Minnesota Soccer Times, November 2019

VOLUME 32

ISSUE 6

NOVEMBER 2019

SOCCER TIMES THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MINNESOTA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION

FALL League Roundup Kicking off the 2019-20 Season IN THIS ISSUE

ODP celebrates a successful year PAGE 8

Direct vs. Possession Soccer PAGE 11

Black & Blue Fall League winners, photos PAGE 16

SOCCER Contents TIMES Nov. 2019 Departments Executive Director’s Message.........4 Coaches Corner............................11 Honor Roll.....................................15 Referee Report.............................20

Features Bridging the Gap............................4 Life Time Sport Winter League.......6 ODP Year In Review........................8 St. Paul Soccer Invests in Coaching Education.....................12 Find an MYSA Coaching Course Near You..........................15 Minnesota Black & Blue Fall League...................................16

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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.

Minnesota Youth Soccer Association Officers: Steve May – President Jennifer Zarth – Vice President John Conte – Treasurer Ann Marie Courchene – Secretary

Member Representativs Vacant – East Metro David Carter – Northern Todd Loose – Southwest Metro Julie Magnuson – Northwest Metro Vacant – Southern

Minnesota Youth Socce Association State Office 10890 Nesbitt Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55437 Tel.: (952) 933-2384; (800) 366-6972 MNYouthSoccer.org

State Office Staff Matthew Madeira – Executive Director – Integrator Chato Alvarado – Director of Coaching & Player Development Stacy Dally – Director of Marketing & Communications Ashley Jacques – Director of Coaching & Player Administration Patti Isensee – State Registrar Ayla Lokkesmoe – Director of Operations Norine Olson – Director of Finance Cam Stoltz – Director of League Operations Iván Woyno – Director of Enterprise Development

Production Varsity Communications, Inc

Editor Brian Beaky

Graphic Designers Robert Becker, Marcel Colon

Advertising Inquiries Ian Civey - (425) 412-7070 ext. 102 ian@varsitycommunications.com Varsity Communications, Inc.

Sponsorship Inquiries Stacy Dally 952-252-0227 StacyDally@MNYouthSoccer.org

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MYSA Moving Ahead of the Curve Entering 2020

I

By Matthew Madeira | MYSA Executive Director–Integrator

t was Henry Ford who said, “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”

Mr. Ford was a wise man. He created the Model T, developed the assembly-line mode of production, and was an example of somebody getting things done ahead of the world curve.

Far be it from me to compare our organization with the genius of Henry Ford, but I will say that MYSA is getting things done, and done much faster than in the past.

We have announced the dates for our State Cup and Presidents Cup tournaments in 2020, and secured the new turf fields in Maple Grove for the events. In addition, we have announced that our 2020 AGM will be held on Monday, July 13, in Bloomington.

Although we are happy with our recent proactive arrangements, there is still much work to be done. Please say tuned for additional announcements, and thank you for all that you do.

Executive Directors Message

Minnesota Youth Soccer Association

and Life Time Sport Launch Winter League

By MYSA Staff

M

innesota Youth Soccer Association is excited to announce a new relationship with Life Time Sport (LT Sport) as we join forces to provide a safe and enjoyable soccer experience for Minnesota youth players.

The two organizations began working together in the spring of 2019, as MYSA planned the Life Time Sport Freedom Cup. At that time, MYSA realized that our soccer philosophy was similar to that of Life Time Sport, and our youth sports goals aligned. Fast forward to the end of 2019, and MYSA is now launching a brand-new Winter League, ODP winter training sessions, kickoff meetings, and other events at LT Sport.

“Life Time Sport is excited to partner with MYSA to offer club players an opportunity to get competitive minutes throughout the winter, without a big commitment,” said Brandon Busbee, Life Time Sport’s National Soccer Manager. “Being able to combine MYSA’s relationships with local soccer clubs and LT Sport’s premium facility is the perfect partnership.

Our shared goal is to grow the soccer community in Minnesota, and this is one of many opportunities to do just that.”

Winter League Beginning in January 2020, the Winter League, played at Life Time Sport, will consist of two sessions designed for teams of different age groups and abilities.

Session I is designed for Black or Minnesota League One First Division teams, ages 13U and 14U. All games will be held on six weekends and be 7v7, 50-minute games, officiated by a referee. Players can create teams solely based on age and gender. Club affiliation is not necessary.

Session II will begin mid-February, with age groups to be announced in the coming months.

