TCSL Scouting Report
TCSL Members,
On behalf of our team, we can’t wait to kick off the 24-25 soccer year alongside a tremendous group of member clubs, players, coaches, referees and supporters of the beautiful game.
We’d be remiss, though, to not mention what an incredible ride the 23-24 season was! To call out a few specifics:
• Thirty-six TCSL and/or Minnesota NPL teams went 73-40-19 at US Club Soccer National events by way of Minnesota Cup or the Minnesota NPL. Teams were resilient through what felt like extreme heat at times, but most importantly, teams, players and families created lasting memories on the biggest stage.
• The TCSL Final 4 event series (both Fall & Summer) declared league champions at multiple ages and levels, re-emphasizing the TCSL commitment to provide exceptional soccer experiences at all levels of play.
• Year two of the TCSL Reps program saw the Twin Cities’ top talent come together to compete and develop. Nearly all member clubs were represented in the program.
This issue of the TCSL Magazine highlights our plans for the 2024-25 soccer year, including Reps, a robust coach education calendar, key event dates, and more.
Thank you for what you do to make soccer happen. Let’s make this year our best yet!
Matt Tiano CEO Dawn Ellerd Member Services Manager
Eric Bocan Events & Operations Manager
Joe DeMay Technical Lead
What’s New TCSL Team Growth
Eric Bocan added to staff. Dawn Ellerd promoted.
TCSL is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Bocan as its Events & Operations Manager and promotion of Dawn Ellerd as its Member Services Manager.
Bocan comes to TCSL after having spent two years at the National Sports Center with oversight of tournaments, camps and operations. Previous to the NSC, Bocan held a leadership role with Oregon Youth Soccer Association as its Leagues & Tournaments Manager.
In his new role, Bocan will lead all TCSL tournaments and events, ensuring flawless execution and memorable experiences for players, coaches, referees, and families. He’ll also be the primary operations contact for the TCSL player development and coach education departments.
student athlete. He also has collegiate coaching experience, is a certified referee and holds a USSF D (Coaching) License.
“I am excited to work with TCSL - an organization with a crystal-clear vision and a great team of people working to achieve it,” said Bocan. “I look forward to helping TCSL and its members continue to raise the level of the game in the Twin Cities!”
Eric Bocan
“I’m thrilled to welcome someone of Eric’s caliber to the TCSL staff,” said Matt Tiano, TCSL C.E.O.
“His background, love for the game, and relevant experience I’m certain will add value to our membership.”
Dawn joined TCSL in 2021 as its Club Development Coordinator and has
“I am excited to work with TCSLan organization with a crystal-clear vision and a great team of people working to achieve it.”
– Eric Bocan
Bocan holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Northwestern-St. Paul, where he also participated as a soccer
played a pivotal role in elevating our member service capabilities and experience over the past three-plus years.
“Join me in congratulating Dawn on a well-deserved promotion as our Member Services Manager,” Tiano said. “This new title simply recognizes my appreciation for her care, dedication and work ethic.”
Dawn will continue to lead Member Services (acting as go-to resource for club administrators and registrars) and will also lead special projects that enhance member experience.
Learn more about the TCSL staff and their focus areas.
TCSL Reps Program Updates & Calender
Ellerd
This popular player development program returns for its third year and will feature 2012, 2011, and 2010 boys and girls. Trials will lead into the Reps season, which will feature meaningful training, local competition, and one out-of-state event. A highly complementary program, TCSL Reps concludes in early March to allow participants to be fully engaged in their club team.
Get more TCSL Reps Information
Committed to Coaching Development
The TCSL Coach Education program continues to grow, with more education opportunities available than ever before. TCSL has scheduled a multitude of courses (U.S. Soccer 7v7, 9v9, 11v11, D, C, and B), with the goal of facilitating coaches’ continued development.
Coach Education Information
Dawn
Minnesota’s Marquee Event
2024 Minnesota Cup saw a record number of teams participate, and we can’t wait for the 2025 edition! Stay tuned for location announcements and other important information. Registration will be open late Fall.
2025 Minnesota Cup | May 28 – June 1, 2025
• Super Group – Advance to US Club Soccer National Cup Finals
• Premier Group – Advance to US Club Soccer Midwest Regionals
Congratulations to North East United 08 Boys Navy, 2024 Minnesota Cup winner, US Club Soccer Midwest Regionals winner, and US Club Soccer National Cup finalist!
