Minnesota Soccer Times — July 2019

VOLUME 32VolumeISSUE JULY 30 Issue4 2 March 20172019

MINNESOTA

SOCCER TIMES

State Cup, Presidents Cup, Freedom Cup & Junior State Cup Highlight Busy Spring Season

Soccer Times Minnesota Youth Soccer Assoc.

10890 Nesbitt Ave. S. Bloomington, MN 55437

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IN THIS ISSUE Are You a Modern Coach? • Page 4 Grassroots Program News • Page 5 Space for Rents • Page 16

EXEC. DIR.’S MESSAGE

MINNESOTA

SOCCER TIMES The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted; all rights reserved. Articles may not be reproduced without written permission. The advertising space provided in Soccer Times is purchased and paid for by the advertiser. None of the products or services are necessarily endorsed by MYSA or its affiliates.

The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of its advertisers or MYSA. Printed in the United States of America.

Minnesota Soccer Times Official Publication of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association is published six times per year

by Varsity Communications, Inc. U.S. Subscription Rates: $9.95 for 1 year; $19.95 for 2 years; Single copy: $2 Minnesota Youth Soccer Association Officers: Steve May – President Jennifer Zarth – Vice President John Conte – Treasurer Ann Marie Courchene – Secretary Member Representatives Marty McDermott – Central & East Metro David Carter – Northern Todd Loose – South & West Metro Julie Magnuson – North & West Metro Vacant – Southern

A year of change and progress

By Matthew Madeira | MYSA Executive Director–Integrator

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n June of 2018, I was blessed to join the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association team. To say the year has gone fast is a major understatement. We went from the Fall League, to State Championships, to winter (and a polar vortex) to a very wet spring, to Spring League, to Presidents Cup, to State Cup and Summer State Championships.

Along the way, we’ve had some friends say goodbye (Andy and John) and have had new people join our team (Patti and Ashley). We have seen changes to those serving on our Board of Directors and we have seen many changes to our Cup and League rules.

Heraclitus said it well many years ago: “The only thing constant in life is change.” What we must keep in mind is that change for the sake of change is not effective. Change for the sake of improvement, development and simplicity is very effective, and necessary, and will help us grow as a soccer family.

Every day, we look at our programs, events and processes with the intent of making everything better. This is how we operate, because we want to provide you with the best experience … period.

Thank you all for your kindness and hospitality during this past year.

I am honored and blessed to be here and to have made so many new business associates — business associates who have become friends.

For all the latest Minnesota Youth Soccer news visit mnyouthsoccer.org

Minnesota Youth Soccer Association State Office 10890 Nesbitt Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55437 Tel.: (952) 933-2384; (800) 366-6972 www.mnyouthsoccer.org State Office Staff Matthew Madeira – Executive Director – Integrator Chato Alvarado – Director of Coaching & Player Development Sue Gjerset – Director of Technology Patti Isensee – State Registrar Ashley Jacques – Director of Coach & Player Administration Katie Kubista – Director of Marketing & Special Events Ayla Lokkesmoe – Director of Operations Norine Olson – Director of Finance Cam Stoltz – Director of League Operations Iván Woyno – Director of Enterprise Development

US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program 2019 – 2020 Minnesota District Select For boys & girls born in 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 ONLY

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he District Select Program is open to all players and includes four training sessions and two one-day festivals, one in the fall and one in the spring. After the process, a pool of approximately 36-50 players for each age group and gender will be identified for further training and potential selection to an ID camp/regional showcase/development camp in June 2020.

District Select offers an ideal opportunity for players to sample the program without the pressure of a traditional tryout situation. Players are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible, and can sign up for whichever district they prefer, based either on geographic location or day of the week. More information about the Olympic Development Program can be found on the MYSA website.

IDENTIFICATIONS Day: Sundays Dates: Aug. 25, Sept. 8, 15, 22 Time: 5:30-7 p.m.

Locations: Coon Rapids, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park, St. Peter (more metro sites to be added)

FESTIVALS Fall: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2019 Spring: Saturday, May 2, 2020 Times: Boys: 9 a.m.-Noon Girls: 1-4 p.m.

Locations: TBD

For more information and to register, please visit mnyouthsoccer.org/odp.

Online registration is available through Friday, Aug. 19, 2019, and includes two t-shirts and both festivals. For players who cannot participate in the District Select Program this fall due to high school soccer, you will be able to participate in the Spring Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2020. Questions may be directed to Ashley Jacques at 952-252-1691 (800-366-6972) or ashleyjacques@mnyouthsoccer.org.

CONTENTS Departments

Features

Executive Director’s Message................................... 3 Coaches Corner......................................................... 4 Honor Rolls................................................................ 4 Grassroots News....................................................... 5 Competitive News..................................................... 6 Referee Report.......................................................... 6 Infographic: Coaching Your Own Child......................16 Space for ‘Rents..................................................16-17 Tournament Calendar............................................... 18

District Select Identifications.....................................3 Minnesota State Cup.................................................8 Minnesota Presidents Cup.........................................9 Life Time Sport Freedom Cup..................................12 MYSA Annual Awards..............................................14 12U Junior State Cup...............................................14 Tournament Planning...............................................18

Production Varsity Communications, Inc Editor Brian Beaky Graphic Designers Robert Becker Advertising Inquiries Ian Civey - (425) 412-7070 ext. 102 ian@varsitycommunications.com Varsity Communications, Inc. Sponsorship Inquiries 952-933-2384 800-366-6972 Printing House of Print

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COACHES CORNER Are You A Modern Coach?

By Andy Coutts | Former MYSA Director of Education

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occer coaching education programs have followed the field of education in re-framing the teaching/learning process. Instead of the focus being primarily on the coach and what s/he does, there is more emphasis on the player-learner and how our coaching is received by them.

