U13G State Cup Takes Shape

Today was the big draw for the 2009 State Cup. And I forgot all about it... until I got a call from Babes's dad (who can graciously offered to attend to represent our team) at 11AM with the results.

20 teams!  And from what I hear, maybe games in Cambridge, Chisago Lakes, or Stillwater.  What the heck?

Group A

• Eagan
• NLS
• MN Thunder Jrs. 97e Blue (us)
• Prior Lake 1
• Prior Lake 2 (U12 play up team)

Group B

• Tonka United
• Woodbury
• Eden Prairie
• Dakota Rev
• Lakeville

Group C

• Cottage Grove
• Burnsville
• Sibley
• MTA Elite 96 White
• North Metro

Group D

• Edina
• St Croix
• PSA
• MTA Elite 96 Blue
• Coon Rapids

All in all, a pretty good draw for us. We've matched up these past two months in the U13G Footskills D-League against a core group of the Eagan and Prior Lake U13 teams. We competed well with both, though I'm sure both were missing some multi-sport athletes this winter. We see Eagan tomorrow morning in a friendly and will likely try and set something up with Prior Lake next weekend.

We've played the U12 Prior Lake team a couple times already and I believe, at this time, we're a more talented group overall than they are. I have no idea about Northern Lights (NLS).

The other groups look stronger.

Dakota Rev must be the favorite in Group B.  They beat both Tonka and EP in the 2008 Fall Harvest Fest by 4 goals (in the semis and finals respectively) but I think Rev could be in for a surprise if they take either team lightly.  Woodbury is not at Rev's level.  No idea about Lakeville.  Talk about a community that should have much stronger teams based on their youth population. 

In Group C, Cottage Grove is probably the early favorite, though our White group and North Metro will not be push overs.  Burnsville has a new coach who I respect, but their top players at this age group are up with the club's U14 Premier team.

Our Blues are the favorites in Group D.  PSA is decent, Edina is better from what I've seen. 

So in my mind, three horse races in every group. 

I think it's realistic for us to set a goal of advancing out of our group.  We are in the tournament this year for experience, but nothing wrong with setting results goals like this.

Notable clubs/teams missing from this list of 20?  Minneapolis United, Blackhawks, Rochester, TC Fire, and White Bear Lake (undefeated in the fall).  Maybe realistic in where they are currently at with this age group and what the competition would be like.

2008 U12G Summer Standings

2008 U13G Fall Standings

2008 U13G Fall Harvest Fest

We are slated to play on the weekend of April 25th and 26th, so the Eclipse Challenge Cup is out as an event.  Would have been a fun one to attend, but I guess we'll get to save some money... and use it to fill our tanks to get to Cambridge. 

I was so looking forward to this 8.7 mile commute for State Cup this year -

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Now I'll probably get this 61.5 mile one -

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The Battle of Words Continues

A while back, I wrote about what I called the Triangle of Power in MN soccer (MN Thunder, National Sports Center, and MYSA) and the ongoing propaganda battle that is being waged.  Here's the latest.  I'm not going to comment here, just want to keep all this for my memory book.

Here is the latest email from our state association:

Date: March 12, 2009

To: MYSA Member Club Presidents and DOC’s

From: Bob Poretti, MYSA President
Candace Daley, MYSA Executive Director

cc: MYSA Board Members
MYSA Staff Members

Re: National Sports Center (NSC) 2009 Events

At a Region II committee meeting in San Jose last week, Minnesota informed its US Youth Soccer State Association counterparts that there has been some miscommunication about the NSC events for 2009 that historically were sanctioned by the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, but this year were sanctioned by US Club Soccer instead. As a result, many US Youth Soccer State Association administrators asked Minnesota to send out an email that could be shared with its members. In addition, we have been receiving a number of questions from our members looking for clarification as well.

Since the NSC events for 2009 were sanctioned by US Club Soccer, and not the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, participants cannot use their MYSA/US Youth Soccer Member Pass from MYSA, their US Youth Soccer State Association, and insurance provided by MYSA does not provide coverage for the NSC events this year. Anyone wishing to participate in the NSC events for 2009 may certainly do so but since the event is sanctioned by US Club Soccer this year they will need to ensure they have adequate insurance coverage. The applicable 2009 NSC tournaments include the NSC Spring Cup, NSC Cup, Wal-Mart All American Cup, Schwan’s USA Cup, Schwan’s USA Cup Weekend and NSC Fall Cup.

According to US Youth Soccer Executive Director Jim Cosgrove, this information would apply to any tournaments sanctioned by organizations other than US Youth Soccer State Associations or the US Youth Soccer Association itself.

Thank you!

Here is NSC's response:

TO: All MYSA-USYSA Coaches and Team Leaders

FROM: Steve Olson, Chief Operating Officer, National Sports Center Foundation

DATE: March 13, 2009

Recent communications from the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) have caused considerable confusion regarding USA CUP and other soccer events held at the National Sports Center (NSC).

To help clarify the issues for all clubs and teams affiliated with MYSA and USYSA:

All MYSA-USYSA teams are permitted without restrictions to participate in USA CUP and all other NSC events. All NSC events are sanctioned by US Club Soccer - an affiliate in good standing with the United States Soccer Federation, the parent organization of USYSA and MYSA.
Insurance coverage will be provided to all MYSA-USYSA teams at all NSC soccer events. The NSC will insure that all MYSA or USYSA teams will have comparable insurance coverage at no additional expense or hassle to participants.
The NSC will administer a quality player pass system at all NSC soccer events. For 24 years, the NSC has registered and managed player passes for teams from all around the world.
In summary, all MYSA-USYSA teams can participate in all NSC events with insurance coverage and without hassle and any additional fees.

As a former Executive Director of the MYSA, former member of the US Soccer Board of Directors, and FIFA referee, I am familiar with the laws, rules and bylaws of the USSF and USYSA. I believe that the MYSA is misinterpreting the rules and is causing needless hassle and confusion for NSC soccer events. USSF affiliates are not allowed to discriminate against other affiliates. We have made formal contact with the USSF and the Minnesota Attorney General's office. We will provide you with an update in the future.

We look forward to your continued participation in the USA CUP and other great NSC soccer events.

Thank you for your support.