AV’s Other Dynasty: 2009-10 Men’s Soccer
The Eagles celebrate after winning the 2009 soccer state title.
During a cold day outside on November 4th, 2010, people from across the state packed into the Metrodome in Minneapolis to watch the men’s soccer state championship game between Minneapolis Southwest and Apple Valley. Going into the game, the Lakers were heavily favored to steal a win from the undefeated Eagles. 80 minutes later, Apple Valley had shutout the Lakers 3-0, winning their second straight state title, their 47th game in a row, and Apple Valley’s ninth men’s soccer state title.
Coach Chuck Scanlon holds up the state championship trophy in 2009.
The Eagles finished the 2010 season 23-0, one year after they set the school record for best overall record, 24-0.
The program was not just the best in the state at the time, they were one of the best in the entire country, ranked fifth in the nation.
“We had a lot of good guys who loved to play soccer and we basically brought the best out of them,” said 40-year coach Chuck Scanlon. “They loved soccer, they were hungry, they were excited, and those were some of the best days we ever had because we never really needed to get those kids motivated. They came out, played with pride, and really wanted to get that unbeaten streak.”
The Eagles benefitted from having some of the best players in the state, such as Cory Winkler, Dan Schumacher, Stephen Johnson, Bijan Jabari, David Rosenthal, and Tim Van Beck in 2009, and Simon Goettl, Hudson Fasching, and Tom Obarski in 2o10.
Many of these players received All-State honors, All-Midwest honors, and All-Tournament honors. Rosenthal and Jabari were by far the most decorated players. Rosenthal won Star Tribune and Pioneer Press Player of the Year in 2009, and Jabari was named Mr. Soccer the same year.
Cory Winkler, Alex Schams, and David Rosenthal joking around after winning sections in 2009.
Van Beck and Rosenthal also broke multiple school records. Van Beck set the school record for career shutouts (37) and save percentage (94%), and Rosenthal set the record for goals in a season (33).
Even with all the talent that the team had, teamwork was always the name of the game for the Eagles.
“We all had a great sense of team and trust,” said Rosenthal. “Nobody was bigger than the team, and we knew that when we stepped on that field, we all had each other’s backs no matter what happened. I think that’s pretty powerful.”
Behind this team, and any other great team, is a great coach, and Coach Scanlon epitomizes what it means to be that type of coach.
Coach Scanlon has been the coach of the Apple Valley soccer program for as long as there’s been a soccer program. Before winning back to back titles in 2009-10, Scanlon had already won seven titles in the 80s, 90s, and in 2006, along with two girls hockey titles in the 90s (including the first girls hockey title in the nation). During the Eagles’ championship run in 2009-10, Scanlon also received four national coaching awards, including the ESPN Rise National Soccer Coach of the Year Award; he was also inducted into the MSHSL Hall of Fame.
“The biggest factor to Scanlon’s success is that he knows how to get each player to perform to their highest potential,” said Goettl. “He makes you realize the importance of brotherhood that is AV Soccer and inspires players to leave everything out on the field. It’s not about how you can shine as an individual, but how you can raise up your teammates.”
Coach Chuck Scanlon talking to reporters after a home game win.
A big piece of Scanlon’s coaching philosophy is not just teaching soccer, but also teaching life skills, such as teamwork and responsibility, to prepare the players for the next big steps in their lives. For Scanlon, being successful in the workplace is just as important as being successful on the pitch, and the players of the 2009-10 teams have certainly lived up to his expectations.
Winkler is now a trainer at a local soccer training program. Johnson went on to play at St. Olaf, where he helped St. Olaf make its first NCAA tournament appearance, and is now part of the coaching staff there. Goettl now works at Todd Snyder Menswear in New York. Van Beck now is a soccer coach here at Apple Valley. Rosenthal played at St. Olaf with Johnson and was a key contributor to St. Olaf’s run to the NCAA tournament. He was named an All-American, MIAC Player of the Year, and won a gold medal for soccer with Team USA at the Maccabi Games in Israel. Fasching played on multiple U20 hockey teams for Team USA and played at the University of Minnesota. He was drafted into the NHL by the Los Angeles Kings, and was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, the team he currently plays for. Obarski went on to be an All-American football kicker for Concordia and was drafted into the NFL by the Cincinnati Bengals. He now plays with the New York Giants.
The 2009 soccer state champions posing for a picture
The Apple Valley soccer program has had a tradition of excellence ever since their early days in the 70s. Starting next year, it will be the first year that the program has not been coached by Scanlon. He has recently announced his retirement from teaching and coaching soccer.
Scanlon has made Apple Valley one of the most premier soccer programs in the state. His championships of the past have left a legacy unmatched by any other program in the state, and have time and time again inspired new generations of players to continue the program’s success. Scanlon’s son, Chris, looks to take over the head coaching job and continue the legacy of Apple Valley soccer.