This is part of the meaning of the term “playercentered” — putting players at the center of our decisions. Creating a player-centered environment sounds great, but the practical application is not that easy. Meeting players where they are and serving their needs requires that coaches adapt to them, as opposed to doing what’s comfortable for us or coaching the way we were coached based on tradition and what we experienced.

When we think of the way we were taught and coached, we might realize that some of those methods have outlived their expiration date. Put it this way: If you needed to have surgery, would you want the surgeon who operates the same way they did 30 years ago, because they’re comfortable doing it that way? Or, would you go for the surgeon who

is up on modern methods and has adapted to what works based on patient outcomes? It’s a simple choice. This should be the same in soccer.

Though not life-threatening, our work should be life-altering. The first step may be to realize where we are stuck in “inheritance” coaching ways, doing it a certain way because that’s what was done to us, or because it’s what we know. Below is an overly simplistic chart, comparing the “traditional” coach to the modern coach.

If you recognize yourself operating on the traditional side, be aware that there are more options that may better serve the individuals and team under your influence.

This takes an honest look in the mirror, if not some means of external feedback. Formal coaching education programs, informal learning, or seeking a mentor or peer are all good ways to move the needle in the direction you want to go. Your players will thank you.

Well, actually, they won’t — but I will, on their behalf.

Traditional Coaching Modern Coaching Focused on winning; learning is a by-product Focused on learning; winning is a by-product Task-centered (What they need to do) Player-centered (Who they are) Pursues and appreciates results Pursues and appreciates excellence It’s about “ME” It’s about “WE” Yells to inspire effort Sells to inspire buy-in Compliance is expected Creativity/individuality is encouraged Trainer Educator Sage on the stage Guide on the side Lectures Listens Coaches by instinct/tradition Coaches via thoughtful planning Works in isolation Works within a group of peers and mentors Players serve Coach Coach serves players

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MYSA HONOR ROLLS

By Chato Alvarado | MYSA Director of Coaching & Player Development

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YSA is proud to present the Club and Coach Honor Rolls. The Club Honor Roll lists the clubs that have recently offered coaching education courses for their coaches. The Coach Honor Roll includes coaches who have recently completed a USSF or USC (formerly NSCAA) Coaching License in Minnesota. Thank you all for your efforts to improve the level of soccer for all players in Minnesota. Congratulations to all clubs and coaches for making the MYSA Honor Rolls!

CLUB HONOR ROLL Club Cambridge-Isanti Central Minnesota Central Minnesota Great River Lakeville Soccer

No. of Coaches 20 14 18 28 8

Coaching Education Course Youth Module: 6U-12U Grassroots: 9v9 Grassroots: 11v11 Youth Module: 6U-12U Youth Module: 6U-12U

COACH HONOR ROLL: Grassroots: 9v9 (14) Al-Yassery, Ali DeLeo, Sam Gazdzik, Kazimir Gustafson, Jeffrey Jacobs, Andrew

Lee, Leslie Mastrogiorgis, George Meillier, Tucker Meyer, Brady Montgomery, David

Nordmeier, Paul Snowberg, Bjorn Tobas, Antonio Wright, Michael

COACH HONOR ROLL: Grassroots: 11v11 License (18) Behnk, Peter Gazdzik, Kazimir Hays, Matthew Klink, Trevor Lock, George McCloskey, Rachel

Meyer, Brady Minaai, David Montgomery, David Mullen, Eleanor Perry, Stuart Potter, Andrea

Purdum, Josh Quiring, Kelly Scholl, Brandon Simmons, James Snowberg, Bjorn Soto, Walter

Grassroots News Grassroots Outreach Program Soars to New Heights

By Iván Woyno | MYSA Director of Enterprise Development

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he grassroots initiative is a renewed focus by the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association to invest and re-invent in three key areas of grassroots soccer: Soccer for Everyone – Community Outreach, Grassroots Program (formerly Rec and Rec Plus) and The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPSoccer).

This article will focus on Soccer for Everyone – Community Outreach and its fast and exciting growth. Outreach programs operate in different fashion from existing MYSA member clubs. They often serve an underserved/underprivileged community and, up until the launch of Soccer for Everyone, the programs were primarily held in-house. As these programs become public events, the Soccer for Everyone – Outreach Program is setting its goals and sights on reaching new heights.

Kicking off the spring season, the following programs participated in the North Metro Soccer Club Spring Tune-Up Tournament: Centro de Formación Cobra, Los Panitas, Denden Eritrean Youth Development Association and Pura Vida Soccer Academy. Far from their habitual setting in the inner city, 9U/10U and 11U/12U teams from these organizations participated in the round-robin tournament and faced each other for the first time in program history. The added opportunity to play with teams from clubs such as MapleBrook, White Bear and the host North Metro gave these players an exciting new perspective on competition and sportsmanship.

I had the honor to be present for these matches, as well as the opportunity to talk with players, coaches and parents from these clubs about what it meant to participate in such an event. Jorge, a boy from the Pura Vida Soccer Club, could not contain his joy at wearing a brandnew uniform.

“My little brother said I look like a true soccer player now!” he said, while smiling the entire time.

In my mind, and truth be told, he looked like a soccer player even before the uniforms were handed out.

Only one half of the Denden squad could attend their first game, at 8 a.m., as many of the boys were participating in the championship game at their local school. Their opponent was the 12U team from Waconia Soccer Club, and rather than miss the opportunity to play, both coaches

agreed to redistribute players to create balanced teams and play the match. The result was a series of goals and amazing plays from players who would normally not have played on the same team. I approached Coach Mesfin from Denden after the game to ask him what he thought of the game and format.

