also seems that Minnesota will be at a disadvantage playing 3 of the top Division II teams in the league 4 times.

3) Minnesota will open the season April 11th at Vancouver. I hope they get the torches out in case they need to clear the field of ice or snow. The average temperature for Vancouver on April 11th is 9°C or 48.2 °F.

4) Minnesota’s home opener is also early this year. April 24th NSC Minnesota will take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies at the NSC. Average temperature in Minneapolis on April 24th is 52°F. Bring those fair weather Florida boys on!

Trophy for the Mississippi River Cup

Brian Quarstad — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:30:42 +0000

Several weeks ago I suggested to the powers that be at both the National Sports Center and AC St. Louis that we create a new trophy to be held by the overall winner of the series between AC St. Louis and NSC Minnesota, both new teams in the USSF 2nd Division. The concept being that we are both located on the Mississippi River. The idea went over well with both parties.

I envision this trophy to be much like the University of Minnesota’s football trophy’s they share with several colleges in the Big Ten, like: “The Little Brown Jug” (Michigan), “Paul Bunyun’s Ax” (Wisconsin) or “Floyd (the Pig) of Rosedale” Iowa. This would also be in keeping with the “Rocky Mountain Cup” which is a trophy for the winner of the season series between ReaL Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids of MLS which has grown to see its own logo and website.

A very funny aside: Back in 2005 when the Minnesota Thunder convincingly beat both Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids in US Open Cup play, members of the Dark Cloud supporters group laid claim to the Rock Mountain Cup on the Wikipedia page which was not taken kindly to by supporters of either MLS club. It was of course done as a joke and was written with tongue-in-cheek, but it seems our MLS brothers and sisters just didn’t see the humor and it was removed within hours. A cheap replica of the Rock Mountain Cup can be found at every Dark Cloud pregame tailgate and is used to collect money for food and drink that is shared by the Dark Clouds to anyone who wishes to join them in pregame festivities. So in a sense, the Rocky Mountain Cup lives on in the hearts of many supporters.

So now I need your help. We need to come up with a creative trophy to pass between AC St. Louis and NSC Minnesota. I would think this should be called the Mississippi River Cup but then again if it’s not a cup lets call it whatever it ends up being.

So my question to you is: What should the trophy be and what should it be called?

Suggestions so far have been a canoe paddle and a life ring.

NSC Minnesota is Name of New Pro Soccer Team – Logo Unveiled

Brian Quarstad — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:05:30 +0000

The National Sports Center announced today via live webcast that “NSC Minnesota” is the name of the new professional Division II soccer team that is owned and operated by the NSC. The organization also revealed their new logo and team colors.

While the official name of the team is NSC Minnesota, the organization has named their team the “Stars”. The name “Stars” has significance for NSC in several areas. The NSC logo itself has a star in it representing the North Star which is the Minnesota State nickname. The North Star State” evolved from the State Motto L’Etoile du Nord or “Star of the North.” Also, North Star FC was the most popular name in the voting contest conducted by the non-profit. Because of a myriad of trademark issues that could have been an issue in the future, the organization decided to go with one of the other favorite choices in NSC Minnesota.

The team also unveiled the new logo with the team colors of dark blue and yellow. The shield is a variation on some of the newer shaped shields like Arsenal’s but has a harder angle at the top. It’s bordered with two vertical yellow lines and has the star in the logo.

The team also announced a temporary website until a specific one is built for the team. You can also go to NSCMinnesota.com, which will redirect you to the temporary website. No doubt, the latter will be the eventual home of the team.

During the webcast, Bjerkness also updated fans on some of the major developments coming in the near future:

» The league will be announcing the game schedule early next week. As soon as that is finalized, the Stars will begin ticket sales.
» A new coach will be hired within a week to 10 days.
» Players will begin to be signed soon after a coach is selected. It will take about eight weeks to fill the team’s roster.
» Coerver Coaching Minnesota has been selected as a partner to operate youth soccer camps and clinics for the team.

