Minnesota Soccer Times — March 2019

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 2 MARCH 2019

MINNESOTA

SOCCER TIMES

2019 MYSA WINTER SYMPOSIUM Photos, Recap: Page 8

Soccer Times Minnesota Youth Soccer Assoc.

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IN THIS ISSUE

NEW!

Grassroots Coaches Corner • Page 4 Soccer Initiative 48 Hours in Haiti • Page 12 Page 7 Tournament Calendar • Page 14

MINNESOTA

SOCCER TIMES The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted; all rights reserved. Articles may not be reproduced without written permission. The advertising space provided in Soccer Times is purchased and paid for by the advertiser. None of the products or services are necessarily endorsed by MYSA or its affiliates.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

From the Desk of Matthew Madeira

By Matthew Madeira | MYSA Executive Director – Integrator

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n behalf of everyone at Minnesota Youth Soccer, I want to wish you glad entry into 2019. We are very excited as we prepare for our upcoming season of League play, Cups, ODP and TOPSoccer. We also look forward to continuing to serve our soccer membership with U.S. Soccer License courses, and by partnering with United Soccer Coaches to offer education opportunities for our coach partners.

I know that Steve May and our Board look

CONTENTS

U.S. Subscription Rates: $9.95 for 1 year; $19.95 for 2 years; Single copy: $2 Minnesota Youth Soccer Association Officers: Steve May – President Jennifer Zarth – Vice President John Conte – Treasurer Ann Marie Courchene – Secretary Member Representatives Marty McDermott – East District John Kinsey – North District Todd Loose – South District Julie Magnuson – West District

forward to setting strategy and direction that will help MYSA to meet our goal of being the best state soccer association in the country.

Finally, our staff of Ayla, Cam, Katie, Chato, Sue, John, Patti, Iván and Norine look forward to working with you and your club to bring the best youth soccer experience possible to our kids.

Thank you for all you do for youth soccer in Minnesota.

Departments Executive Director’s Message. . . . . . . 3 Honor Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Coaches Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Grassroots Soccer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Competitive News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Space for ‘Rents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Tournament Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Minnesota Youth Soccer Association State Office 10890 Nesbitt Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55437 Tel.: (952) 933-2384; (800) 366-6972 www.mnyouthsoccer.org

Referee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

State Office Staff Matthew Madeira – Executive Director – Integrator Chato Alvarado – Director of Coach & Player Administration John Curtis – Dir. of Coaching & Player Development Katie Kubista – Director of Marketing & Special Events Sue Gjerset – Director of Technology Patti Isensee – State Registrar Ayla Lokkesmoe – Director of Operations Norine Olson – Director of Finance Cam Stoltz – Director of League Operations Iván Woyno – Director of Enterprise Development

TOPSoccer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Production Varsity Communications, Inc Editor Brian Beaky Graphic Designers Robert Becker, Katie Erickson Advertising Inquiries Ian Civey - (425) 412-7070 ext. 102 ian@varsitycommunications.com Varsity Communications, Inc. Sponsorship Inquiries 952-933-2384 800-366-6972 Printing House of Print

Infographic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Features NCSA Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 State of the State: The Four Pillars . . . 6 MYSA Winter Symposium. . . . . . . . . . 8 ODP Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Goalkeeper Focus in June. . . . . . . . . 11 48 Hours in Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

FUSION SOCCER CLUB

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• Established pathway to player success — including our new college advisory program • Year-round specialized goalkeeper training and performance training programs • Opportunity for player development at every skill level and gender • 50+ licensed, professional staff, coaches and trainers

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• Skills Camp 1: June 10-14, U5 - U14 Boys & Girls • Skills Camp 2: June 17-21, U5 - U14 Boys & Girls • Fusion Elite Camp: June 25-28, U10 - U16 Boys & Girls • NEW! Super Series Camp featuring top Minn. coaches, dates TBA • Tryout Prep Camp: July 8-10, U9 - U17 Boys & Girls

Tryouts for Summer 2020 Competitive Season — Register Now! • July 13-August 2 - Please see fusionsoccermn.com for more details

Multiple levels of play for all ages and skill levels:

• Recreation: (4 yrs. thru 12th grade) Summer & Winter • Development: (U7-U8) - Summer, Fall & Winter • Competitive: (U9-U21) - Summer, Fall & Winter • Elite: (U13-U17) - Serving players with the highest level of skill and commitment.

Please visit our website, fusionsoccermn.com on all programs or call us at (763) 450-3099 for more information

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HONOR ROLL

COACHES CORNER

13U+ Defending – Pressure/Cover

By Chato Alvarado MYSA Director of Coach & Player Administration

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YSA is proud to present the Coach Honor Roll, which includes coaches who have recently completed a USSF or USC Coaching License in Minnesota. Thank you all for your efforts to improve the level of soccer for all players in Minnesota. Congratulations to all the coaches below for making the MYSA Honor Roll!

By John Curtis MYSA Director of Coaching & Player Development

Organization: Field size (30x40)

COACH HONOR ROLL USSF 9v9 Grassroots License (7)

Boudreau, Isabella Forby, Tim Freicks, Patrick Hussein, Nuradin Larsen, Matthew Palmer, Patrick Whitworth, Liam

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riangles play to triangles and circles play to circles. In this picture, the team with the ball (triangles) looks to play through the circles.

Instruction for the team with the ball is that anytime there is an opportunity to play forward, do so; otherwise, keep it. The circles must move to deny space to play through. A progression is to allow one defending player to enter the zone to put pressure on the ball. After a period, you can switch the triangles and circles.

Points of emphasis: Head down – step and pressure; head up – drop. The defending four must communicate, read the cues, have high concentration, be committed and work collectively.

Move when the ball moves. Be in the moment and learn from both what is working, and from mistakes.

For all the latest Minnesota Youth Soccer news visit mnyouthsoccer.org

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TOPSoccer 2019 – Fun Under the Sun!

By Iván Woyno MYSA Director of Enterprise Development

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he Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPSoccer) has been serving the needs of athletes with physical and/or mental disabilities since its inception in 1991. By placing players on teams based on ability, rather than age, TOPSoccer uses the game of soccer to build fitness, a sense of belonging, self-esteem and social skills in athletes ages eight and older. Understanding that there are multiple paths to achieve success, the TOPSoccer program is designed with the goal to overcome long-term limits and ensure new friends are made, while having fun in a safe environment.

