"Hand of God", by Balakov on FlickrThere's been lots of ink & pixels spilled about Thierry Henry's handball. Let me add to the clamor a little bit. I mean, why have a blog, if you can't spout off whenever you feel like it?
This Twohundredpercent piece, Trying To Dissect The Thierry Henry Handball, sums up the rational, measured response. Click to continue reading...

Paul Erickson is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC), an organization that oversees the National Sports Center (NSC). IMS contacted� Erickson last weekend and he agreed to talk to IMS concerning the organizations attempt to start a new professional soccer team in the Twin Cities.

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National Sports Center Confirms Move to Create New Pro Soccer Team in Minnesota

Last Friday, Inside Minnesota Soccer reported that the National Sports Center (NSC) and the United Soccer Leagues (USL) would announce early this week that the Minnesota Thunder would become the newest USL-1 team replacing the Minnesota Thunder.

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I want to apologize to everyone for being down the last couple of days. Quite frankly the blog has been running poorly since last Thursday. I spent hour and hours trying to figure it out to no avail. A very big thanks to Superrookies� friend Jeff Austin for spending his whole evening working to get IMS back up and running.

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I want to apologize to everyone for being down the last couple of days. Quite frankly the blog has been running poorly since last Thursday. I spent hours and hours trying to figure it out to no avail. A very big thanks to Superrookies� friend Jeff Austin for spending his whole evening working to get IMS back up and running.

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Many who read this blog know me personally. They know my past, my passions and my current job. Those that don't might not understand that the reason that I will be working on arrangements for the Supporters Summit, and contacting people in the TOA, the USL and MLS concerning the drama of pro-soccer in North America is because I don't work on Veteran's Day.

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It is getting more and more difficult to pick the winners for Players of the Month as the Online Soccer Academy is growing so much and players are improving a lot!� But that is a good problem, any good coach or manager will tell you they want that type of problem! I apologize for not announcing these awards sooner.

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The Houston Dynamo announced their 2009 team awards Monday night at Dynamo Charities' Dynamo Awards 09, presented by Audi, held at the House of Blues.

Newcomer of the Year: Cam Weaver
Goal of the Year: Brad Davis, September 19 vs. Real Salt Lake
Dynamo Academy Player of the Year: Sebastien Ibeagha
Dynamo Academy Players' Player of the Year: Reagan Haisler
Game of the Year: May 30, Dynamo 3, Toronto FC 0
Defender of the Year: Geoff Cameron
Fan of the Year: Jason "Sarge" Milner
Save of the Year: Pat Onstad, April 19 vs.

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USL_at-a-crossroads

From the Inside Minnesota Soccer website, which has been breaking this story from the beginning, comes word that the Members of the Team Owners Association, TOA, have just released a press statement making their plans public with the decision to move forward with a new division 2 league in North America. Click to continue reading...

USL_at-a-crossroads

From the Inside Minnesota Soccer website, which has been breaking this story from the beginning, comes word that the Members of the Team Owners Association, TOA, have just released a press statement making their plans public with the decision to move forward with a new division 2 league in North America. Click to continue reading...

Press Release:
OWNERS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAMS IN ATLANTA, CAROLINA, MIAMI, MINNESOTA, MONTREAL, ST. LOUIS AND VANCOUVER FORM NEW PRO SOCCER LEAGUE TO BEGIN PLAY IN 2010
Nov. 10, 2009 – The owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps, formerly of USL-1, together with St. Click to continue reading...

The Members of the Team Owners Association TOA have just released a press statement making their plans public with the decision to move forward with a new division 2 league in North America.

OWNERS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAMS IN ATLANTA, CAROLINA, MIAMI, MINNESOTA, MONTREAL, ST.

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The Members of the Team Owners Association TOA have just released a press statement making their plans public with the decision to move forward with a new division 2 league in North America.

OWNERS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAMS IN ATLANTA, CAROLINA, MIAMI, MINNESOTA, MONTREAL, ST.

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The Members of the Team Owners Association, TOA, have just released a press statement making their plans public with the decision to move forward with a new division 2 league in North America.

OWNERS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAMS IN ATLANTA, CAROLINA, MIAMI, MINNESOTA, MONTREAL, ST.

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A little something flaring up at Toyota Park

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If you need any more evidence of why continued stadium development is the most important element in professional soccer's domestic development, go watch Saturday's match from Chicago.

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Just a quick update on the big USL vs TOA grudge match that none of us bought a ticket for, but are being forced to watch anyway.
Some stuff was said, and then unsaid, bluffs are being made, and called, and everybody's kind of confused, and now they're circling the lawyers, and the league meeting is this week. Click to continue reading...

This weekend I was one of the sponsor's of Mandeville Soccer Club's Midnight Madness tournament.� This tournament was a big one and about 200 teams took part.� My marketing team and I had a great weekend and really enjoyed the beautiful cool weather and of course great soccer!� We met a lot of great people too!

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This weekend, Mandeville Soccer Club (my old club) is having there huge Midnight Madness Tournament and I am very excited to be one of the sponsors!

This tournament has over 200 teams in it and thousands of people will be at the park all weekend and well into the nights for this one.

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Can't stand the suspense or the scenario-crunching? Here's what will happen this weekend in MLS, chronologically:
Toronto at New York, 7:30 p.m.: A lot of people seem to be assuming Toronto will march right over the last-place Red Bulls. Don't overlook the motivation of New York playing the final game of a magical era -- the interim coachship of Richie Williams. Click to continue reading...