“The boys were quiet and nervous when we were forming the combined teams, but the moment they began to introduce themselves and find out what positions they played, all nervousness faded,” he said.

As he looked behind him to see both teams doing a combined cheer, he added, “I do not often see teams celebrate each other’s goals, but today was a blessed day and these boys have made enduring friendships that they will cherish and talk about for years to come!”

Los Panitas players and their fans arrived early and en masse to the tournament. They were vocal during the games, cheering the boys to never stop running, sighing a sigh of relief when a great save was made, or giving high fives when a goal was scored! They have historically participated in the Latino leagues in Minneapolis and St. Paul, so they are not strangers to competition, but the tournament environment presented them with a new, positive challenge.

Speaking with their club administrator Doña Patricia as the game is going on, I was able to discern just how supportive their community has become over the years.

“The boys and girls have been playing together for three years now, but the style of play is a lot different from what we are used to,” she said. “While play is very competitive, the size of the fields and spacing allows our kids to move the ball a little easier.”

She was interrupted as a very nice shot from Alexis hit the underside of the crossbar and deflected in for the game-winner.

“Well done, Alexis!” she shouted at the boy who was too busy receiving high fives from everyone on his team to hear her.

As I made my way over to see how Centro de Formación Cobra (the initial pilot member of the Soccer for Everyone – Community Outreach program) was doing, I could see that their style of play and method of moving the ball gave their opponent from Waconia a lot more than they bargained for. I sat and watched as the coaching staff provided words of

encouragement whenever the correct decision was made on the field. After the game, I asked Coach Portillo to speak with me about this approach.

“It is a lot easier for the boys and girls to remember what they have done well,” he said. “They know when they have made a mistake, so our philosophy is to ignore those moments and instead focus on the positive.”

As Coach Portillo ran ahead to chat with a few boys and their parents, I pondered the profound nature of catching the kids being good and applauding their success.

I quickly made my way over the 9U/10U field site and caught up with a few of the Pura Vida girls. They were too excited about their goodie bags to really focus on my questions, but when I asked them what their favorite part of the day was, they responded in unison, “Playing futbol!”

As the three ran back towards their teammates, the shortest, Cynthia, dashed back to me, adding, “That means soccer,” and gave me a high five before running back to her friends.

As the tournament drew to a close, I took the time to think about this opportunity and what it meant to each of the coaches and players that I had the chance to talk to. Whether the team won or lost, I did not see tears; I saw smiles and excitement for the next game. Once it sank in with the players that the tournament was coming to a close and no more matches would be played, I heard a Denden girl ask her coach, “When is the next tournament?. The question brought a smile to my face and cemented in my mind the positive influence that this program can have on all these girls and boys across the state that could not previously play the game.

Coach Portillo tracked me down as I was about to leave.

“Please thank everyone at MYSA for the opportunity they have given our kids!” he said.

Without thinking, I replied: “Coach, it is MYSA who thanks you and every one of these kids for giving us the opportunity to live our mission – Soccer for Everyone!”

If you are interested in knowing more about Soccer for Everyone – Community Outreach, or wish to partner with MYSA on its grassroots efforts, please contact Iván Woyno, Director of Enterprise Development, at 952-252 0226 or ivanwoyno@mnyouthsoccer.org.

PLAYER

TRYOUTS

2019-2020 JULY 27, 28

AND

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with rain make up days of July 30-31

Kingston Fields

Check website for age group times

www.cottagegrovesoccer.org Any Questions or interested in trying out for CGU competitive program, please email Director of Coaching, at doc@cottagegrovesoccer.org

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REFEREE REPORT

COMPETITIVE NEWS Minnesota Opportunities in National League Conferences

By Cam Stoltz | MYSA Director of League Operations

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ne year ago, the US Youth Soccer Leagues Program re-imagined its regional league structure to include a new network of Conferences that are geographically connected through the country. The new Midwest and Great Lakes Conferences replaced the “Midwest Regional League” which had canvassed the 14 state associations who belonged to the former US Youth Soccer Region II, now called the Midwest Region.

The new conference structure streamlines regional conferences throughout the country into one management structure. These new conferences are directly linked to the highly successful National League and National Championship Series, which includes the Minnesota State Cup and the Presidents Cup. National League Conference results are also used to promote a team to higher levels and to award wildcard seeds into regional playoffs of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.

The new regional remodel also stays clear of high school soccer seasons in each state, allowing the highest-level youth players the opportunity to participate in their traditional high school soccer programs.

Minnesota teams registered in MYSA are eligible to enter the US Youth Soccer National Leagues. Teams that play in the MYSA 13U Fall season are ranked based on results and endorsed for entry. Teams are then placed in the three Midwest Conference levels, including First Division, Premier II and Premier I (the highest level). Teams wishing to enter the Midwest Conference after the 13U Fall season are automatically placed in the First Division. Teams that aspire to play in the US Youth Soccer National Leagues should contact MYSA.

About the US Youth Soccer National Leagues Program The US Youth Soccer National League structure features two tiers of competition, bridging regionaland national-level leagues: • Multi-State Tier gives teams top regional competition in “Conference” play. Minnesota teams enter the “Midwest Conference” at 13U or 14U. At 15U, boys teams participate in the Midwest Conference while girls teams play in the Great Lakes Conference along with other states that play high school soccer in the Fall. Each Conference has three levels of promotion and relegation: First Division, Premier II and Premier I (Premier I represents the highest level).

• National Tier is known as the US Youth Soccer National League. This is a nationwide league with 180 teams in the 13U through 19U age groups in each gender. Teams qualify for this top tier through conference promotion and or team application. Teams in National League continue to have an opportunity to play for a spot in the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships.