TOPSoccer Minnesota is hosted by nine geographic sites: Detroit Lakes, Mankato, Northfield, St. Cloud, Owatonna, Metro East, North, South and West. This strategic program placement helps ensure that athletes around the state are afforded the opportunity to play TOPSoccer and enjoy all the benefits this program and the game of soccer offers. The newest two sites, Detroit Lakes and St. Cloud, will start participation this year and look forward to growing over the next few seasons as more and more families learn about the benefits of participating in TOPSoccer.

The TOPSoccer season runs May through August, and games and practices are held on Sunday afternoons to avoid conflicts with other leagues and tournaments. Although athletes are the focus of this program, it is not rare to see every member of the family be an active participant,

be it as a volunteer, coach, buddy, referee or spectator. Matches and special events are hosted in two previously mentioned locations to provide a fair balance of driving necessity for all families.

Utilizing an alternating practice/game weekend format, TOPSoccer athletes and coaches can finetune their skills on a weekly basis and work on development all throughout the season!

Spectators and coaches are also always welcome. But, more importantly, if you know of a player that is not currently participating in soccer because they are not aware that there is a program that is open to any athletes with a disability, please share this article with them. Any athlete with a disability, including (but not limited to) A.D.D., Autism, Hearing Impaired, Sight Impaired, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Seizure Disorder, and Spinal Bifida are eligible to participate. Minnesota Youth Soccer heavily subsidizes this program to make it affordable for all participants and scholarship funds are available to ensure that no athlete is denied the chance to play the beautiful game.

Join us in 2019 for an experience that will change your perspective on soccer. Come share the love of the game that is TOPSoccer. To become involved as an athlete, volunteer, referee, coach or fan, please contact me at 952-252-0226 or ivanwoyno@mnyouthsoccer.org.

Next College Student Athlete Named Official Recruiting Partner

By Katie Kubista MYSA Director of Marketing & Special Events

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ext College Student Athlete (NCSA), the world’s largest and most successful college athletic recruiting network, has been named the official recruiting partner of Minnesota Youth Soccer.

Founded in 2000 to help educate student-athletes and their families on the college athletic recruiting process, NCSA combines proprietary technology with specialized recruiting experts to offer a comprehensive approach to every phase of the recruiting process.

As the official college recruiting partner, NCSA will provide educational tools and resources to MYSA members with the goal of assisting families in navigating the college recruiting process. Athletes will have the option to receive a free NCSA profile when registering with MYSA and gain access to college coaches.

Additionally, MYSA will integrate the NCSA recruiting software, Coach Packet, into its events.

Coach Packet provides easy access to the latest rosters, player data, schedules and custom evaluation metrics by taking the historic bundles of paper handouts at recruiting events and complementing them with a dedicated universal iOS app. By using Coach Packet on their mobile devices, college coaches and scouts who attend our events will have

an easier, more efficient way of recruiting and evaluating players. Club coaches will also have free access to NCSA’s team recruiting platform, Team Edition, which allows coaches to help their athletes in the process.

We realize that playing college soccer is a goal for most of you and this partnership represents another resource to ensure you maximize this oncein-a-lifetime process.

“As a former college player, I experienced firsthand the recruitment process,” says Tony Sanneh, a veteran of MYSA, the FIFA World Cup and various professional leagues. The partnership between MYSA and Next College Student Athlete will provide a great benefit to the membership and help ease the process for players and parents.”

“Minnesota Youth Soccer is very happy to partner with Next College Student Athlete (NCSA),” adds Matthew Madeira, MYSA Executive DirectorIntegrator. “NSCA is a leader in connecting college coaches to incoming recruits. We are pleased to offer this service to our young athletes who look to continue their playing days while attending college.

We at MYSA are proud to offer NSCA as another member benefit.”

QUESTIONS?

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State of the State: The Four Pillars

By John Curtis MYSA Director of Coaching & Player Development

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echnical, tactical, physical, psychological: these four words broadly embody the four main pillars of soccer. Incorporating these four elements is important when building a session.

As we prepare our training sessions, we need to identify the objective and what we want to achieve. Knowing our objective marks an important first step to building our session and helps identify which one of the four elements is primary, which is secondary, etc.

An important part of incorporating multiple pillars at the same time is that the training session should demand a heavy emphasis be placed on performing in competitive situations. The close relationship between practice and competition encourages the player to play at a competitive pace in any situation. Competition is often the catalyst needed to bring out the best in each of us. While it is very difficult to replicate the actual match condition in practice, the more pressure (or competition) placed on a player in training, the better prepared the player will be to respond to pressure in a game.

The fundamental aspect of the game is very important, and each player needs to understand the importance of technique and the skill of mastering the ball, which brings us to the first pillar.

Technical: The Foundation of a Player’s Ability The players should be assigned a ball each, to encourage a high number of touches in a structured session with developmental repetitions that are unopposed, semi-opposed and fully opposed, to help ensure they understand the technique as well as how it relates to the Where, When and Why. It should be engaging and fun. This pillar is integral to the physical aspect of play, which we’ll touch upon later.

Multiple fields of 1-vs-1 or 2-vs-2 will keep the ball-to-player ratio low. This will give players many more repetitions and touches on the ball, rather than an 8-vs-8 scrimmage at the end of practice. Mastering the ball is a good start, but it’s

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As we know in the 1-2-1 formation, the white team’s players 7 and 11 give their team width whilst the 5 and 9 give depth, creating a diamond shape. The environment created and space we choose to play in is highlighted in the next pillar.

important to show players techniques in relation to the pressure they’ll be under and the decisions they will need to make in those moments.

Tactical: The Decisions Made by the Players While team tactics may not be easily addressed or understood at the early stages of development, they may be layered in for players to begin to learn and understand. The use of a white board and visuals involving X’s and O’s, will help increase the learning and understanding as they get to see and do. Soccer is a series of group tactical situations in the immediate area of the ball, tied together by changes in the point of attack.

Playing small-sided games and activities such as 2-vs-2 will allow players to start working on combination play, such as the give-and-go or the overlap, and players will identify ways in which they can work together to achieve goals. This is an important part of learning, where the players in an

environment feel safe to make their own decisions and learn from mistakes.

Part of what makes soccer, well… soccer are the moments between attacking (having the ball) and defending (without the ball). Smallsided games can give many opportunities to live in that fleeting instant of transition between the two to better equip players and help them understand what to do next. As coaches, we need to teach our players to ask themselves important questions. When I win/lose the ball, what’s my first thought? Where was my head -- in the past, present or future?

Some basic concepts can be shared in games with little intervention or time coaching. Making players aware of the need for width and depth, or team shape vs individual space, may make the world of difference to the game without having to talk about a 1-2-1 formation and how it builds into a 3-4-3.

