BY DAN STICKRADT
Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |
Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – Another partnership is coming to a soccer field near you.
The Michigan Soccer Network will begin a partnership with the Plymouth-based Michigan State Youth Soccer Association – the state’s governing body for various levels of club and youth soccer – to be the official broadcast partner for its MSYSA State Cup tournaments beginning later this year.
This is the latest partnership for the Premier Media Group and its flagship company Michigan Soccer Network will provide to the Michigan soccer community under its growing umbrella that aims to be a centralized hub for Michigan soccer-related news information, live-game broadcasts, in-studio shows, on-location shows, recruiting and much more.
The MSN news department will also compile newsworthy feature stories, enterprise pieces and game-day and tournament stories and recaps about players, teams, coaches, officials and administrators of those involved with the MSYSA and its active club members organizations entering its various MSYSA State Cup tournaments. The MSN news department will also shine the spotlight on Michigan teams winning Midwest titles or Michigan clubs that participate in the national level tournaments.
Beginning in the spring of 2024, the Michigan Soccer Network will begin to conduct pre-tournament shows and previews, 28 game-day broadcasts, and postgame shows with player and coaches interviews as well as game and tournament recaps for its State Cup tournaments.
“We look forward to working with MSN to enhance our events experiences throughout Michigan,” said Tom Faro, MSYSA Executive Director. “Our collaborative efforts will increase the visibility and excitement that surrounds our great sport.”
The MSYSA Boys State Cup takes place each spring in late May and early June with its state quarterfinals, state semifinals and state championships, while the MSYSA Girls State Cup takes place each fall during October.
Partnering with MSN will help bring several levels of club soccer and the MSYSA overall to unprecedented coverage in the future.
“MSYSA has been impressed with the soccer coverage that MSN has provided across the state and we are excited to partner with them to help shine a spotlight on the exciting moments our youth athletes create,” said MSYSA Director of Operations/Events Ryan Theisen.
ABOUT THE MSYSA AND ITS TOURNAMENTS
The MSYSA State Cup finals are generally played each year at two locations in Michigan – the Brighton Legacy Center (9299 Goble Drive, Brighton, Michigan, 48116) and the Saginaw Township Soccer Complex (3575 McCarty Rd, Saginaw, Michigan, 48603). The MSYSA State Cup is the first level of competition for two U.S. Youth Soccer state tournaments in Michigan.
The top division of the Michigan State Cup, the Elite Division, is intended for teams that participate in any multi-state regional or national club leagues (Elite-64, NLC, and others) and some MSPSP Premier I teams. Other club teams may be considered to fill open spots in brackets. There are seven age groups included with the U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18 and U19 brackets scheduled for each year. The U13 through U19 teams in the Elite Division will be competing to earn spots at the U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships and potentially U.S.Y.S. National Championships.
The second division of State Cup, the Premier Division, is intended for teams that participate in leagues primarily contained to Michigan such as the Michigan State Premier Soccer Program (which does include some MSPSP Premier I level teams) and local select leagues. Other teams may be considered in order to fill some remaining open spots in brackets. There are six age group brackets in the Premier Division including the U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18 teams which will be competing to earn spots at the U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest President’s Cup and potentially U.S.Y.S. National President’s Cup.
Ultimately, division placement is always at the discretion of the MSYSA State Cup Committee. Each team will play 3-4 self-scheduled preliminary qualifying games and teams who win in the one-game elimination set-up will advance to the state quarterfinals, semifinals and then eventually the state finals.The U14 through U19-Girls soccer teams participate in the Fall State Cup, while the U13-Girls teams participate in the Spring State Cup. The U13-Boys through U19-Boys teams participate in the Spring State Cup.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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