Thanks to LT Sport’s extensive space, teams will be able to warm-up on a field before each game. Plus, LT Sport will offer additional opportunities for players on the warm-up field, including a proper warmup session, yoga and more.

“Life Time sets the standard for athletic clubs not just in Minnesota, but across the nation,” said Matthew Madeira, MYSA Executive Director. “We are lucky to have LT Sport in Minnesota and are excited about our future. We are always looking for new and exciting prospects for youth and their families, so working with LT Sport was an easy decision.”

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About LT Sport LT Sport’s convenient location at the intersection of 494 and 169 is just one of its perks.

LT Sport is also a top-notch facility with all the amenities for not just youth players, but also their families. A comfortable parent lounge equipped with Wi-Fi and a younger siblings area are just a few of the features that make LT Sport a great, family-friendly facility.

LT Sport also offers their own soccer programs starting at the age of five, and all their programs are designed to build skills, confidence and the freedom to take risks. When space is available, players can go to LT Sport and train by themselves to improve their game.

2018 - 2019 Olympic Development Program:

YEAR IN REVIEW

T

he Olympic Development Program (ODP) provides an opportunity for players to challenge themselves by playing with and against players from different parts of the state.

ODP provides strong competition which allows the coaches to evaluate players in scenarios where they can gain better insight to how the players will fare as they attempt to reach the next level in their soccer career.

ODP is a program open to all players within the eligible age groups, and we encourage all competitive-level players to participate.

Minnesota ODP had another great year, and we are proud of the on- and off-field performances of our players. Thank you to all the players and coaches who participated in the 2018-2019 program.

District Select-Fall ODP began in the fall with the District Select program. District Select offers an opportunity for players to sample the program without the pressure of a traditional tryout situation. The program consisted of three training sessions at select district locations throughout the state, and two evaluation days for the 2005-2008 players.

Spring Tryouts The 2002-2004 players attended two tryouts in early spring. Between District Select and spring tryouts, ODP coaches evaluated approximately

1,000 players representing more than 80 different clubs. Of these 1,000 players, 665 were invited to the State Pool.

State Pool State Pool players are invited to continue to the next stage of the program: pool training. These players trained together under the direction of the ODP coaches on Sunday evenings in May and June.

State Team From the State Pool, players in each age group are identified to be a member of the State Team.

This past year, seven girls teams and seven boys teams were formed from the 2002-2006 birth years.

These teams consisted of 250 players, who represented Minnesota at the Midwest ODP Showcase held in Ohio in June of 2019. The Midwest ODP allows teams from different states in the region to compete against each other and showcase their talents.

Regional ID Camp In July, 41 players from Minnesota were invited to travel to Saginaw, Mich., for the Regional ID Camp. These players were identified based on performance at the Midwest Showcase and/or during State Pool Training. Regional ID players have the potential to be selected to the Midwest Region Team, and this year, 11 Minnesota youth players made the Midwest Region Team. These players will travel to Florida to compete against other Regional teams and can be identified for the National Team.

ODP in Germany For the first time ever, three Minnesota ODP teams traveled to Germany this spring for a oncein-a-lifetime international soccer experience.

Learn More About The Trip Here: www.mnyouthsoccer.org/odp-germany

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US Youth Soccer ODP Midwest Region: MINNESOTA POOL PLAYERS 2019

GIRLS 2002

Erin Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eclipse Select MN Kylie Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eclipse Select MN

2003

Gabriella Baltes. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Emerson Ellington. . . . . . . . . . .

Abby Kuphal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Emilia McGiffert . . . . . . . . . . .

Fusion SC Eclipse Select MN Eclipse Select MN Gitchi Gummi SC

2004

Isabelle Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eclipse Select MN Macy Zins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salvo SC

2004

Grace Fogarty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reagan Gerber . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Jordan Hecht. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ella Kachmarzinski. . . . . . . . . . .

Abby Newman . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Vivian Rojas Collins. . . . . . . . .

Madeline Schultz. . . . . . . . . . . .

Hudson Stier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CC United Tonka United SA Minnesota Thunder Elite Acad.

Minnesota Thunder Elite Acad.

Salvo SC Minnesota Thunder Elite Acad.

Tonka United SA CC United

BOYS 2002

*Demetrius Bernardy-Nelson. . . *Keegan James. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ethan Kilmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Ramzi Ouro-Akondo . . . . . . . .

Ben Schliemann . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nicolas Wagner. . . . . . . . . . . . .

