TCSL Magazine - Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021

WE’RE

back!

FROM TCSL

TCSL Members, While it is hard to capture in words the experience of the past year, I am happy to open with these: we’re back.

It is heartening to say that about the upcoming summer season after the challenges of 2020: a summer without TCSL, implementation of state-required protocols, the start—and sudden stop—of the Winter season. And of course, the broader challenges the entire Twin Cities community faced over the last year.

As we prepare to safely return to the field, we are motivated by knowing our mission remains important to most importantly, the players. We built league schedules so that travel is kept to a minimum as much as possible. We’ve also carefully considered the competitive experience. Given that some players haven’t played competitively in more than a year, we have worked with clubs to plan divisions that ensure a balanced slate of matchups.

We appreciate your trust and collaborative spirit as we work to provide an exceptional soccer experience for all. I cannot wait to reconnect with you all, and with the joy of playing, coaching, and watching a sport we love.

Respectfully,

Matt Tiano

CEO, Twin Cities Soccer Leagues

COVID-19

TCSL clubs have been incredibly resilient over the past year. With vaccination progress we are optimistic that in due time, society will return to normal and youth soccer will appear as it once did. On April 22, the Minnesota Department of Health released updated guidance for youth sports played outdoors this Spring/Summer. TCSL produced a comprehensive update to its guidelines for Spring/Summer Play.

For more information on COVID-19 related developments and protocols, visit www.tcslsoccer.com/covid-19/.

RESUMING OUTDOOR SOCCER: GUIDE TO SAFE PLAY

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LEAGUE UPDATES

13U-19U

NATIONAL* REGIONAL

TCSL League

11U-19U

We are excited to welcome back 970 teams to the field this summer!

TCSL supports all levels of play from 9U to 19U age groups. As always, we prioritize balanced, meaningful competition with appropriate travel.

STATE CITIES

9U/10U

RED

WHITE *11U/12U only

Minnesota NPL The inaugural season of the Minnesota NPL has been an overwhelming success.

Representing the highest levels of the TCSL pyramid for 13U-19U boys and girls age groups, we are excited to send league winners to the NPL Finals held in late June (boys) and July (girls).

The NPL contains meaningful matches that occur over the course of the full soccer calendar, unlike any other league structure that Minnesota has seen before: 13U & 14U – one schedule September through June 15U-19U – one schedule November through June (to accommodate high school soccer) An application for the 2021-22 soccer year will be available shortly and will be accessible on the TCSL website.

BLUE

Minnesota NPL Spring Showcase May 7–9, 2021 We are excited to provide an avenue for 16U-19U boys and girls NPL players to play league matches in a Showcase environment.

Teams play two meaningful league matches at this event and TCSL invites college coaches to observe.

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EVENT PREVIEW

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TCSL League Cup, Presented by TRIA May 24–July 24 Club-Hosted Sites + Shakopee, Minn. (Finals Weekend) Finals weekend will be conducted in Shakopee, hosted

by TCSL Open to all TCSL 11U-19U teams Building on the success of the Autumn Champions Shootout, this progressive event will run adjacent to the Summer League season. Soccer cups around the world are played in an ongoing, during-the-season, format, and we want to bring that excitement to TCSL players and families.

All teams are guaranteed two (2) meaningful matches with winners possibly playing three (3).

Finals weekend will be conducted at a neutral site, hosted by TCSL: July 18 – Boys July 24 – Girls

TOP 5 REASONS TO CONSIDER LEAGUE CUP! Reason #1 – Player Development This event focuses on true “player development” versus playing multiple games in a weekend format where performance and learning drops as players become fatigued.

Reason #2 – Flexible Scheduling Promoting #collaboration between clubs! Play your League Cup matches when you want.

Reason #3 – Meaningful Games By having a “second chance” bracket, teams are likely to play multiple meaningful games in this event!

Reason #4 – Soccer Culture The rest of the World does it! A true “League Cup” is an experience the players will remember.

