Minnesota Rush

EIN: 41-1372129 · Tax status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Overview

One of the largest youth soccer clubs in Minnesota. Tax-exempt since 1980 (one of the oldest clubs in the state). Legally based in Rochester, MN but competitive teams train at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Offers recreational (Pre-K through 9th grade) and competitive programs. (MEDIUM)

Not affiliated with Pioneer Sports Group’s Rush Soccer network — Minnesota Rush appears to be an independent club that predates the Rush Soccer franchise system. (LOW — needs confirmation)

Financials

Fiscal YearRevenueExpensesNet Assets
2024$1,826,467$1,520,784$939,801
2023$1,531,557$1,497,652$634,118
2022$1,439,287$1,355,353$666,880
2021$922,297$820,145$582,945
2020$621,818$620,732$499,627
2019$659,922$626,351$498,541

Source: ProPublica / IRS Form 990 (HIGH)

Explosive growth: Revenue nearly tripled from $622K (FY2020) to $1.83M (FY2024). This is the fastest revenue growth rate among MN clubs in absolute terms.

Revenue mix: Program services 94.0%, contributions 5.8%.

Net margin: 16.7% (FY2024) — healthy. Net assets: $940K — solid balance sheet.

Executive compensation: $0 (FY2024) — all-volunteer leadership? Other salaries total $435K.

Total assets: $4.25M with $3.31M in liabilities — suggests possible facility investment or debt-financed growth.

League Affiliations

  • Minnesota NPL (via TCSL)
  • ECNL-RL Twin Cities (via TCSL, 2025-26)
  • TCSL member
  • MYSA member

Facilities

Competitive teams train at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN. (HIGH — confirmed via club website)

The $4.25M in total assets and $3.31M in liabilities may suggest facility ownership or a major capital investment. (LOW — needs 990 detail review)

Leadership

  • Kevin Lowery — Executive Director
  • Neil Cassidy — Technical/Program Director
  • Angelo Tartaglia — Assistant Technical Director
  • Kelly Nowicki — Board President
  • Rob Kraichely — Vice President
  • Chris Price — Treasurer
  • Additional Board Members: Chris Carter, Kevin Broadbent, Kelly Jacob, Nicolle Cross

Source: Minnesota Rush website (May 2026) (MEDIUM — leadership confirmed via public contact page)

Industry Context

Minnesota Rush occupies an unusual structural position in the Minnesota soccer market: it is one of the state’s oldest clubs (tax-exempt since 1980), legally incorporated in Rochester, and yet operates its competitive teams out of the National Sports Center in Blaine — a world-class facility 90 miles north of the club’s legal home. This duality reflects the club’s history as a Rochester-origin organization that expanded to serve the broader Twin Cities competitive market, where the NSC’s superior infrastructure draws elite-pathway programs regardless of their organizational home base.

The club serves over 5,000 youth across recreational and competitive programming, making it one of the larger multi-level clubs in Minnesota by participant count. At $1.83M in FY2024 revenue, however, the financial profile is more modest than the headcount suggests — indicating a significant recreational base at lower fee levels rather than a heavy concentration in high-fee elite competitive programs.

The explosive revenue growth from $622K (FY2020) to $1.83M (FY2024) — nearly a three-fold increase in four years — reflects the post-pandemic surge in youth soccer enrollment that benefited clubs across the country, amplified by the NSC’s infrastructure advantage. Minnesota Rush does not hold ECNL, MLS Next, or Girls Academy licenses; its competitive teams play at the Minnesota NPL and ECNL-RL Twin Cities tiers via TCSL. This positions the club clearly as a pathway for players seeking competitive play below the highest national tiers, with college placement supported by NSC showcase events rather than national league standings.

The $4.25M in total assets against $3.31M in liabilities is the most notable financial anomaly in the club’s 990 profile. For an organization with $1.83M in annual revenue, this level of debt-financed assets strongly suggests either a facility purchase or a major capital investment — most likely a renovation or field acquisition funded with long-term debt. The $0 in executive compensation (FY2024) alongside $435K in other salaries indicates either an all-volunteer leadership team or a structure where the Executive Director is compensated below the 990 disclosure threshold.

The club’s alignment with Pioneer Sports Group’s Rush Soccer network (if confirmed) would be a material factor in any ownership transition scenario; however, the affiliation remains unverified. The “Minnesota Rush” name predates the Rush Soccer franchise system and may be an independent club that shares a name rather than a formal Pioneer affiliate.

Open Questions

  • Is Minnesota Rush affiliated with Pioneer Sports Group / Rush Soccer? The name predates Rush Soccer’s formation.
  • What explains the $4.25M in assets and $3.31M in liabilities? Facility purchase?
  • What are the player counts for rec and competitive programs?
  • Why is the club incorporated in Rochester but operationally centered in Blaine?