Dark Clouds & Como Park Soccer

MNUFC Dark Clouds supporters gathered December 6 to celebrate the end of the season and raise funds for the community with their annual Dark Clouds Auction, for which The DGS Foundation is the 501c(3) non-profit partner. For the third year, the Como Park High School Boys and Girls Soccer booster club was a beneficiary of the auction.  

In 2021, the Dark Clouds Auction allowed the Como Park soccer teams to purchase a Veo Camera, 23 ft tripod, and annual subscription to access the camera recordings. A Veo Camera utilizes dual cameras so it can track the ball using state of the art technology. The annual subscription provides both programs with match video to review matches, develop tactics, and creates highlights for post season celebration videos or clips for player recruiting video to share with college coaches.

In 2023, the Dark Clouds contributed $1000 to the Como Park soccer teams’ booster club marking the first year in a $5000 five-year commitment from the Dark Clouds and The DGS Foundation. “The continued financial support from the Dark Clouds and DGS helps pay the annual subscription, which otherwise would be a financial burden for both programs,” said Jonah Fields, Como Park High School teacher and coach. “We are extremely grateful for the generous and thoughtful support.”

“Seeing the impact a five-year commitment to Como Park can make is why we do our volunteer work to engage fans in our neighborhood,” said Meagan Weber, Dark Clouds President and outgoing DGS Foundation board member. 

Each summer, Como Park girls and boys high school players lead soccer activities and games for youth ages 4-11 years old as volunteer coaches in the St. Paul Parks and Rec Soccer Stars Program at Como Park High School. “We recognize our place in the amazing Minnesota soccer community. High school players sharing their passion for soccer with young children learning the game is an ideal way for our players to give back to the soccer community,” said Fields. “We invite MNUFC fans to join us in service. Welcoming your community to join ours as we share the beautiful game with families in our community is a great honor!” 

“The DGS Foundation looks forward to helping fans engage with Como Park soccer in 2024,” said Katrina Heinze, DGS Board President. “Building community and doing good together through soccer is why we exist.”

In addition to the Como Park High School girls and boys soccer teams booster club, the Dark Clouds End-of-Year auction raised $2500 for The Bridge for Youth.