North East United 08 Boys Navy
The first Arena Indoor soccer team in MN since the Minnesota Strikers in 1988. Join us at our home opener Dec. 21st at Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum on the State Fair grounds in St. Paul.
Welcome back teams!
6-match schedule
Sept. 6-Oct. 6
DIVISIONS
9U-10U
Red (highest), White, Blue
11U-14U
National (11U-12U), Regional, State, Cities
Schedule & Results
TCSL Fives
8U play dates in a fun, festival environment
OBJECTIVES
• Provide a 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 of soccer and should not be 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)
• 5v5: 4 field players + a goalkeeper. Developing thinking players with good technique.
Fall 2024 Events
Date
Sept. 15
Location
North: Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview
South: Lakefront Park, Prior Lake
Sept. 22 Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview
South: TBD
Sept. 29 TBD
Oct. 6 North: Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview
South: TBD
Oct. 12 Fall Festival (Kingston Park, Cottage Grove)
More Information
Minnesota NPL
13U-19U teams set to compete on the biggest stage!
MN NPL represents a club collaboration that is the highest level of the TCSL pyramid for 13U-19U teams.
13U-14U teams: one continuous season September-June
15U-19U teams: one continuous season December-June
Super division winners advance to the NPL Finals. Leagues & Formats
2024 NPL Finals Representation
Minnesota NPL teams had unprecedented success at this year’s NPL Finals, held in Commerce City, Colorado. These league-winning teams earned their way to the Finals, and showed incredibly well.
Champions:
St. Croix 09 Girls Academy
Tonka Fusion Elite 09 Boys Black
Finalists:
Minneapolis United 07 Boys Academy
Semi-Finalists:
St. Croix 2011 Girls Academy
Minneapolis United 07 Boys Academy
St. Paul Blackhawks 08 Boys Black
NPL Champions
Tonka Fusion Elite 09 Boys Black
Croix 09 Girls Academy
NPL Finalists
United 07 Boys Academy
TCSL Fall Festival (presented by TRIA)
Cups
October 12-13, 2024 I Cottage Grove, Minn.
October 12: Boys 9U-10U and TCSL Fives (8U)
October 13: Girls 9U-10U
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 between teams that haven’t seen each other in league play.
• 7v7 (9U-10U) teams: Guaranteed a minimum of three games with medals, and fun, for all.
• 5v5 (8U) teams : Guaranteed a minimum of two games with medals, and fun, for all.
Information & Registration Registration deadline: September 16
TCSL Fall Final 4
October 11-13, 2024 I Blaine, Minn.
Bringing together the top 4 teams from TCSL Fall league, we can’t wait to once again crown Fall league champions in this exciting format!
• Top 4 teams in each age/gender/division are automatically qualified based on standings in Fall league play at season’s end.
• All teams play two (2) matches.
• Semi-Final winners play in the Fall Final 4 Championship.
• Semi-Final losers play in the 3rd Place match.
More Information
Winter Preview
TCSL Winter League
Open to all 11U-19U TCSL teams
• Open to TCSL 11U-19U teams
• TCSL to build divisions for appropriate competition
• 6-match schedule
• Approximate dates of season: November 15, 2024-March 9, 2025
• Opportunity to blackout dates
• TCSL to help teams/clubs find dome/facility space, if needed
Information & Registration
TCSL Winter Fests
Open to TCSL clubs for 9U-10U (7x7) age groups
• Flexible scheduling allows clubs to register for match days
• 2024-25 Match Days:
December 7, 2024: Sanneh Dome
January 4, 2025: Academy of Holy Angels Dome
February 8, 2025: Maple Grove Dome
March 8, 2025: Sanneh Dome
More Information
TCSL Winter Fives Fests
Open to TCSL clubs for 8U (5x5) age groups
• Flexible scheduling allows clubs to register for match days
• 2024-25 Match Days:
January 11, 2025: Academy of Holy Angels Dome
February 1, 2025: Maple Grove Dome
March 1, 2025: Academy of Holy Angels Dome
Player Development
TCSL Reps is back
This Fall season, TCSL is thrilled to bring Reps back for its third year. This coming season, the 2011 and 2012 players will represent TCSL in Illinois at the Midwest Select Games, held November 9-10, 2024. This event sees our Reps competing against other top teams from Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio.