Physical: The Ability to Compete Against Others There are plenty of ways in which the physical aspects of a player’s game can be improved and worked upon throughout the training session. This is where agility, balance and coordination, as well as aerobic and anaerobic capacity, speed, strength and flexibility are intertwined into the training session.

What we do first sets the tone and prepares the mind and body for the demands of the session. This is a good time for learning motor movements and body control in relation to what is being worked on. Adding speed, agility, quickness elements can help players with their coordination, balance, footwork and speed, and can go hand in hand with mastering the ball. Speed, agility and quickness elements should also be used in other activities and games to develop these elements in addition to technical components.

Some activities, such as tag games and 3-vs-3 to targets, take a while to explain or understand.

Allowing players to figure them out without a ball gives more time to spread out the instruction and lets players develop an understanding of the physical requirements (changes of speed, relation to opponent, etc.). In the activity above, players play a change of direction game without the ball, initially developing their motor movements.

Subconsciously intertwined throughout the entire session is the next pillar, psychological.

Psychological: Approach to Development, Confidence, Resilience and Interactions with Others (Psycho-Social) Because it is intangible and, in many ways, intuitive, one of the hardest elements for coaches to purposefully place into their training sessions is the mental side of the game. In spite of those challenges, it is critical to make a conscious effort to plan and include this side of the game as it goes a long way in a player’s development. Players can develop resilience, confidence and a positive approach to their own development/learning in each session.

Create situations that provide opportunities for smart play and execution, which put the players in charge of their own development. Let them make decisions in certain areas of practice. Know they won’t always be successful, but allow the process to happen. Here’s one example: One team is losing 3-0, or they’ve got one less player than the opposition. Let your players figure out a way to deal with the adversity and come up with their own solutions on how to survive and what they see as an achievable outcome.

This perspective goes beyond the field of play.

Modeling ideal behaviors on the sideline is vital for young players to see. If your team goes 1-0 down, be calm, be positive, smile. Players feed off your body language and reactions and take a lot more on board whilst playing than we give them credit for.

My hope is that this piece inspires more discussion on this topic. How do you incorporate the technical, tactical, physical and psychological elements into your training sessions? I can be reached at johncurtis@mnyouthsoccer.org to hear what you do to incorporate the four pillars.

GRASSROOTS SOCCER

Grassroots Soccer: Prepare for the Revolution!

By Iván Woyno MYSA Director of Enterprise Development

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t was the year 1969 and a group of dedicated community leaders had the vision to unite multiple soccer programs in Minnesota under one banner, Minnesota Junior Soccer League. The purpose of the organization was simple: provide the best possible experience so that kids would love the game and would not only continue to play, but also invite their friends along. As the interest in soccer grew in the state, the need for a more robust organization saw the birth and incorporation of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). Founded on a philosophy of fair, safe and enjoyable soccer for youth players of all skill levels, as well as a mission to promote the game of soccer for all youth in Minnesota, MYSA has spent the past 32 years (or 50 years, depending on which date you start counting from) living up to that mission and philosophy.

For many years, soccer has been categorized as either competitive or recreational. Although the distinction made it easier on paper to separate players, it really does not address what these programs do or who participates in them; at least not on the so-called “recreational” side.

As an example, my daughter plays under the “recreational” tag; however, if you watch a game, there is competition, scoring, celebrations, heartache, lessons to be learned and fun to be had. And, if you happen to mention to my kid that she is playing “recreational” soccer, you need to be ready to face the consequences, because in the eyes of the most important person on the soccer field — the soccer

player — she does not see the game as recreational, she sees it as a competition.

So, while the naming distinction may have worked in years past, a revolution is coming to soccer, one fueled by players of all ages, that aims to redefine how we all think about soccer. At the MYSA office, we refer to this revolution as The Grassroots Initiative.

What is Grassroots Soccer? The U.S. Soccer Federation defines grassroots soccer as a playing level in which children learn and develop to their full potential through game-like experiences in an enjoyable environment that supports individual growth.

If we think about it, all players started their soccer experience as grassroots players. Throughout their soccer playing career, their skill level may increase or decrease based on multiple factors, but their love of the game should remain a constant.

Players may move up an age group or they may change teams, but it doesn’t change the fact that they started as grassroots players and that at any point in their playing days, they can/could revert to that level of play. The grassroots level doesn’t stop at the age of 19; I would venture to say that if you have seen adults playing pickup soccer, you are witnessing grassrootslevel soccer. Grassroots soccer is a lifelong level of learning. A passion that is not diminished by the league you play in, or the classification that follows a team’s name.

What is the Grassroots Initiative? The Grassroots Initiative is MYSA’s investment in grassroots soccer, with a dedicated focus on three areas:

• Existing Grassroots programs (formerly known as Rec and Rec Plus) • The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPSoccer) • Soccer for Everyone (Community Outreach) At its core, the Grassroots Initiative aims to make soccer possible and affordable across the state.

Working with existing clubs that offer grassroots programing, MYSA looks to invest considerable resources to facilitate the operation of programs that will grow participation and enjoyment. TOPSoccer serves the needs of athletes with disabilities of all ages and is a key example of the grassroots philosophy and a core program of Minnesota Youth Soccer. Soccer for Everyone will focus on making soccer possible in areas where the game may not be played due to various hardships, as well as the creation of new grassroots programs to harness local community efforts to work with at-risk youth and underserved/underprivileged athletes. Through

community outreach, MYSA intends to facilitate inclusion and diversity.

Over the next 12 months, MYSA will work to identify partners and sponsors to help with the Grassroots Initiative. We will communicate and work closely with existing clubs as old naming conventions are replaced by exciting new programing options, and new opportunities are unveiled. New organizations will join the MYSA family as they serve grassroots players across the state. And, at the heart of it all, MYSA looks to continue to live the mission to promote the game of soccer for all youth in Minnesota, as well as our philosophy of fair, safe and enjoyable soccer for youth players of all skill levels and their families.

Soccer for Everyone!

If you are interested in knowing more about the Grassroots Initiative, or wish to partner with MYSA on its grassroots efforts, please contact Iván Woyno, Director of Enterprise Development, at 952-252-0226 or ivanwoyno@mnyouthsoccer.org.

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2019 MYSA Winter Symposium

By Katie Kubista, MYSA Director of Marketing & Special Events and By John Curtis, MYSA Director of Coaching & Player Development

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he 2019 Minnesota Youth Soccer Winter Symposium was hosted over the course of two Saturdays in February. On Feb. 2, field and classroom sessions were held for coaches at the National Sports Center Sports Hall in Blaine. On Feb. 9, topics pertinent to the business of soccer were held at the MYSA state office in Bloomington. Both days were attended by coaches and administrators from a variety of clubs. Participants were able to share ideas and practices with those outside of their normal areas.