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The Frustration with Offside

By Bob Petersen | State Director of Assessment

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ffside seems to be more frustrating now than ever. This is beyond just the decision of players being called for offside or not, and has to do with how it is called. Two years ago, the instruction was changed such that a player in an offside position is not called offside until that player plays the ball — in the Laws of the Game, this is referred to as “interfering with play.” This is the way it was always supposed to be called.

In the past, when a player in an offside position appeared to be going upfield to play the ball, the assistant referee would raise their flag and the referee would whistle for the infraction. It did not matter that the ball could still be rather far from the player in an offside position. The decision was very quick, and the resulting indirect free kick would be played far upfield. The instruction now is that the offense does not happen until a player in an offside position actually plays the ball. The reason for this is because the Laws of the Game explicitly state that a player merely in an offside position is not an offense.

Think of the many times a player who was in an onside position wanted to play the ball, but the referee crew called another player offside only because it appeared they

were going to be the one to play the ball, but had not. This is not what the game wants; we want attacking soccer. Even if a ball comes very close to a player in an offside position, if they do not play the ball, offside still has not occurred. It should not be called.

This has, however, created some frustration among parents and coaches, who see a player in an offside position, and call for offsides — even though that player has not yet played the ball. We have become used to assistant referees raising the flag for offside very early, and when they don’t, it appears that they think the attacking player is onside and everyone plays on. Then, far downfield, the player who was originally offside finally plays the ball, and the assistant referee raises the flag. Why does it seem to take so long? If the player is in an offside position, why doesn’t the assistant referee raise the flag earlier? As frustrating as it can be, it is the correct way for referees to make that decision.

This is tough to get used to, even for referees, as we see that many still call it the old way. Hopefully, this can help in the future.

All of us want the referees to get the call right as much as possible, even if it feels odd to get used to.

For all the latest Minnesota Youth Soccer news visit mnyouthsoccer.org

Minnesota State Cup Champions

By Katie Kubista | MYSA Director of Marketing & Special Events

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rom penalties and extra time, to rematches and rivalries renewed, the 2019 Minnesota State Cup packed plenty of drama. More than 150 teams battled through the rain and fog this May with hopes of emerging as Minnesota State Cup champion. Only 14 teams earned that distinction on June 2, as finals concluded at the National Sports Center and Blake Middle School. The Minnesota State Cup is the first leg in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and home to the highest level of club soccer in the state.

In the boys division, Minneapolis United 16U and 18U, and Salvo 17U were crowned back-toback champions. In the girls division, Minnesota Thunder Academy 17U and MapleBrook 18U and 19U also defended their championship titles. State Cup champions represented Minnesota at the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships in Saginaw, Mich., June 21-26.

Congratulations to the following 2019 Championship Teams Boys Champion Runner-Up 13U . . . . . . . . . . . . Saint Paul Blackhawks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonka Fusion Elite 14U . . . . . . . . . . . . Sporting St. Croix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonka Fusion Elite 15U . . . . . . . . . . . . Sporting St. Croix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonka Fusion Elite 16U . . . . . . . . . . . . Minneapolis United. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . White Bear 17U . . . . . . . . . . . . Salvo SC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minneapolis United 18U . . . . . . . . . . . . Minneapolis United. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sporting St. Croix 19U . . . . . . . . . . . . MapleBrook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prior Lake Girls Champion 13U . . . . . . . . . . . Minn. Thunder Academy . . . . . . . . . . . .

14U . . . . . . . . . . . Tonka Fusion Elite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15U . . . . . . . . . . . Tonka Fusion Elite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16U . . . . . . . . . . . Tonka Fusion Elite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17U . . . . . . . . . . . Minn. Thunder Academy . . . . . . . . . . . .

18U . . . . . . . . . . . MapleBrook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19U . . . . . . . . . . . MapleBrook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Runner-Up Salvo SC Salvo SC Sporting St. Croix Tonka Fusion Elite 03 Sporting St. Croix Minn. Thunder Academy Eclipse Select

Thank you to all the teams, coaches, players and parents for your flexibility, positive demeanor and giving it your all. Thank you to the volunteers, referee assignor Mike Guillou, State Referee Committee and referees for their time and hard work.

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Presidents Cup Champions Crowned

By Katie Kubista | MYSA Director of Marketing & Special Events

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he 2019 Minnesota Presidents Cup came to a finish on Sunday, May 19, inside the Shattuck St. Mary’s and West St. Paul soccer domes. Twelve champions were crowned and secured berths to the 2019 US Youth Soccer Midwest Presidents Cup, which was held June 13-17 in Overland Park, Kans.

Minnesota Presidents Cup was introduced in 2018 and team participation nearly doubled this year! The event also featured 28 different MYSA clubs. Three teams defended their championship title in the final and became back-to-back champs; Salvo 17 boys, Keliix-Intra 18 boys and Maplebrook 17 girls.

Congratulations to the following 2019 Championship Teams Boys Champion 13U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minneapolis United. . . . . . . . . . . .

14U . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Suburban. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fusion Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonka United Academy Blue . . . . .

17U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salvo SC White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keliix-Intra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Runner-Up CR United Salvo SC Steel Tonka United Academy Blue North Metro Tonka United Academy Blue Salvo SC Red

Girls Champion Runner-Up 13U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Three Rivers/North Metro . . . . . . Minn. Thunder Academy 14U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salvo SC Orange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shakopee 15U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salvo SC Orange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonka United Academy Blue 16U . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Metro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salvo SC Orange 17U . . . . . . . . . . . . . MapleBrook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Oaks 18U . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keliix-Intra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Suburban

Minnesota Presidents Cup allows teams to experience the challenge of different types of play by competing from state to regional to national levels. Presidents Cup provides teams with a progressive, competitive experience that highlights competition, camaraderie and community. MYSA looks forward to watching the event grow, giving more players the opportunity to compete at a high level.