NSC To Announce Team Name and Logo Live Via Webcast

Brian Quarstad — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:43:35 +0000

The National Sports Center (NSC) will hold a live online video press conference today to announce the naming of the new Division II soccer team in Minnesota. NSC will also unveil their new logo for the team.

The live webcast will be held today Friday, February 5 at 1:00 p.m. Central Time. Viewers may watch the webcast by going HERE.

Can’t watch the press conference? Check back here at IMS and I’ll have the team name and logo posted as soon as the NSC announces it live online.

The National Sports Center ran an online fan voting contest that garnered 3,110 votes over a two week period in late January. The contest wrapped up on January 26. Since then, team officials have been busy discussing the most popular names, clearing trademark issues and discussing long-term marketing and branding potential.

The webcast will be MC’d by Scott Clasen, host of the NSC’s weekly video show, “NSCtv.” During the show, Clasen will interview Kris Bjerkness, team general manager. Bjerkness will also outline a tentative timeline for the opening of ticket sales, hiring of a coach, the first player signings and plans for the team’s youth soccer camp program.

There have been issues for NSC clearing some of the names with trademarks that could have led to issues down the line with sale of apparel, amongst other legal issues. The NSC has been designing their logo in-house with their own marketing team and have been going through many branding designs while still not knowing exactly what the name of the team would be. The naming of the team and having an identifying logo will certainly help the organization claim some brand identity as they move forward in putting 11 men on the field on opening day of the USSF 2nd Division League.

Rochester Thunder are Officially Off and Running; Tryout Dates Set

Brian Quarstad — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:22:22 +0000

The Rochester Thunder PDL team are officially up and running with a brand new web site, tryout dates and a schedule.

The United Soccer League had struck a deal with the Rochester Minnesota team to allow them back into the Heartland Division of the Premier Development League. The Thunder PDL team were officially terminated from the United Soccer Leagues last November after majority owner WingField Corporation had left the Rochester minority owner Dan Penz high and dry. The Rochester, MN businessman had completed all of his financial obligations but had also been left short of contractual obligations by WingField. The USL felt that Penz was a solid businessman and had liked the success of the first year team, allowing them back into the league. However, as noted in the PDL standings at USLsoccer.com, the Rochester Thunder are considered a new team even though they now have a year of experience behind them. PDL experienced coach Neil Cassidy plans on using that year’s experience and building on it to create an even better team for the 2010 season.

This year’s tryouts will be held on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21, 2010.
Tryouts will be held at Rochester Technical & Community College, in the sports dome, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Cost for registration is $80.

2010 Hermann Trophy Winner and NCAA D-I Scoring leader Teal Bunbury was a Rochester Thunder player last summer. Bunbury went 4th in the MLS draft and is now a project Adidas player with the KC Wizards

“We picked up nearly half our team through our tryouts last season,” said Thunder coach Neil Cassidy. “This year our focus is to add quality and depth to an already-talented core of returning players.”

Cassidy is looking forward to season two of Thunder action. “We now have experience facing all the teams in our division, and we hope to use this to reverse some of the narrow losses and ties we had last season.”

Click HERE for the registration form. Then fill it out and return it along with payment to the Rochester Thunder at 1530 Greenview Dr. SW, Suite 120, Rochester, MN 55902.

For more information on tryouts, contact Neil Cassidy at 507-269-6536, or via e-mail at rysacoachingdirector@gmail.com. Or visit the Thunder website at www.thethunderfc.com.

Arbitrator Rules in Favor of US Youth Soccer and MYSA

Brian Quarstad — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:58:44 +0000

On Monday, the arbitrator assigned to the complicated grievance filed by US Club Soccer, American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and three of its associated clubs, ruled in favor of US Youth Soccer and five of their state organizations.

The grievance, which was filed in August and reported here, challenged what the filing parties felt were discriminatory practices in treating US Club Soccer teams differently than teams from USYS state associations on issues that include: denial of insurance coverage for USYS teams attending a US Club Soccer sanctioned tournament; denial of a team’s use of their USYS player cards, rosters, etc. when attending a US Club Soccer sanctioned tournament; and charging US Club Soccer teams an extra insurance fee for playing in a USYS sanctioned tournament.

