TCSL Magazine - Winter 22-23

FROM TCSL

TCSL Members,

We hope you enjoyed some time off during the holiday season with family and friends! For us at TCSL, we came back energized about 2023. We are excited to share with you many new initiatives.

We talk as a staff about being “more than a league”. We strive to cater to the holistic soccer experience, whether it be helping coaches improve, evolving league formats to better suit clubs, providing player development opportunities for the area’s top players, supporting referees, or making TCSL cups and events memorable for all.

As we enter this new year, this TCSL Magazine issue expands on our desire to be “more than a league”.

• TCSL Reps: a new player development program that invites TCSL’s most talented players to train and compete over the course of the soccer calendar.

• Tournament Director Workshops: an initiative to bring together club tournament organizers to share best practices for hosting a successful tournament.

• Technical Director Workshops: an invitation for member club technical leadership to idea share.

• Coach Education Pathways: we’ve created a robust coach education calendar, including Grassroots modules, a ‘D’ License, a ‘C’ License, and a ‘B’ License that we are assisting U.S. Soccer in hosting locally.

• Minnesota NPL: after moving to a two-level system (Super & Premier), we’ve seen very competitive matches in the early going of the of the 2022-23 season.

• Cups: Minnesota Cup and Final 4 dates have been announced for Summer 2023.

As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to create exceptional soccer experiences for all!

Matt Tiano CEO

Peter Reid Technical Director

Dawn Ellerd Club Development Coordinator

TABLE OF CONTENTS

In September, Peter Reid (read more about Peter and his background here) joined the TCSL staff as its Technical Director. Peter leads the soccer side of TCSL, including the TCSL Reps program which has been an overwhelming success since its roll out.

TCSL REPS

With the goal of enhancing the soccer experience for the area’s top players, the TCSL Reps program is highly complementary to the club environment.

Reps brings together the area’s top talent at 2009 and 2010 Boys and Girls for the 2022-23 season.

Player nominations were submitted by club leaders and then invited to Reps Trials, at which point Reps teams were formed. While the Midwest Select Games November event was postponed due to weather, we are excited to resume with Winter Pool training this month.

The program will culminate in a trip to Illinois in March where the TCSL Reps will represent our member clubs in competition versus Illinois, Iowa and Ohio.

We plan to offer a Reps ID Camp for 2011’s (current 12U’s) this coming Summer.

TCSL HOSTS SUCCESSFUL ID2 SELECTION EVENT FOR 2009 BOYS

& GIRLS

US Club Soccer’s id2 program came to Minnesota with a camp at the Academy of Holy Angels on Dec 3, 2022. The players were led in training sessions and match play by an excellent staff, consisting of top college and club trainers.

National id2 lead, Gerry McKeown, was on site to identify top talent to invite to the West Regional Camp in January.

The event saw players from Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois compete with and against each other for an incredible player opportunity that will see a small number of players move on to the next stage.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PLAYERS WHO REPRESENTED THEIR CLUBS SO WELL ON THE DAY!

A special congratulations are in order for the players selected to attend the id2 East National Training Camp: Hamza Elattaoui (Manitou FC) and Annika Lynch (Boreal FC).

WINTER WORKSHOPS

THIS WINTER we will be hosting two separate workshops for club leaders, ensuring collaboration between clubs facilitated by TCSL.

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR WORKSHOP >>

Many TCSL members host club-sponsored tournaments, and many TCSL teams play in those tournaments!

We invite club Tournament Directors to join us in discussing various ways to raise standards and provide a seamless administrative experience for clubs. Invites limited to Club Technical Directors.

TOPICS DATE & TIME REGISTER

Thur, January 19th, 10am-12pm

» Roster requirements

» Tournament check-in do’s and don’ts

» Technology selection

» Scheduling tips

» Generating additional revenue

» Other topics brought up by the group

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR WORKSHOP >>

Geared towards a club’s technical staff, these workshops are heavily focused on player development and what’s best for the game. Invites limited to Club Technical Directors.

DATES & TIMES REGISTER

Tues, January 24th, 12pm-2pm

Wed, January 25th, 5pm-7pm

Thur, January 26th, 12pm-2pm

TOPICS

» Zone 1 programming

» League structure

» Player development initiatives and rationale

» Raising standards – Club & League

» Soccer calendar

» Relationships with other organizations

COACH EDUCATION

TCSL continues its support of coach education by offering courses for all levels of coaches!

DECEMBER 2022 RECAP

TCSL hosted 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 USSF Grassroots courses, with the classroom portions held virtually and the field portions held at the Lakeville North Dome. Coach Educator, Colette Montgomery, led the candidates through the curriculum and coaches left ready and prepared to take new found knowledge back to the players.