Reason #5 – Finals Weekend Advance to “Finals Weekend” and celebrate the end of your Summer season in style! Great facilities, great referees, great experience.

INFORMATION + REGISTRATION

Minnesota Cup

Summer Festival, Presented by TRIA

June 2–6, 2021 Cottage Grove, Shakopee, Eden Prairie, St. Paul, Minn.

June 26–27, 2021 Cottage Grove, Minn.

Open to all 11U-19U teams with US Club Soccer passes

Open to all TCSL 9U & 10U teams

The Minnesota Cup is a statewide championship designed to advance the top 13-U through 18/19U teams to the US Club Soccer National Cup. The competition is conducted over a four-day stretch and marks the true start of a campaign where every team shares the same goal; being the last team alive in Minnesota’s most-exciting competition! This event also features a 9v9 version to provide a competitive experience for 11/12-U teams.

The Summer Festival is a tournament designed to conclude the Summer 2020 League Season for 9-U through 10-U age groups. Fans will fill the sidelines as hundreds of kids take part in this fun one-day event.

Teams are guaranteed a minimum of three games with medals, and fun, for all.

INFORMATION + REGISTRATION

INFORMATION + REGISTRATION

June 26 – Boys June 27 –Girls

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LIMELIGHT Winter League Recap Twenty-two TCSL member clubs wrapped up, or are in the process of concluding, their Winter League schedules. Teams showed their resilience in bouncing back after the statewide “youth sports pause” and also adapted to new protocols and restrictions implemented. We are happy to report an exciting season was completed!

Congratulations to all League winners: 11U Boys

Fusion Boys 10 Academy 1

12U Boys Group 1 Fusion Boys 09 Academy 1 Group 2 Wright County 2009 BU12 Regional 13U Boys

Fusion Boys 08 Select 1

14U Boys

Boreal FC BU14 Chuba

15U Boys Group 1 Fusion Boys 06 Select 1 Group 2 Minnesota Thunder Academy 06B Elite Solorzano 16U Boys Group 1 St. Paul Blackhawks 06 Boys Black Group 2 Tonka Fusion Elite 05 Boys 19U Boys Group 1 Tonka Fusion Elite 04 Boys Group 2 Shakopee SA 04 Boys Regional 11U Girls

Minnesota Thunder Academy 2010G Nike Sivongsay

12U Girls

Fusion Girls 09 Academy 1

13U Girls

Minnesota Thunder Academy 09G Pre-ECNL Abboud

14U Girls

Tonka Fusion Elite 08 Girls

15U Girls Group 1 Boreal FC GU15 Matesi Group 2 Boreal FC GU15 Johnson 16U Girls Group 1 TBD (yet to conclude) Group 2 Tonka Fusion Elite 06 Girls Elite 17U Girls Group 1 Salvo SC 04G Navy Group 2 Salvo SC 04G Orange 19U Girls

Salvo SC 02G Orange

Summer 2021 Interns Drumroll, please... We’ve welcomed five new faces to TCSL, our summer 2021 interns! Our internship program provides great opportunities for students to start and grow their career, while cultivating their passions along the way. Say “hi” to Adam, Austin, Kallie, Katie and Samm! We’re excited to see what we can teach them and what they will teach us in return!

Name: Katie Archer Major: Sports Management and Business Administration School: Crown College Youth Soccer Club: Two Harbors Soccer Club Fun Fact: She collects keychains and mugs Name: Austin Bunnell Major: Sports Management School: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Youth Soccer Club: Minnesota Thunder Academy Fun Fact: Mario Balotelli is his favorite soccer player Name: Samantha Dalsin Major: Business Marketing and Communication Studies School: Concordia College - Moorhead Youth Soccer Club: Eden Prairie Soccer Club and Minnesota Thunder Academy Fun Fact: She had a pet goldfish that lived for 11 years Name: Kallie Tuominen Major: Exercise Science School: Lewis University Youth Soccer Club: North Suburban Soccer Association and St. Croix Soccer Club Fun Fact: She is a member of the Women’s Soccer Team at Lewis University Name: Adam Wilhelmy Major: Business and Hospitality Management School: Concordia University-St. Paul Youth Soccer Club: Fusion Soccer Club Fun Fact: He worked onboard a cruise ship for 7 months traveling around the Hawaiian Islands

