St. Paul Twin Stars
Encyclopedia
Minnesota Twin Stars is an American soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
, United States
. Founded in 2005, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League
(NPSL), a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Midwest Division. Prior to the 2011 season the team was known as the St. Paul Twin Stars.
The team plays its home games at Augsburg Stadium on the campus of Augsburg College
, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are red, black, and white.
The Twinstars maintain a long-standing relationship with the Hmong
community in Minnesota
, along with the African
community in suburbs such as Brooklyn Park
, Minnesota. In the early stages of the team's history, the dominant ethnic group that played on Twinstars were Hmong, from Wisconsin
and Minnesota.
The Twinstars have been Midwest division champions two times, runner-up's once, and National Championship runners-up once, in two appearances to the Final Four.
The competitive level of this squad has not been squandered in domestic leagues, and they have had several departures of promising players in Europe, including Jules Alex Nyom
, Ansu Toure
, and Greg Rosenthal.
They won their first Midwest title in 2008, having five of their players named into the Midwest All-Star team, and one of the five, Geoffrey Myers
, was named as the 2008 MVP, after scoring 14 goals, and getting 5 assists in only 12 appearances. Following their triumph in regional competition, they played in the Final Four in New York, where they earned runners-up in the National tournament.
They won the Midwest title again, in 2009, this time having 4 players named to the Midwest All-Star team, and once again, having the MVP, this time being the 5-time All-Star player, Igor Stosic, becoming the most decorated Twinstars player.
In 2010, the Twinstars had placed third out of six teams in the Midwest division, having an overall record of 5–3–2. It was easy to see as to why they had not placed highly in the league likened to recent seasons – they had a goal difference of +1, compared to 2009 (+7, 14GF, 7GA). For the third season in a row, they had produced the MVP, this time being former Liberian
national team player Richard Kamara
.
For the 2011-12 season the Twinstars will play in the MISL. They will play at the Target Center
.
(2008, 2009, 2010) Geoffrey Myers
(2008) Jules Alex Nyom
(2009) Igor Stosic (2005 [with Minnesota Blast], 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) Ansu Toure
(2006)
The Twinstars had played at several venues; two matches in St. Paul - James Griffin Stadium
(2005-2006), and Macalester Stadium
(2007-2010) - before moving its home games to Augsburg Stadium
in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2011.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2005, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League
National Premier Soccer League
The National Premier Soccer League is a United States soccer league recognized by the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA as a Division IV league...
(NPSL), a national amateur league at the fourth 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...
, in the Midwest Division. Prior to the 2011 season the team was known as the St. Paul Twin Stars.
The team plays its home games at Augsburg Stadium on the campus of Augsburg College
Augsburg College
Augsburg College is a selective liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Augsburg was named for the Augsburg Confession, the document of Lutheran belief. The school was founded in 1869 in Marshall, Wisconsin as Augsburg Seminary and moved...
, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are red, black, and white.
The Twinstars maintain a long-standing relationship with the Hmong
Hmong people
The Hmong , are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Hmong are also one of the sub-groups of the Miao ethnicity in southern China...
community in 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...
, along with the African
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
community in suburbs such as Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
According to the 2010 census, there were 75,781 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 52% White, 24% African American, 1% Native American, 15% Asian, 42 residents identifying themselves as Pacific Islander, 4% from other races, and 4% from two or more races...
, Minnesota. In the early stages of the team's history, the dominant ethnic group that played on Twinstars were Hmong, from Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and Minnesota.
The Twinstars have been Midwest division champions two times, runner-up's once, and National Championship runners-up once, in two appearances to the Final Four.
The competitive level of this squad has not been squandered in domestic leagues, and they have had several departures of promising players in Europe, including Jules Alex Nyom
Jules Alex Nyom
Jules Alex Nyom, , is a Cameroonian soccer goalkeeper, and plays for RoPS.-Career:Nyom played for the Etoile of Essazock and Canon de Yaounde in Cameroon, ES Sétif in the Algerian Championnat National.-Minnesota Twin Stars:...
