TCSL Magazine - Summer 2023

FROM TCSL

TCSL Members,

As we gear up for another Summer of soccer, we are excited to continue supporting clubs in many areas – coach education, referee education, player development, parent engagement, cups and of course, leagues. This issue of the TCSL Magazine provides a glimpse to the many accomplishments of our members in each of these areas.

Recently, TCSL office staff went through an exercise to re-define our mission, vision, and values as an organization. As we enter our sixth summer of operation, we are excited to share with you who we are and what we hope to be. It’s our vision to collaborate with our members and partners to raise the level of every facet of the game.

On the field, we welcome back approximately 1,500 teams to the field this Summer, each competing in a division that is appropriate to their level of play. In the TCSL league, 11U-19U qualifying teams will meet at season’s end at the prestigious league championship event, the Final 4. The Minnesota NPL, meanwhile, continues its spring portion of the schedule, where 13U-19U teams in the Super division battle for the right to attend the NPL Finals, held in July in Colorado

Minnesota Cup, US Club Soccer State Cup, has grown for a third year in a row. We can’t wait to welcome your teams to compete for a State Cup Championship.

TCSL has been busy supporting coaches in their desire to learn and grow as coaches. This past winter, we hosted several U.S. Soccer Grassroots courses which serve as pre-requisites for the ‘D’ License, which is ongoing. For the third consecutive year, TCSL is hosting a ‘C’ License. And finally, we’re assisting U.S. Soccer with the hosting of a ‘B’ License course, held locally for the first time in many years. Our goal: provide routine, accessible, affordable and local coach education opportunities for coaches of all levels.

Parents: in case you missed it, the Sideline Project course, “Winning on Gameday!”, is now available to you. We hope you take the course and pledge!

We’ll see you on the field soon!

Matt Tiano CEO

Dawn Ellerd Club Development Coordinator

Peter Reid Technical Director

Shayna Salloway Events Coordinator

WHAT’S NEW

Mission, Vision, and Values

MISSION

Twin Cities Soccer Leagues sets the standard for youth soccer, on and off the field, creating an exceptional league experience for all.

VISION

To collaborate with our members and partners to raise the level of every facet of the game.

TCSL VALUES Collaboration

Listening first, we make shared decisions based on trust and transparency. We are as strong as the relationships among our staff, member clubs and partners.

Sportsmanship

We encourage and celebrate respect among clubs, players, parents, coaches, and referees.

Competition

We believe that appropriate competition is a cornerstone of player development and a sound soccer environment.

Excellence

We evolve and grow, on and off the field, to raise the level of the game for all.

WINTER LEAGUE RECAP

CONGRATULATIONS to all Winter League division champions!

BOYS WINTER LEAGUE DIVISION CHAMPIONS

11U Boys Lakeville Soccer Club 2012 Boys – Academy 1

11U Boys Shakopee SA 2012 Boys Regional

12U Boys Edina Soccer Club 2011 Boys Green

12U Boys Fusion Soccer Club Boys 12 Academy 1

13U Boys Fusion Soccer Club Boys 11 Academy 1

14U Boys MN Thunder Academy 2010 Boys ECNL

15U Boys MapleBrook SC 2009 Boys - Browne

16U Boys Shakopee SA 2007 Boys Regional

19U Boys MapleBrook SC MPB Boys 2006 Lee

GIRLS WINTER LEAGUE DIVISION CHAMPIONS

11U Girls Fusion Soccer Club Girls 12 Academy 1

11U Girls North Suburban SA 2013 Academy Plus Girls

12U Girls Edina Soccer Club 2011 Girls Green

12U Girls Salvo SC 11G South Steel

13U Girls MN Thunder Academy Girls Pre-ECNL

15U Girls Boreal FC 2008 White – Klink

16U Girls East Ridge Soccer Club 07 Girls Elite

17U Girls CC United Soccer Club 2007 Girls Premier

19U Girls Lakeville Soccer Club 2004/2005 Girls – Select

THE SIDELINE PROJECT

WINNING ON GAMEDAY!

TCSL is asking ALL youth soccer parents to complete a 22-minute course leading in to the Summer 2023 season.

By working together and being good stewards of the experience, we can create lasting change. YOU can be a difference maker.

