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The Schwan's USA CUP, presented by PUMA newsletter provides the latest information and updates about the tournament. |
| More Bells and Whistles... |
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Weather emergencies often can bring a tournament to its knees-but not at Schwan's USA CUP. This tournament has a reputation for strength in the face of adversity. When weather hits it is difficult, but so far the tournament has forged ahead through floods, oppressive heat and too many lightning storms to remember.
This year the tournament will activate one more helping tool if weather becomes an issue. Together with "ONE CALL" - a service which allows the tournament to send phone call messages to all coaches who provide a US cell phone number - the tournament will be able to inform teams of weather related information even better.
Combining this tool, with our normal communication mechanisms of 2-way radios on each field, our website, and information posted on site and disseminated through tournament headquarters, teams can feel good that the games will go on despite Mother Nature. |
| Homestay/Hosting a Team at Schwan's USA CUP |
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Schwan's USA CUP has a long and successful tradition with the homestay housing program. This is a housing option that is offered to international teams between the ages of U11-U15. Each year our homestay coordinators work very diligently to place about 16 teams in this program, totaling over 250 players.
Each host family will meet the team and their specific players at the airport in the baggage claim area. A host family is assigned a minimum of two players to their home. It is their responsibility to transport the players to the games, tournament activities and offer them an opportunity to get to know a little about Minnesota. The host family will also provide lodging and meals as well.
USA CUP offers a "workshop" either in late June or early July for the host families to learn more about the program and the country their players come from. This "workshop" is sponsored by the Schwan Food Company and they offer some very nice perks for families that host.
This year, teams from the following countries will be hosted: Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Japan, Denmark, Estonia, Northern Ireland, Colombia and England.
If you are a Minnesota team interested in hosting players, please contact Colleen Bourdon at market@usacup.org. |
| Minnesota Soccer News |
| The Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) hosts parameters meetings each year for their soccer districts. The National Sports Center (NSC) had representation at the meetings in the North, West and South (the East District hosts their meeting at a later date) this past week.
It is a great opportunity for NSC staff to answer questions that coaches or team leaders might have about the brochures they receive in the mail from us. The NSC staff that attended these meetings reported having many good questions and high interest in the NSC events.
One major point that was announced is that the MYSA District Tournament will not begin in the metro area until July 21 after 5 pm. This is excellent news as there will now be no conflict with the district tournament and USA CUP. If you are a team that wants to play in the USA CUP Week and the district tournament, you can do both. To learn more, please visit district tournament section of the MYSA website. |
| And Now a Word From Our Sponsor... |
Welcome to Schwan's USA CUP and welcome to Puma Soccer. 2007 marks the first year that Puma will be the new presenting sponsor of Schwan's USA CUP and we are thrilled to be sponsoring the nation's largest soccer tournament. As a premier soccer brand, Puma is honored to partner with USA CUP, its supporters and participants and align the brand with the world class USA CUP tournament.
Similar to USA CUP, Puma has had quite a heritage in soccer; from Pelé to World Champion Italy-we have been on the pitch with winners.
Puma looks to continue that winning tradition by bringing the latest and greatest in performance equipment and experiences so that each participant can take his/her game to the next level. From the v106 official tournament ball to the surprise gifts for each coach and player, you will notice that Puma will leave its mark on the fields of Blaine.
But performance is not the only place we will leave our mark. We are bringing Puma Lifestyle to USA CUP in the form of the Puma Lounge: a 44' air conditioned soccer dome that will be the place to be at USA CUP. The lifestyle lounge will enhance the interactive spirit of USA CUP and Puma will be proud to add to your experience.
Puma's Leslie Osborne started her soccer career at USA CUP and is now a starting midfielder for the US Women's National team. Your journey begins in July! From your friends at Puma, we'll see you there...
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| Get a Free Development Camp for Your Team |
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The National Sports Center is offering a great opportunity this summer to teams that play in more than one tournament.
A team that plays in three of the following four tournaments will receive a free three-hour development camp from the NSC Soccer Academy at their home field.
A team that chooses to play in two of these four tournaments will receive a $20 discount at our residential camps (minimum 12 players). The cost per player will be $335. Contact Chris Schulz at 763.792.7489 for more details. | |
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| Crystal Clear Sports to Provide Internet Broadcast of Games |
The National Sports Center and Crystal Clear Sports have announced a partnership to offer extensive website broadcasting of games and events during the 2007 Schwan's USA CUP, presented by PUMA. Crystal Clear Sports will provide live audio and video web broadcasts of over 200 games, opening ceremonies, and other Schwan's USA CUP events on a pay-per-view basis on their website: www.crystalclearsports.net.
They will also assist the Schwan's USA CUP media staff in the production of a free daily "e-magazine" show that will be available on the Schwan's USA CUP website. The show will offer tournament interviews, entertainment features, and educational segments in an entertaining, high-energy style.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to offer sports programming of a Minnesota event that commands a worldwide audience." said Randy Luedtke, President of Crystal Clear Sports. "Web casting is the perfect medium for an event of this type, because there is interest all over the world, but not in numbers that would interest traditional broadcast media. Internet broadcasts fit this niche perfectly."
All broadcasts will be available live, and also archived for viewing at a later time. "We're expecting the archived broadcasts to be very popular, especially among teams and families who will watch games and events after they've returned home," said Teri Vogt, Schwan's USA CUP director. "If a team's game is one of those picked for web cast, they won't be able to watch while they're playing, but we think they'll love watching themselves weeks or months after the event."
A detailed schedule of web casts, as well as pricing for the pay-per-view broadcasts, will be announced closer to the tournament date. |
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