TCSL Magazine - Fall 2025

TCSL SCOUTING REPORT TCSL Members, It’s hard to believe that another Fall is not only upon us but nearly over, and that means yet another TCSL season will soon be in the books.

We’ve been incredibly blessed with extraordinarily mild weather this Fall season and we’re hopeful that continues in the season’s final days as teams are competing to qualify for the coveted Final 4 or getting ready to take the field in the alwayspopular Fall Festival.

We take a great deal of pride in trying new things, seeking feedback and always working to improve the soccer experience.

We’re excited to pilot something that’s never been done in the Twin Cities: the execution of a 7v7 event played exclusively on turf. The Fall Festival will be fastpaced and exciting, and we can’t wait.

As we look ahead, we’re excited about a robust Coach Education calendar, continuation of the ECNL Regional League and Minnesota NPL campaigns, the invite-only Final 4, TCSL Reps programming and more. Read this issue of the TCSL Magazine for all you need to know!

Thank you for your support of TCSL and the sport.

Matt Tiano

CEO Twin Cities Soccer Leagues

TCSL Magazine is the official publication of Twin Cities Soccer Leagues. It is published three times per year, featuring content about youth soccer in the Twin Cities and highlighting the many accomplishments of TCSL clubs, players, coaches and referees. Visit tcslsoccer. com for past issues. To advertise, reach out to us at info@tcslsoccer.com.

STARTING LINE-UPS What’s New ............................6 Leagues............................... 10 Cups................................... 12 Winter Preview...................... 14 Player Development..................17 Coach Education..................... 19 Referee Development............... 20 Admin Corner......................... 21 Player Health and Safety........... 22

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WHAT'S NEW TCSL Welcomes John Curtis and Colette Montgomery

New hires focused on growing player development and coach education Twin Cities Soccer Leagues is excited about the appointments of John Curtis (Player Development Lead) and Colette Montgomery (Coach Education Lead) to its staff. For the first time, TCSL is segmenting the roles to offer greater focus in each area, demonstrating TCSL's commitment to go beyond league operations to support, expand and execute in two critical areas. TCSL thanks Joe DeMay for his service to TCSL and we wish him well in his new collegiate head coach role at University of Sioux Falls.

"We're thrilled to have John and Colette joining the TCSL staff," TCSL CEO Matt Tiano said.

"Both are well connected and respected in the Minnesota soccer community, and I look forward to seeing the impact and vision they have on and for their respective areas."

In these roles, Curtis leads TCSL Reps and US Club Soccer id2 programming within the state, taking an already established and popular program to evolve and improve upon it.

Montgomery leads all coach education initiatives, including managing and supporting the U.S. Soccer coach education calendar, building and supporting the local coach educator pool, expanding access to coach education in underserved communities and providing opportunities for non-traditional coach education to Twin Cities coaches.

Colette and John may be reached at colette@tcslsoccer.com and john@tcslsoccer.com, respectively.

Meet the TCSL Staff

Curtis's experience • Current U.S. Soccer instructor • U.S.S.F 'A' License • Former Director of Coaching & Player Development, Minnesota Youth Soccer Association; Director, Minnesota ODP • Former College Assistant Coach; Macalester College, St. Olaf College Montgomery's experience • Current U.S. Soccer instructor • U.S.S.F 'B' License • Former Director of Coaching, Edina Soccer Club; Head Men’s & Women's Soccer Coach North Central University; Sporting Director/ Head Coach, Minnesota Aurora FC • US Club Soccer Board of Director

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That's a Wrap

TCSL Reps Trials conclude for 2013 and 2012 players 28 Clubs. 273 Players.

Back for a fourth year, TCSL recently concluded Trials for its player development program, “Reps”, in the 2013 and 2012 birth years. This popular program features players nominated by their clubs, with selected players earning a spot in a travel event and/or a winter training development program. 2011 players will trial in early November after the conclusion of the high school season.

TCSL Reps is designed to be highly complementary to club programming. Reps concludes in early March to allow participants to be fully engaged with their club team.

