Gothia Cup: The World Youth Cup
Each year, MTA teams travel to Gothenburg, Sweden to compete in Gothia Cup, the world’s largest and most international youth soccer tournament. How large? In 2019 1,686 teams, from 76 nations played 4,324 matches! Gothia Cup was started in 1975 and has only been canceled once – in 2020 – due to Covid-19.
MTA has had great success competing at the international level with a Group stage record of 14-0-1 and a Playoff record of 6-2-2 with two games being lost in shutouts. MTA’s 04G NPL team will compete in Gothia Cup in 2021, coached by Tobbe Thorsell.
2021 Trip dates: July 16-25
The teams fly from the MSP airport to Sweden, and usually have a stopover in Iceland on the way there or back in order to visit the Blue Lagoon.
Once in Sweden, teams are allowed time to train, relax and, weather permitting, enjoy some beach time. . and of course, compete in the tournament. The opening ceremony of the tournament is a 2-hour long show with music, dancing, fireworks, and a presentation of all participating nations in Ullevi Stadium.
Gothia Puma Trophy
In 2019, MTA was been invited to participate in the Gothia Puma Trophy invitational tournament. The Puma Trophy is held during Gothia Cup, at Valhalla IP and Heden, often in front of an audience of 7000 persons. The Gothia Cup invites the eight best Swedish teams and eight very strong international teams to participate in this tournament.
MTA’s 01/02 Girls ECNL team was the tournament champion in 2019, playing in front of a crowd of nearly 10,000!
As a result of MTA’s previous success, we have been invited back to Gothia Cup Puma Trophy for 2021. Our 04 Girls ECNL team, coached by David Alberti and assisted by Tobbe Thorsell, will be defending our title in the Gothia Cup Puma Trophy.
Event Contacts
2019 Gothia Cup
Why Choose MTA
Year-round training with the top talent in Minnesota.
Highly-qualified coaches with US Soccer, UEFA & USC accreditation.
Perfect for serious players who seek a high level of competition.
Gain visibility to collegiate scouts and national team coaches.
What Parents Say
MTA provides elite coaching and technical training other clubs cannot match. They also understand how to prepare the kids for the next level.
The kids that gravitate to MTA push each other to be better soccer players while being good people.
The coaching is consistent. It doesn’t matter who the coach is or what level—Each and every coach is teaching the players how to possess the ball and increasing their soccer IQ. We are always please with the methods.
The training, teaching of ball control and footwork, and knowledge of game strategy is hands above community clubs.
Training is great! If you want to play college soccer MTA is heads above everyone else.
As the years go by, our son is growing so much as a player and we are excited for his future with the club
Great coaching staff!
Challenging every player, at every level, thereby giving an equal opportunity to develop to anyone who wants it.
The coaching and training is excellent as well as the facilities for winter training.
MTA provides a safe and effective training environment. They provide top level coaching for the elite teams and challenge the players to develop their skills.
MTA provides opportunities for soccer players who are very dedicated to the sport through great coaching and playing opportunities.
My son’s coach truly cares about him and every player on his team.
Camps & Clinics
Minnesota Thunder Academy offers various camps & clinics throughout the calendar year. Participation in MTA camps and clinics provides an alternative to private lessons and private training.
MTA’s Juniors Camp is designed to introduce players to the core training & tactical activities that coaches implement with the MTA Elite Academy. The experience emphasizes the values and philosophy of the MTA program.
MTA Camp is designed to introduce players to the core training and tactical activities that coaches implement with MTA’s ECNL programs and the MTA Elite Academy. The experience emphasizes the values and philosophy of the MTA program so the players have an understanding of what evaluation criteria are used during the tryout process.
MTA’s Girls College Soccer ID Camp, open to all, is hosted by MTA and is designed to introduce players to some of the top coaches in the midwest while competing with other top girls from Minnesota.
MTA School Holiday Camps are held on days when school is not in session. Martin Luther King Jr Day in January, Presidents Day in February, Thanksgiving weekend, Winter break, etc are all times when camps may be held. Holiday Camp dates will change annually.