The 2010 age group will begin the Reps program after the high school soccer season ends.
Candidates for Reps are submitted by club leaders and attend trials in mid-September (2012s & 2011s) or November (2010s), from which the TCSL Reps are selected for the 24-25 season.
TCSL Reps features a strategic calendar designed to minimize conflict with the TCSL/NPL schedule. It concludes in early March so that players can be fully engaged with their club teams.
More Information & Age Group Calendars
US Club Soccer id2
US Club Soccer, in partnership with TCSL and in collaboration with the Club Development League (Iowa), will hold a national talent identification program, id2, in the Twin Cities this December.
Target Age Groups: 2011 Boys & Girls
Pathway: id2 Selection (Local) --> Regional Camp --> National Camp
Purpose: Identify top talent for inclusion in id2 events.
TCSL Reps players will be invited to the id2 event, with additional players nominated by club leaders. id2 is an event that is open to all players, regardless of affiliation.
More information to follow.
TCSL Goalkeeper Camp
TCSL held another successful Goalkeeper Camp in July! We are excited to continue this annual tradition. Thank you to all staff and players who attended Goalkeeper Camp. We are already looking forward to this event in 2025!
Parent Engagement
TCSL believes that a positive gameday experience is critical to the health of youth soccer.
• A positive sideline culture will keep more players playing.
• A positive sideline culture will keep more referees refereeing.
• A positive sideline culture will keep more coaches coaching.
• Most importantly, a positive sideline culture creates an environment most beneficial to the players.
New for 2024, Supportive Sidelines expands on previous themes, focusing on creating a positive gameday experience for everyone involved – players, coaches, referees and spectators alike. For those that haven’t already, take the course today!
Take the course today
Coach Education
Coaching courses set for Twin Cities metro area
TCSL Coach Education is excited to host multiple grassroots courses, two D License courses, a C License course, and a B License course, all in the Twin Cities metro!
TCSL is aligned with US Soccer’s player-centric approach to the game. We believe that better educated coaches lead to better players, and we take pride in facilitating ongoing coach education.
Upcoming Courses
U.S. Soccer Learning Center
Referee Development
Referee certification process – New & improved
As of Fall 2024, the Minnesota State Referee Committee has announced changes to the certification process to become a new certified referee.
New Referees:
There is no longer a classroom component to obtain your referee certification as a new referee. Rather, officials will now complete a two-hour on-field session, gaining practical knowledge in the process.
Returning Referees:
Similar to years prior, you may complete your re-certification entirely online.
More Information
Admin Corner
Working Better Together
In preparation for the 2024-25 season, Club Administrators from TCSL member clubs had the opportunity to participate in several collaborative sessions with regional staff from US Club Soccer and GotSport at the TCSL offices in Bloomington.
Attendees learned first-hand about updates for the coming soccer year and got a walkthrough of administrative tasks in GotSport ahead of the busy Fall formation season. The sessions also provided invaluable opportunity for club staff to directly ask questions of support staff from both organizations and provide valuable feedback from a club’s perspective.
We look forward to hosting similar sessions on a regular basis during future seasons.
Player Health & Safety
Why are kneecap and ACL injuries more common in female athletes?
– Written by TRIA staff
Not only are ACL injuries common in women, they’re much more frequent compared to men. In fact, studies show these injuries are up to six times more common among women than men. How women land from a jump may be one reason why. Female athletes tend to land a jump with their bodies more upright and their knees pointing inward. This type of landing puts more stress directly on the knee joint, taxing the ACL inside.
Beyond the knees, the muscles involved in landing a jump add another factor. Female athletes tend to rely more on the quadriceps during a landing. Bypassing the hips and hamstrings, your quads provide only a narrow target for impact. Unfortunately, your ACL and kneecap get hit with the extra energy that the quads can’t fully absorb. Researchers are also looking into other possible causes like bone structure and muscle development. However, for active women like you, knowing how to protect your knees from injuries is at the heart of the issue.
For more information about why women athletes are more prone to certain injuries, please check out TRIA’s blog.
Photos
Mitchell