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The Schwan's USA CUP, presented by PUMA newsletter provides the latest information and updates about the tournament. |
| PUMA® Bringing Italian National Team Coach |
Hello again from PUMA®! We are only a few days away from the start of the Schwan's USA CUP and we still have news to share with you. This is definitely our biggest announcement yet, and one that is sure to spark excitement for all the coaches and players traveling to Blaine.
 PUMA is pleased to bring the head coach of the World Cup Champion Italian National Team, Roberto Donadoni, to Schwan's USA CUP, and in case you didn't know, PUMA is the official sponsor of the Italian National Team. 40 coaches and 20 players will have the opportunity to be personally coached by Donadoni during the PUMA sponsored soccer sessions. Focusing on the Italia Methodology of Soccer (or Football as they say in Italy), coaches and players will certainly be in for a once in a lifetime experience.
Off the field, there will be time for some socializing as PUMA will host an exclusive Coaches Night in the PUMA lounge jam packed with drinks, appetizers and an up close and personal Q&A session with Donadoni. Entrance to this event will be extremely limited.
And because we don't want you to ever forget this experience...we'll be hosting a photo and autograph session with the world class coach in the PUMA lounge open to everyone. Stop by the Lounge for more details.
Donadoni was born in Cisano Bergamasco, Italy. Prior to taking over as the coach of the Italian National Team, Roberto managed Italian Clubs Lecco (2001-02), Livorno (2002-03), Genoa (2003-04) and returned to Livorno mid-way through the 2005 season.
Donadoni is probably better known from his day as a player. He started his career with Atalanta in 1982 and remained there until he transferred to AC Milan in 1986. During his time in Milan, Donadoni was a key part in the team's tremendous success which included five Serie A titles, three European Cups, three European Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups. He was also a member of the Italian National Team from 1986-1996 and made 63 appearances for his home country, including the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups. The MetroStars of the MLS called on Donadoni in 1996 to be the centerpiece of their franchise. During his time there, he was named to the league's Best XI team. He returned to AC Milan in 1997 and helped AC Milan win yet another Serie A title, which was his sixth. Donadoni ended his career with Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in the 1999-2000 season.
So until we meet in Blaine...Ciao from PUMA! |
| Take Advantage of Our Toursim Opportunities |
 There's plenty to do between the two tournaments this year. Schwan's USA CUP has created various toursim opportunities for your team. You can shop to your hearts content with our package to the Albertville Outlet Mall, Cabela's and Mall of America. If you're into thrills, Valleyfair in Shakopee offers one of the Midwest's best amusement park experiences. Perhaps soaking in the wonders of science and experiencing the enormous OmniTheater at the Minnesota Science Musuem is up your team's alley.
We're offering three tours on Sunday, July 15 and one on Monday, July 16. Visit the tourism section of our  website for more information and to download our registration form. You must send in your registration with full payment by July 5 to receive the discounted rate. Call Vicki Barnes at 763.785.5652 or email at vbarnes@usacup.org. |
| Soccer America Tournament Edition to Be Printed During Event |
 The Soccer America Tournament Edition newspaper will be available on the following days: Saturday, July 14; Wednesday, July 18; Thursday, July 19 and Friday, July 20. We will also have one-page results editions on July 15 and 21.
The newspaper can be picked up at various locations on campus with the main distribution locations being at all posting boards (for scores), the Golf Clubhouse, Schwan Super Rink, Hat Trick Café, Schwan Center (front door), headquarters, Media Center, Schwan Zone, Mary Jane's Desk, cash registers at puma World Store, Club Schwan, Cafeteria, Dorm Lobby, transportation bus station, Information Booth and on the morning buses for their first run to the University of Minnesota. |
| Opening Ceremonies Monday, July 16 |
 A colorful Olympic-style parade of teams, bi-plane flyovers, skydivers, fireworks and a concert will highlight this year's Opening Ceremonies on Monday, July 16.