COURSE COMPLETION CLUB LEADERBOARD

All TCSL clubs are engaged in a friendly competition to improve game day experiences! The club with the highest completion rates will be recognized and rewarded with a VEO 2 camera.

TAKE THE COURSE TODAY

After an incredible response last summer, we are thrilled to roll out an additional Sideline Project Course:

STAFFING UPDATES

We are thrilled to welcome Shayna Salloway as the new TCSL Events Coordinator.

“Similar to playing on a sports team, I enjoy collaborating with others in a fun and dynamic atmosphere that’s constantly changing and strive to bring creativity to my daily work. I can’t wait to work with you!”

Shayna comes to us from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, where she was an Event Lead and responsible for execution of many large events. In this newly-created role, Shayna will be responsible for planning and executing all TCSL events.

SHAYNA SALLOWAY EVENTS COORDINATOR

With a soccer playing background herself, we are excited for Shayna to improve the TCSL events experience.

“Having spent over half my life playing competitively on the soccer field, I’m eager to return to the sports world and bring my years of event management experience and planning knowledge to the team at Twin Cities Soccer Leagues.”

Welcome Shayna!

TCSL welcomes Shayna Salloway as its Events Coordinator!

SEVEN INTERNS JOIN TCSL FOR THE SUMMER!

The TCSL internship program is for current college students looking to gain experience in the sports or events fields, and we are thrilled to welcome such a great staff this Summer!

NAME

Ava Barnett

Derek Berg

Katherine Ekman

Zach Frantzen

Abby Gunderson

Minjun Kang

Cullen McSweeney

SCHOOL

St. Olaf College

Minnesota State Mankato

Beloit College

St. Mary’s (MN)

University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota

St. Cloud State

MAJOR

Biology/Studio Art

Sports Management

Creative Writing/Literary Studies

Sports Management/Marketing

Communication Studies

Sports Management

Leadership Organization and Communication

LEAGUE

PREVIEW

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

FERNBROOK ATHLETIC FIELDS: State of the art facility is our home for the 2023 NPL showcases!

TCSL LEAGUE

We are excited to welcome back 1,200+ teams to the field this summer!

» 11U-19U – top four teams in each age/gender/division advance to the Final 4.

How much travel is there in TCSL?

Our team recently conducted an analysis of the average travel for each away match that is scheduled as part of the Summer 2023 league schedule. We found that, on average, teams travel 16.24 for each away match. Reducing travel, as much as possible, is a priority for TCSL and its members.

SCHEDULES & RESULTS

MINNESOTA NPL

Minnesota NPL teams continue campaign with sights on league titles!

Super Division winners advance to the NPL Finals.

The Minnesota NPL represents the highest level of the TCSL pyramid for 13U-19U boys and girls age groups. Once again, we are excited to send league winners (Super division) to the NPL Finals held in late June (boys) and July (girls). **NPL Finals logo**

» 13U & 14U – one continuous schedule September through June

» 15U-19U – one continuous schedule November through June

SCHEDULES & RESULTS

MINNESOTA NPL SPRING SHOWCASE

» May 5-7, 2023 (Girls) | Fernbrook Athletic Fields (Maple Grove

» May 19-21, 2023 (Boys) | Fernbrook Athletic Fields (Maple Grove)

We are excited to once again 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.

ATTENDING COACHES LIST (BOYS)

ATTENDING COACHES LIST (GIRLS)

COLLEGE COACH REGISTRATION (BOYS)

COLLEGE COACH REGISTRATION (GIRLS)

LEAGUE PREVIEW

TCSL FIVES

8U play dates in fun, festival environment.

Objectives:

» Provide fun, energetic, introductory program for these crucial ages.

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

» 8U soccer should be its own brand and should not be a mini-version of older-aged soccer.

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

Format:

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

» 4v4 with goalkeeper – developing thinking players with good technique

DATE

May 7

May 21

June 11

June 18

June 25

LOCATION

ALL (Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview)

North (National Sports Center, Blaine)

South (Edina High School Lower Fields)

North (Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview)

South (Lakefront Park, Prior Lake)

North (Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview)

South (Lakefront Park, Prior Lake)

Summer Festival (Cottage Grove)

REGISTERED TEAMS

MORE INFORMATION

CUPS PREVIEW

TCSL FINAL 4, PRESENTED BY TRIA

July 14-16, 2023 | Various Sites

Bringing together the top four teams in the TCSL summer league, we can’t wait to once again crown Summer league champions in this exciting format!