Presenters for the Club Coaches Symposium included Barry Pauwels, U.S. Soccer Director of Coaching Education; Didier Chamberon, U.S. Soccer Coach Educator; Tim Carter, Minnesota United FC Academy Director; Andy Seidel, Minnesota United FC Academy Coach; Simon Almaer, Premier Sports Psychology Mental Skills Coach; Stefanie Golan, University of Minnesota Head Women’s Soccer Coach and Dawn Crow, University of Wisconsin-

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Stevens Point Head Women’s Soccer Coach.

Tim Carter’s sessions focused on collective possession-progression: playing in the gaps and between the lines. Topics covered included vision/ awareness/body shape, finding gaps and improving habits to circulate the ball quickly, and the need to find the moment and time correctly to break the lines.

Andy Seidel spoke about drawing opponents, fixing and changing the point of attack by unbalancing on the last line. He showed how to move the ball sideto-side to find the gaps and use mobility to unbalance the defense, and also how to coach players to better understand the right moment, work within their lines, and use the right movements to be successful.

High pressing and ball-recovery strategy was covered by Barry Pauwels and Didier Chamberon, including why players need to understand starting positions, and the difference between positional dominance and individual dominance as means to achieve those strategies.

Simon Almaer held a classroom session on building resilience in youth soccer players, covering the four environments (stagnant, comfortable, unrelenting and facilitative) that coaches can impact with support and by creating challenges.

Showing that a team and program are what they are when the coach is not present was the focus of Stefanie Golan and Dawn Crow’s session of “Team Building: Culture Wins.” They spoke about being player driven — being intentional and finding your why.

Presenters for the Club Leaders Symposium, focusing on the business of soccer, included Dan Pullen, Pullen Insurance; McKenzie Tompt, Insperity; Megan Knopik, Paychex; and Brian Baker, Hinrichs and Associates.

Dan Pullen talked about the insurance MYSA provides for its membership. He clarified coverages for general liability, accident, medical, and nonprofit Directors and Officer liability policies. McKenzie Tompt spoke on the topics of discrimination and

harassment, with an emphasis on creating a respectful workplace to be better able to keep and retain competent staff and volunteers.

Megan Knopik outlined the variables to be used to determine if a person hired by a club should be considered an independent contractor or an employee, and the consequences of being incorrect.

Brian Baker gave pointers about governmental requirements of being a nonprofit corporation, and best practices to incorporate into their financial transactions to avoid fraud.

Some presentations from both days will be posted on the MYSA website as they become available.

MYSA hopes that these sessions helped “Elevate the Experience” for everyone in attendance, both for our membership and those that they serve.

Competitive NEWS

2019 Minnesota US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program For Boys & Girls Born in 2002, 2003 or 2004 Only

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MYSA Restructures Competitive Leagues

By Cam Stoltz MYSA Director of League Operations

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n the past two years, the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association has taken the initiative to add, improve and innovate programs and competition.

MYSA has added levels, modernized rules and has now restructured leagues to meet with common sense and market demand to optimize both the developmental and competitive environments.

Historically, MYSA organized leagues from the center of the membership (Minneapolis and St. Paul) outward, as the membership expanded geographically. As the game grew, so did the commitment and burden to play games against like competition.

Our Classic 2 and Classic 3 levels have been MYSA’s most popular, with approximately 90 clubs providing teams into these flights. The span of the Classic 2 and Classic 3 geography now extends from Canada to Iowa, and the Dakotas into Wisconsin. As such, travel has become an increasingly challenging factor for participating MYSA teams. MYSA Clubs have asked for more predictability and consistency in their interclub playing relationships. Reasonable and fair travel concerns have now been addressed for MYSA league play at Classic 2, Classic 3 and younger levels.

For purposes of organizing Classic 2 and Classic 3 for all leagues 12U and younger, MYSA has assigned clubs to “sub-regions” from nine general areas of the MYSA membership. New MYSA Sub-Regions include North Metro, South Metro, Central Metro, East Metro, West Metro, Northern Minnesota, Northwest Minnesota, Southern Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota and Wisconsin (for extraterritorial MYSA members).

Game results from Classic 1 will continue to be used in Minnesota State Cup seeding and eventual promotion into the MYSA Premier Leagues. Classic 1 Leagues at 13U and older will be organized differently than Classic 2, Classic 3 and younger levels. Classic 1 Leagues in ages 13U to 19U will be formed based on prioritizing higher competitive opportunities, which in turn does require appropriate travel. Classic 1 teams who play the 11 versus 11 game are expected to travel throughout the membership.

Another change in MYSA’s league process includes the addition of the “Club Directors Forum.”

In this forum, each club is represented by a Director of Coaching or club designee. With the guidance of the

MYSA professional staff, this group is charged with creating and approving balanced league brackets prior to scheduling.

The forum, combined with a recent MYSA Board of Directors action to grant full league oversight to the MYSA professional staff, replaces the MYSA Competitive Committee, who previously formed and operated MYSA leagues.

These league changes are part of ongoing efforts

by MYSA to best serve the youth game. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about MYSA Leagues, please contact the State Office.

Upcoming League Dates: April 1: Team-to-Team rescheduling begins April 15: Schedules are finalized May 1-July 3: League play July 10: MYSA State Championships Playoffs begin July 27: MYSA State Championships Playoffs conclude

oys and girls born in 2002, 2003 or 2004 are eligible for participation in the 2018 Minnesota US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP). The program is open to all players; however, competition for selection is tough.

There will be two identification sessions. Players are encouraged to attend both sessions. At the conclusion of the process, approximately 24-30 players will be selected for each (birth year and gender) state pool for further ODP training. More information can be found at mnyouthsoccer.org.

“ODP has been an outstanding program. Our daughter has enjoyed her time with the girls from around the state, received great coaching and a soccer experience that is second to none,” said one parent of an ODP player.

“The level of coaching and the growth that our son experienced as a player has been very positive.

He feels challenged and feels that he gets good feedback during each session,” said another.

Players agree: “As a player, I had an incredible experience. The expertise of the coaches, especially coming from a smaller town, made me such a better player. The stiff competition in tryouts taught me many important lessons like hard work, focus and determination. As this was my first time in any type of setting like this, my confidence was very low. As time went on, however, the positive environment helped me settle down and perform better. Everyone was so kind in every moment, which reflects very well upon the program. I can’t wait for next year.”

