TCSL Magazine - Spring 2024

TCSL Scouting Report

TCSL Members,

Another summer season will soon be upon us, and we’re excited to share with you once again the many accomplishments of TCSL members. This issue of TCSL Magazine highlights our vision to raise the level of your soccer experience, supporting clubs, players, coaches and referees along the way.

We welcome back over 1,500 teams to fields across the Twin Cities, each competing in a division suitable to their development. 11U-19U teams will again compete for a berth in the Final 4 League Championship. NPL teams will begin the spring portion of their schedules, where Super division teams will compete for the right to attend the NPL Finals, held in July in Colorado.

Minnesota Cup will feature Minnesota’s top teams competing for a State Cup Championship, with champions either advancing to National Cup in Colorado (Super division) or Midwest Regionals in Illinois (Premier division).

TCSL continues to be the local leader in coach education, hosting more courses than ever

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.

Winter Limelight

Congratulations to all Winter League division champions!

GIRLS BOYS

11U:

Bracket A: Edina Soccer Club 2013 Boys Green

Bracket B: North Suburban SA 2013 Boys Academy Black

Bracket C: Orono Westonka SC 2013 Boys Elite

12U:

Bracket A: North Suburban SA 2012 Boys Academy Black

Bracket B: Salvo SC 12B East Steel

Bracket C: MN Thunder Academy 2012 Boys Swoosh

13U:

Bracket A: St. Croix 2012 Boys Pre-ECNL

Bracket B: Edina Soccer Club 2011 Boys Black

14U: North Suburban SA 2010 Boys Academy Black

15U: Lakeville Soccer Club 2009 Boys - Gold

16U: North Suburban SA 2008 Boys Academy Black

17U: Fusion Soccer Club Boys 07 Select 2

19U:

Prior Lake SC 2005 Boys Navy

11U:

Bracket A: North Suburban SA 2013 Girls Academy Black

Bracket B: Fusion Soccer Club Girls 14 Academy 1

Bracket C: United FC Rush 13 Girls Select

12U:

Bracket A: Fusion Soccer Club Girls 12 Academy 1

Bracket B: North Suburban SA 2012 Girls Academy Black

Bracket C: Salvo SC 12G East Steel

13U:

Manitou FC 2012 Girls Orange Edi

14U:

Bracket A: Park Valley United FC 10 Girls Black

Bracket B: Shakopee SA 2010 Girls Regional

16U:

Bracket A: Shakopee SA 2008 Girls Regional

Bracket B: Twin Cities Rush SC 08/09 Girls Elite EDT

19U:

Twin Cities Rish SC 05/06 Girls EDT

The Sideline Project

After an incredible response last summer, we are thrilled to roll out an additional Sideline Project Course - Supportive Sidelines! TCSL is asking ALL youth soccer parents to complete a 15-minute course leading in to the Summer 2024 season.By working together and being good stewards of the experience, we can create lasting change. YOU can be a difference maker.

Course Completion Leaderboard

All TCSL clubs are engaged in a friendly competition to improve game day experiences! The club with the highest completion rates by May 5 will be recognized and rewarded with two Club USSF Grassroots Courses sponsored by TCSL.

> Take the course

Staffing Updates

TCSL welcomes Joe DeMay as its Technical Lead

Twin Cities Soccer Leagues is pleased to announce that Joe DeMay will serve TCSL clubs and members as its Technical Lead, taking primary oversight of Coach Education and Player Development (id2, Reps) initiatives. In accordance with our vision to Raise the Level of the game, DeMay will allow TCSL to continue to offer value and resources to our members.

A familiar face to TCSL, DeMay has led several United States Soccer Federation (USSF) courses on our behalf and has been a TCSL Reps head coach this past Reps cycle. His professionalism and consistent high-quality delivery make him an ideal choice to be lead these key areas.

