Wayzata-Plymouth Soccer Association Training Future Greats Of Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Part of developing good high school teams is found in the seeds of the program, starting at the youth level.
In Wayzata-Plymouth, Fusion Soccer is the biggest association in the state. For players that want to climb the ladder, it's the off-season that becomes an in-season program.
"Fusion Soccer is the product of the merger of the Plymouth Soccer Association and Wayzata Soccer Club. The two clubs were separate for the past ten years, and came together about two years ago," director of coaching Lawrence Tsoi said. "We currently have 95 competitive teams starting at 9 years old all the way to 18."
They come to specialize, of course, but they also come to grow as athletes and friends.
"Having fun with all my soccer friends in tournaments, and getting to know them," participant Summer Liev Seamans said.
In a highly competive world, the skill sets are developed with a year-round commitment, no doubt.
"You get to have fun with your friends, go on fun tournaments and get skills," Fusion Soccer participant Ruby Alessandra Fragola said.
Part of the appeal of the new training ground is the evolution of the Minnesota United team to the MLS. Many will feel its impact, but how much remains to be seen.
"When I played, a lot of the parents and coaches that were coaching us and leading us never played the game themselves," Tsoi said. "Now you're starting to get players that played at very high levels giving back to the program and coaching. Certainly having a professional team come to Minnesota is a great thing for our state.
In the meantime, the kids will continue training, and having a lot of fun, because it seems you can't really develop unless you enjoy the process.
"We all love winning, and winning is certainly part of competitive sports, but it's really about putting your child in an opportunity to be part of a team," Tsoi said.