More TCSL Reps Information

2025-26 Coach Education Calendar

Better clubs develop better coaches, and better coaches develop better players Coach Education remains one of TCSL’s highest priorities. The program continues to grow and offer more opportunities to local coaches than ever before. In the 2025-26 calendar year, TCSL will host a multitude of courses (US Soccer 7v7, 9v9, 11v11, D, C, and B). We are committed to helping coaches develop so that they can better develop their players.

Coach Eduction Information TCSL MAGAZINE I FALL 2025 I

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Minnesota’s Marquee Event Our State Cup

The 2025 Minnesota Cup was a great success! The event saw a record number of teams (again), had phenomenal weather, and featured truly exceptional competition. We can’t wait for the 2026 Minnesota Cup - our State Cup! Stay tuned for location announcements and other important Minnesota Cup information. Registration will open in late Fall.

2026 Minnesota Cup | May 9-17, 2026 •

Super Group - Advance to US Club Soccer National Cup Finals

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Premier Group - Advance to US Club Soccer Midwest Regional

Congratulations to Fusion Soccer Club 12G Academy, Lakeville Soccer Club 11G Select 1, MapleBrook SC 08G NPL, and St. Croix 06/07G Academy NL for finishing as Finalists at the 2025 US Club Soccer National Cup Finals!

TCSL Hosts ECNL RL League Weekend September 10-12 First look at what’s to come in Minnesota’s top league As part of the overall league schedule, TCSL hosted the first ECNL League Weekend September 10-12.

Clubs enjoyed exceptional competition and an event feel for all teams.

Save the date for Spring’s edition: April 17-19, 2026 at the National Sports Center Turf Fields.

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LEAGUES Fall 2025 TCSL

Autumn compeition on the pitch The Fall 2025 TCSL season features 1,100 teams, multiple levels of play, and incredible experiences each and every weekend.

11U-14U are competing for spots in the coveted Final 4, while 9U-10U teams wrap up their seasons on October 5 in preparation for the popular TCSL Fall Festival. Both events are held October 10-12, 2025.

TCSL Fall Schedules & Results

TCSL Fives

8U play dates in a fun, festival atmosphere Objectives • Provide a fun, energetic, program for this crucial age.

introductory

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Retain players at 9U that are better prepared with a better developed skillset.

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8U soccer should be its own brand of soccer, rather than a mini-version of older-aged soccer.

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Support clubs by having a standards-driven experience for these younger players.

Remaining event dates

Format • Festival days - 2 matches on each play date, concluded within a 2-3 hour span (convenient for families)

October 11 as part of Fall Festival (Blaine, MN)

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5v5 - 4 field players + a goalkeeper.

Developing thinking players with good technique.

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October 5 at Flying Cloud Fields

TCSL Fives Information

ECNL RL

Top-level competition close to home The 2025-26 ECNL Regional League season is underway, with 13U and 14U teams kicking off their season. Clubs are battling for post-season berths in the ECNL Regional League Central Playoffs!

The top two teams in each division advance. Visit the links below for more information about league formats, playoff advancement, and more.

ECNL RL Information Boys Schedules & Results Girls Schedules & Results

Minnesota NPL

Top-level competition close to home Similarly, the 2025-26 Minnesota NPL season is underway with one major enhancement: league winners advance to the NPL Finals, where previously the second level within the TCSL structure did not have a league advancement pathway.

The top team in each division advances to the NPL Finals. Visit the links below for more information about league formats, playoff advancement, and more.

Minnesota NPL Information

Schedules & Results TCSL MAGAZINE I FALL 2025 I

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CUPS TCSL Fall Festival

Presented by TRIA

New for 2025: All 9U-10U games played on turf, with select matches played under the lights!

This fun, two-day event serves as an exciting conclusion to the Fall league season for 8U, 9U, and 10U teams. TCSL works diligently to match up appropriate competition and to create brackets featuring teams that haven’t seen each other in Fall league play.

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7v7 (9U-10U) teams: Guaranteed a minimum of three (3) games with medals, and fun, for all.

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5v5 (8U) teams: Guaranteed a minimum of two (2) games with medals, and fun, for all.