Thank you to the players, parents, and coaches for their participation and good sportsmanship.

Thank you to the volunteers, referee assignor, and the Coon Rapids United Soccer club for their contributions to the success of this year’s event.

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Life Time Sport Freedom Cup Inaugural Life Time Sport Freedom Cup Sets Values

By Cam Stoltz | MYSA Director of League Operations

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he inaugural Life Time Sport Freedom Cup took place June 1-2, wedged into a busy soccer weekend with numerous other tournaments and cups being played in Minnesota. The new Freedom Cup took place at the brand-new, world-class soccer facility at Life Time Sport Winter Park in Eden Prairie. Hundreds of MYSA players experienced competitive soccer on the same grass fields that once served as the training and practice home of the Minnesota Vikings professional football team.

The Freedom Cup was launched to introduce (or reintroduce) the benefits of unstructured play. To bring clubs and teams to the idea, MYSA collaborated with host Life Time Sport and focused on their model of free play, combined with MYSA rules. The result created modifications that would support a high-level, high-class experience, while giving the kids the chance to lead and make decisions on the field and with their peers. The results and takeaways of this one weekend’s matches were certainly different from the other 20 or 25 games these kids will play this summer.

Age flights of 11U and 12U that focus on the last stage of developmental soccer (Zone 1) were offered. Teams from 12 MYSA clubs entered 15 teams in boys and girls flights.

Different from typical youth soccer tournaments, spectators and coaches were asked to step back a bit from the sideline and only positively recognize all players. Before the games, coaches and parents prepared the kids to play, then sent their teams across the field to staff-less technical areas. Referees administered typical pregame checks and called for captains. Teams lined up and kickoffs were otherwise identical to any other game. Players alone would sub each other, adjust tactics and have a half-time talk. All games were competitively played out over the course of 60 minutes.

The most notable difference from the field was a void of coaching instructions (and criticisms) from one side of the field, and a lack of any lawn-chair “suggestions” or boisterous directions from the other sideline. Players managed and led themselves and teammates, while applause and cheering for all was abundant for the 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds.

Tournament brackets included either a round-robin or semi-final/final format. Each team played two games over the weekend.

MYSA would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and leadership of Life Time Sport. Both organizations have a plan to evolve the Freedom Cup and hold it on an annual cycle. The larger goal will remain to foster kids’ love of the game and ability to freely enjoy it, both as kids and for a lifetime.

Congratulations to the following 2019 Championship Teams Age Champion Runner-Up 11U Girls .................................... Keliix Intra....................................................................... New Prague 12U Girls .................................... New Prague.................................................................... CC United 11U Boys ................................... Somali American Youth Enrichment................................ Inver Grove Heat 12U Boys ................................... New Prague.................................................................... Shakopee

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MYSA Annual Awards First-Ever MYSA 12U Jr. State Cup

By Katie Kubista | Director of Marketing & Special Events

By Cam Stoltz | MYSA Director of League Operations

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t the peak of the summer soccer season, the number of hours that coaches, club administrators and volunteers have put into the season are racking up. Do you know someone who has given outstanding service to the soccer community? This is your chance to help that person receive welldeserved recognition by nominating them for a 2019 MYSA Annual Award.

Competitive Coach of the Year – This award is given to two competitive coaches, one each from a boys team and a girls team. This person exemplifies leadership both on and off the field and goes that extra mile to ensure a great soccer experience for all participants.

Recreational Coach of the Year – This award is given to two recreational coaches, one each from a boys team and a girls team. This person exemplifies leadership both on and off the field and goes that extra mile to ensure a great soccer experience for all participants.

Administrator of the Year – This award is given to those that have worked hard within their club to help provide opportunities for children to not only play soccer, but to play in a safe and fun environment.

Volunteer of the Year – This award honors those who are excellent role models for their community, and who give generously of their time and talents for the good of the game.

TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year – This award is given to an extraordinary individual for their accomplishments as a TOPSoccer buddy. This person demonstrates patience,

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understanding, dependability, flexibility and the ability to adjust to ever-changing, on-field situations.

TOPSoccer Coach of the Year – This award is given to an individual who facilitates the program by filling many roles — including coach, cheerleader and role model — as well as assisting, guiding, directing and teaching the game of soccer and its skills, while creating a fun learning experience.

All nominees receive two complimentary tickets to attend the MYSA Annual Recognition Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 2, where each person will be honored for their contributions.

Please visit www.mnyouthsoccer.org/banquet for complete details and to nominate someone.

All nominations must be received by Sept. 27 in order to be considered.

he inaugural MYSA 12U Junior State Cup took place May 17 through June 2. The purpose of this event was to shadow its parent event, Minnesota State Cup, and to provide a capstone event for the 12U experience.

The Minnesota State Cup and second-year MYSA Presidents Cup are part of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the longest-standing and most competitive national championships in youth soccer. The 12U Junior Cup is designed to provide a similar cup and competitive experience in the Spring of each year. Most of the players in this 12U space will likely play in future Minnesota State and Presidents Cups, which begin at 13U. Pool-play games took place the weekend of May 17-19 in Rochester. Round-robin games included 18 seeded teams, with results advancing teams into semifinals on Saturday, June 1. Semifinal and Championship games were played at the brand-new complex at Life Time Sport Winter Park in Eden Prairie, home to a world-class set of fields that once served as the training and practice home of the Minnesota Vikings professional football team.

Championship Sunday saw Salvo Soccer Club win both the girls and boys 12U Junior State Cups.

Eclipse Select girls and Minneapolis United boys finished as runners-up.

MYSA would like to thank all the clubs and teams who took initiative and commitment to make this first-year event a great experience.

