NSC Minnesota Stars
Encyclopedia
The NSC Minnesota Stars is an American professional soccer team based in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area in Minnesota
, United States
. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
. The Minnesota Stars are the reigning 2011 NASL champions.
The Stars play their home games at the National Sports Center
in Blaine, Minnesota
, roughly 18 miles north of Minneapolis. The team's colors are dark blue and yellow. Their current head coach is Manny Lagos
.
announced they would field a new team to replace the Minnesota Thunder
. The Thunder at the time were not officially folded but were facing financial ruin. Following a team-naming contest, the NSC
announced the official team name would be NSC Minnesota, with the team nickname being Stars on February 5, 2010.
The team played its first official game on April 11, 2010, a 2–0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. The first goal in franchise history was scored by Daniel Wasson
in their next game, a 1-0 victory over the Carolina RailHawks. The Stars enjoyed some impressive victories in their debut season, including a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace Baltimore, a 3-0 win over AC St. Louis
, and a 3-1 win over FC Tampa Bay, eventually finishing fourth in their conference. Unfortunately for the Stars, they went out of the playoffs at the quarter final stage, 4-0 on aggregate to the Carolina RailHawks, after defender Andres Arango
was issued a red card after just 38 minutes. Simone Bracalello
and Brian Cvilikas
were the Stars' top scorers in 2010, with 5 goals each.
of Minnesota soccer teams wearing predominantly blue as their home color. The club logo is a shield in two-tone blue and gold, with a stylized star overlaid by the NSC Minnesota wordmark.
The Stars play their home games in the 12,000-seater stadium at the National Sports Center
, a 600-acre (2.4 km²) multi-sport complex located in Blaine, Minnesota
, which in addition to the soccer stadium features over 50 full-sized soccer fields, a golf course, a velodrome
, a meeting and convention facility, and an eight-sheet ice rink, the Schwan Super Rink
, which is the largest ice facility of its type in the world.
The Minnesota Thunder
also played at the NSC prior to the 2010 season.
. The cup was named after the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway
(M&StL) which was an American Class I railroad that operated lines radiating south to Saint Louis
, Missouri
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
between 1870 to 1960. The rivalry was disbanded after the 2010 season when AC St. Louis
folded.
During the course of the 2011 NASL season
a rivalry was formed between the Stars and FC Edmonton
known as The Flyover Cup. Created by each team's supporters, it's focused on raising money for charity. The Eddies took home the Cup in 2011, posting a 2-0-2 record against the Stars.
on color commentary. The webcasts are free and streamed live via the official NSC Minnesota Stars page.
- Head Coach/Director of Soccer Operations Carl Craig - First Assistant Coach Kevin Friedland
- Player/Assistant Coach
Johnny Menyongar
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
. The Minnesota Stars are the reigning 2011 NASL champions.
The Stars play their home games at the National Sports Center
National Sports Center
The National Sports Center is a 600-acre multi-sport complex located in Blaine, Minnesota, United States, that includes a soccer stadium, over 50 full-sized soccer fields, a golf course, a velodrome, a meeting and convention facility, and an eight-sheet ice rink, the Schwan Super Rink, which is...
in Blaine, Minnesota
Blaine, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,942 people, 15,898 households, and 12,177 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,330 people per square mile . There are 16,169 housing units at an average density of 477.6 per square mile...
, roughly 18 miles north of Minneapolis. The team's colors are dark blue and yellow. Their current head coach is Manny Lagos
Manny Lagos
Manuel "Manny" Lagos is a former American soccer midfielder who last played for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, and is the current Head Coach of NSC Minnesota Stars...
.
History
The National Sports Center began considering fielding a Division 2 men's professional soccer team in December 2009. The current team, the Minnesota Thunder, were tenants of the National Sports Center and were struggling through financial difficulties. In January 2010, the National Sports CenterNational Sports Center
The National Sports Center is a 600-acre multi-sport complex located in Blaine, Minnesota, United States, that includes a soccer stadium, over 50 full-sized soccer fields, a golf course, a velodrome, a meeting and convention facility, and an eight-sheet ice rink, the Schwan Super Rink, which is...
announced they would field a new team to replace the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
. The Thunder at the time were not officially folded but were facing financial ruin. Following a team-naming contest, the NSC
National Sports Center
The National Sports Center is a 600-acre multi-sport complex located in Blaine, Minnesota, United States, that includes a soccer stadium, over 50 full-sized soccer fields, a golf course, a velodrome, a meeting and convention facility, and an eight-sheet ice rink, the Schwan Super Rink, which is...
announced the official team name would be NSC Minnesota, with the team nickname being Stars on February 5, 2010.
The team played its first official game on April 11, 2010, a 2–0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. The first goal in franchise history was scored by Daniel Wasson
Daniel Wasson
Daniel Wasson is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
in their next game, a 1-0 victory over the Carolina RailHawks. The Stars enjoyed some impressive victories in their debut season, including a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace Baltimore, a 3-0 win over AC St. Louis
AC St. Louis
Athletic Club of St. Louis, commonly referred to as AC St. Louis, was an American professional soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in December 2009, the team played its first and only season the next year in the NASL Conference of the temporary USSF D2 Pro League, the...