“I am grateful for this opportunity with TCSL to continue the high standards it has set in our market in Coaching Education, the Reps Program and the league in general,” DeMay said. “In addition to maintaining the current level of programming TCSL provides, I am confident in my experience and collaborative approach to further elevate both programs.”

DeMay has coached at nearly every level, from youth to high school, college, club and WPSL. He spent nine years coaching women at the

Division 1 college level and seven years as a U.S. Soccer Development Academy Club Director while at Shattuck-St. Mary’s. Currently, he also serves as the Sioux Falls City (WPSL) Sporting Director and has experienced local clubs with St. Croix and Lakeville Soccer Club.

Joe holds the U.S. Soccer A Youth license, their Academy Director license, helped design the course for the U.S. Soccer National Goalkeeper license and also holds the National Youth license. As a U.S. Soccer Coach Educator, Joe now teaches the A Youth license course, the D license course, and the Grassroots license.

“I am looking forward to working with the outstanding group of Coach Educators we have in our market, and growing that pool so we can continue to offer the quality and quantity of courses we have been known for,” Demay went on to say. “My relationships with Coaching Education leaders with U.S. Soccer and US Club Soccer is something I will look to leverage to benefit everyone who engages with our programming.”

Off the field, Joe is married to his wife of 34 years, Sherri, and is the proud father of two grown daughters, Kate and Harper.

Joe can be reached at joe@tcslsoccer.com.

Nine 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. Join us in welcoming such a great group this summer!

Brenna Bross University of Minnesota

Calvin Bream University of St. Thomas

Ian Foss Normandale Community College

Isaac Brombacher Liberty University

Jackson Lund University of Minnesota

Macie Guida University of North Dakota

MaiChong Vang Normandale Community College

Sara Bayer University of Iowa

Sophia Hagen Michigan State University

We’re hiring! TSCL is searching for an Events & Marketing Coordinator to support its membership and the numerous events that TCSL hosts throughout the year.

Do you love soccer? Do you love organizing, planning, and executing? Do you have an eye for marketing and storytelling? Do you enjoy seeing your hard work pay off? Do you enjoy leading others? If so, this position may be for you!

Joe DeMay

TCSL Technical Lead

League Preview

TCSL League

“Good games close to home” – over 1,300 teams return to the field this summer!

11U-19U: Top four teams in each age/gender/division advance to the Final 4.

> Schedule & Results

Minnesota NPL

Minnesota NPL teams continue their campaign with sights on league titles!

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 early July (boys) and mid-July (girls).

13U & 14U: One continuous schedule September through June

15U-19U: One continuous schedule November through June

> NPL 23-24 Season Guide

> Schedule & Results

2023-2024 Clubs

Minnesota NPL Spring Showcase

Boys: May 3-5, 2024 at Fernbrook Athletic Fields (Maple Grove)

Girls: May 17-19, 2024 at Fernbrook Athletic Fields (Maple Grove)

16U-19U boys and girls NPL players will play league matches in a Showcase environment!

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

> Boys attending coaches list

> Girls attending coaches list

> College coach registration

TCSL Fives

8U play dates in fun, festival environment.

Event 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.

Event 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.

Summer 2024 Events

Date Location

May 5

All (Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview)

May 19 North (National Sports Center, Blaine)

South (Flying Cloud, Eden Prairie)

June 9 North (Polar Lakes Park, White Bear Lake)

South (Lakefront Park, Prior Lake)

June 16 North (Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview)

South (Lakefront Park, Prior Lake)

June 30 Summer Festival (Cottage Grove)

> Registered teams > More information

Cups Preview

TCSL Summer Final 4 (presented by TRIA)

July 12-14, 2024 I 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!

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

Review the Final 4 Rules for qualification/seeding information.

All teams play two matches. Semi-Final winners play in the Final 4 Championship. Semi-Final losers play in the 3rd Place match.

> More information

Minnesota Cup (US Club Soccer State Cup)

May 29-June 2, 2024 I Various sites

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

• Super Division teams advance to the US Club Soccer National Cup Finals in Colorado.

