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The Schwan's USA CUP, presented by PUMA newsletter provides the latest information and updates about the tournament. |
| From the Director Teri Vogt: Thunder to play Guatemala in Schwan's USA CUP Challenge |
 The Minnesota Thunder will face off against Guatemala's storied soccer team, Club Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones, in an international matchup at the National Sports Center in Blaine on Wednesday, July 22 in the annual Schwan's USA Cup Challenge. Kick-off is set for 7:35pm. USA CUP participants can get special tickets here.
"Playing against Comunicaciones is a great opportunity for our players and organization to perform against a world class club," said Thunder head coach Donny Gramenz. "It's also an excellent opportunity for the youth players and soccer fans of Minnesota to be exposed to a very high level game right in their own backyard. It's going to be a fantastic night of soccer!"
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| Tottenham Hotspur Academy Will Compete in the vElite Bracket |
 PUMA has announced that Tottenham Hotspur Academy will compete in the U16 PUMA vElite bracket at the 2009 USA CUP. Looking to build on the success of the group over the past two years, the addition of Tottenham Hotspur to the group will surely add some excitement and enhance the level of play on the field.
"Tottenham Hotspur Academy competes in international tournaments all over the world and as the biggest youth soccer tournament in the United States, we are extremely pleased to be taking part in the 2009 USA CUP," said Paul Barber, Executive Director of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. "Not only does the tournament promise to be a very challenging competition, our participation also allows us to support our technical partners PUMA who are heavily involved in the event."
The Tottenham Hotspur Academy team will definitely be a team to watch, so be sure to check their match schedule. This will be a chance to see some future stars of the English Premier League in action. They will be around the National Sports Center campus throughout the weekend and will look to take part in the social activities scheduled. |
| Featured Team: Queensbury School U16 Boys |
The Queensbury School U16 boys is the school team from Queensbury School in Dunstable, England. Dunstable is a small town about 40 minutes north of London, in the County of Bedfordshire. This is the second time Queensbury School has entered the Schwan's USA CUP, the first time was 2007 when they entered a U15 girls team. The experience for both the players and staff was fantastic.
The Queensbury boys are playing in the U16 age group and have been together for three years. There isn't a local School's League, but they have entered every available knockout cup competition since joining from the age of 13. The players also belong to club sides and play most weekends in league and cup competitions. It is a talented group of players, and most importantly, they always play in the right spirit with good sportsmanship. Having said that, they are competitive and love to win! Hopefully they will get used to the heat quickly as they haven't been able to make use of there traditional one day of English summer yet!
The team has had its ups and downs in the last few years, winning County and District Cups fairly regularly, but also getting frustratingly knocked out of others prematurely.
 The team is excited to be homestaying again this year as they made great friends two years ago when the girls team traveled. This year the teams is staying with families from BYSC Inferno, Bloomington, and look forward to meeting them at the airport! |
| Clubs Show Their Commitment for 25 Years |
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Congratulations to the following soccer clubs who have played all 25 years of the Schwan's USA CUP!
- Anoka Tornadoes (Northern Lights SC)
- Blackhawks SC
- Blaine SC
- Bloomington Youth
- Burnsville Fire SC
- Coon Rapids Soccer Assn.
- Eagan Traveling Soccer
- North Suburban Soccer Assn.
- St. Croix SC
- Valley United SC
- White Bear SC
 We're celebrating them in a special way at opening ceremonies and would like to extend an invitation to all past players, coaches, parents and fans of these clubs to join in the parade of teams, so spread the word! And if you know of any notable players from one of these clubs, please send their names and contact information to mdemars@nscsports.org so we can recognize their success. Bonus: For the first time in the history of opening ceremonies, teams will enter the field through the stadium tunnel and arrive in style by way of the huge PUMA tunnel.
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| Top 10 things You Must Know About Parking at Schwan's USA CUP |
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The National Sports Center has various parking lots. Total parking capacity is 3,800.
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Parking FREE and first come, first serve. Arrive early and allow plenty of time to find a spot before your game starts. You may not be able to park in the lot adjacent to your field.
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The main lot is the best place to park - it is the largest lot on campus and very rarely fills up.
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"Lot Full" signs will be put up when a lot is full.
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All Charter Buses and RV's must park in the Main Lot in the transportation area - with the school buses. (See map) -
Puma golf cart shuttles are available for those who are mobility impaired, elderly, or who are carrying team equipment. Pick up is at the Puma LAB - on the grassy center island of the main parking lot. (See map) -
Lots A and B are PASS PARKING only.
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Carpools are encouraged.
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We ask that all participants and spectators park in NSC parking lots ONLY. Please do not use the parking lots of the various businesses adjacent to our complex. Vehicles parked in these lots to attend NSC events may be subject to towing at owners expense.
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Be patient |
| Catch the Action Online and in Real Time |
 Got a grandma in Georgia or an uncle in Uruguay? They can see still you play at Schwan's USA CUP with live web broadcast on fields U1 and U2! Webcast games are available to be purchased on a pay-per-view basis for $6.95 per game. You can also purchase a flash drive after the conclusion of the game for $25 and relive the glory any time you want. Each game features play-by-play announcing.
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| National Collegiate Scouting Association, with Taylor Twellman |
 The National Collegiate Scouting Association will be hosting seminars at Schwan's USA CUP, featuring Taylor Twellman. Taylor plays for the New England Revolution and is the youngest MLS player to score 100 goals. Taylor and his dad, Tim, owner of the NCSA, will give tips on how you can get recruited to play soccer in college. The seminars will be held Saturday, July 18, at 10am and 2pm and Thursday, July 23, at noon and 3pm at north end of stadium under the VIP tent. All athletes and parents are welcome. |
| Soccer America presents "How to Get Recruited" |
 Schwan's USA CUP along with Soccer America presents "How to Get Recruited" seminar held on Thursday July 23 at 10:30 and 13:30. Everyone is invited to the seminar. There will be two seminars scheduled so all teams that want to participate are able to. We have the following coaches scheduled to appear on our panel:
- Division I, University of MN Mikki Denney-Wright or Krystal Kallman
- Division II, Concordia St. Paul - Joe Alianiello
- Division III, Macalester College John Leaney Mediator
If you have any questions contact Vicki Barnes vbarnes@usacup.org. | |
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| Volunteers Snack and be Recognized |
All current and past volunteers are invited to a special volunteer recognition at the Schwan's USA CUP opening ceremonies. Join us for snacks and beverages at 8:00 pm, Tuesday, July 21, on the deck at the northwest end of the stadium. Help us celebrate your part making the CUP a huge success! |
| Join us for Spaghetti Dinner |
Come hungry for spaghetti with red sauce (meatless), garlic bread and ice cold lemonade. It's just $5 all you can eat with a participant wristband and $6 without a participant wristband.
Tuesday, July 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the Schwan Center Grand Hall.
Teams and referees can look for an e-mail blast with pre-order form, and information is on our website here. |
| Photo Opportunity |
Be sure to sign up for team and individual photos at final team check-in! Sports Star Photography, the official photographer for Schwan's USA CUP, will capture all your greatest game moments so you can take them home on a CD and share them with friends and family.
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