This weekend I am sponsoring a soccer tournament called Midnight Madness at Pelican Park in Mandeville, Louisiana.� Besides promoting the Online Soccer Academy at the event I have having a big SALE in the JM Pro Soccer Shop!!� JMS "Believe in it" short sleeve and long sleeve shirts as well as hoodies will all be sold at a discounted price!

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If you play soccer or are a fan, you know why it's called the Beautiful Game. Soccer is a global language that has the power to unify people. Last weekend, a group of players got together� in Los Angeles� so that others around the world can have the opportunity to play as well.

The event, called Play Soccer So They Can, was organized by Opportunitas Aequas (Latin for "Equal Opportunity), a non-profit, grassroots organization that uses soccer to build stronger communities for youth affected by war and violence.

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If you play soccer or are a fan, you know why it's called the Beautiful Game. Soccer is a global language that has the power to unify people. Last weekend, a group of players got together� in Los Angeles� so that others around the world can have the opportunity to play as well.

The event, called Play Soccer So They Can, was organized by Opportunitas Aequas (Latin for "Equal Opportunity), a non-profit, grassroots organization that uses soccer to build stronger communities for youth in Rwanda and Uganda affected by war and violence.

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This past Saturday I had the honor of kicking off the Tchefuncte Middle School Walk-a-thon!� Above is a picture of my mascot Al da Gator and I with TMS's mascot, Allie!� Before the Walk-a-Thon I gave a 3 minute speech talking about living the "Believe in it" lifestyle and how if you combine that with hard work anything you can dream in life is possible.

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This Saturday, tomorrow October 17th, I have been invited to speak at the Tchefuncte Middle School's Walk-A-Thon fundraiser!� The Walk-A-Thon is a school fundraiser.� Kids will be walking laps around the track at Mandeville High School (which is a neighboring school) to raise money.� Plus they can pay money to have their teachers thrown in jail!

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After serving three years as President and CEO of WPS' Chicago Red Stars, one of the country's newest pro soccer� franchises, today I accepted the same position with the oldest professional soccer team in the United States, the National Indoor Soccer League's Milwaukee Wave.

I'd like to share my� thought process that went into the decision to take the new position and offer a look at the behind the scenes issues and dynamics that led to this decision, one made in the context of considering where to go next in American soccer.

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The winner of the autographed Gary Vaynerchuk "Crush It" book contest is DJJmacdaddy!!� Otherwise know as John Anderson!

Congratulations John and you win a FREE autographed copy of "Crush It" by Gary Vaynerchuk and I will sign page 96 too!� Plus you won a Jared Montz Soccer "Believe in it" short sleeve shirt, beanie hat, sweatband, and a bracelet!

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There will never be promotion and relegation in Major League Soccer. At least not in the traditional, European sense.� The franchise fees are too high to risk what would be perceived by American audiences as a demotion to a minor league.� No, there will never be promotion and relegation in the MLS in the traditional sense.

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Boston Pro Soccer Examiner L.E. Eisenmenger has a Vancouver stadium update, courtesy of her interview with Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. BC Place won't only get a roof, he says, it...

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As you might have seen late last week on my VLOG post I am super excited right now!!� Gary Vaynerchuk, the new internet social media poster boy, is releasing his 1st business book tomorrow October 13th called Crush It!� The book is going to be wildly popular, he will be on the majority of popular TV shows like Ellen, Conan, CNN, Oprah, and probably ESPN!

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I'm girly.� I sell jewelry, practice yoga, watch cooking shows along with Project Runway and What Not to Wear, and I LOVE dancing!� If I hadn't discovered soccer, I would've wanted to become a dancer.� I'm also very emotional and sensitive, two typically feminine traits.� In fact, my sometimes overly sensitive alter ego has been nicknamed ‘Sensitivo'.

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(Ed. Note: Author Jill Oakes is a professional soccer player who played last season in the WPS for the Chicago Red Stars)

I'm girly.� I sell jewelry, practice yoga, watch cooking shows,� Project Runway and What Not to Wear, and I LOVE dancing!� If I hadn't discovered soccer, I would've wanted to become a dancer.

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Here is the winner from the funny picture with Al da Gator contest at the Camellia Cup in Slidell, Louisiana this past Saturday!� It was a close race and it wasn't easy to choose from all the funny pictures but at the end of the day there could only be one!� If this is you (or your child since I am not sure if this kid has an email yet!

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This past Saturday I spent the day at the Camellia Cup put on by Slidell Youth Soccer Club!� The weather was great, soccer was excellent, and I couldn't ask for a better tournament to sponsor!� I had a marketing table set up and besides giving out free stuff and information about my Online Soccer Academy I offered players a chance to win prizes!

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David Fellerath has been covering the Carolina Railhawks this season for the Triangle Offense. He's done some nice work but none better than an extremling revealing and candid interview with RailHawks president Brian Wellman. Wellman is also co-owner of the Carolina Railhawks along with his brother Selby who is the spokesman for the Team Owners Association (TOA).

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David Fellerath has been covering the Carolina RailHawks this season for the Triangle Offense. He's done some nice work but none better than an extremely revealing and candid interview with RailHawks president Brian Wellman. Wellman is also co-owner of the Carolina RailHawks along with his brother Selby who is the spokesman for the Team Owners Association (TOA).

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