, Ansu Toure
Ansu Toure
Ansu Toure is a Liberian footaller who currently plays for FC Locarno in the Swiss Challenge League.-Youth and Amateur:...
, and Greg Rosenthal.
History
The Twin Stars have competed for the Midwest title through its existence. Their first taste of success was the 2006 season, where one of their players, Igor Stosic, was named to the NPSL Midwest All-Star team. They followed up in the 2007 season, by having two of their players names on the All-Star team, Juan Fiz, and 3-time winner (2 with the Twinstars) Igor Stosic.They won their first Midwest title in 2008, having five of their players named into the Midwest All-Star team, and one of the five, Geoffrey Myers
Geoffrey Myers
Geoffrey Myers is an Liberian soccer player, currently playing for Minnesota Twin Stars.-Youth and Amateur:Myers came to the United States from his native Liberia in 2002, at the age of 16, settling in New Hope, Minnesota...
, was named as the 2008 MVP, after scoring 14 goals, and getting 5 assists in only 12 appearances. Following their triumph in regional competition, they played in the Final Four in New York, where they earned runners-up in the National tournament.
They won the Midwest title again, in 2009, this time having 4 players named to the Midwest All-Star team, and once again, having the MVP, this time being the 5-time All-Star player, Igor Stosic, becoming the most decorated Twinstars player.
In 2010, the Twinstars had placed third out of six teams in the Midwest division, having an overall record of 5–3–2. It was easy to see as to why they had not placed highly in the league likened to recent seasons – they had a goal difference of +1, compared to 2009 (+7, 14GF, 7GA). For the third season in a row, they had produced the MVP, this time being former Liberian
Liberia national football team
The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, is the national team of Liberia and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the country produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, they have never reached the World Cup finals...
national team player Richard Kamara
Richard Kamara
Richard Kamara is a Liberian association football player who has represented the Liberia national football team, and currently plays for the Minnesota Twin Stars.- Minnesota Twin Stars :Kamara began playing with the Minnesota Twin Stars of the NPSL in 2005...
.
For the 2011-12 season the Twinstars will play in the MISL. They will play at the Target Center
Target Center
The Target Center is an arena in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is sponsored by Target Corporation. The arena has a capacity of 20,500 people. It contains 702 club seats and 68 suites....
.
Colors and badge
The club crest has been changed several times, usually featuring a dragon, with two stars above a red and black shield. The current crest, featuring a red dragon in front of the black half of the shield, and a black dragon on the red half of the shield, both clutching a soccer ball with two golden stars (hence the name "twinstars") above them, is a modified version of one of the first crests, used in 2005.First-team Squad
Source: http://www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com/teams/21727632/14199863-21727682/TEAM.htmlAll-Star Team Players
Adama Diawara (2008, 2009, 2010) Juan Fiz (2007, 2008) Richard KamaraRichard Kamara
Richard Kamara is a Liberian association football player who has represented the Liberia national football team, and currently plays for the Minnesota Twin Stars.- Minnesota Twin Stars :Kamara began playing with the Minnesota Twin Stars of the NPSL in 2005...
(2008, 2009, 2010) Geoffrey Myers
Geoffrey Myers
Geoffrey Myers is an Liberian soccer player, currently playing for Minnesota Twin Stars.-Youth and Amateur:Myers came to the United States from his native Liberia in 2002, at the age of 16, settling in New Hope, Minnesota...
(2008) Jules Alex Nyom
Jules Alex Nyom
Jules Alex Nyom, , is a Cameroonian soccer goalkeeper, and plays for RoPS.-Career:Nyom played for the Etoile of Essazock and Canon de Yaounde in Cameroon, ES Sétif in the Algerian Championnat National.-Minnesota Twin Stars:...