Soccer Times

JULY 2019

15

SPACE FOR ‘RENTS

Don’t Steal the Reps from Your Athletes

By John O’Sullivan | Founder of Changing the Game Project (reprinted with permission) | Find more resources or contact john at changingthegameproject.org

I

magine you went to your child’s algebra class and got to be a fly on the wall. Imagine the teacher was being assessed on your child’s test results in two days. Now, imagine that instead of teaching your child how to problem-solve, and the concepts behind doing algebra problems, she just took out the answer key and said, “Here are all the answers.

I will put these up on the board during the test, so if you can’t do the problems, just put down what I write on the board.”

This is a farcical situation, right? It would never be OK for our child’s math teacher to do this, as we can all agree that no learning would take place. By the same token, if we do our child’s math homework for him every night, we can all agree that he is not learning math, right?

The children are getting the answers and solving the problems, but they are not the ones doing the reps. Yet, how often does this happen in sports?

I was listening to a fantastic conversation the other day on my new favorite podcast, Train Ugly’s “The Learner Lab” (find all 10 episodes online at trainugly.com), which investigates cultivating a growth mindset, learning better and faster, and building great cultures and teams. In episode six, on neuroplasticity, the hosts raise a great point: In any learning environment, be it sports, school or work, if we want learning to take place, parents and coaches need to be aware of stealing the reps from our children.

They gave a great analogy that bears repeating. Imagine you are in the weight room and doing squats. You put some added weight on the bar, and your goal is to do 10 reps. After three, you are really struggling,

and your spotter, instead of helping or guiding you, takes the bar from you and does the last seven on your behalf. It seems like a ludicrous scenario. You needed a spot, perhaps you wanted a bit of assistance, but you didn’t want your spotter to take the bar and complete the task.

We can all agree that scenario will not make you stronger or any better at doing squats.

Stealing the reps does not help in the weight room. So, why do we think stealing reps helps on the sports field?

In my experience, I think many coaches and parents think they are being the metaphorical spotter. They think they are guiding the young athlete toward improvement, and by fixing her positioning or yelling the correct decision to make, they are promoting development. In reality, in many cases, they have stepped in and taken over the bar.

They are doing the heavy lifting, and the athlete has his autonomy and decision-making stolen from him.

Joystick coaching and sideline coaching from parents are basically stealing reps from your athletes, and when we steal the reps, it is only an illusion that learning is taking place. We are stealing opportunities to get stronger, smarter, creative, aware and make decisions. How do we know this? Let’s go back to the podcast, and outline four things that research says are necessary components of a great learning environment: 1. The brain is like a muscle, we need some struggle to grow You will not get stronger if all you do is five-pound dumbbell curls day after day. You need to add weight. You need to stretch. You need desirable difficulties (check out the great podcast we did on this with Jessica Leahy, author of The Gift of Failure, at changingthegameproject.org, episode No. 54). Some resistance and struggle are necessary to grow, so when we see it, embrace it. It means that our athletes are in the learning zone. If we always intervene and solve problems, we will get short-term improvement, but miss out on long-term learning.

2. Growth takes time and patience We don’t just do one set of push-ups and expect big results. We don’t eat healthy for one meal or one day and realistically expect to lose 10 pounds. It takes time, reps and patience to build a new skill. Progress is slow and steady, and sometimes there are regressions, but if we stick with it long enough, growth happens. We must not let our expectations surpass our patience when we are coaching or parenting young athletes.

When we see them struggling, we cannot just assume that since we taught it, they have learned it.

3. We don’t learn by watching someone else do it To see the results, the athlete needs to do the work, not simply watch others get all the playing time or practice reps. Our belief is, “If you pick them, you play them.” This is 100-percent true for youth sports in middle school and younger, perhaps starts to phase out in high school varsity scenarios, and certainly, in college and professional sports, you must earn your time. But, back to youth sports. Skills are developed by actually doing them, getting the reps in, making mistakes, assessing, and trying again. They are developed in interleaved, game-like practices where they are deployed in their environment, and not blocked training or standing in lines. Every young athlete needs practice reps and every player needs game time, and if you cannot make that happen as a coach, you should either quit coaching or never pick the kids in the first place.

4. We can improve any skill if we do the work Of course, we all cannot master every skill or be the best athlete in our given sport, but everyone is capable of improving. People learn at different rates and at different times, but, given enough time and an optimal learning environment, people will eventually learn. It takes focus, effort and time, but any skill can be learned and improved upon as long as we create an environment that keeps our athletes engaged and maintain a growth mindset.

I am not saying that there is never time for coaching or teaching.

Of course there is. But, how we coach and when we coach are huge factors in determining whether learning takes place, or whether we have created the illusion of learning taking place. This illusion of learning can be addictive for parents and coaches, because we see our kids doing better at something, making the right run or hitting the right pass, and it is intoxicating. But, in reality, all we have done is steal the bar and done the last seven squats ourselves. So, how can we overcome our tendency to steal the reps?

Here is some helpful advice for coaches: 1. Turn technique into skill Skill is best defined as the ability to deploy a technical, physical task 16

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in a game-like environment. If we block our practices and repeat the same exact technique over and over (for example, hitting 100 7-irons in a row, or passing a soccer ball with a partner), the science tells us that in the short term, those athletes will perform that task better. Practice will look good, but the transfer of that technique to the competition will not take place, and the learning is not sticky. Research shows that skill developed in a randomized practice is stickier and transfers better.

2. Ask questions instead of giving answers Instead of telling your right defender to pinch inside or step up, ask her, “Where should you be right now?” Instead of yelling “Shoot!” or “Pass!” say nothing and allow your athlete to make the decision and assess his choice. Then, maybe you ask, “What problem were you trying to solve? What did you see there that made you play that pass? Were there any other options? Do you think one of the other options was a better choice?” Help them discover the answer by guiding them through the process, rather than giving them the answer. If you help them start to see the why, they will eventually pick the right how!