Below is a brief overview of how many players, and the number of clubs that have players, that are involved in the program along the way as they progress from District Select to the State Pool, State Team and Regional Pool during 2017-2018: • 1,300 total players registered • 800 total players selected for state ODP pools • 324 total players represented Minnesota at the ODP Midwest Showcase (Blaine) • 92 total players attended the ODP Midwest ID Camp (Saginaw, Mich.)

• 18 players invited to travel and represent the Midwest • 49 players will represent Minnesota ODP on an international trip to Germany • 1 player selected to represent US Youth Soccer ODP on an international trip to Scotland • 1 former ODP player plays for Minnesota United The Olympic Development Program has played a meaningful role in player development in the United States by providing top players valuable experience and a platform to improve. This is an excellent opportunity for each player to challenge themselves by playing with and against other players from different parts of the state, region and, for a selected few, nationally. There is always good competition, and when you’re able to evaluate players in these scenarios, you have a better idea of how they will fare as they attempt to reach the next level in their soccer career.

Benefits of participation in the ODP are: • Development as a player; the opportunity to train and play with the best players in one’s age group.

• Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.

• Quality competition; games against other state association teams.

• Exposure to regional- and national-team coaches.

• The opportunity to represent one’s state, region or country in competition.

• Exposure to college coaches.

Online registration and payment of $85 must be received by Friday, April 12, 2019. Payment includes two tryout shirts. Questions may be directed to Chato Alvarado at chatoalvarado@mnyouthsoccer.org or 952-252-1688.

Refund Policy Refunds are granted if requested by Friday, April 12, 2019, minus a $25 processing fee. Please allow 2–3 weeks for processing refund check. Refunds are not granted for no-shows.

Identification Dates and Times Girls

Monday, April 22, 2019 Monday, April 29, 2019

6–8 p.m.

6–8 p.m.

Coon Rapids Soccer Complex

Boys

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 Tuesday, April 30, 2019

6–8 p.m.

6–8 p.m.

Coon Rapids Soccer Complex

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SPACE FOR ‘RENTS

Why 70 Percent of Kids Quit Sports By Age 13

By Julianna W. Miner https://twitter.com/mommylandrants • https://www.facebook.com/RantsFromMommyLand • Reprinted with permission

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ccording to a poll from the National Alliance for Youth Sports, around 70 percent of kids in the United States stop playing organized sports by the age of 13 because “it’s just not fun anymore.” I have three kids, all of whom play sports, and my oldest is about to turn 13. I may not have understood why this was happening a few years ago, but sadly, knowing what I know now, the mass exodus of 13-year-olds from organized sports makes perfect sense to me.

“It’s not fun anymore” isn’t the problem; it’s a consequence of a number of cultural, economic and systemic issues that result in our kids turning away from organized sports at a time when they could benefit from them the most. Playing sports offers everything from physical activity, experiencing success and bouncing back from failure, to taking calculated risks and dealing with the consequences, to working as a team and getting away from the ubiquitous presence of screens. Our middleschoolers need sports now more than ever.

Here are the reasons I think it’s become less fun for kids to play sports, and why they are taking an early retirement.

It’s not fun anymore because it’s not designed to be. As children get closer to high school, the system of youth sports is geared toward meeting the needs of more competitive players, and the expectations placed on them increase. Often, the mentality is that most of the kids who quit at 13 are the ones who wouldn’t make a varsity team in high school anyway. Those who stick around find that being on a team means a greater commitment of time and effort. It also means being surrounded by people who care very much about the outcome.

This, consequently, brings with it the potential for experiencing disappointment or being the cause of it. There is nothing wrong with any of that, and it can teach incredibly important lessons about hard work, resiliency and character — but, it’s not for everyone.

Our culture no longer supports older kids playing for the fun of it. The pressure to raise “successful” kids means that we expect them to be the best. If they’re not, they’re encouraged to cut their losses and focus on areas where they can excel. We see it in middle school orchestra, where a kid who doesn’t make first chair wonders if it’s

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worth continuing to play. If a seventh-grader doesn’t make a select team for soccer, she starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to quit altogether, thinking that if she’s not hitting that highest level, it might not be worth doing.

For the small minority of kids who are playing a sport at an elite level and loving it, the idea of quitting in middle school is probably unthinkable. But, for everyone else, there are fewer opportunities to play, a more competitive and less developmental environment in which to participate, and lots of other things competing for their time after school.

There is a clear push for kids to specialize and achieve at the highest possible level.

Increasingly, kids are pressured to “find their passion” and excel in that area (be it music, arts, sports, etc.). There are certainly kids for whom this is true, but it is not the norm (despite the expectations of college admissions officers).

For many, there’s a strong argument against this trend, because the message is essentially to pick one thing and specialize in it (to the exclusion of pursuing other interests). For young athletes, early specialization can be harmful in terms of long-term injuries, and it does little to increase one’s overall chances of later collegiate or professional success.

Perhaps more importantly, the underlying message that “I have to be the best or I’ve failed” is deeply harmful to kids. This is absolutely mirrored and reinforced in school, where the environment is increasingly test- and outcome-driven. Sports could be pivotal in teaching kids how to fail and recover, something that educators and parents see as being desperately needed. In privileged Washington, D.C., suburbs such as Fairfax and Montgomery counties (and in others like them, across the country), teenagers find themselves stressed to the point of developing anxiety and depression. We see unhealthy coping behaviors and increased rates of self-harm and suicide. This is not a sports problem, it’s a culture problem.

There is a cost to be competitive and not everyone is willing or able to pay it. For kids, playing at a more competitive level can mean having to prioritize their commitments and interests and work tirelessly. It also means they have to be able

to deal with the pressure of participating at a higher level. These can be positive things — provided the environment they’re playing in is a healthy one. But, there are other factors that contribute to a young athlete’s ability not just to compete, but to be seen as competitive, and I question how healthy these things are for families.

Training year-round, expensive equipment, individual coaching, camps, tournaments and participation on travel and select teams in many places are no longer really considered “optional” for success in youth sports, at least not heading into high school. The investment of time and money that these things require is substantial.

That contributes to an environment where kids of lower-income or single-parent families are simply shut out of the game.

And, of course, it’s just the age. At 13, kids generally find themselves with more (and more challenging) school work. Most are also encouraged to start choosing what interests them the most and what they’re best at. There’s no longer time for them to do as much as they did in elementary school.