2003

Kai Alquicira. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Luke Dallman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Patrick Dowling. . . . . . . . . . . . . *William Heinen . . . . . . . . . . . . *Bennett Kouame. . . . . . . . . . .

Frederick Kramer. . . . . . . . . . . .

Noah Landwer. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Christian Riera. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Henry Rose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sporting St. Croix Keliix-Intra SC Sporting St. Croix Keliix-Intra SC Fusion SC Sporting St. Croix Blackhawks SC Minnesota Rush Minneapolis United SC Edina SC Joy of the People Fusion SC Salvo SC White Bear SC Minneapolis United SC

2004

Ryan Swanda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keliix-Intra SC *Baraka Tarleton . . . . . . . . . . . . Sporting St. Croix

2005

David Castillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fusion SC Simeon Friesen. . . . . . . . . . . . . Joy of the People *Osher Zmira. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blackhawks SC

2006

Jake Arnold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Brandon Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Asher Wynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bode Young. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Aaron Zhao . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Minnesota Thunder Elite Acad.

Blackhawks SC Blackhawks SC Rochester FC Rochester FC

*Players representing the Midwest Region at the ODP Interregional events in Florida

Soccer Times

November 2019

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VS

Playing Direct

W

Possession Soccer

By Brady Johnson | Three Rivers Technical Director

e look to achieve two primary goals when playing soccer: to score goals and to prevent the opposition from scoring. Scoring goals may be the most valid indicator of a quality performance and it helps to determine the team’s success, along with wins and losses.

Yet, the indicator receiving the most attention in performance analysis in soccer has been possession. The two most simplistic attacking strategies in the game are possession and playing direct. Possession focuses on owning the ball longer than the opposition, shifting the opposing team around the field when they are defending, and playing high-risk, low-reward passes across every third of the field; hence, this style of play often progresses relatively slowly.

In contrast, teams that employ the counter-attacking methodology try to move the ball into a scoring position as quickly as possible, with a relatively low number of passes. The debate on which style of play is better to teach has many sides and opinions.

One of the most influential teams in recent decades was the Spanish National Team that strung together two European Championships and a 2010 World Cup. This team, with the likes of Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, and more, played a brand of soccer that no other nation was even capable of replicating.

Even my coaches, who for years had played a counter-attacking, direct, 4-4-2 style of play, had second thoughts and began to play a possession-based style of soccer that rewarded patience over tempo.

Fast forward to 2019, and possession play still reigns as the preferred method, so much so that a coach who elects play “direct” is often met with intense opposition. Coaches who communicate playing direct are often stigmatized as not

developing players and/or often considered unequipped to understand the game as it “truly” is supposed to be played.

If your training sessions are based around teaching players how to achieve technical precision and to create developmentally intelligent players, is that a negative? When I first began coaching, I had a firm idea of how the game of soccer should be played and taught, to the point where, if an opposing coach dared play direct against my team and won, I would write it off as an unworthy victory for an unworthy coach. It was not until a mentor I highly respected challenged my notion that I “must teach a possession-based approach to the game” that I started to rethink my approach.

After a few months of implementing the counter-attack into my trainings, and allowing my teams to understand the basic tactics involved with playing direct, a few things happened. We scored more goals, developed better athletes, increased our speed of play, built better awareness during transitional moments of the game and began to have longer passing strings following the opposing teams’ half-time adjustment. The most common in-game adjustment that was made by opposing teams was to drop deep to deny longer passes in behind.

Although many teams, like my current Three Rivers 03 Girls, usually started the game playing direct, we often finished games playing east to west, patiently building the ball through the middle third once the opposition adjusted to our first attacking option. It was a healthy mixture of playing both direct and possessing the ball that I believe influenced our successful performances.

Although this balanced style of play will be met with raised eyebrows, I think club soccer should consider the benefits of playing direct, and ignore the stigma attached to it.

Coaches Corner

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St. Paul Soccer Club

Investing in Coaches’ Education

C

oaching education is an important part of youth soccer, and MYSA does its best to provide opportunities and courses throughout Minnesota each year. The St. Paul Soccer Club, a nonprofit organization, also shares our belief as to the importance of coaching education. With their support, we can offer financial rewards for completing an official coaching course or class.

The St. Paul Soccer Club was founded in 1952, with their main goals being to form a soccer team and bring awareness to the sport of soccer in Minnesota. Over the years, the club’s goals have changed, but their commitment to growing the game of soccer has remained. The organization donated $50,000 in 2011 to MYSA with the understanding that $5,000 would be used each year to reward coaches for completing training and licenses.