3. Use the competition as a quiz Competition should exist to measure progress and see what your athletes have learned. If you do not give them the space to explore and make mistakes, how will you ever know if they have learned something?

This does not mean no coaching is allowed, but keep it to a minimum, and recognize if your coaching during competition is of the “promoting learning” or the “problem solving” kind.

And, here is some helpful advice for parents: 1. Be their No. 1 fan Start by remembering that your kids already have a coach or two, so do they need another one. During games, never coach your child and tell her where to run or what technique to choose. Some parents tell me, “Well, the coach never helps!” Maybe after reading this, you will understand why. The coach is leaving space for your child to learn, and so, too, must you. If your coach just doesn’t know, and you do, then please volunteer and coach yourself. The world needs more good coaches.

2. Ask them three great learning questions Post-practice or competition, when your child asks you, “How did I do?” the door has been opened for you to take them down a path of self-discovery and ask these magic questions: • What went well?

• What needs work?

• What did you learn from today that you can work on in practice in order to improve?

If you help your children see the good and the bad of their performance, and help them formulate a plan moving forward, good things happen.

3. Embrace the desirable difficulties I think this is much harder to do as a parent than as a coach. (Trust me on that one, as I have a lot easier time watching my athletes struggle than I do my own kids!) If your child is in a good learning environment — or, even if she is in a poor one, and this is an opportunity to learn about what it means to have a lousy coach — keeping the focus on, “What did we learn from this?” makes it an opportunity for growth.

4. When you are invited in, step through the door If you have knowledge of the sport, and your child does not know what to do, it is a great opportunity to go out in the yard or the park and demonstrate. Play catch with them. Engage with them in the sport.

Research shows that when parents are able to play with their kids and do so without taking away their child’s ownership or enjoyment, those kids are more likely to continue playing.

Finally, for both coaches and parents, the best thing we can do is see the big picture and be patient.

Recognize that anything worth achieving will take time, and be focused on the right finish line in terms of sport development. Winning all your games at 9 or 12 is not necessarily the best preparation for being successful as a high school or collegiate athlete.

The next time you head out to the field, pretend you are in the weight room, and your young athletes are at the squat rack, attempting to lift more weight or do more reps than ever before. Be a guide. Be an encourager and supporter. Be a spotter. And be a shoulder to lean on when things go sideways.

But never, ever, steal the reps.

SPACE FOR ‘RENTS

A Parent/Coach’s Perspective, Through a Referee’s Eyes

By Andy Coutts | Former MYSA Director of Education

I

’m the former Director of Education for MYSA because my family moved to Wisconsin in January. The move was for my wife’s job, and in my interim retirement, I’ve been staying involved in the game by coaching with Wisconsin ODP and reffing games. At a recent tournament I was reffing, I gained some insider perspective that I thought was worth passing along to anyone who might be reading this, regardless of your role in the game – coach, parent, admin, player and official.

First, let me set the stage. I worked 13 games on this one weekend, including five as the center official. There were two games on Friday night on turf — one of which was a 19U boys (i.e. men’s) game that was no walk in the park — followed by six games Saturday on turf (with a break for lunch) and five more Sunday on a muddy, bumpy field. The weather was freezing and windy Friday night, cold and sunny Saturday, and wet but warming on Sunday. In other words, a typical early spring weekend in the Upper Midwest.

Recently, technical leaders in soccer have been fighting against the “too-many-games” epidemic that hinders player development. Sport science tells us that children need more training and recovery time to develop, and that cramming too many games into too small a window violates this principle. But, we haven’t spent much time or effort worrying about the similar impact of too many games on referees.

The main concern for everyone involved in putting on soccer events is simply having a full crew on each game: “We have three people who have a pulse and a badge? Whew!”

During one game, I was an Assistant Referee (AR) on the parent side and overheard a mom say that her other child was supposed to have a league game that morning, but it was canceled because they didn’t have any officials. So, it’s in large part a numbers game, and the numbers aren’t favorable. It’s also a quality-control issue when the crew has guys like me, sporting legs with lots of miles and the bad knees that come with them.

And, I’m fairly fit and a relative spring chicken compared to some of the officials I’ve worked with, God bless ‘em. Regardless of

how long in the tooth an official is, doing back-to-back-to-backto-back games multiple times in a weekend doesn’t fit into any scientific model of optimal performance.

When players, coaches, and parents show up for that 3 p.m. game, they don’t know that I’ve been there since 8 a.m. and that my blisters have blisters. They expect a great, if not flawless, performance, and wouldn’t want to hear excuses. But, we’d all laugh if someone suggested having our kids play 13 games in a weekend.

What we end up with is officials who are physically wiped before the weekend is over, or who pace themselves by patrolling the center circle and aren’t in position to make all the calls they should.

Tournament-itis isn’t just a player development issue; it’s also an overall game-quality issue based on referee effectiveness.

My second insight came during those five games on Sunday, when I was on a field with a teenage crew. Before the first game, the young man who was supposed to be in the center asked me, “Want to make 10 more bucks?” He hoped that I would take the center and explained that he doesn’t want to do this, couldn’t wait to go home and certainly didn’t want to be in the center. I gave him my best pep talk and convinced him to do it, while allowing him the choice to bail if he really wasn’t up for it. I learned that he had a bad experience the day before with a coach who threatened to report him – for what, he wasn’t sure. To add to the drama, he thought that he’d been assigned to center a game with the same team later that day.

