Eclipse Select SC continues expansion with launch of Minnesota club

CHICAGO (Via Eclipse Select SC) – The Eclipse Select Soccer Club has announced another important milestone in the organization’s growth with the formation of Eclipse Select Minnesota, located in the greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul region.

The Illinois-based Eclipse Select has recently expanded to Indiana and Wisconsin, and will now reach another neighboring Midwest state.

Eclipse Select Minnesota will be run by Executive Director Andy Kaasa, who has spent the past decade with the Minnesota Thunder Academy. In discussions with Eclipse Select President Rory Dames and Vice President Mike Nesci, Kaasa has shown an eagerness to take the youth soccer scene in Minnesota to the next level with the formation of Eclipse Select Minnesota.

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“It has always been important for me to be with people who have the drive and passion to be the best in everything they do – people who aren’t complacent,” Kaasa said. “Watching what Mike and Rory have built from just a couple teams to their Eclipse brand and in the ECNL, and their evolution with the Chicago Red Stars, they have kept pushing what they’re doing. Keeping that family environment has also separated them. It’s a true club, and for me it was very crucial to align myself with them.”

“It is a privilege to be able to introduce the launch of Eclipse Select Minnesota,” Eclipse Select President Rory Dames said. “The process of creating this Minnesota-based club was carefully planned, and with Andy Kaasa’s experience at the forefront, we are confident that the Eclipse Select model of success will continue in that region. Andy’s values toward club environment, youth development and maintaining a family-oriented approach are completely in line with our ideals, and we look forward to seeing what I expect will be rapid growth and success in Minnesota over the coming years.”

Tryouts for Eclipse Select Minnesota will be held at the end of July, and a number of camps will be held over the summer, including a free clinic on July 10. Eclipse Minnesota will feature the following program divisions: Elite (U-13 to U-18) and Regional Elite (U-13 to U-18), Competitive (U-9 to U-18) Junior Elite (U-9 to U-12).