The decision stated: “The Arbitrator finds nothing in the USSF bylaws, policies, or resolutions to support the proposition that Organization Members must afford the same benefits to their players or teams when participating in another organization’s activities as apply when the player or team is playing within their own organization.”

MYSA has recently agreed to sanction all 2010 National Sports Center (NSC) Tournaments but for one in which NSC did not request sanctioning. This olive branch extended by both the NSC and MYSA made part of the decision “inapplicable” according to a statement by the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association (WYSA):

A number of the claims alleged in the grievance also focused on events related to the 2009 USA Cup at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, and actions of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, the North Dakota Youth Soccer Association, and the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association. The arbitrator made certain rulings that only applied if the 2010 USA Cup is not sanctioned by a US Youth Soccer State Association, but since the 2010 USA Cup applied for and was approved by the MYSA, those provisions of the arbitrator’s order are inapplicable. At the same time, the arbitrator specifically held that US Club Soccer and AYSO had not proven that Wisconsin’s, Minnesota’s or North Dakota’s policies violated any applicable Federation rules, and the challenges to the policies of those State Associations were all denied.

The Arbitrator did take exception with a statement in a letter from WYSA president Peter Mariahazy. The ruling stated that the Wisconsin Youth Soccer executive should issue a communication to its members clarifying the decisions ruled on by the arbitrator. According to an apology letter posted yesterday by Mariahazy, he had sent an email to the organization’s members last July which stated several inaccuracies. Mariahazy had said that its member clubs could not participate in the Schwan’s USA Cup, which was not true. “It is important for WYSA to make it clear to all of its members that they are completely free to participate in any games, events or activities,” said Mariahazy in his apology letter. “The policies and insurance policies of WYSA do not have the intent or the effect of prohibiting any WYSA teams from participating in any non-US Youth Soccer activities.”

Madison Soccer Central is reporting that a spokesperson for US Club Soccer issued a statement to its members in which it said it was “generally disappointed” with the decision and that the group was considering appealing the decision to the U.S. Soccer Federation Board of Directors, which it has the right to do within 10 days.

“We want to emphasize that US Club Soccer will continue to follow the (principles) on which it was founded, which include allowing youth soccer players and their clubs to compete freely and easily in any USSF-sanctioned open competition with full membership rights and insurance coverage,” the US Club Soccer statement concluded. “We are disappointed that USYS and some of its state associations continue to feel that the best way to ‘compete’ is to make playing soccer more difficult and more expensive for youth soccer players. We commend the USYS states that have not employed such tactics, and will continue to lobby the USSF and the other states to do the right thing.”

Candace Daley, Executive Director MYSA, talked to IMS on Wednesday but said she preferred to not make a comment about the ruling at this time. She did state that she would be meeting with President Bob Poretti last night and a statement will be issued to its members and posted on the MYSA website on Thursday.

Steven Olson, COO of the NSC, also declined comment at this time but said he may have a comment in the near future. Olson did optimistically reemphasize that MYSA has agreed to sanction the Schawn’s USA Cup for 2010.

Minnesota Girls Signing National Letters of Intent for D-I & D-II

Brian Quarstad — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:24:48 +0000

Minnesota continued its reputation of quality girl soccer players that signed letters of intent to play for Division I and Division II schools throughout the US.