(2009) Igor Stosic (2005 [with Minnesota Blast], 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) Ansu Toure
Ansu Toure
Ansu Toure is a Liberian footaller who currently plays for FC Locarno in the Swiss Challenge League.-Youth and Amateur:...
(2006)
Club MVP's
- 2008
Geoffrey MyersGeoffrey MyersGeoffrey Myers is an Liberian soccer player, currently playing for Minnesota Twin Stars.-Youth and Amateur:Myers came to the United States from his native Liberia in 2002, at the age of 16, settling in New Hope, Minnesota... - 2009
Igor Stosic - 2010 Richard KamaraRichard KamaraRichard Kamara is a Liberian association football player who has represented the Liberia national football team, and currently plays for the Minnesota Twin Stars.- Minnesota Twin Stars :Kamara began playing with the Minnesota Twin Stars of the NPSL in 2005...
Captains
- 2006
Juan Fiz - 2007 Juan Fiz
- 2008 Richard KamaraRichard KamaraRichard Kamara is a Liberian association football player who has represented the Liberia national football team, and currently plays for the Minnesota Twin Stars.- Minnesota Twin Stars :Kamara began playing with the Minnesota Twin Stars of the NPSL in 2005...
- 2009 Juan Fiz
- 2010 Richard KamaraRichard KamaraRichard Kamara is a Liberian association football player who has represented the Liberia national football team, and currently plays for the Minnesota Twin Stars.- Minnesota Twin Stars :Kamara began playing with the Minnesota Twin Stars of the NPSL in 2005...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | NPSL | 4th, Midwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 4 | NPSL | 3rd, Midwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 4 | NPSL | 3rd, Midwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 4 | NPSL | 1st, Midwest | Final | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | NPSL | 1st, Midwest | National Semi Finals | Did not enter |
| 2010 | 4 | NPSL | 3rd, Midwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 4 | NPSL | 4th, Midwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
Domestic
- National Premier Soccer LeagueNational Premier Soccer LeagueThe National Premier Soccer League is a United States soccer league recognized by the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA as a Division IV league...
- Midwest Division (NPSL):
- Winners (2): 2008, 2009
Stadia
- James Griffin StadiumJames Griffin StadiumJames Griffin Stadium is a 4,367-capacity stadium in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. Although it is located on the grounds of Saint Paul Central High School, it was also home the Concordia University, Saint Paul's football and women's soccer teams until 2008...
; St. Paul, Minnesota (2005–2006) - Macalester Stadium at Macalester CollegeMacalester CollegeMacalester College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was founded in 1874 as a Presbyterian-affiliated but nonsectarian college. Its first class entered September 15, 1885. The college is located on a campus in a historic residential neighborhood...
; St. Paul, Minnesota (2007–2010) - Augsburg Stadium at Augsburg CollegeAugsburg CollegeAugsburg College is a selective liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Augsburg was named for the Augsburg Confession, the document of Lutheran belief. The school was founded in 1869 in Marshall, Wisconsin as Augsburg Seminary and moved...
; Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
(2011–present)
The Twinstars had played at several venues; two matches in St. Paul - James Griffin Stadium
James Griffin Stadium
James Griffin Stadium is a 4,367-capacity stadium in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. Although it is located on the grounds of Saint Paul Central High School, it was also home the Concordia University, Saint Paul's football and women's soccer teams until 2008...
(2005-2006), and Macalester Stadium
Macalester College
Macalester College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was founded in 1874 as a Presbyterian-affiliated but nonsectarian college. Its first class entered September 15, 1885. The college is located on a campus in a historic residential neighborhood...
(2007-2010) - before moving its home games to Augsburg Stadium
Augsburg College
Augsburg College is a selective liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Augsburg was named for the Augsburg Confession, the document of Lutheran belief. The school was founded in 1869 in Marshall, Wisconsin as Augsburg Seminary and moved...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2011.