Set to start at 19:45 in the NSC Stadium., the unique event helps to separate SCHWAN'S USA CUP, presented by PUMA, from other soccer tournaments. It provides a good visual of the tournament's scope while also allowing participants from both parts of the tournament to interact.
Teams are asked to line up on fields C1 and C2 at 18:45. Remember to bring plenty of water to drink! And please no throwing of candy! You can find a map of where your team should line up here.
Teams will enter the stadium, with many opting to carry team banners and state or country flags, before the lighting of the cauldron takes place.
 After showcasing all the teams in the tournament, local rock band Panoramic Blue will cap the evening with an on-field concert. |
| Sports Star Photography Takes Care of All Photo Needs |
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Sports Star Photography is the only on-site photo vendor at Schwan's USA CUP. If you would like action photos of your team, they will be available during Final Team Check-in to schedule a time for their photographer to shoot your game.
Sports Star also offers team and individual photos. Sign-up is at Final Team Check-in. New this year Sports Star is offering panoramic photos of your team. These crazy-fun images are a big hit in the youth sports world.
For more information about about what Sports Star offers at Schwan's USA CUP visit our website here. | |
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| Final Team Check-in Reminder |
Final Team Check-in for Schwan's USA CUP Weekend will be one day only, Thursday, July 12 from 10:00 to 19:00 in the Schwan Center, on the grounds of the National Sports Center.
Final Team Check-in for Schwan's USA CUP will be also be one day only, Monday, July 16 from 10:00-19:00 in the Schwan Center.
All international teams, with the exception of Canada, are to check-in by appointment only. Contat Colleen Bourdon at 763.785.5615 for dates and times available. |
| Schedules Now Available |
Schwan's USA CUP Weekend schedules are available online here.
Schwan's USA CUP schedules are here. |
| Getting Around the National Sports Center |
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No one can survive Schwan's USA CUP without a site map of the National Sports Center. Find out where fields are located and all the amenities of the tournament. Be sure to dowload the correct map for your event.
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| Note to Participating Teams |
Does your hometown newspaper cover Schwan's USA CUP? If so, let us know! Contact Greg Hutton ( ghutton@nscsports.org or 763.717.3892) with your hometown paper information and we'll make sure they get all the information they need to cover the event. |
| Crystal Clear Sports to Broadcast Games, Ceremonies |
Crystal Clear Sports will be webcasting over 200 games during the Schwan's USA CUP Weekend and Weeklong tournaments, as well as Opening Ceremonies. Individual games will be available for purchase via pay-per-view for $5.95 per game. A Goal Pass may be purchased for $29.95 for all games and ceremonies broadcast from July 13-21. Click here to see the streaming schedule and pay-per-view ordering information.
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| Visit Our Vendors |
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There are many vendors at Schwan's USA CUP worth visiting. Here's a highlight of some of our vendors:
Brunswick Zone XL Blaine: features more than 55,000 square feet of entertainment for your sports teams and families before, during or after the games! Just north of NSC on Hwy. 65.
OneCallNow: Phone messaging service that allows a director, coach or administrator to dial an 800 number, record a personal message and immediately send it to an entire group.
Ragu: Visti Ragu's website FREE 32 page Soccer Mom Shortcuts Book packed with great recipes, tips and tricks.
Sideline Solutions: Coming to sell portable chairs and stadium blankets.
PassPro by Goalmaker: Kids can test their passing skills out on the main parking lot island - different difficulty levels will ensure kids sharpen their skills.
Bluegreen Corp: Represents Grand Lodge resorts in Bloomington. |
| Minnesota Thunder to Face MLS' Kansas City Wizards |
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Schwan's USA CUP youth participants will receive an $8 youth general admission ticket if purchased in advance from the NSC. A ticket flyer is posted at www.usacup.org.
Tickets are also available to the general public on a pre-order and walk-up basis at the following prices: $10 for youth general admission, $14 for adult general admission.
On the day of the game, tickets will be available at the NSC box office, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Contact Kara Radeke at 763.792.7353 to order over the phone. Tickets can also be purchased at Final Team Check-in. |
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