JANUARY 2023 UPCOMING GRASSROOTS COURSES

COURSE

USSF 7v7 Course

USSF 7v7 Course

DATE & TIME

January 12th | 6-8pm January 16th | 8-10pm

USSF 11v11 Course USSF 11v11 Course

January 12th | 8-10pm January 16th | 1pm-3pm

USSF ‘D’ AND ‘C’ COURSES ANNOUNCED >>

COURSE

USSF ‘D’ Course

USSF ‘C’ Course

LOCATION

Virtual Classroom Sanneh Dome Virtual Classroom Sanneh Dome

WAITLIST

WAITLIST

The eligibility wait time between the ‘D’ and ‘C’ course has been reduced to six (6) months (previously 12).

LOCATION

Virtual / In-Person Virtual / In-Person

REGISTER

DATE Begins March 2nd Begins February 28th REGISTER

ADMIN CORNER

ADMINISTRATOR WORK DAYS

Summer team registration is right around the corner, and TCSL is hosting a series of Club Admin work days throughout January to help our membership prepare.

These collaborative sessions in the TCSL office are an opportunity for Club Administrators and Registrars to get help with GotSport, walk through the submission process, or to just have a dedicated time and space to work in community with others. SIGN UP HERE

Can’t

Need a review of registration and rostering tasks?

Head to the TCSL website to browse tutorials created just for our member clubs: Club Administrator Resources

LEAGUE UPDATES

A record number of teams are competing in meaningful matches this Winter season!

MINNESOTA NPL

The Minnesota NPL, now featuring two levels of play, is underway this Winter!

» 13U-14U teams continue their NPL campaign after beginning in September.

» 15U-19U teams recently began their NPL seasons in December.

» “Super” division winners advance to the NPL Finals in Colorado!

SCHEDULES & RESULTS

TCSL WINTER LEAGUE

Teams compete in a meaningful league season over the course of the Winter months. Why schedule scrimmages when you can play real matches?!

» Teams play a 6-match schedule

11U-19U boys & girls

SCHEDULES & RESULTS

9U/10U WINTER FESTS

These fun, one-day festivals over the course of the Winter for 9U & 10U teams aim to provide family-friendly, competition-in-mind events for young players.

» Teams play two matches, back-to-back in most cases

» Four (4) play dates

» 9U-10U Boys & Girls

TCSL SUMMER LEAGUE –LOOKING AHEAD!

TCSL will begin league formation for the Summer 2023 season in February with the goal of having schedules to teams in mid-March. We’ll work closely with TCSL member clubs to place teams in developmentally appropriate divisions.

Tentative Spring 2023 Deadlines for TCSL Clubs:

» January 16 Summer Team Registration Opens

» February 17 Summer Team Registration Deadline

» March 7 Summer Schedules to Field Coordinators

» March 13 Home Match Scheduling Deadline

» March 15 Schedules Released to Teams, Team Rescheduling Period Opens

» April 1 Team Rescheduling Deadline

TCSL EVENTS - SAVE THE DATES!

2023 MINNESOTA CUP - MAY 31-JUNE 4, 2023 (US CLUB SOCCER STATE CUP)

The finest Twin Cities facilities (turf, grass, lit) open to all teams (11U-19U) registered with US Club Soccer. The 2023 edition promises to be bigger than ever! 13U+ winners advance to US Club Soccer National Cup:

» Super Group: advances to US Club Soccer National Cup Finals (Colorado)

» Premier Group: advances to US Club Soccer Midwest Regionals (Illinois)

REGISTRATION & INFO

SUMMER 2023 FESTIVAL - JUNE 24 (BOYS) & JUNE 25 (GIRLS)*

Open to all 8U*-10U TCSL Teams. Priorities: meaningful matches, play teams not seen in league (as much as possible), festival atmosphere (food trucks, t-shirts, etc.)

Medals for all, laughs, smiles, and memories at the Summer Festival!

*TCSL Fives (8U) boys & girls will play on Sunday, June 25.

TCSL EVENTS - SAVE THE DATES!

SUMMER 2023 FINAL 4 - JULY 14-16, 2023

Open to 11U-19U qualified teams: TCSL National, TCSL Regional, TCSL State, TCSL Cities.

Building on the success for the Summer and Fall Final 4 events, we are excited to continue this format for the top teams that earn their way into the Final 4!

» The top 4 teams in each age/gender/division are automatically qualified based on standings in League play at season’s end.

» All teams will play two matches over July 14-16, 2023. Semi-Final winners play in the Final 4 Championship, Semi-Final losers play in the Shield (3rd Place) match.

NPL SPRING SHOWCASE - DATES & LOCATIONS TBD (EARLY SPRING)

We are excited to once again host the NPL Spring Showcase. This event is part of the NPL experience for all 16U-19U teams. All teams will play two (2) league matches at this event in front of college coaches.

Finalized dates and locations will be announced soon.

