7:45AM on Saturday morning, December 6, saw nearly 45 of our MTA U12 boys and their families brave the snowfall to gather at Augsburg College in Minneapolis for the first ever Minnesota Thunder ProAm Development Series.

Newly named Thunder Head Coach Don Gramenz was on hand to welcome the boys and introduce his four players helping out for the morning.  Boys Elite Director Rob Zahl and Executive Board Member Kent Johnson also were in attendance to help organize and scout future talent in our program.

The boys were divided into 4 teams with each team being led by a Minnesota Thunder professional player.  The Thunder players were on the field playing along side the MTA boys in 3 8v8 games, giving on the spot advice and instruction in actual competitive game situations.

"The ideas behind this Development Series are simple really," explains Mark Abboud, MTA Technical Director, "We want our young players to build relationships and feel connected with their club's professional players, and benefit from this connection.  We also want to help these young boys develop by allowing them to witness firsthand and in real-time the skills and decision making of high level US professional players."

South Blue standout Jackson Yueill (blue vest) looks to play the ball forward as he's being chased down by North Blue's Isaac Friendt (left) and South White's Zac Verduzco.

The MTA boys were also surrounded by their coaches who bring a wealth of knowledge to the entire age group - Mark Yueill (U12B South Blue), Laura Miler (U12B South Blue), Phil Walczak (U12B South White), Mike Friendt (U12B North Blue), and Ralph Akale (MTA Technical Trainer).

The professional players in charge of the 4 teams were (pictured below from left to right) Thunder midfielder Danny O'Brien, Thunder midfielder Dale Weiler, Thunder defender Andres Arango, and Thunder defender Brian Kallman.  

Players played 3 x 20 minute 8v8 games and points and standings were kept.  When the rubber pellets settled, Team Weiler and Team O'Brien were declared co-Champions, each with 7 points and a 2-0-1 record.  Guess we'll have to start tracking goal differential next time.

U12 technical phenom Mukwelle Akale was voted overall MVP by the four Thunder players.  Look out guys... I think someone is coming for your jobs.  

Mukwelle Akale poses with his pro teammate Dale Weiler after being voted MVP

Look for the recap of our second U12 boys ProAm Development Series next month along with plans to start a similar ProAM series for the MTA U12 Girls with the Minnesota Lighting players.