January 29th, 2014- In This Issue:
MTA's Eric Miller Drafted Fifth In MLS Super Draft

 

Story from US Soccer

 

Defender Eric Miller, formerly of the Development Academy's Minnesota Thunder and U.S. U-20 MNT, was selected fifth overall by the Montreal Impact in the 2014 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Jan. 16. ussoccer.com caught up with Miller about the draft, the benefits he gained from the U-20s and his professional future. -  

 

ussoccer.com: Congratulations on your draft selection with the Montreal Impact. Run us through what that day was like.

 

Eric Miller: "Draft Day was a pretty surreal experience. MLS did a fantastic job of putting on a huge show for it. It was really fun to see all the supporters groups there chanting, and it was just a great atmosphere. Sitting in the crowd, I was incredibly anxious. I really had no idea where I was going to end up, and I definitely had no idea that Montreal was interested enough in me to trade up to get me. After getting picked, the next 5-10 minutes were a blur of interviews and meeting people, and I was just so excited that I could hardly take it all in."

 

ussoccer.com: What was the immediate reaction among your circle of friends, family and former teammates?

 

EM: "The outpouring of support I got from my family, friends and former teammates was incredibly humbling. The moment right when I got drafted, I could already hear my phone buzzing almost non-stop in my pocket from texts from my friends and family. I was really overwhelmed by all the support I have received from the people who helped me along the way."

 

Read entire article at:

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/development-academy/2014/01/140128-eric-miller.aspx 
U.S. U-18 MNT Head Coach Javier Perez Calls 18 Players for International Tournament in Spain

It is an incredible honor for MTA to have two players selected for the U18 Men's National Team trip to Spain.  Keep up the great work boys!


 CHICAGO (Jan. 28, 2014) - U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team head coach Javier Perez named an 18-player squad for the Copa del Atlantico that runs from Jan. 30 - Feb. 8 in Las Palmas, Spain.

 

Making its first appearance at the prestigious tournament, the USA will open its Copa del Atlantico schedule against Spain on Feb. 4, before facing Argentina on Feb. 5 and the Canary Islands on Feb. 7.

 

Seventeen players on the U.S. roster have ties to U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs, with 13 currently registered with Academy teams. Omar Castro of Eintracht Braunschweig, who has been named to his first camp or tournament roster under Perez, is the only player on the squad never to have played for an Academy team.

 

Read entire article at: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/u-18-mnt/2014/01/140128-copaatlantico-roster-rel.aspx 

 
MTA ECNL Has 9 Players Selected For Madison PDP

 

MTA's U16 & U17 ECNL teams will be represented by the following 9 players at the Madison PDP Event.
 
98 ECNL Cherry Fast, Hannah Cade, Alaysia Lane, Jenny Marsh
 
97 ECNL- Taylor Turner, Sophie Babo, Maddie Frick, Mallory Fenske, Emily Heslin
 
 RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 27, 2014) - The rosters and schedule for the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Player Development Program event to be held in Madison, Wisc., Feb. 1-2, have been announced. The event will be held at the University of Wisconsin's indoor McClain Athletic Facility, with some of the best players from the following ECNL clubs in the Midwest: Eclipse Select, FC Wisconsin Eclipse, Minnesota Thunder Academy, Sockers FC - Chicago, St. Louis Scott Gallagher - Illinois, and St. Louis Scott Gallagher - Missouri.

For a full roster of the participating players, including team assignments for this event, click here.

Player Development Programs (PDPs) are regionally-based identification and development programs within US Club Soccer's id2 Program with three primary goals: (i) provide the top players within specified elite leagues with an opportunity to be identified and evaluated for higher levels of play; (ii) provide a high quality developmental experience; and (iii) recognize and reward individual performance and achievement. PDPs are operated in conjunction with elite leagues sanctioned by US Club Soccer.

The ECNL PDP in Madison will include a training session and two 11 vs. 11 games over two days. Top players from each ECNL PDP, along with other players scouted in ECNL competition throughout the year, will be considered for invitations to the ECNL / id2 National Training Camp in August.

The full schedule of events is available here.

Players are selected for the Player Development Programs based on their performance in ECNL competitions and by recommendations from ECNL coaches. The ECNL will be hosting 10 PDP events across the country over the next three months, providing an opportunity for top players in every ECNL club. 
U13 Girls Reach Semi Finals At Laguna Hills Eclipse Winter Cup

 

The U13 Girls (Coached by Yong Kim) travelled to California this past weekend to test themselves versus some of the top teams in Southern California.  The girls tied both of their group games versus West Coast FC and Beach FC 1-1.  The team then won a 3 way tie breaker to advance on a coin flip and a penalty shootout to face eventual tournament champions (and Surf Cup Champions) Legends FC.

 
Spring Clinic Registration Now Live

 

We are excited to announce our Spring Session Dates for our youth programming

Register Now By Clicking Here

 

Location
West St Paul Regional Athletics Center
1655 Livingston Ave
West St Paul, MN 55118

DinoMites

Days & Times
Option 1: Tuesday's 5:00pm
Option 2: Sunday's at 5:00pm
For our Winter Session Players attend 1 Day Per Week

Ages 3, 4, and 5 year olds

Session II: January 5th- February 11th

Session III: February 25th- April 13th

Cost: $99

Skillzys Program Ages & Days 

ProgramOption 1Option 2
U6 Jr Ball Masters- $99Sunday's 4:00pmTuesday's 5:00pm
U8 Ball Masters- $99Sunday's 4:00pmMonday's 6:00pm
U10 Advanced Ball Masters- $115Sunday's 2:45pmTuesday's 6:15pm
U11-U14 Elite Ball Masters- $125Monday's 6:30pm 

*Players attend one day per week.  If you are interested in attending two days per week email Andy at akaasa@mnthunderacademy.org for special pricing!
** We need a minimum of 8 kids in each class.  We will email everyone one week before the start if we do not have enough registrants for a certain day of the week.

 

Session II: January 5th- February 11th

Session III: February 25th- April 13th

The Future!  

Days and Times:

Day 1: Sunday 1:15pm-2:45pm
Day 2: Wednesday 6:00-7:30pm
Player's attend both days of The Future!

Ages 6, 7, 8 and 9 year olds

 

Session II: February 5th- April 13th

  • No Class on February 16th & 23rd