Octo be r 1 1 -1 2 , 2025 National Sports Center in Blaine, MN October 11: Boys 9U-10U and TCSL Fives (8U) October 12: Girls 9U-10U

Information & Registration

TCSL Fall FINAL 4

Presented by TRIA

October 10-12, 2025 | National Sports Center Turf Fields in Blaine, MN Bringing together the top 4 teams from TCSL Fall league, this exciting format crowns Fall league champions!

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Top 4 teams in each age/gender/division are automatically qualified based on standings in Fall league play at season’s end.

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All teams play two (2) matches.

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Semi-Final winners play in the Fall Final 4 Championship.

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Semi-Final losers play in a 3rd place match.

Event Information TCSL MAGAZINE I FALL 2025 I

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WINTER PREVIEW

TCSL Winter League

Your source to stay sharp during the winter months Open to TCSL clubs in the 11U-19U age groups. In the event that a club/team needs access to a facility, TCSL may be able to help.

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Matches played in full-sized, domed facilities throughout the Twin Cities.

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Divisions created with competition and meaningful matches in mind.

Each team will play a 6-game, balanced schedule (3 home/3 away) at club-hosted facilities. League matches are played on Friday night, Saturday or Sunday.

Age band

League start

League end

11U-12U

November 21, 2025

March 8, 2026

13U-14U

November 21, 2025

March 8, 2026

15U-19U

December 5, 2025

March 8, 2026

Information & Registration

TCSL Winter League Fact Sheet

SPORTSHOTPHOTO.COM

TCSL Winter Fests

Open to TCSL clubs for 9U-10U (7v7) age groups Flexible scheduling allows clubs to register for the match days that work for them.

2025-26 Match Days (dates/locations subject to change): •

December 6, 2025 - Sanneh Dome

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January 3, 2026 - Academy of Holy Angels Dome

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January 31, 2026 - Maple Grove High School Dome

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February 28, 2026 - Sanneh Dome

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March 14, 2026 - Maple Grove High School Dome

Winter Fests Information

TCSL Winter Fives

Open to TCSL clubs for 8U (5v5) age groups Flexible scheduling allows clubs to register for the match days that work for them.

2025-26 Match Days (dates/locations subject to change): •

December 13, 2025 - Academy of Holy Angels Dome

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January 10, 2026 - Maple Grove High School Dome

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February 14, 2026 - Academy of Holy Angels Dome

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February 28, 2026 - Maple Grove High School Dome

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PLAYER DEVELOPMENT TCSL Reps

Represent their team, club and league as a recognized talent Now in its fourth year, TCSL Reps has established itself as a respected player development program in the region and across the country. Candidates for Reps are submitted to TCSL by club leaders, and they attend Reps Trials in mid-September (2013s & 2012s) or November (2011s). Following Trials, TCSL Reps teams are selected for the 2025-26 season.

TCSL Reps designs its calendar strategically to minimize conflict with the TCSL/NPL/ ECNL RL schedule. Reps concludes in early March so that players can be fully engaged with their club teams.

2013 and 2012 Players 2013 and 2012 Reps players will represent TCSL in Illinois at the Midwest Select Games, held November 1-2, 2025. This US Club Soccer id2-scouted event will feature the TCSL Reps competing against other top teams from Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio.

Following the Midwest Select Games, players will participate in the Winter Development Training Program.

2011 Players The 2011 Reps age group will begin following the conclusion of the high school soccer season. The Winter Development Training Program will take place followed by a travel event in March. Details to follow.

Information & Age Group Calendars

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US Club Soccer id2

Major expansion of id2 Program coming soon In July, US Club Soccer announced a substantial expansion of the id2 Program over the next several years.

Historically, the id2 Program has targeted a single age group (14U boys and girls). US Club Soccer’s new id2 programming will expand in upcoming years to include multiple age groups, to accelerate its impact in creating more opportunities for late-developing players.

The age group cycle for the id2 Program in 2025-26 will target boys and girls born in 2012, and will be the final year of single age group programming.

US Club Soccer announced that beyond its expansion to an increasing number of age groups, the id2 Program will also begin to include coach and referee education within its scope, will feature the largest scouting network in the country, and will develop a new id2 Interregional Camp.