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LIMELIGHT TCSL Team of the Week

Welcome to TCSL

TCSL believes in recognizing its players, coaches and referees, both in terms of performance on the field but also for acts of good sportsmanship. Through a nomination process, TCSL will select a Team of the Week each week through the summer season. This weekly selection will serve as a recognition to those individuals and a way to achieve our objective of living out our core values -- transparency, competition, sportsmanship and in this case, limelight!

TCSL is excited to welcome Southeast Minneapolis Soccer Club as a new member club!

NOMINATION FORM + ARCHIVE

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COACH EDUCATION Firm with our belief that “better coaches develop better players”, TCSL continues to be a leader in offering coach education opportunities to its members.

USSF ‘D’ License January 13–April 17, 2021 Thirty-six coaches received their United States Soccer Federation ‘D’ License after concluding the course at the field session held April 17, 2021 in Edina, Minn.

To comply with COVID-19 restrictions and challenges, the course was held entirely online with the exception of the field session.

Thank you to the various TCSL clubs that provided field players so the environment was as realistic as possible for the candidates!

Cottage Grove United, Eagan Wave, Fusion Soccer Club, Hudson Soccer Association, Lakeville Soccer Club, Minneapolis United, Minnesota Thunder Academy, Park Valley United, Salvo Soccer Club, St. Paul Blackhawks, Tonka United

USSF ‘C’ License March 8–July 18, 2021 To continue offering opportunities for coaches to develop on their coaching journey, TCSL is pleased to offer the United States Soccer Federation ‘C’ License course, hosted in conjunction with US Club Soccer.

It is the first time Minnesota has hosted a ‘C’ License course in several years.

Thirty-six coaches are currently engaged in virtual activities before gathering in Plymouth, Minn. for the inperson part of the course (held June 17-20, 2021).

Additional Courses TCSL also hosted several grassroots courses (9v9, 11v11) in early January which serve as pre-requisites to the ‘D’, and by extension, the ‘C’ License.

REFEREE CORNER Become a Referee!

Being a soccer referee can be both fulfilling and rewarding. Whether you are a young person* learning responsibility or an adult hoping to give back to the sport, there is always a need for more referees, and it is not too late to get started!

The Minnesota State Referee Committee is responsible for training and certifying referees on an annual basis.

Steps to becoming a certified referee: 1. Register with www.minnesotasrc.com 2. Pay your state administrative ($40) and U.S. Soccer Registration Fees ($40) These fees can be recouped by refereeing 1-3 games.

3. Complete online training For the 2020-21 soccer year, all training may be completed online.

4. Pass the USSF Grassroots test 5. Complete the background check and SafeSport training (for any referee 18 or older) Have more questions or are you certified and ready to begin officiating? Connect with a Referee Assignor by using the TCSL Club Directory. *Must be at least 13 years of age or older.

Common Rule Questions Every so often, the TCSL office receives inquiries about rule clarifications. We’ve included four common questions and our responses below.

Q: Does TCSL use the “build-out” line?

A: Yes, per the U.S. Soccer mandate, all 9U and 10U (and nobody else) age groups use the “build-out” line.

This may be marked with cones. View this short video which explains the build-out line.

Q: Is punting permitted at 11U & 12U? A: Yes, punting is permitted at 11U & 12U age groups.

Q: When can substitutions occur at 11U & 12U? A: Substitutions at 11U & 12U age groups may occur at any stoppage of play, regardless of which team is substituting.

Q: Are there penalty kicks at 9U & 10U age groups?

A: No! All free kicks at 9U & 10U age groups are indirect. If a foul occurs inside the penalty area, the ensuing free kick is indirect and therefore must touch another player prior to entering the goal.