» Top 4 teams in each age/gender/division are automatically qualified based on standings in League play at season’s end. Reference the Final 4 Rules for qualification/seeding information.

» All teams play two (2) matches.

• Semi-Final winners play in the Final 4 Championship

• Semi-Final losers play in the Shield (3rd Place) match.

MINNESOTA CUP

May 31-June 4, 2023 | Various Sites

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

» The Minnesota Cup is a statewide championship designed to advance the top 13-U through 18/19-U teams to the US Club Soccer National Cup.

» The competition is conducted over a five-day stretch and marks the true start of a campaign where every team shares the same goal; being the last team standing in Minnesota’s most exciting competition!

» This event also features a 9v9 version to provide a competitive experience for 11U/12U teams.

VIEW DIVISIONS

SUMMER FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY TRIA

June 24-25, 2023 | Cottage Grove, Minn.

Open to all TCSL 8U-10U TCSL teams. This popular event will fill quickly!

The Summer Festival is a tournament designed to conclude the Summer 2022 League season for 9U and 10U age groups.

» Fans will fill the sidelines as hundreds of kids take part in this fun one-day event.

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

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

» June 24 – Boys / June 25 – Girls and TCSL Fives

Registration deadline: June 3

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

TCSL REPS CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL FIRST SEASON

A tremendous TCSL Reps 2022-2023 program has wrapped up for the season and we wish all the participants the best of luck moving forward. Thank you to our clubs, coaches, players and families that supported the program in year one.

The culminating event, Midwest Select Games, saw the TCSL Reps groups compete against other neighboring leagues.

TCSL Reps now takes a break so that players and families can focus on their club season.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

TCSL will host Trials for 2011-2009 age groups September 18-21, 2023.

TCSL REPS: YEAR 1 RECAP

COACH EDUCATION

TCSL continues to provide routine, local and accessible coach education opportunities to its members! We’ve been pleased to support a USSF ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ and Grassroots courses over the past several months.

GANZBERG VISITS TWIN CITIES

We were thrilled to welcome Vince Ganzberg, US Club Soccer Director of Coach Education, to the Twin Cities to deliver a session: “Intentional Training Session Design & Implementation”.

Many TCSL coaches attended and learned from the coach education veteran. Thanks Vince for making the trip!

INTERESTED IN HOSTING A COURSE AT YOUR CLUB?

COACH EDUCATION

COURSE

USSF ‘D’ License

USSF ‘C’ License

For the third consecutive year, TCSL has hosted a United States Federation ‘C’ License course in the Twin Cities.

Twenty-four coaches are taking part in the course to advance their coaching knowledge!

DATE & TIME

March 2 – May 4, 2023

February 21 - June 19, 2023

LOCATION

Blended (Virtual + In-Person) Course

Blended (Virtual + In-Person) Course

UPCOMING

Check out Upcoming Courses for an updated listing of what’s to come. We are excited to host more Grassroots courses in July, serving as pre-requisites for a ‘D’ License beginning Fall 2023.

UPCOMING COURSES

PLAYER HEALTH & SAFETY

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SPORTS INJURY

REFEREE CORNER

Support the game

by becoming a referee!

TCSL is excited to provide referee field training for first, second and third-year officials, a first of its kind in Minnesota, during the month of April. The goal is to provide an environment where referees can learn skills on the field before their first game this summer.

Thank you to the Minnesota SRC for your partnership in making these events happen.

» Flexible schedule

» Good pay

» Give back to the game

REFEREE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

ADMIN CORNER

TCSL is so grateful for Club Administrators’ efforts behind the scenes that allows each season to roll out seamlessly for coaches, players and referees.

In the coming months, look for a series of opportunities for club administrators to reflect on the 2022-23 soccer year and prep for the 2023-24 season ahead.

Resources for the coming Summer 2023 season and beyond:

CLUB ADMINISTRATOR RESOURCES

TEAM MANAGER RESOURCES

Photos by Christopher Mitchell | sportshotphoto.com