PLAYER HEALTH & SAFETY

QUADRICEP INJURIES IN SOCCER

by T. Edmonson, PT, DPT

Muscle injuries are common in soccer players. Quadriceps muscle injuries in particular are uniquely common to soccer players because of their large role in kicking and running. This can also make recovery challenging.

INJURY PREVENTION

The best way to combat an injury is through prevention. Effective prevention of quad injuries includes an appropriate warmup before playing, flexibility and strength training of quads and hip flexors, trunk control and appropriate kicking mechanics.

WARM UP

A good soccer warmup includes dynamic movements through full ranges of motion. It’s also incorporates movements of muscles needed for playing soccer. A well-studied warm-up program that incorporates this well is the FIFA 11+.

Passing and shooting warmups are also necessary. They should progress from shorter and lighter passes and shots to longer and harder ones.

STRENGTH TRAINING

Most quadriceps injuries occur when the muscles are at their longest and most stretched positions. Strengthening quad muscles and hip flexors should be performed through their full range of motion. If hip flexors muscles are under-trained, quad muscles are forced to perform more work while kicking. This creates greater chance for injury.

TRUNK CONTROL AND KICKING MECHANICS

Good hip and core control are also a necessary part of training. Players should focus on running and kicking without exaggerating the arch of the back. Two other important components of kicking are an appropriate trunk lean and follow through. If done correctly, each of these can decrease the risk of quadriceps injuries.

HERE ARE A FEW EXERCISES YOU CAN DO TO HELP WARM UP YOUR QUADS!

REVERSE NORDIC CURL

» Start in a kneeling position.

» Make sure your head, torso, hips and knees are all “stacked” – lined up on top of one another.

» Slowly lean back while keeping that “stacked” position.

» Use your quadriceps to pull yourself back up.

WALL DRILL

» Place your hands at shoulder height against a flat wall.

» Step back until your body is at a 45 degree angle and plant your feet hip-width apart.

» Raise each knee in fast succession. You are essentially sprinting at maximum effort.

» Repeat for sprints of 10-12 seconds each.

KNEELING QUAD/HIP FLEXOR STRETCH

» Kneel on one foot and the other knee so that you feel the stretch in your quad and hip flexor. If needed, you can hold on to something to keep your balance.

» Push hips forward or backward to regulate the intensity of this stretch.

» Hold stretch for 20 seconds and repeat on the opposite side.

For more information, visit the Return to Soccer Program web page or call 952-806-5616 to schedule a soccer evaluation.

LIMELIGHT

CONGRATULATIONS to the recipients of the Fall Final 4 All-Tournament, All-Sportsmanship and Referee of the Cup!

Ammayyu Gemeda, Mckenna Delmore, Evan Graham, Aubrey Huffman, Jordyn Czaplewski, Grace Knoll, Will Roedler, McKenzie Ulferts, Oscar Madson, Presley LeTendre, John Muldowney, and Sophia Glynn.

SEE THE RESULTS

Salvo SC 12G East Steel, Annaliese Raasch, Katja Holm, Timmothe Pellarin, Kinlee Engstrom, Aubrey Walker, Blessing Asamoah, Sam Elinger, Lucas Le Bihn, and Madeline Mason.

SEE THE RESULTS

ALL-CUP TOURNAMENT TEAM ALL-CUP REFEREE CREW

Frank Clancy, Matthew Peterson, and Alden Wright.

SEE THE RESULTS

LIMELIGHT

MN Thunder Academy 2012 Girls Pre-ECNL

Shakopee SA 2012 Girls Regional

Centennial Soccer Club 12 Girls Black

Congratulations to all Fall Division winners!

