NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota Stars FC Combine Kicks off Preseason

Published on February 22, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Preseason has begun for Minnesota Stars FC as the club begins the defense of its 2011 North American Soccer League championship. The team began its invitational combine Tuesday as 52 prospective professionals from around the country and world converged on the National Sports Center in Blaine for a three-day showcase in front of the Stars coaching staff.

Combine participants are competing for spots in Stars FC's preseason training camp, which opens Monday, March 5 when the team's current players report to Minnesota to begin formal training sessions. In its two-year history, Stars FC has signed five players as a result of their performances at the team's various combines.

"I feel like the combine is the precursor to our preseason, and it gives us a lot of energy about what we're about to do, which is to identify players to try to compete this year," said Stars FC head coach Manny Lagos. "The cool thing about this year is we're defending a championship, and it's going to be difficult and challenging. We have to get better, and one of the good ways we've found over the years to get better is to hold a good combine and give guys a chance to get in front of us."

The club also announced its preseason exhibition schedule, which will primarily take it on the road as it looks to gain match fitness ahead of its April 7 opener against the Carolina RailHawks at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. The Stars preseason schedule is as follows:

March 5: Signed and returning players required to report

March 6: Training begins

March 9: Stars FC at Chicago Fire in Bridgeview, Ill.

March 16: Stars FC at Hastings College in Hastings, Neb.

March 18: Stars FC at Creighton University and Stars FC at University of Nebraska at Omaha in Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

March 23: Intrasquad scrimmage, site to be announced

April 2: Stars FC vs. FC Edmonton, site to be announced

All exhibition games are free and open to the public. The team will also hold twice daily training sessions at the National Sports Center beginning March 6. A complete training schedule will be posted on the club's website, mnstarsfc.com with up-to-date times and media availability during training camp.

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Soccer League Stories from February 22, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central