Minneapolis City is now less than a month away from its first-ever competitive match. The club has inspired a supporters group and sold nearly 90 memberships, but it remains to be seen how successful the Crows will be on the field. To that end, Northern Pitch spoke to two players with NPSL experience now vying for starting spots with City to get their thoughts on the Crows’ chances.
Goalkeeper Matt Elder and centerback Nate Engel were teammates at the University of Wisconsin–Superior. The pair also played together with the Minnesota TwinStars in the National Premier Soccer League. Now, as Minneapolis City players, the two find themselves teammates once again.
We met up with the duo at the Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis to ask a few questions. The transcription that follows has been lightly edited for clarity.
You have both played in the NPSL in the past. What is your opinion of the level of talent present at Minneapolis City’s tryouts and in training?
Matt Elder: It’s been good. They brought a lot of local talent in. I would say pretty equivalent to the NPSL and what we had seen in our last two summers playing there. We’ve seen some of the same guys from the NSPL. It’s a high level.
Nate Engel: Yeah, absolutely. Also, the organization is good. The past few years [in the NPSL], every guy showed up when they had time. I feel that [City] is a lot more organized than what I’ve seen previously.
Can you elaborate on that difference in organization?
NE: The coaching structure for the TwinStars, we had two direct coaches. Now, we have four or five coaches that work with the team. And goalies—Elder, maybe you can speak to that?
ME: The coaching is awesome. You have guys who are seriously focused on player development: a head coach, an assistant coach, a goal keeper coach, a technical director… It’s cool to see they’re focused on all aspects of the game.
You mentioned seeing some familiar faces at tryouts. Was there anyone you played with in the past at tryouts?
ME: Nate and I played together through college. Brian Chapman is another guy I played with in college, and with the Twin Stars the past two years. You see a lot of local guys, a lot of MIAC guys. We played a lot of nonconference games against the MIAC—Hamline, Augsburg, St. Thomas, Macalester, St. Olaf, Carleton—a lot of those guys we played against in college were at tryouts. It’s good to see Minnesota talent.
NE: Going off what Elder said, there were a lot of familiar faces we’ve seen over the last couple years. It’s good to see everyone from Minnesota coming together as a group, trying to play together after college. I’m excited to be a part of this organization and play with guys I’ve played against over the past four to five years.
With the TwinStars, you both played against the Madison 56ers and Minnesota United Reserves. Both are on Minneapolis City’s Premier League of America schedule this summer. From what you’ve seen so far, are you optimistic about City’s chances this season?
ME: City has recruited a lot of great talent. When we step on the field, it doesn’t matter if it’s the 56ers, Reserves or anybody else in this league. I know we’ll be able to match up.
NE: I’m one-hundred percent confident that with the guys we have now and the guys that are coming in from college, we’re going to put together a solid starting eleven that will compete. I know it’s going to be a better team than I’ve played with the past couple summers.
Presently, City has nine collegiate commitments and a tenth just leaving college. Having been out of school for a couple years, and having played in the NPSL, do you think the two of you can lend a bit of maturity to the team?
ME: You see these guys that are a few years younger and super athletic, that just a have a little bit to learn. They have one thing to fine tune before they’re really a top-level player. It’s great to be able to show some leadership and mentorship, and help those guys along their way. I had great people above me that helped me understand the game and reach a higher level than where I was at that age. It’s good to give back at this point.
NE: Coming out of college and being a captain there, with younger guys coming in, it’s good to make sure they have the right mindset. It’s a big part of getting past college and into this type of league. Matt and I can make a huge contribution making sure they’re calm and ready for anything.
As a goal keeper and a centerback, you both understand how important forming partnerships can be. Have you had a chance to train with any of the collegiate commitments on the team?
ME: I have had the opportunity to train with [goal keeper] Ducan [Werling]. Great guy. He comes in, works hard and is willing to listen to see what pieces of advice he can pick up. That’s all you can ask for at that age. He’s got a bright future ahead of him. It’s been great to work with him.
Troy Benhart, Abdalah Bah—have you had a chance to work with anyone who might be in City’s back line yet?
NE: We had a little stint over spring break, a couple guys got back to train with the team. There are a couple guys in the back line I’m excited to train and play with, to try and be a vocal leader. Anything I can contribute as a mentor.
Turing focus away from the field, everything is brand new with City, but there is already a culture developing. How does City’s support, or its larger tie in with Stegman’s Old Boys compare to the environment in the NPSL?
ME: Stegman’s, in the [Minnesota Amateur Soccer League], they already have their own culture. Adding City is the perfect next step for them. They’re doing all the right things in terms of marketing, selling season tickets—I know they’ve doubled their goal already. It’s cool to see a following. The Citizens have already boughten in and we haven’t even played a game yet. [City] is doing all the right things on the front end to get us noticed. For promotion, it’s better than anything I’ve seen before.
NE: As Matt said, for not having played a game, having a fan base already backing us is huge. I think our fan base is going to grow continuously after the first couple games. I’m hoping this thing blows up as a whole, within this year and over the years to come. I’m already excited to perform in front of our fans.
Thank you both for your time, and best of luck this season.
Minneapolis City will play its first-ever competitive match away to Milwaukee Bavarians on Saturday, May 21st. Its first-ever home match will take place one week later, against Milwaukee’s Croatian Eagles on Saturday, May 28th.
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