, and a 3-1 win over FC Tampa Bay, eventually finishing fourth in their conference. Unfortunately for the Stars, they went out of the playoffs at the quarter final stage, 4-0 on aggregate to the Carolina RailHawks, after defender Andres Arango
Andres Arango
Andres Arango is a Colombian-born Canadian soccer player currently playing for Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:Arango moved from his native Colombia to Canada with his parents as a young child...
was issued a red card after just 38 minutes. Simone Bracalello
Simone Bracalello
Simone Bracalello, also known in Italy as "Bracca", is an Italian footballer currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-Italy:...
and Brian Cvilikas
Brian Cvilikas
Brian Cvilikas is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
were the Stars' top scorers in 2010, with 5 goals each.
Colors and badge
The Stars' official colors are blue and gold, following the tradition established the Minnesota ThunderMinnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
of Minnesota soccer teams wearing predominantly blue as their home color. The club logo is a shield in two-tone blue and gold, with a stylized star overlaid by the NSC Minnesota wordmark.
Stadium
- National Sports CenterNational Sports CenterThe National Sports Center is a 600-acre multi-sport complex located in Blaine, Minnesota, United States, that includes a soccer stadium, over 50 full-sized soccer fields, a golf course, a velodrome, a meeting and convention facility, and an eight-sheet ice rink, the Schwan Super Rink, which is...
; Blaine, MinnesotaBlaine, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 44,942 people, 15,898 households, and 12,177 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,330 people per square mile . There are 16,169 housing units at an average density of 477.6 per square mile...
(2010–present)
The Stars play their home games in the 12,000-seater stadium at the National Sports Center
National Sports Center
The National Sports Center is a 600-acre multi-sport complex located in Blaine, Minnesota, United States, that includes a soccer stadium, over 50 full-sized soccer fields, a golf course, a velodrome, a meeting and convention facility, and an eight-sheet ice rink, the Schwan Super Rink, which is...
, a 600-acre (2.4 km²) multi-sport complex located in Blaine, Minnesota
Blaine, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,942 people, 15,898 households, and 12,177 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,330 people per square mile . There are 16,169 housing units at an average density of 477.6 per square mile...
, which in addition to the soccer stadium features over 50 full-sized soccer fields, a golf course, a velodrome
Velodrome
A velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
, a meeting and convention facility, and an eight-sheet ice rink, the Schwan Super Rink
Schwan Super Rink
The Schwan Super Rink is a ice rink facility that features eight sheets of ice and is the largest ice arena complex in the world. It is located on the National Sports Center campus in Blaine, Minnesota, a northern suburb of Minneapolis – Saint Paul...
, which is the largest ice facility of its type in the world.
The Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
also played at the NSC prior to the 2010 season.
Rivalries
The Railway Cup was an inter-division match played between the NSC Minnesota Stars and AC St. LouisAC St. Louis
Athletic Club of St. Louis, commonly referred to as AC St. Louis, was an American professional soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in December 2009, the team played its first and only season the next year in the NASL Conference of the temporary USSF D2 Pro League, the...
. The cup was named after the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway
Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway
The Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway was an American Class I railroad that built and operated lines radiating south and west from Minneapolis, Minnesota which existed for 90 years from 1870 to 1960....
(M&StL) which was an American Class I railroad that operated lines radiating south to Saint Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
between 1870 to 1960. The rivalry was disbanded after the 2010 season when AC St. Louis
AC St. Louis
Athletic Club of St. Louis, commonly referred to as AC St. Louis, was an American professional soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in December 2009, the team played its first and only season the next year in the NASL Conference of the temporary USSF D2 Pro League, the...
folded.
During the course of the 2011 NASL season
2011 North American Soccer League season
The 2011 North American Soccer League season is the 44th season of second division soccer in the United States and the inaugural season of the newly-revived North American Soccer League....
a rivalry was formed between the Stars and FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
known as The Flyover Cup. Created by each team's supporters, it's focused on raising money for charity. The Eddies took home the Cup in 2011, posting a 2-0-2 record against the Stars.
Broadcasting
As with all the teams in the NASL, the Stars host webcasts of all their home matches. The commentary is typically Chris Lidholm on play by play and Buzz LagosBuzz Lagos
Buzz Lagos is the former head coach of the Minnesota Thunder. Until he retired in 2005, he was the only coach in team history. He coached the Thunder for 16 years with an impressive overall record of 324-148-46, and led the team to four A-league Championship matches , winning the championship...
on color commentary. The webcasts are free and streamed live via the official NSC Minnesota Stars page.
Current roster
As of November 29, 2011Staff
Djorn Buchholz - CEO Manny LagosManny Lagos
Manuel "Manny" Lagos is a former American soccer midfielder who last played for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, and is the current Head Coach of NSC Minnesota Stars...
- Head Coach/Director of Soccer Operations Carl Craig - First Assistant Coach Kevin Friedland
Kevin Friedland
Kevin Friedland is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the second division North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
- Player/Assistant Coach
Notable former players
Gao LeileiGao Leilei
Gao Leilei is a former Chinese footballer.-China:Gao began his professional career with Wuhan in 1998, before moving to Beijing Guoan in 1999. It was with Beijing Guoan that Gao first gained the public notice of Chinese football community when he scored an equalizer against Liaoning in the last...
Johnny Menyongar
Johnny Menyongar
Johnny Menyongar is a Liberian footballer currently playing for Shillong Lajong F.C. in India's I-League.-College:...
- See also All-time NSC Minnesota Stars rosterAll-time NSC Minnesota Stars rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for the NSC Minnesota Stars in the USSF D2 Pro League in 2010 or in the North American Soccer League from 2011 to present...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | USSF D-2 Pro League | 4th, USL (7th) | Quarterfinals | 2nd Round | 1,374 |
| 2011 | 2 | NASL | 6th | Champions | Denied entry |