11U GIRLS NATIONAL

11U GIRLS REGIONAL

11U GIRLS STATE – A

Mahtomedi Soccer Association 2012 Girls State Kubacki

CC United Soccer Club 2012 Girls State

Waconia SC 12 Girls Elliott

MapleBrook SC 2012 Girls – Kormah

Dakota SC 2012 Girls Cities

Mahtomedi Soccer Association 2012 Girls Cities Bunnell

Tonka United SA 12 Girls Select 1

Lakeville Soccer Club 2012 Girls – Gold

Manitou FC 2011 Girls Orange 1

MapleBrook SC 2011 Girls Regional – Slaker

Prior Lake SC 2011 Girls Select Lundquist

Salvo SC 11G East Steel

Kickers FC U12 [11] Girls Green

Dakota SC 2011 Girls State

Centennial Soccer Club 11 Girls Red

St. Croix 2011 Girls Academy White

Salvo SC 11G South Carbon

Minneapolis United 12U/2011 Girls Samba

Tonka United SA 11 Girls Select 1

Hudson Soccer Association 10G WWFC

East Ridge Soccer Club 10 Girls Black

Edina Soccer Club 2010 Girls Black

North United SC NUSC 10 Girls Platinum

Lakes United FC 2010 Girls Fall Comp St. Paul Blackhawks 10 Girls Red

Bloomington United 2010 Girls Cities

Prior Lake SC 2010 Girls Competitive Patel

Tri-City United 2009 Girls TCSL

Lakeville Soccer Club 2009 Girls – Gold

CC United Soccer Club 2008 Girls State

Twin Cities Rush Soccer Club 08/09 Girls EDT

St. Croix 2009 Girls Academy White

Wave SC 08/09 Girls Blanco

Fusion Soccer Club Girls 09 Navy 1

11U GIRLS STATE – B

11U GIRLS STATE – C

11U GIRLS STATE – D

11U GIRLS CITIES – A

11U GIRLS CITIES – B

11U GIRLS CITIES – C

11U GIRLS CITIES – D

11U GIRLS CITIES – E

12U GIRLS NATIONAL

12U GIRLS REGIONAL – A

12U GIRLS REGIONAL – B

12U GIRLS STATE – A

12U GIRLS STATE – B

12U GIRLS STATE – C

12U GIRLS CITIES – A

12U GIRLS CITIES – B

12U GIRLS CITIES – C

12U GIRLS CITIES – D

12U GIRLS CITIES – E

13U GIRLS REGIONAL

13U GIRLS STATE – A

13U GIRLS STATE – B

13U GIRLS STATE – C

13U GIRLS CITIES – A

13U GIRLS CITIES – B

13U GIRLS CITIES – C

13U GIRLS CITIES – D

14U GIRLS REGIONAL – A

14U GIRLS REGIONAL – B

14U GIRLS STATE – A

14U GIRLS STATE – B

14U GIRLS CITIES – A

14U GIRLS CITIES – B

14U GIRLS CITIES – C

LIMELIGHT

Congratulations to all Fall Division winners!

Lakeville Soccer Club 2012 Boys – Academy 1

Tonka United SA 12 Boys Academy 1

Twin Cities Rush Soccer Club 12 Boys EDT 1

MapleBrook SC 2011 Boys State – Thomassen

Orono Westonka Soccer Club 2012 Boys Premier St. Croix 2013 Boys Academy 1

EPSC 2012 Boys Red

Bloomington United 2012 Boys Team 1

Fusion Soccer Club Boys 12 Navy 3

Boreal FC 2012 (U11) Grey – Payeur Salvo SC 12B Central Red Salvo SC 12B East Red

Minneapolis United 12U/2010 Boys Premier

Twin Cities Rush Soccer Club 11 Boys EDT 1 MapleBrook SC 2011 MapleBrook Boys – Loh

Fusion Soccer Club Boys 11 Navy 1

Keliix-Intra Soccer Club 11 Boys State

Cottage Grove United SC 2011 Boys State

Twin Cities Rush Soccer Club 11 Boys EDT 2

Kickers FC U13 [10] Boys Elite

St. Croix 2011 Boys Academy Pre ECNL

Minneapolis United 13U/2010 Boys Copa

Boreal FC 2010 (U13) White – Chuba

EPSC 2010 Boys TCSL

United FC Rush U13 Boys Select Salvo SC 10B Central Crimson

Edina Soccer Club 2008 Boys Platinum

MapleBrook SC 2009 MapleBrook Boys – Browne

Edina Soccer Club 2009 Boys Black Wave SC 08 Boys Kapolka

Twin Cities Rush Soccer Club 09 Boys EDT Shakopee SA 2009 Boys Cities

Prior Lake SC 2009 Fall Boys Hess North United SC NUSC 08 Boys Gold

11U BOYS NATIONAL – A

11U BOYS NATIONAL – B

11U BOYS REGIONAL – A

11U BOYS REGIONAL – B

11U BOYS STATE – A

11U BOYS STATE – B

11U BOYS STATE – C

11U BOYS CITIES – A

11U BOYS CITIES – B

11U BOYS CITIES – C

11U BOYS CITIES – D

11U BOYS CITIES – E

12U BOYS NATIONAL – A

12U BOYS NATIONAL – B

12U BOYS REGIONAL

12U BOYS STATE – A

12U BOYS STATE – B

12U BOYS STATE – C

12U BOYS STATE – D

13U BOYS REGIONAL – A

13U BOYS REGIONAL – B

13U BOYS STATE – A

13U BOYS STATE – B

13U BOYS CITIES – A

13U BOYS CITIES – B

13U BOYS CITIES – C

14U BOYS REGIONAL – A

14U BOYS REGIONAL – B

14U BOYS STATE – A

14U BOYS STATE – B

14U BOYS STATE – C

14U BOYS CITIES – A

14U BOYS CITIES – B

14U BOYS CITIES – C

Photos by Christopher Mitchell | sportshotphoto.com