In alphabetical order here is the list of 2010 graduates who will play NCAA D-I and D-II college this fall:
Name – City – College

Lauren Bauer-Eagan-Minnesota
Katie Chandler-Eagan-Minnesota State Mankato
Brittany Cygan-Woodbury-Minnesota State Mankato
Lauren DiGregorio-Burnsville-Colorado College
Alyssa Giancana-Eagan-Ashford
Caitlin Graboski-Woodbury-Iowa State
Erin Green-White Bear Lake-Iowa State
Victoria Hoffman-Eastview-Minnesota State Moorhead
Stephanie Jacobson-Eagan-North Dakota State
Maddie Jobe-Benilde-St. Marg.-Iowa State
Kassey Kallman-Woodbury-Florida State
Mary Kroening-Woodbury-Georgetown
Kayla Kuczaboski-White Bear Lake-Concordia-St. Paul
Brittany Leeder-Eastview Minnesota-State Mankato
Jaquelyn Ley-Hill-Murray-Fairfield
Kalena Litch-Wayzata-Drake
Samantha Lumberg-Woodbury-Bemidji State
Maria McLeod-Cretin-Derham Hall-Bemidji State
Becky McCoy-Eagan-Winona State
Jordin Melchert-Simley-Dayton
Alli Miller – St. Paul Highland Park-Concordia St. Paul
Jenna Miller-Champlin Park-North Dakota State
Chloe Moore-Lakeville North-Concordia-St Paul
Bozena Podkopacz-Wayzata-Northwestern
Dani Potter-White Bear Lake-Minnesota-Duluth
Catherine Sessions-Woodbury-Wisconsin
Kayla Shook-Woodbury-Winona State
Julie Sierks-Edina-Northwestern
Courtney Vallarelli-Eagan-Minnesota State Mankato
Maren Werth-Bloomington Jefferson-Augustana

Shattuck-St. Mary’s signings:

Vanessa Legault-Cordisco (University of Evansville)
Christine Dubuc (Maine)
Hannah Van Eedenburg (Western Illinois)
Julianna Jack (Montana)
Kate McCusker (Indiana).
Becky Stoneman (Bowdoin)

See Below for a video from Shattuck on both the Boys and Girls Signings

Video of Shattuck-St. Mary’s Signings

Minnesota Boys Signing National Letters of Intent for D-I & D-II

Brian Quarstad — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:38:37 +0000

12 boys soccer players from Minnesota and neighboring areas of Wisconsin signed letters of intent today to play for Division I schools while 2 other signed to play for Division II schools.

14 players is a big jump from 2009 which only saw 6 players sign while 2 of those 6 ended up playing elsewhere. One moved to a D-III school and another to a community college until he could get his grades up.

This years crop of players looks very promising.

Listed in alphabetical order:

Brian Billings – Shattuck-St. Mary’s: Bradley
Zac Brown – St. Paul Academy (MTA): Richmond
Carlos Contreras – White Bear Lake (St. Croix): Wis.-Parkside
Karim Darbaki - Shattuck-St. Mary’s: Northern Illinois
Patrick Donyen – Shattuck-St. Mary’s: Dayton (verbal)
Kyle Erickson – Tartan (Arsenal): Lipscomb
Keenan Forder-Burnsville( MTA) – U Colorado – Colorado Springs
Michael Gandier – Shattuck-St. Mary’s: Furman
Zach Harwerth – Anoka (St. Croix): Houston Baptist
Mackenzie Lund – Hudson (Wis.) (St. Croix): Wis.-Green Bay
Nick Lund – Hudson (Wis.) (St. Croix): Wisconsin
Ryan Onwukwe – Totino-Grace (MTA): Wis.-Parkside
Brian Rosenthal – St. Paul Central (Blackhawks): Wis.-Parkside
Lawrence Talery – Coon Rapids (Blackhawks): Wis.-Green Bay
Brandon Wolf – Rosemount (Valley United): Wis.-Milwaukee
Paul Yonga – Totino-Grace (Arsenal): Wisconsin

Checking in on last years class of 2009:
Spencer Duhaime – Edina (MTA): Columbia…Walk-on (played one game)
Brent Kallman – Woodbury (MTA): Creighton…Walk-on (played 13 games – started 7)
Ryan MacArthur – Zimmerman (MTA): Univ. of Indianapolis…scholarship (red-shirted)
Hank Robson – Champlin (Champlin): Hastings College NAIA…scholarship (played 14 games – started 7)

ESPN Soccernet had a very interesting story today on Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribult, MN. The article features the school and claims they have more soccer players from Shattuck-St. Mary’s that will sign National Letters of Intent for NCAA Division I schools (8) than any other high school in the U.S. What’s Shattuck doing right? Check out the Soccernet article.

