The 2016 Minnesota TwinStars will bring loads of experience with them into the four-team Midwest Central Conference of the NPSL. Their coach, Youssef Darbaki, was a pro himself and played for the Moroccan National Team. He’s been coaching in Minnesota for 25 years and has his ear to the ground on emerging soccer talent.
The team plays their games at Hopkins High School which is where the TwinStars Academy is also based. The academy started several years ago, has been one of most successful youth soccer clubs in Minnesota under Darbaki’s lead.
Darbaki coached the TwinStars from 2004-20013 when former Canadian International Alex Bunbury took over and managed the team for two seasons. No stranger to the organization, Darbaki is back in charge again this year.
In 2015, the TwinStars struggled in the 13-team Midwest Conference finishing dead last. This year the conference is reduced with less travel as three new teams have emerged all from Wisconsin and Northeast Chicago.
The Milwaukee Torrent is the first outdoor team in that city in over a decade.
After moving from Eau Claire to La Crosse and then taking a year off, LC Aris FC also joins the conference.
The Chicago Mustangs are certainly not a new team playing in the Major Arena Soccer League and accumulating titles, but it is the first time for the team playing outdoor soccer.
Leading the way on the field for the TwinStars will be captain and Darbaki’s son, Karim. Karim Darbaki attended Shattuck-St. Mary’s Academy in high school and then played Division I college soccer for the NIU Huskies. Most recently he has played in both Brazil and Sweden.
Darbaki also singles out left footed midfielder Ali Arafa, a player from Salem University who comes from Giza, Egypt.
Fans should also watch for Juan Montealegre who is originally from Bogota, Columbia. He currently attends Ashford University where he will be entering his senior year this fall.
With three new teams in the conference the TwinStars are likely to be favorites going into this weekend’s matchups.
On Saturday, the TwinStars will face the Milwaukee Torrent at Hopkins High School with a kickoff time of 3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, TwinStars will match up against LC Aris FC. That game will also be at Hopkins High School and will kickoff at 4:00 p.m.
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