Inside Minnesota Soccer was informed this afternoon that the Minnesota Thunder Academy has handed down sanctions to Technical Director Mark Abboud. The Minnesota Thunder Academy Executive Board's decision can also be found on their website.

MTA Decision

The Minnesota Thunder Academy Executive Board has met with regard to the incident that occurred during the Minnesota State Cup on May 17, 2009, where a Minnesota Thunder Academy East team voluntarily ceded a game to a Minnesota Thunder Academy Elite team.

Fellow WTS blogger, Nicole LaVoie, at One Sport Voice, writes about a recent youth soccer match in Minnesota:

The scene: Two Minnesota Thunder Academy (MTA) teams played each other in the State Cup final to see who would advance to the Regionals. The 12-and-under girls soccer club, playing above their level, fought to a gutsy 1-1 tie through two overtime periods against the favored 13-and-under team from the same club.

Inside Minnesota Soccer has learned of the sanctions that were handed down from the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association's Tournament Committee last week. Both Mark Abboud and Andy Kassa were informed through a letter from MYSA that they are both banned from coaching in a State Cup competition for the balance of 2009 and through the year 2010.

Inside Minnesota Soccer was informed this afternoon that the Minnesota Thunder Academy has handed down sanctions to Technical Director Mark Abboud. The Minnesota Thunder Academy Executive Board's decision can also be found on their website.

MTA Decision

The Minnesota Thunder Academy Executive Board has met with regard to the incident that occurred during the Minnesota State Cup on May 17, 2009, where a Minnesota Thunder Academy East team voluntarily ceded a game to a Minnesota Thunder Academy Elite team.

Inside Minnesota Soccer has learned of the sanctions that were handed down from the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association's Tournament Committee last week. Both Mark Abboud and Andy Kassa were informed through a letter from MYSA that they are both banned from coaching in a State Cup competition for the balance of 2009 and through the year 2010.

MSHSSCA Top 10 preseason poll
As of Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
Next Poll comes out Labor Day; Monday, September 7th.

Boys AA

1) Apple Valley
2) Osseo
3) Stillwater Area
4) St. Paul Central
5) St. Louis Park
6) Bloomington Jefferson
7) Wayzata
Cretin-Derham Hall
9) Coon Rapids
10) Minneapolis South

Boys A

1) Totino-Grace
2) Benilde-St.

MSHSSCA Top 10 preseason poll
As of Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
Next Poll comes out Labor Day; Monday, September 7th.

Boys AA

1- Apple Valley
2- Osseo
3- Stillwater Area
4- St. Paul Central
5- St. Louis Park
6- Bloomington Jefferson
7- Wayzata
8- Cretin-Derham Hall
9- Coon Rapids
10- Minneapolis South

Boys A

1- Totino-Grace
2- Benilde-St.

June 27, 1992 - The US Olympic Team lost 2-1 at Tampa Stadium to the APSL Rowdies in front of a crowd of 4,723. The match was a tune up for the Summer Games in Barcelona and featured goals from Mike Lapper for the USA, Mark Abboud and Rob Ryerson for Tampa Bay. This was the last match the Olympic squad played before heading to Spain for the Games.