Shattuck-St. Mary’s players signing today:
Some of these are also listed above as Minnesota players.

Player, Position, Hometown or Country, College Commitment

Gideon Asante, F/MF, Ghana, Old Dominion
Brian Billings, GK, Minn., Bradley University
Patrick Donyen, F/MF, Minn., Dayton
Michael Gandier, MF/F, Minn., Furman
Adam Glanzer, MF, S.D., Butler University
Ethan Harlow, D, Vermont, Boston University
J.J. Olson, Lakeville, St. Martin’s Wash.
Adekunle Oluyedun, F, Ind., Butler University
Karim Peterson, Darbaki, Northern Illinois
Joey Tennyson, MF, Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Gophers Announce 3 New Signees on National Letter of Intent Day

Brian Quarstad — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:45:08 +0000

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Women’s soccer team announced three signings today on this National Letter of Intent Day.

Two Minnesotans and an Iowan make up the 3 players who will help the 2010 Gophers compete in the Big Ten. Minnesota’s new additions include Lauren Bauer, Alex Koller and MacKenzie Misel, making up the Minnesota Soccer signing class of 2010. Bauer and Koller are natives of nearby Eagan and Bloomington respectively, while Misel comes north to Minnesota from Ankeny, Iowa.

Koller, a 2009 graduate of Bloomington Jefferson High School has already enrolled at Minnesota and is currently working out with the team. Originally committed to Illinois State out of high school, Koller decided to stay close to home and will begin her freshman season this fall. A three-time All-Conference performer in high school, Koller was also a member of the prestigious Minnesota Thunder Academy where she won six Minnesota State Cup Championships.

“Alex is one of the most competitive student athletes I have ever coached,” said Danny Storlien, Koller’s coach with MTA. “She is fierce, tenacious, and highly motivated. Her will to
perform, and to perform at a high level, is a quality every team and program wants and Alex has IT!”

Bauer comes to the Gophers out of Eagan High School, where she played her freshman season with current Golden Gopher Angie Olson. Bauer leaves the Wildcats as the school’s all-time leader in goals and points, breaking Olson’s records. She was a three-time team MVP and earned First Team All-State honors as a senior. Bauer also played club soccer for the Woodbury Inferno, winning five Minnesota State Cup Championships.

“Lauren is a dynamic player who is a game changer,” said Eagan High School coach Mark Obarski. “She has excellent speed and great ball skills. Lauren is the all-time leading
scorer in the history of Eagan girl’s soccer.”

Misel joins the Gophers from Ankeny High School, the same high school as former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Kelsey Hood. An All-State honoree in 2009, Misel was a Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee as a senior when she racked up 58 points on 24 goals and 10 assists. On the Club scene, Misel played for the West Des Moines Xtreme, winning five Iowa State Cup championships.

“On the field, Misel handles the pressures of big games, maintaining composure and leadership,” said Misel’s high school coach Chris Allen. “She is dangerous from anywhere around the
penalty box with either foot and is also a capable defender. She is the type of player for whom the opposition game plans. Rarely does she receive the ball without immediately drawing pressure–often in the form of two defenders–yet she has led her high school team in goals and assists.”

“We would like to thank the excellent coaches who prepared MacKenzie, Lauren and Alex for the highest level of college soccer,” said Mikki Denney Wright. “These young women are lucky to work with such an outstanding group of club and high school coaches. We understand the great dedication and commitment these coaches have made to the development of our recruits, we appreciate their support of our program and their passion to educate young people in soccer and life. Thank you to Chris Allen, Sarah Connelly, Julie Eibensteiner, Frank Gurnick, Mark Obarski, Danny Storlien and Jeff Zupfer.”