More to follow regarding TCSL-initiated programs to support the larger id2 scope.

COACH EDUCATION

2025-26 Coaching Courses Set for Twin Cities Metro TCSL is excited to provide grassroots courses, several D License courses, a C License course, and a B License course in the 2025-26 soccer season, all in the Twin Cities metro area!

TCSL shares US Soccer’s vision for a playerfocused approach to the game. Because of this, TCSL prioritizes providing ample coach education opportunities. Better educated coaches leads to better development for players, and we are proud of the role we play in facilitating that ongoing education.

Course Calendar

US Soccer Learning Center TCSL MAGAZINE I FALL 2025 I

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REFEREE DEVELOPMENT Respect the Call: For Every Referee

New green badge supports #RespectTheCall campaign in 2025-26 As part of a nationwide effort to create a more respectful and supportive environment for referees, U.S. Soccer is introducing the Green Referee Badge beginning with the 2025–2026 season. This new badge, worn by all certified referees under the age of 18, is a key element of U.S. Soccer's ongoing #RespectTheCall campaign.

More Information

Every referee deserves a safe place to work. #RespectTheCall is a movement for all officials— from grassroots to the professional level. The Green Badge is one way of strengthening that culture by helping protect our most vulnerable referees: youth referees, who also make up the largest portion of our referee community.

ADMIN CORNER

Have Questions?

The TCSL Support Center can help Whether you’re a parent, referee, club administrator or anything in between, TCSL continues to add content to the TCSL Support Center.

TCSL Support Center

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PLAYER HEALTH & SAFETY

Leg Care Keeps you on the Pitch Hamstring strains are one of the most common muscle strains in soccer players.

Whether it is from sprinting after an opponent or passing a long ball to a teammate, a strain can be season ending. It often becomes a repeat injury the next season as well.

The good news is soccer players can help prevent strains from occurring.

Physical therapist Abby Graham shares some exercise tips to help prevent hamstring injuries.

Eccentric hamstring strengthening, or lengthening strengthening, is a proven way to help reduce hamstring injuries. It also helps strengthen up hamstrings after an injury. Soccer players demand a lot out of their hamstrings. Most hamstring injuries in soccer players occur when the hamstring is lengthened (i.e. kicking a ball or sprinting down the field). Because of this, soccer players need to have strong hamstrings in a lengthened range.

Here are a few eccentric hamstring strengthening exercises: Nordic Hamstring Hold the athlete’s ankles in place as they lean forward as far as possible until they break/fall forward, catching themselves with their arms. Then push yourself back

upward using your arms. Focus on slow forward lowering which is the eccentric phase of this exercise.

Single Leg Dead Lifts Stand on one leg and lean forward as far as possible with minimal bend in the knee and spine. Then use your hamstrings to return to an upright position. Focus on a slow forward lowering which is the eccentric phase of this exercise.

Prone Hamstring Curls Lay on your stomach and use your non-injured leg to assist curling your injured leg back. Slowly lower your injured leg back to the ground (starting position). It is ideal to use an ankle weight around your injured leg. Try to get your leg to extend past neutral (off a treatment table).

You may also use a prone hamstring curl machine found at a gym. Raise both legs and slowly lower only one leg down. Choose a light enough weight that you can control it with only one leg. The slow lower phase is the eccentric part of this exercise.

Hamstring Curls on Ball Lay on your back with ankles on an exercise ball. Curl your knees towards your body. Lift your hips and slowly roll the ball away from your body. Lower your hips back down and repeat. Rolling the ball away from your body is the eccentric part of this exercise. You can perform a concentric hamstring contraction by curling the ball into your body with your hips lifted up.

Many European soccer teams have started to focus on this type of strengthening both in the pre-season and during season play.

These teams have seen a reduction in hamstring injuries amongst their players.

TRIA’s Return to Soccer Program will work with you to incorporate soccer skills into your recovery. Our physical therapists are here to help you get back on the field. For more information visit the Return to Soccer Program webpage or call 952-806-5616 to schedule an evaluation.

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