Stars host local combine
Although NSC Minnesota Stars players have been holding voluntary workouts since December, the team’s preseason took a more formal turn Friday with the first tryout of the season. The Stars drew 25 players to a local combine seeking talent from the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin areas, and while the target was primarily local talent, the combine also drew players from Illinois and Texas. Overall, the goal of Friday’s tryout was to identify local players to continue in the team’s preseason training, both in informal weekday workouts as well as a February invitational combine and preseason camp.
The Stars have hosted multi-day combines in each of the past two seasons, but those were open to players from around the country and the world. All told, the team has signed several players based on combine performances, including two of last season’s leading scorers, Simone Bracalello and Devin Del Do.
“We would love to have more born or raised Minnesotans in the team,” Stars assistant coach Kevin Friedland said. “With all of the young kids playing soccer in this state, the Stars represent the highest level they can see in person. As these kids grow up, we hope they want to play for the Stars.”
Friedland drew a parallel to the importance of local talent using a name other sports fans around the country could easily identify.
“If I can relate this to another local pro team, look at the impact Joe Mauer has for the Twins,” he said. “Not only because he is a great player in the league, but a Minnesotan. The fans love him for that and have followed his career since high school. It would be great to have more players in soccer go that route.”
The Stars coaching staff split Friday’s combine into two sessions. A morning of small-sided games gave coaches Manny Lagos, Carl Craig and Friedland opportunities to evaluate players’ technical skills, and the afternoon’s use of the full-field allowed them to better understand how players operate in the full-sized situations that ultimately matter most.
“A one day combine makes us coaches focus more movement, both on and off the ball,” Friedland said. “We have to put the players in situations where they can succeed, but also stressful situations where we can see their weaknesses.”
The Stars host another combine February 21-23. The three-day, invitational tryout will enable the team to evaluate talent from all over the country shortly before launching into preseason training camp. Stars coaches are still evaluating players and weighing invitations. Players interested in securing a spot in the invitational combine can read more by clicking here.
