MATT TIANO

CEO

Matt has been involved in the youth soccer landscape for over 20 years, which includes a playing career in his hometown of Northfield, Minn. as well as a referee career that has resulted in assignments for collegiate and professional leagues across the country.

Over the span of several years, Matt has developed relationships with many stakeholders in the Minnesota soccer community, which led to TCSL’s formation in 2017. Driven by fresh ideas and a constant drive to improve, Matt has an innate ability to execute the smallest of details while also pursuing our big-picture goal: creating exceptional soccer experiences for all.

Matt oversees all TCSL operations, which includes:

• Developing league programming for the benefit of member clubs.
• Setting short and long-range strategic plans.
• Managing relationship with US Club Soccer, TCSL’s sanctioning partner.
• Ensuring customer success for all member clubs, players, referees, and stakeholders.

KATIE KUBISTA

MANAGER OF COMPETITIONS

Katie has spent the last seven years coordinating some of Minnesota’s most popular events including the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Saint Paul Winter Carnival, and the Minnesota State Cup. She has extensive experience with competitive and recreational-based soccer activities, having coordinated marketing, programming and events to both groups. She also planned tournaments throughout the State and Midwest Region, in coordination with US Youth Soccer. Katie is driven by her passion for serving the youth soccer community and managing programs that bring services and training to a broader constituency.

Katie oversees all TCSL administrative functions, which includes:

• Overseeing TCSL programming (leagues and events).
• Managing and operating all TCSL events: Minnesota Cup, League Cup, Summer/Autumn Festival, etc.
• Directing the TCSL Internship Program.
• TCSL “Chief Scheduler” for all leagues and events.
• Operating all TCSL marketing activities, including website, social media, etc.

DAWN ELLERD

CLUB DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Dawn joined the TCSL team in August of 2021 after spending several years with the St. Paul Blackhawks as Club Administrator and prior to that, as a board member. She brings over a decade of experience as a club volunteer uniform coordinator, team manager and soccer parent before her expanded duties at Blackhawks.

With a BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and early career in pediatric physical therapy, Dawn stepped out of the professional world to raise her 3 children along with her husband Jeff in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood in Saint Paul. Those years also brought the opportunity to explore other interests – certification as a yoga instructor, founding a charter school PTO and establishing an annual community fundraiser.

Dawn’s duties at TCSL include:

• Acting as the go-to resource for club administrators, including player, staff and team registration assistance.
• Support team managers with questions related to rosters, event registrations, etc.
• Provide support for TCSL leagues and events, including scheduling, developing procedures/documentation, etc.
• Administer Coach Education courses and Player Development Program (PDP) events.
• Act as Special Projects Coordinator for assigned projects.