NSC Minnesota NSC Minnesota Stars pro soccer team news update for February 25, 2010:
1. Team signs four more players
2. Youth camp program opens
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release, February 25, 2010
For more information:
Barclay Kruse, Chief Communications Officer
National Sports Center
763.785.5634 (office)
763.458.6615 (cell)
bkruse@mnsports.org
BLAINE, Minn. (February 25, 2010) – NSC Minnesota Stars, the new professional soccer team that is owned by the National Sports Center, announced four new player signings:
Neil Hlavaty, a midfielder from Lombard, Ill.
Hlavaty played his college soccer at Boston University from 2005-2007, where he was the America East Midfielder of the Year in his junior year. In 2007 he signed with the Cleveland City Stars of the USL Second Division, where he helped the team win the league title. In 2009 Hlavaty played for Osters IF in Sweden, where he started 10 of 12 matches in the first half of the season at center midfield. He was released due to the financial condition of the club, and then signed with Jagiellonia Bialystok in Poland last October for a brief three-game stint.
“I’m just excited to start building relationships with the guys on the team,” said Hlavaty. “I’m excited to be in a new city, Minneapolis. I’ve been all over the world and I’m excited to be back home in the US so I can show my stuff here again.”
Brian Kallman, a defender from Woodbury, Minn.
Kallman played at Woodbury High School before playing three years of college soccer at Jacksonville University in Florida He transferred to Creighton University for his senior season, and then turned pro with the Minnesota Thunder in 2006. In four years with the Thunder, he played in over 50 games, including 12 last season.
“The fans normally know me as the hard-nosed defender,” said Kallman. “I’ll still be that, but I’m going to settle down. I’ve been working a lot on my passing and fitness in the off season. I plan on coming to every game and competing for the full 90 (minutes).”
Andres Arango, a defender who was born in Columbia, moved to Canada as a child, and is a Canadian citizen.
Arango played with the Minnesota Thunder for two seasons, 2008-2009, where he appeared in 37 games over two seasons. He played his college soccer at Humber College in Toronto. Prior to his career in Minnesota, Arango played for both the Montreal Impact and Toronto Lynx of the USL First Division. He was twice named Defensive Player of the Year for Toronto, in 2005 and 2006.
Arango was one of a core group of former Thunder players, along with fellow new Stars signee Brian Kallman, who have been practicing in the indoor Sports Hall at the National Sports Center throughout the winter.
Chris Clements, a defender from Allen, Texas.
Clements returns to Minnesota after playing last season with the Minnesota Thunder, where he appeared in 22 games. He played his college soccer for the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes. After graduating in 2008, he was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the fourth round of the 2009 MLS Super Draft, but did not sign with the Crew. He then signed with the Thunder.
Coerver Coaching Minnesota to operate Stars Pro Soccer Camps youth camp program
Camp registration is now open for 2010 summer season
The team announced that it has partnered with Coerver Coaching Minnesota to operate its youth development camps, called the Stars Pro Soccer Camps. The camps will be taught by certified coaches and pro players from NSC Minnesota Stars at locations all over the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. All camps will follow a Monday to Friday, day camp format.
Here is a summary of the camps to choose from:
- » Mighty Mites (age 5-7)
- » Pro Camp (age 8-18)
- » Keeper Konnection Goalie Camp (age 12-18)
- » Boys and Girls Elite Camp (age 14-18)
- » Tryout Prep Camp (age 8-18)
- » Rec Camp (age 5-14)
The first camps start on June 14, with the final sessions beginning on August 13. Registration is now open. For more information, call 763.792.7350 or go to www.nscminnesota.org.
The Stars Pro Soccer Camp coaching leadership group will include Manny Lagos, NSC Minnesota head coach; Simon Whitehead, Director of Coerver Coaching Minnesota; L.B. Kostadinov, Summer Camp Coordinator for Coerver Coaching Minnesota; and Philip Walczak, a veteran of six years of coaching in the Coerver Coaching program.