To date, more than 750 Minnesota youth coaches have received a financial reward. Thank you to all the coaches who invested in their education and a special thank you to the St. Paul Club for their continued support.

If a Minnesota Youth Soccer coach (volunteer or paid) registers and completes the USSF 7v7 License, he/she will receive a check for $25 provided there is still money left in the annual fund.

BOARDED YOUTH & ADULT SOCCER LEAGUES

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TURF TOTS ages 3 and 4 FIELD RENTAL available in our fieldhouse and two boarded fields.

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(952) 895-1962 12 November 2019

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Upcoming Coaching Courses MYSA are always updating and adding coaching courses, so make sure to periodically check back here to find a time and location that is convenient for you.

Course

Time

Date

Location

City

USSF 7v7

2-6 p.m.

Nov. 2

Great River SC Indoor Facility

Monticello

USSF 9v9

2-6 p.m.

Nov. 3

Elmcrest Park Community Building

Ramsey

USSF 7v7

6-10 p.m.

Nov. 15

Urban Ventures

Minneapolis

USSF 9v9

12:45-5:15 p.m.

Nov. 16

Maple Grove High School

Maple Grove

USSF 9v9

2-6 p.m.

Nov. 16

Great River SC Indoor Facility

Monticello

USSF 11v11

12:45-6:15 p.m.

Dec. 14

Maple Grove High School

Maple Grove

If you have any questions about these coaching courses or general coaching questions, please reach out to Director of Coaching Chato Alvarado via email at ChatoAlvarado@MNYouthSoccer.org.

Honor Roll The Coach Honor Roll recognizes coaches who have recently completed a coaching license or diploma, and we thank each of these coaches for investing in youth soccer.

Jeffery Buck Venkateswara Bharat Charepalli Chris Denne Po Eh Clara Webby Zakaria Yousof

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Minnesota Black & Blue Fall League Champions

Congratulations to all of our winners!

11U AGE GROUP • BLACK LEAGUE BOYS Owatonna Soccer B11 | Group A Wright County SC B11 Gold | Group B CRU Boys 2009 Black | Group C GIRLS Mankato United G11 | Group A Crown River Soccer Club – G11 | Group B 11U AGE GROUP • BLUE LEAGUE BOYS Great River Soccer Club B11 Gray | Group A CRU Boys 2009 Blue | Group B SES B11U Yellow | Group C GIRLS Keliix-Intra G11 | Group A 12U AGE GROUP • BLACK LEAGUE BOYS Mankato United B12 | Group A Northern Lights B12 | Group B Richfield Soccer Association B12 | Group C Chippewa Strikers B12 | Group D GIRLS Mankato United G12 | Group A Great River Soccer Club G12 | Group B Maplebrook Black | Group C Keliix-Intra G12 | Group D 12U AGE GROUP • BLUE LEAGUE BOYS Northfield Soccer Association B12 | Group A Sartell Soccer B12 | Group B SES B12U Royal | Group C GIRLS MN Rush U12 Blue | Group A Central Minn 2009 | Group B NMTR 2008 BU Red | Group C 13U AGE GROUP • BLACK LEAGUE BOYS Northfield Soccer Association B13 | Group A STMA-Marble B13 | Group B Keliix-Intra B 13 | Group C SAYEC B13 | Group D GIRLS MN Rush Black 02 | Group A STMA G13 | Group B Shakopee G13 | Group C 16 November 2019

Soccer Times

U12 Black – Richfield Soccer Association

U12 Black – Mankato United Girls - Smasal

U13 Blue – Orono-Westonka

U13 Blue – Waconia Girls

FUSION SOCCER CLUB DECIDE. COMMIT. SUCCEED. Why choose Fusion?

Highest level of player training and development — the proof is in the play!

• Established pathway to player success — including our NEW college advisory program • Winter training with Fusion’s top coaches at multiple climate controlled dome sites • Opportunity for player development at every skill level and age • NEW — join our Goalkeeper academy and winter clinics

The Proof is in the Play!