Some of the major social and emotional changes that 13-year-olds experience also predispose them to making decisions such as quitting sports, especially as that environment becomes more competitive. The CDC describes it on its developmental milestones page as a “focus on themselves… going back and forth between high expectations and lack of confidence.” Kids become more focused on — and influenced by — their friends, many of whom are also walking away from organized youth sports.

Any discussion about being 13 also needs to include social media, smartphones and the Internet.

According to the Pew Center’s Internet Research Study, most U.S. kids receive their first cellphone or wireless device by the age of 12. Between the ages of 13 and 17, 92 percent of teens report being online every day, and 24 percent are online “almost constantly.” As kids become teenagers, their priorities change. How they socialize, study and spend their time changes with them.

These things collectively represent a perfect storm.

There are no easy answers here. The system of youth sports is set up to cater to more elite players as they approach high school, leaving average kids with fewer opportunities. Our culture encourages specialization and achievement, which actively discourages kids from trying new things or just playing for fun. And, all of this converges at a time when they’re going through major physical, emotional and social changes, as well as facing pressure to pare down their interests and focus on school.

So, why do 70 percent of kids quit organized sports at 13 and what can we do about it? I would argue that most kids leave because we haven’t given them a way to stay. And, perhaps more importantly, until we dismantle the parenting culture that emphasizes achievement and success over healthy, happy kids, we don’t stand a chance of solving this problem.

Julianna W. Miner has three kids and lives in suburban Washington, D.C. She teaches Public Health at a college she couldn’t have gotten into because she made bad choices in high school. She writes the award-winning humor blog Rants from Mommyland and spends too much time on Facebook.

Retrieved on January 15, 2019 from The Washington Post.

Rob Walker

George Kostelis

Goalkeeper Focus in June

By John Curtis MYSA Director of Coaching & Player Development

Have the Conversation, Again

By Andy Coutts Former MYSA Director of Education Special to Soccer Times

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n PACT (Parents and Coaches Together) sessions for parents, we recommend as part of an action plan that parents “Have the Conversation,” which is a listening session with your child-athletes to understand what they want and how you can best support them.

My family recently moved out of state and uprooted our middle school daughters from their extracurricular activities — namely, soccer, basketball and dance. The transition to a new place seemed an ideal time for me to ask what they like about sports and what they think about parental involvement. They appreciate parent involvement, but want that energy steered in ways that they find most helpful.

Below are the questions I asked, with their responses, and you may note that I asked them about parents in general for this article, as opposed to my wife and me. You might personalize it, or this method might be a way to get them to tell you what they want without seeming to give direct feedback.

With the spring season approaching, I’d invite you to have a similar conversation with your kids to allow them to have input on your involvement.

After listening to their responses, you’ll have some reflecting to do on how to best support their wishes.

What’s the best thing about playing sports?

• Competition, especially end-of-season tournaments that are more intense than regular games.

• Being a part of something I love and being part of a team.

• That feeling you get when you achieve something.

Do parents contribute to those things you like about sports and the reasons you play?

• They can help calm you down when the competition gets intense.

• Parents can help by pointing out things you’ve achieved.

What’s the best thing about having parents at your games?

• You have another supporter.

• If you do something good, they can congratulate you.

What’s the worst thing about having parents at your games?

• When they scream at you.

• When they coach you from the sideline, it’s embarrassing.

What’s the worst thing that parents can do?

• Not letting you decide whether to play or not to play a sport.

• Either making you do it or putting pressure on you to continue playing.

If you were a sport parent right now, how would you behave on the sideline?

• I would sit there quietly if my child didn’t get the ball, and if they did get it and did something good with it, I’d cheer for them.

• I might give advice, except I hate it when my mom gives me advice. If I did give advice, it wouldn’t be a long lecture. It would sound encouraging like, “Next time, you could…”

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hen goalkeepers are told to go off by themselves and train, it’s not always a positive thing, but this June, it will be. MYSA will offer annual development programs again for goalkeepers and the coaches who want them to improve. Participants will receive classroom instruction and time on the field.

• United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeping Diploma courses (Level 1: June 8 | Level 2: June 8-10) • MYSA Goalkeeper Challenge, June 10-13 (8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily) The Goalkeeper Challenge is for players born in 2006 and older, including collegiate goalkeepers, who seek a unique and challenging training experience.

The Challenge brings together top-level coaches and highly committed goalkeepers. In addition to intensive on-field training, a daily classroom session

includes the psychology of goalkeeping and college recruiting information, among other topics.

Rob Walker, U.S. Soccer National staff and St. Martin’s University head coach, will return to direct the Challenge again. George Kostelis, United Soccer Coaches National Staff and University of Rhode Island associate head coach, is also back to head the Shutout Division and instruct the Level 1 and 2 Diploma courses.

The Shutout Division provides college-age and elite youth goalkeepers a unique opportunity to train together under the leadership of a renowned coach. This is an application-required training group with demands tailored to fit their needs and abilities.

Details and registration are available on the MYSA website. The United Soccer Coaches courses are posted on the MYSA Coaching Courses page: www.mnyouthsoccer.org/course-calendar.

What do you think parents should do or say before a game?

• “Try your hardest and have fun.“ • “Play hard and do well.”

• “Be a good teammate.”

What do you think parents should do or say after a game?

• Say “Good job,” and then be specific with a compliment about something your child did.

• Congratulate them whether they won or lost.

Anything else you’d want to say to sport parents?

• Let it be their kids’ thing, instead of parents taking over.

• I’ve said everything I want to.

So, there you have it, straight from the mouths of those in the arena. It sounds so simple, intellectually and un-emotionally. But, the same arena that we hope brings out the best in our children doesn’t regularly bring out our best as adults. We’re not fans and this isn’t a spectator sport. We’re supporters and we’re supposed to add perspective and wisdom to help our kids navigate the challenges that sports present.

Being intentional and consistent in our support is a much bigger challenge for most of us and asking them for help is merely a good first step. Putting their feedback into a deliberate plan and executing it is a much greater achievement.

As you set off for the fields this spring, “Try your hardest, have fun and be a good teammate.”

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United Soccer Coaches Foundation: 48 Hours in Haiti

By Amanda Mitchell United Soccer Coaches Foundation Development Officer Reprinted with permission of United Soccer Coaches

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n November 2018, United Soccer Coaches Foundation was honored to award a Host-aCourse grant to the GPS Foundation, a nonprofit organization operating programming throughout the United States and internationally. In their proposal, they outlined the need and desire for coach education in the nation of Haiti. Since November, what has developed is a true missiondriven project culminating in a 48-hour trip that not only changed the lives of those of us who went, but the lives of over 80 Haitians who were involved in the project.