With my promise to support him, he trudged out there for our first game. The anxiety he felt was clear on his face and in his performance. He wasn’t very good, not moving to keep up with the play and not making calls with any conviction. He was serving a sentence, and counting the minutes until he could be set free. I temporarily regretted not taking him up on his offer to trade roles. In our next game, he was an AR with a young girl in the center who had whispered to me between games that this would be her first-ever time with the whistle. He showed much more positive body language and engagement with the flag in his

hand, calling attention to a couple of handballs that the center official either didn’t see or wasn’t going to punish.

Between games, I pointed out to him the difference in his demeanor and confidence and the need to carry that over to the center. Then, the game arrived that he thought was the same team and coach from yesterday. I had told him I’d take it.

When a different team from the same club showed up, his body un-clenched and he breathed a bit easier. He did a fair job, and I left him with a, “Keep it up!” as I hobbled off to my car. I don’t imagine he’s long for this reffing thing, and maybe that’s O.K., because he doesn’t have the drive to do it. Unfortunately, he’s probably typical in that there aren’t that many who are up for enduring a sometimes-painful development process.

I am seeing the game more clearly having been an official for a few years, and particularly having had this weekend’s experience.

Tournaments can be a thrill for participants, and a massive burden for admins and officials to facilitate that thrill. It’s great and rare when a parent gets certified as an official along with a child, to take up the whistle together on games and at tourneys. Barriers to this are many – time, game knowledge, interest and physical limitations. In the end, not enough adults want to and too many of the young people who do, like my new-found colleague, can’t wait to be done with it because of the environment they experience.

The problems – too many games, not enough experienced refs, poor working conditions – are obvious. The solutions are, too – sensible scheduling, more adult refs, a positive sideline climate.

But, they’re elusive. If we aren’t going to change the structural elements, then we’d better focus on the climate we create and work together to support the challenging work that officials do. We won’t be able to stamp out every snide remark or complaint from the sidelines, as much as we can try. But, maybe in your role as parent or coach, you can help young officials by showing some post-game gratitude and encouragement. They won’t heal the blisters, but they’ll help them recover from the psychological wounds that can be even more damaging to our game.

Soccer Times

JULY 2019

17

Invitational Tournament, Festival and Jamboree Planning for 2020

By Norine Olson | MYSA Director of Finance

H

osting a tournament is an exercise in commitment. It requires dedication and passion from all involved, starting with a club’s Board of Directors, and moving on to the Tournament Director, committee members, volunteers and all others who take part in making the event memorable for all who participate.

Minnesota’s sanctioned tournament environment is very competitive, with 40-50 tournaments being hosted between April and October every year, sometimes resulting in up to six tournaments competing with each other on the same weekend. This competition involves not just getting teams to participate in the tournament, but also for fields to play on and referees to officiate. In 2019, the referee availability issue continued to be critical due to increased demand for their services and reduced numbers. Because of this, the commitment of the club extends to also doing their homework before deciding to host a tournament, to ensure that they have the capability of offering a quality event for all who participate.

An alternative to hosting your own tournament would be to consider hosting one of Minnesota Youth Soccer’s events, thus generating revenue while not having to compete for referees and teams. MYSA takes care of administration, registration, scheduling and referees for these events. The host club receives revenue from MYSA for providing fields and volunteers, as well as the profits from any concession stands that they run during the event. Hosting an event for MYSA still requires commitment, but involves fewer expenses and risks for the host club.

If, after considering all the factors listed above, your club still decides to host an event (recorded in the Board of Directors meeting minutes), the real work begins. The first step is to apply for sanctioning through Minnesota Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer. (U.S. Soccer Federation sanctioning is also required for international events.) These are the deadlines

that need to be met for hosting tournaments in the calendar year for 2020. They are as follows: Sept. 27, 2019 Intent to host forms (along with minutes of Board of Directors meeting with approval of tournament) due by 5 p.m. at the MYSA state office Oct. 26, 2019 Invitational/Tournament/Festival/Jamboree Directors meeting at the MYSA state office.

Nov. 18, 2019 International and National Invitational Tournament Sanctioning applications due by 5 p.m. at the MYSA state office.

Dec. 2, 2019 MYSA-only Invitational Tournament/Festival/ Jamboree Sanctioning applications due by 5 p.m. at the MYSA state office.

Minnesota Youth Soccer’s fees for Tournament Sanctioning applications in 2019-20 will be as listed below: International: . . . . . . . . . . . . .

National: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MYSA-only: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Festival/Jamboree: . . . . . . . .

$500.00* $400.00 $300.00 $125.00

*U.S. Soccer Federation fees also apply Organizations must be in good standing with Minnesota Youth Soccer before they will be considered for sanctioning. Also, if you hosted a tournament, festival or jamboree in 2019, all post-tournament reports must be filed with the MYSA state office in a timely manner to be considered for 2020. This includes the referee report with the list of referees and the games they officiated. Questions may be directed via email to Norine Olson at norineolson@mnyouthsoccer.org.

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2019 Invitational Tournaments, Festivals and Jamborees The following tournaments have been approved for sanctioning for 2019. Please refer to the Tournament Center (https://htgsports.net/tournamentcenter.aspx) for specific tournament information.

DATE(S) EVENT Sept. 1

EWSC Under the Lights Tournament

Oct. 5–6

NSC Fall Cup

Oct. 11-13

CR United Fall Cup

National

Oct. 11-13

Salvo SC 7th Annual Fall Classic (9U–15U)

National

Oct. 12-13

MYSA Fall State Championships

Nov. 9-10

NSC College Showcase Fall

KEY: National International

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LEVEL National International

National

Open to teams from outside of Minnesota and/or non-US Youth Soccer teams Open to teams from outside of United States

*

*

*

* * - Not yet sanctioned by MYSA

*

*