Results from Fusion & Tonka Fusion Elite Programs • • • • • • • • • • • • •

20+ ODP Regional Showcase Selections 10 ODP Region II ID Camp Selections 10 MYSA Premier Statuses 8 MYSA Summer League Champions 6 USA Cup Champions 6 TCSL Summer League Champions 5 MN United FC Development Academy Selections 4 MN State Cup Finalists 4 US Club National Premier League Champions 4 USYS National League Premier Statuses 1 USYS Regional Championship Finalist 1 US Club NPL Finals Runner Up 1 USYS National Championships Qualifier

Multiple levels of play for all ages and skill levels: • • • •

Recreation: (3yrs thru 8th grade) – Multiple winter sessions, register NOW! Development: (U7-U8) – Multiple winter sessions, register NOW! Competitive: (U9-U21) – Summer, Fall & Winter, Missed tryouts? Contact us for available openings.

Elite: (U13-U17) – Quickly becoming the regions best program serving players with the highest level of skill and commitment, visit us at www.tonkafusionelite.com

Please visit our website, fusionsoccermn.com Soccer Times November 2019 on all programs or call us at (763) 450-3099 for more information

17

13U AGE GROUP • BLUE LEAGUE BOYS Orono-Westonka Blue 1 | Group A Joy of the People | Group B GIRLS NMTR 2007 BU Red | Group A Waconia Soccer G13 | Group B

U14 Blue – CC United Girls

14U AGE GROUP • BLUE LEAGUE BOYS SES Royal B14 | Group A SES B14U Yellow | Group B GIRLS CC United Girls 14U Blue 15U AGE GROUP • BLACK LEAGUE BOYS Richfield Soccer Association B15 | Group A MUS 14U Boys Samba II | Group B Waconia Soccer B15 | Group C MN Rush U14 Black | Group D River Falls Soccer Club B15 | Group E GIRLS Northern Lights Soccer Club G41 | Group A Fusion Girls 05 Fall | Group B MN Rush U14 | Group C Red Cedar Club G15 Black | Group D

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U15 Black – Fusion SC Girls 05

15U AGE GROUP • BLUE LEAGUE BOYS Richfield Soccer Association GIRLS Force Soccer G15 Blue

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Referee Report

THE

Referee Uniform Explained

A

By Bob Petersen | National Referee Coach, National Referee Emeritus

Referee shirt

s you arrive to the fields, have you ever noticed how some teams seem to take pride in having everything together?

Everyone has the same shorts and socks. The coaches are wearing nice clothing that represents their club. The bags of the players are lined up neatly in a row a few yards away from the touchline. When the game is being played, the players remain seated in the bench area, watching what is going on, with those that are warming up are clad in a different-color pennie, careful not to get too close to the field.

What are your thoughts when you see this?

Now, think of teams that have their belongings strewn about, with players wearing different colors and styles of shorts, or socks that are not pulled up, and coaches that allow their players on the bench to go off on another field.

What do you think of when you see this?

The same also goes for referees — it is important to wear the proper uniform. Referees are a team and need to look the same. We would never see a police officer not in proper uniform. They wear their uniform so that everyone knows who they are. Below is some more information on the referee uniform.

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The main color is yellow, and alternate colors are green, black, blue and red. The shirts must be the most recent style and must be tucked in. Why can’t a referee wear a different color, or an older style? The reason is that the color and style of uniform are mandated by U.S. Soccer, and as the governing body, they have the final say.

The Minnesota High School League has, for a long time, allowed shirts that have been approved in U.S. Soccer. The National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Organization and the NCAA have a slightly different shirt that is used. It is up to the competition authority to decide what is appropriate

Shorts

Shorts must be black. Generally, referees are not required to wear specific referee shorts, so any basic black shorts will suffice. Patterns or styles with color designs are not allowed.

Socks

Socks should be either the three white stripes on top or the socks with a mid-leg stripe. Standard players’ socks or all black socks are not allowed. Socks should be pulled up all the way up, just as we expect players to do.

Shoes

Shoes are not as big of a worry, but we ask referees to wear shoes with as much black as possible.

Watch

To keep track of time, referees should use a wristwatch.

We do not let referees use their cell phone or a watch that dangles from their neck. Having something around your neck is very dangerous; therefore, we ask referees to use a wristwatch.

It is important for referees to look the part.

Being a referee is a very important job, and people make judgments on appearances. Even people who are not all that soccer savvy can pick out things that don’t belong or don’t look right. If referees are wearing items they are not supposed to, people notice, and then referees run the risk of players and coaches thinking less of them.

If the greatest referee in the world didn’t look the part, no one would believe he/she is the greatest referee, no matter how he/she performed.

Referees must look the part — just like coaches and players.