Credit: Miguel Lopez

Friday, Jan. 25, 1:00 p.m.: Arrival in Haiti For those of you who have traveled internationally, you know there is this moment when you are exhausted from airports, delayed flights and navigating a new place. You also know there is this moment when you first exit the airport, you take in the first breath and feel a renewed sense of peace and the excitement of a new adventure.

This is the reaction John Curtis and I had when we arrived in Haiti. Immediately we were whisked from the airport and introduced to the hustle and bustle that is Port-au-Prince — the colors, the smells, the culture all creating sensory overload in a way that can only be described as adrenalineinducing. Brunel (our amazing driver) carefully navigated the ongoing rush hour traffic.

After about an hour, we arrived in Pétion-Ville, a neighborhood a few miles outside of Port-au-Prince.

We were fortunate to spend the afternoon watching some of the top young soccer players from across the nation and getting to know the facility (Parc Sainte-Thérèse) in which we will host the United Soccer Coaches 11v11 Diploma.

Parc Sainte-Thérèse is an amazing facility with turf, bleachers and lighting maintained by the equivalent of a U.S. Parks and Recreation organization. In addition, each soccer club that practices there has a sense of purpose in maintaining the facility. They paint, they pick up trash daily, among many other projects. The community was alive with excitement in anticipation of this course.

National news media picked up the story and families from the soccer clubs donated cans of paint to make sure the room was polished for our arrival.

You truly felt the impact that this training has had on the broader community, the FC Toro soccer organization hosting this course, and the additional 40 coaches to whom they have extended invitations.

Over 200 coaches from around Haiti applied to attend, and we had space for around 60.

Saturday, Jan. 26: Course Day John and I arrived at the facility early in the morning. One of the great things about soccer is that no matter where you are, there is a calm that comes over a soccer field prior to the start of the day. The room was set for 60 coaches and yes, still smelled of fresh paint. The GPS Foundation and FC Toro staff made sure all last-minute logistics were set as we prepared for registration to open. At exactly 9 a.m., 60 coaches swarmed the registration table wanting to be one of the first in the room. The room was filled.

John began the course. Speaking neither French nor Creole, John relied on the assistance of a volunteer translator. The chemistry in instruction between these two is what made this course truly special. The translator, using a mic, could be heard throughout the entire stadium, and John’s expressive way of teaching allowed for the language of soccer to overtake any barriers that one may assume will exist. The attendees were captivated, asking targeted questions, and everyone involved was fully engaged in each and every moment.

There was a moment in the course that I will never forget.

At the time, all attendees were crafting a portion of a practice session. I witnessed John (without the assistance of the translator) literally speak

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Credit: Amanda Mitchell

Thank yous go out to the following people and organizations:

Credit: Miguel Lopez

through soccer with a Creole-speaking coach.

John speaking English, the coach Creole, and yet both immediately understood what each other were asking and discussing.

As we began the field session you could hear coaches discussing new coaching philosophies they had acquired and how they would implement them in the practical portion of the training. All 60 coaches were eager to be one of the first to run their exercise and receive feedback. Enter the top-24 U17 players in Haiti, from FC Toro. As I was watching these players interact with John, you could see that in many ways, this style of coaching was very new to each of them, but after 10 minutes it was like they had been a unified coach and team for years.

Post-course turned into a full celebration on the field — coaches wanting to take pictures with John, coaches wanting to take pictures with colleagues as well as new friends, and the arduous task of trying to get more than 80 people (staff, coaches, and players) organized for a group photo.

Sunday, Jan. 27, 1 p.m.: Departure from Haiti Sitting at the airport, waiting to leave, was the first moment we were able to reflect on what this weekend truly meant. It meant that 60 coaches received formal coaching education for the first time; it meant that John and I were exposed to a passionate community that wanted to share their culture and everything that soccer means to them.

Now back in the office, I am continually thinking about this experience and, specifically, about two of the cornerstones of the Commitment to Culture. Through this course, you truly see that soccer unites us and that the game makes us one. Everyone involved in this training was able to communicate through some spoken word, but more impactfully through the game we love and the voice that is soccer.

Additionally, the game is the teacher. From FC Toro, to the GPS Foundation, to those of us from United Soccer Coaches, we are all responsible for ensuring that soccer teaches the skills of a well-lived life.

John Curtis: John currently serves as the Minnesota Youth Soccer Director of Coaching and Player Development. He is also the US Youth Soccer ODP Midwest Region 2004 Boys Head Coach. He has served as an Academy Instructor for United Soccer Coaches for over 15 years.

Additionally, he provides course instruction for U.S. Soccer and serves as a Talent Identification Scout.

for FC Toro, and works in the banking industry in Haiti providing national technical support.

Miguel Lopez: Miguel is a journalism major from Emerson College who volunteered his time to join the course and shoot pictures and video. He has lived all across the world in Mexico, Portugal, France, Brazil, Switzerland, and the United States.

He is fluent in four languages and currently living in Boston, Mass.

FC Toro: To Patrick, to Cynthia, to Brunel, the demo players and everyone else locally that provided support for this training – thank you. You can learn more about the mission and work of FC Toro online at www.fctorohaiti.com.

David Stephenson: Without the volunteerism of our translator, this course would not have been possible. David is a father of two, who both play

GPS Foundation: To Dan, to Steve, to Pedro — thank you for submitting such a forward-thinking application to the Foundation for a Host-a-Course grant. You can learn more about the mission and incredible work of the GPS Foundation on their website, gps-foundation.org.

United Soccer Coaches National Office Staff, Board of Directors, and Foundation Committee: Thank you for all that you do for our members and allowing John and I this experience to broaden our educational reach.

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2019 Invitational Tournaments, Festivals & Jamborees The following tournaments have been approved for sanctioning for 2019. Please refer to the Tournament Center (www.thetournamentcenter.com) for specific tournament information.

