Prairie Seeds Academy Carlos Boquin Cleared to Play in State H.S. Final
Carlos Boquin at the 2010 MN St. HS Tournament. – Photo by Jeremy Olson - www.digitalgopher.net
In Monday’s game report of the Prairie Seeds Academy (PSA) vs. Rochester Lourdes game, IMS reported that the State High School League was investigating PSA’s sophomore Carlos Boquin. The forward from El Salvador played for PSA last season and was also investigated at the end of the season by the governing body of high school sports. He was cleared in 2010 but this year he played through the sectionals but was absent from the state tournament quarterfinals. Head coach Youssef Darbaki admitted to IMS after Monday’s game that Boquin was being investigated for an age violation.
Boquin played for the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Kings several years ago and the the league website had the player listed at what would be 23 years of age. Darbaki contacted IMS on Wednesday and said copy of his birth certificate had been submitted to the league but the lawyers had wanted an original. According to the PSA coach that original was received on Monday morning and presented to the State High School League by the school principal.
Word came from Star Tribune reporters Brian Stensaas and David LaVaque this morning that a spokesperson from the league said that Boquin had been cleared to play in the final. He was not in the introductions but 2 minutes after kickoff Boquin appeared through the tunnel of the Metrodome and checked in with officials. He was injected into the lineup in the 13th minute of the game and with his very first touch of the match, blasted home a 3o-yard shot to equalize for PSA who had fallen behind in the 8th minute with a tap-in goal by Benilde-St. Margaret’s Jake Horton.
Game report to follow.
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Why did someone wait until the state tourney to raise this issue? I feel like people have some misplaced parinoia with it comes to PSA–look out, here come the black helicopters! It almost seems racial to me, which has no place on a soccer pitch. PSA has some great players and a really good coach. I have never personally met Yousseff Darbaki, but I hear nothing but positive comments about him and his ability. Confused!
PS: Thankfully he was not born in Hawaii. If so, he never would have found his birth certificate.
Soccer Boy,
It is not that its racial. The issue was brought up last year and somehow it was cleared. There is no doubt the PSA boys can play but it becomes a question of integrity as to why they decide to play a player that does not meet the age eligibility. That’s to say I know Carlos personally as well and I have seen him play at both Carioca and MN Kings, he is phenomenal but I cannot rationalize why a coach as good as Yousseff would even consider playing him; Its not like he lacks the talent in the team.
I thought it was a good match-up with or without Boquin. Benilde played the game they wanted to play and besides Boquin’s goal and a free kick in the second half I do not remember any clear-cut PSA scoring opportunities. BSM goalkeeper handled some shots very well. I thought the result was fair.
@Soccer Boy: Is it really that strange that people are questioning the legitimacy of a program that has been dominant from it’s inception? Right or wrong, the program’s immediate success is going to invite scrutiny. I’ll grant you that there are definitely racial undertones to a lot of people’s concerns, but that doesn’t mean that their backgrounds should be used as a shield from legitimate questions. Based on this report, the individual has conflicting dates of birth, I would certainly hope that the MNSHSL does a complete investigation before allowing him to play on its biggest stage. Why last year’s investigation wasn’t sufficient, one can only speculate.