I think some good could come from reporting on Youth Soccer. However, I would suggest not reporting on Youth Soccer in Minnesota but reporting on developments in youth soccer across the nation. I have often thought the biggest problem with Youth Soccer in MN is the amount of people we have in local leadership roles that are uneducated about organized soccer. I think it would help that situation tremendously to have someone reporting on other states organizations, spot light some youth clubs outside of the state, like Chicago Magic, Scott Gallagher, etc… As well as articles about what I will call here truly “community clubs” clubs outside the state of MN that focus not on developing Premier teams with players from 5-8 different communities but community clubs that have 2000 players playing in house leagues, C3, C2, teams. One of my frustrations when looking at MN Youth Soccer is how everyone wants to be a premier club and no one sees the benefits of being a community club. The Thunder and Lighting I think somewhat struggle because of this. If more kids were out on a soccer field because they enjoyed the game, the more fans they will have to fill the stands. I see a good year of educational reporting that needs to be done before anyone should start reporting on any of the MN Youth Soccer. Even then, I would only report on what is going on at Regional’s. Having written that, I obviously am not a writer. It could be interesting to get perhaps the Thunder players themselves to report on either their local club or on their favorite youth club.

By the way, readers comments have been GREAT so far here at IMS. However, I did set a policy when I started the blog and which you can find in the “About” tab at the top of the blog that states that any story that involves a minor will have the comments turned off.

In this guy’s humble opinion IMS should not wade into this muddy water. I have lived and coached in 7 different states, its bad everywhere… Minnesota takes it to a new level. I feel sorry for whoever wants this job given the hyper-political nature of MN youth soccer. All you have to do is look at the whacko propaganda being anonymously spewed all over the “MN Futbol” blog to know what a nightmare you’re opening this fantastic blog up to by inviting in youth comments/discussion.

This is a great site with really good, objective reporting. I think you’ll have a hard time finding someone without an agenda to talk about youth soccer in this state, but if you do, good luck to him/her!