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PLAYER HEALTH AND SAFETY Staying fueled and hydrated with TRIA Orthopedics It’s important to get the right fuel, especially between a busy schedule of soccer practices, games and an active life. Jillian Tholen, sports-trained dietitian at TRIA Orthopedics, has some tips to help us stay fueled this season. » Stay consistently fueled throughout the day by choosing energy-dense meals and snacks. Don’t skip meals – active people generally need three meals and at least three snacks a day. » Stay hydrated by keeping a water bottle nearby and drinking fluids throughout the day - especially before, during and after workouts and games. » Never begin a workout in an under-fueled or fasted state. Calories are energy, and you need lots of energy to train and recover well. » Focus on getting food and fluids soon after a workout. Carbohydrates and protein within 30 minutes is best, such as chocolate milk or a banana with peanut butter. » Try not to go more than a few hours without eating, to ensure your body is consistently getting energy and nutrients to fuel training and recovery.

Proper fueling and recovery will help us stay healthy and strong. Thank you to TRIA Orthopedics for supporting our athletes and helping us all stay properly fueled!

PARENT ENGAGEMENT Playing soccer is a smart choice Guest contributors: Greg Smith, Ph.D., Executive Director, Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Stacy E. King, PT, DPT, OCS, CIMT, CSCS, Doctor of Physical Therapy (This article was originally published at SoccerParenting. com, a TCSL partner.)

Every year, millions of children across America play soccer. There are also hundreds of thousands of coaches, referees, and administrators who participate to make the various programmatic opportunities available at the local, club, and league levels.

With only needing a ball and a few friends to play, in addition to the fact that it is fun to play regardless of one’s height, strength, or speed, it is no wonder that soccer is the most popular game in the world.

As the United States, Canada, and Mexico have jointly been selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, excitement for soccer will continue to grow in America.

Playing the beautiful game of soccer offers many benefits ranging from psychological, physical, and social, in addition to being fun!

Psychological The more you move, the better you feel. Why? There are naturally occurring chemicals that are released when exercising that make you feel good. Playing soccer releases these chemicals which can help to improve mood, reduce stress, and decrease anxiety. Did you also know that playing soccer can help to improve one’s confidence, attention, self-esteem, memory, and learning capacity? Working through setbacks on the field teaches players that they can overcome challenges. These are all critical skills that set players up for future success in life.

Physical Playing soccer improves one’s endurance and cardiovascular health as running on the field challenges the heart and lungs to work harder and get stronger. In addition to running, other aspects of the game such as kicking and jumping helps to strengthen muscles and

bones while improving flexibility. The more you move around, the more calories you burn. If you are eating a healthy balanced diet full of lean protein, fruits, and veggies while keeping sugar and processed foods to a minimum, soccer can also help maintain a healthy weight. Children benefit from burning energy in a safe, structured, and positive way. Soccer allows them to do so while establishing a sense of belonging and identity that is so important.

Social Soccer teaches players how to work together as a team while enforcing the values of hard work, dedication, and commitment. Playing soccer helps to build character and develop coping skills. Learning to win and lose gracefully is a skill that everyone can use.

Additionally, learning how to respect all players breaks down barriers and fosters a sense of belonging. These are skills that will stay with people for their entire life and will help them to succeed long after they hang up their cleats.

Parents and guardians have choices when it comes to choosing an activity for their children. While many team sports offer some of the benefits noted, soccer is by far the best choice when all things are considered.

Did you know that all TCSL clubs and their families receive free access to the Soccer Parent Resource Center?

MORE INFORMATION + ACCESS

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Learn more & register at salvosoccer.org 16

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Summer 2021

Official Video Provider to TCSL Record your matches without a camera operator!

TCSL members receive a $200 discount on a camera.

(Discount applied with annual subscription.)

WHAT IS VEO?

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tcslsoccer.com Photos by Christopher Mitchell | sportshotphoto.com