DATE(S) EVENT Mar. 9-10 Apr. 6-7 Apr. 13-14 Apr. 26-28 Apr. 27-28 May 3-5 May 4 May 4-5 May 5 May 8-14 May 10-11 May 10-12 May 10-12 May 10-12 May 15-23 May 17-19 May 17-19 May 17-19 May 17-19 May 17-19 May 18-19 May 19 May 25-26 May 31-June 2 May 31-June 2 May 31-June 2 May 31-June 2 May 31-June 2 May 31-June 2 June 1 June 1-2 June 1-2 June 7-9 June 7-9 June 8 June 8 June 8-9 June 14-16 June 14-16 June 14-16 June 14-16 June 14-16 June 21-23 June 21-23 June 22-23 June 28-30 July 11 July 12-14 July 16-20 July 24 Sept. 1 Sept. 28 Oct. 5-6 Oct. 11-13 Oct. 11-13 Oct. 12-13 Nov. 9-10

KEY: Jamboree MYSA-Only Recreation National International

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Minnesota State Cup Play-In Games NSC College Showcase Girls NSC College Showcase Boys NSC Kick-Off Challenge Star of the North Force SC Spring Kickoff Faribault Soccer Festival NSC Spring Cup Life Time Sport Freedom Cup: Round of 16 Minnesota Presidents Cup: Group Play North Metro Spring Tune-Up 2019 EWSC Future Stars Tournament Runnin’ with the Wolves Salvo SC 14th Annual Summer Classic (13U–19U) Minnesota State Cup: Group Play 2019 Coon Rapids Cup – Senior Division (13U-19U) Minnesota Presidents Cup: Semis & Finals 12U Junior State Cup: Group Play Rum River Invitational Shakopee Cup EPSC Spring Cup Life Time Sport Freedom Cup: Quarterfinals NSC Cup 36th Annual Rev It Up! Presented by Salvo Soccer Club Bloomington United Mega Cup Maplebrook Tournament Minnesota State Cup: Semis & Finals St. Croix Cup Tonka Splash 2019 Rotary 3v3 12U Junior State Cup: Semis & Finals Life Time Sport Freedom Cup: Finals Weekend NSC All American Cup North East United SC - 31st Annual Soccer Tournament Jesse James Jamboree Mankato United SoccerFest 5th Annual Albertville Friendly City Days Tournament 2019 Coon Rapids – Junior Division (9U-12U) 2019 Lakeville Father’s Day Cup Head of the Lakes Minnesota Rush Rochester Soccer Tournament Salvo SC 18th Annual Summer Classic (9U–12U) BV United Cup EPSC Prairie Cup 8th Annual STMA United 9U-10U Soccer Fest Essentia Lake Superior Open MYSA Summer State Championships begin USA CUP Weekend USA CUP Week MYSA Summer State Championships end EWSC Under the Lights Tournament Target United Cup NSC Fall Cup CR United Boys/Girls Fall Invitational Salvo SC 7th Annual Fall Classic (9U–15U) MYSA Fall State Championships NSC College Showcase Fall

LEVEL National National International National National Festival International

MYSA-Only National MYSA-Only National National

National International National International National National International National National National

International National Festival Festival National National National National National National National National National International International International National International National National National

Open to MYSA teams only (no play–off system) Open to MYSA teams only Open to Rec and Rec Plus teams only Open to teams from outside of Minnesota and/or non–US Youth Soccer teams Open to teams from outside of United States

REFEREE REPORT

Left to Right: Troy Cohrs, John Krill, Arten Sher, Bob Petersen, Chris Ruska, Kyle Burkhardt, Ismir Pekmic

2019 National Referee Camp

By Bob Petersen State Director of Assessment

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.S. Soccer held its annual National Referee Camp Jan. 10-13 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Minnesota was well represented as both National-level referees, assistant referees and referee coaches were required to participate as part of their 2019 certification. Those in attendance were National Referees Chris Ruska, Ismir Pekmic and Kyle Burkhardt; National Assistant Referee John Krill, and National Referee Coaches Troy Cohrs, Steve Olson, Bob Petersen and Artem Sher.

Steve Olson was also among those who instructed at the camp.

Everyone arrived by the late afternoon on the first day as the agenda for the long weekend was given, required forms were filled out and rooms at the Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy were accessed. After dinner, a welcome and orientation let everyone know what to expect and provided an opportunity to ask questions. After that, Dr. Christina Fink, who competed in two Olympics for Mexico in the high jump and now works with the Philadelphia Union in sports psychology, gave a presentation on high-performance sports.

On Friday morning, the referees and assistant referees ran their required physical test. Those from Minnesota all did well and passed. The referee coaches took quizzes on offside, fouls and misconduct, and were given a presentation on where we have been and where we are going in the referee program, especially as referee coaches.

The coaches were then given instructions on field sessions that would be conducted Saturday. The coaches were put into assigned groups, who then were able to meet and make plans on how they were going to perform the field sessions.

Referees Mark Geiger and Jair Marrufo, and assistant referee Corey Rockwell, gave a great presentation on their experience at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Not only did they present their years of preparation and the matches they actively refereed, but also the games in which they were part of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) crew. The U.S. had the highest presence in matches of any country.

After hearing about the World Cup, everyone had assigned groups and attended FIFA FUTURO training — advanced training through the use of

selected video clips — in breakout sessions. Each assigned group rotated among eight topics, with the first three being Friday evening. Topics included offside, misconduct and reading the game. FIFA is moving much of their direction to referees having a football understanding.

The referees and assistant referees then performed field sessions as instructed by the referee coaches on Saturday morning. U17 and U18 players from IMG played in the various scenarios of the field sessions. Some of the lessons were fouls near the penalty area line, referee and assistant referee communication on balls in or out of play, and referee and assistant referee decisions in tight spaces.

Saturday afternoon had two excellent presentations by those that have represented the U.S. as referees in previous World Cups. The first was by Esse Baharmast, who refereed at the

1998 FIFA World Cup in France and has been a FIFA Instructor at most of the World Cups since.

He talked about the art and science of refereeing.

His biggest teaching was that referees need to find their own impression and personality, not to referee as robots. The second presentation was by Kari Seitz, who has refereed in four FIFA Women’s World Cups and now is the Senior Manager of Women Referees at FIFA. She spoke of refereeing the modern game of football, that the Laws of the Game are now changing and focused on what football wants and expects, and what makes a modern referee. The biggest lesson was that the referee will seek to find the fairest punishment and what feels like the right punishment. The remainder of Saturday afternoon and evening consisted of the other five FIFA FUTURO breakout sessions.

Sunday was a shortened day, because it is also

a day for people to travel home. Esse Baharmast and Kari Seitz gave another presentation. Esse presented on more of his work at FIFA, including his idea of meeting all the teams during their preparation at the World Cups so that teams knew more of what to expect from the referees. Kari presented about her journey to her position as head of women referees at FIFA. Her work has opened more doors for women at larger events and she presented all of the work done for the referees leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France this summer.

At the end, Rick Eddy, Director of Referee Programs for U.S. Soccer, spoke briefly to summarize everything, give everyone thanks for taking time off to attend, and to present 2019 badges to those referees and assistant referees that passed their requirements.

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