Teams pack NSC Stadium for traditional Tuesday night opening ceremony

By Tim Hennagir on July 18, 2012 at 10:03 am

More than 10,000 youth soccer players and fans packed the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine Tuesday night for opening ceremonies at the 28th annual Schwan’s USA CUP.

Blaine Bomb Squad Girls’ U11 team members held their banners high when entering NSC Stadium. Photo by Bill Jones

The colorful team parade prior to the lighting of the cauldron is the only time where all tournament players are in same place.

The parade of teams was led by Midwest United, a team from Joplin, Mo., that has used soccer as a community healing tool. An F5 tornado destroyed much of that city and killed 158 people May 22, 2011.

Top 40 recording artists Chris Rene and Outasight performed during the first Rock the CUP concert.

Paul Erickson, executive director of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, presented the 2012 Founders Award to New Brighton residents Tom and Bev Menk, who have volunteered at the tournament since its first year in 1985.

This year’s USA CUP features 958 teams and an estimated 14,000 players representing 22 states and 16 countries. Tournament championship games were scheduled to wrap up Saturday afternoon.

: Team members from the Blaine Blasters unwrap their Schwan’s ice cream treats while marching. Photos by Bill Jones

: Blaine Bomb Squad Girls’ U11 team members held their banners high when entering NSC Stadium. Photo by Bill Jones

: Schwan’s USA CUP opening ceremonies Tuesday night inside NSC Stadium featured the traditional Olympic-style ceremony showcasing all soccer teams in this year’s tournament. The colorful team parade prior to the lighting of the cauldron is the only time in the tournament where all players are in same place at once. This year’s opening ceremonies were followed by the first Rock the CUP concert featuring Top 40 recording artists Chris Rene and Outasight. The 2012 USA CUP features 958 teams and an estimated 14,000 players representing 22 states and 16 countries. Tournament championship games were scheduled to wrap up Saturday afternoon.

: The team from the Canadian province of Alberta entered NSC Stadium wearing cowboy hats. Calgary’s best-known event is the Calgary Stampede, which has occurred each July since 1912.

: Columbia team members celebrate as they make their colorful entry into NSC Stadium.

: The homemade sign says it all for these Coon Rapids boys’ team members as they make their entrance.

: Players from the Girls’ U12 Coon Rapids Voltage share a laugh as the team enters NSC Stadium.

: The banner holders representing Costa Rica enter NSC Stadium.

: Parents and other soccer team well-wishers cheer from the stands during Tuesday night’s USA Cup opening ceremonies.

: The 2012 USA CUP featured 958 teams and an estimated 14,000 players representing 22 states and 16 countries. Country flags were flown around NSC Stadium during opening ceremonies Tuesda night.

: The parade of teams was led by Midwest United, a team from Joplin, Mo., that has used soccer as a community healing tool. An F5 tornado destroyed much of that city and killed 158 people May 22, 2011.

: Norway team members make their entry onto the field after passing through the Puma inflatable tunnel.

: Peanuts characters Linus, Lucy, Charlie Brown and Snoopy enter NSC Stadium prior to the entry of USA CUP teams.

: The U.S. flag was carried into NSC Stadium Tuesday night by flag was presented by the Minnesota Stars Football Club, The team also carried its North American Soccer League championship trophy in the parade of players.