• Premier Division teams advance to the US Club Soccer Midwest Regionals in Illinois.

> View divisions

Summer Festival (presented by TRIA)

June 29-30, 2024 I Cottage Grove, MN

Open to all TCSL 8U-10U TCSL teams

This popular event will sell out! This fun, one-day event serves as an exciting conclusion to the Summer 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 enough in league play.

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

June 29, 2024

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

June 30, 2024

Boys 9U/10U Girls 9U/10U and TCSL Fives

Registration deadline

June 1, 2024

Player Development

TCSL Reps concludes another successful season

THANK YOU for your support of year two of the TCSL Reps program.

It is our goal to provide a meaningful, “club first” experience, where players can develop and grow, becoming leaders in their home club environment along the way.

To those involved: We sincerely hope you have found the experience organized, worthwhile and meaningful along your youth soccer journey.

Many thanks to the Reps team coaches, trip chaperones and families for a terrific 23-24 Reps season!

What comes next?

As we always do, we are currently reviewing the Reps 23-24 season, and identifying areas for improvement and opportunity. More information will be shared with club directors about the 2024-25 Reps season as it becomes available.

Who are Reps?

Rep as in “Representative”

Reps represent their team, club and league as a recognized talent.

Reps should develop into leaders and role models for other players.

Reps will always show respect to all.

Reps will always give their maximum effort both on and off the field.

Reps, to “Represent”

TCSL Reps 2009s take on Vegas

Our teams competed and impressed at in the Mayor’s Cup (Boys) and Players Showcase (Girls). The 2009 boys earned 1-2-1 record. The 2009 girls went 3-1-0. This experience featured strong competition, learning and enjoyment for our players and their families.

Coach Education Referee Development

TCSL is winding down its Coach Education calendar for 2023-24, and what a year it has been!

We recently concluded a second D License course, a C course concludes in the coming weeks, and we are set to host the B License second in-person week-long session May 13-16. Congratulations to all participating coaches for your dedication in improving the environments for your players!

What’s coming up

We are currently building out our 2024-25 Coach Education calendar, and once again, we expect to host a multitude of coach education opportunities for coaches of all levels. We’ve added 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 courses in July. These courses serve as pre-requisites for the D License.

> Upcoming courses

Interested in hosting coach education course at your Club? Get more information about this unique opportunity.

> Host a course at your club

TCSL continues to be a leader in providing referee training opportunities and certification support

Referee Shadow Program

Held at a TCSL Winter Fest and Fives event, in partnership with the State Referee Committee, TCSL assigned brand new referees to the matches. They were then paired up with an experienced mentor to guide them, for the entire match, through how to manage a 5v5 and 7v7 match.

Referee Certification

TCSL sponsored and hosted a total of 10 entrylevel referee certification courses. Thank you to the Minnesota SRC for your partnership in making these events happen.

Support the game by becoming a referee!

• Flexible schedule

• Good pay

• Give back to the game

> Referee Certification Process

Referee Field Training

Once again, TCSL is sponsoring field training in the month of April (20 and 27), targeted to those referees with three years of experience or less. The goal is to provide an environment where referees can learn skills on the field before their first game this summer.

Admin Corner

With appreciation

Many thanks to the countless administrators that work so hard to get players on the field: Executive Directors, Administrators, Registrars, Field Assignors, Referee Assignors, and Team Managers.

Resources for the Summer 2024 season and beyond:

> Club administrator resources

> Team manager resources

Player Health & Safety

Tria Return to Soccer

Physical therapy to help soccer players of all skill levels get back in the game

Soccer injuries can take even the most skilled players out of the game. If you’re a soccer player recovering from pain caused by a tendon, muscle, bone or joint injury, the Return to Soccer Program at TRIA can help. We designed this specialized physical therapy program to assist all soccer players, from recreational to professional, in managing their current injuries and returning them to the field with confidence.

Photos by Christopher Mitchell I SportShotPhoto.com