MSI Soccer

 

 

·           All players may register by credit card at www.msisoccer.org beginning in December for the Spring and May for the Fall season. 

·           Players who wish to register with check or cash, must register in person at the MSI office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday from 10-4.

·           Players who are applying for financial aid must register in person and bring a copy of their FARMS (Free and Reduced Meals) voucher.

·           Registration remains open until all teams are filled.

 

 

Returning players are guaranteed placement on their current team only if they register by June 23, 2010. After June 23rd, all returning and new players are placed on a first-come, first-served basis, as space allows. All returning players are notified prior to registration and provided a PIN number to assist with registration.

 

 

Returning players are given the opportunity to request a transfer during registration. Please be sure to specify a second choice in case there is no room on the team you are requesting. If no second choice is indicated, you will be placed on your current team, IF you register by June 23rd.

 

 

You will be given an opportunity to request a specific team during registration. Please be sure to specify a 2nd choice in case your 1st choice is not possible. We will try to accommodate your request if possible, but we cannot guarantee all requests. Roster limits are strictly enforced by MSI. Coaches and parents may not assign players to a team, and coaches may not promise open roster spots to specific players. Only Age Group Commissioners may place players on teams.

 

 

The Fall 2010 season begins on September 11th, and ends the weekend of November 6th, with rain dates scheduled the weekend of November 13 & 14th.

 

 

Once you have registered, you may check your placement status online by clicking on the Fall 2010 Recreational registration link and choosing the appropriate option to check player placement. If you have been placed, you will be able to access your coach’s name and telephone number. If you are not yet placed, this information will not be available. If you have requested a transfer, you will be placed on your current team until your transfer request is processed. Coaches will begin calling assigned players beginning in mid-March, when they receive their rosters.

 

 

In the Fall, all players will receive a new uniform which will be distributed to them by their coaches. In the spring, players who played in the  Fall 2010 season will use the same uniform they were given in the fall. In the spring, new players will receive new uniforms. New players, players who have been transferred by request and those who request replacements for lost uniforms will be charged $15 for a new uniform. Forced transfers (players who did not request a transfer but are transferred by MSI because their team folded) will receive new uniforms from their coaches at no cost.

 

 

Not necessarily. MSI competes with many other organizations for fields. Each season we request fields from the County and are issued permits for those fields that are available. Some fields that we use in the Fall are used for baseball in the Spring, and others may be under renovation. When we receive our permits, we will match fields by appropriate size and location to teams.

 

 

Yes, for the Fall 2010 season, all 1st grade games will be held at Hoover MS.

 

 

Games will be scheduled primarily on Saturdays. Teams in grades 3-6 MAY be scheduled for a Sunday game and teams in grades 7-HS will LIKELY be scheduled for a few Sunday games. Teams in the 7-HS age groups usually play Sunday games at  the Maryland Soccerplex, due to issues related to field availability, SAT testing schedules, or weather.

 

 

Weekly practice times (not to exceed 2 per week) and locations are arranged by the coach of your team. Families are expected to be flexible with their schedules once the team’s practice schedule is announced.

 

 12) Will my game field also be near my home?

 

Game field assignments are based on age of players, required field dimensions, and location of teams. MSI makes every effort to assign game fields in team neighborhoods. Teams are grouped in conferences based on location and strength, and considerable effort is made to create a balanced playing environment for each team, each season. We permit over 100 County fields each Saturday and sometimes it is necessary to travel to your game field.

 

 

Safety eyewear is not mandatory, but plastic lenses are strongly recommended. All jewelry (including pierced earrings) must be removed according to FIFA rules. Long hair may be tied back with soft “scrunchies” – hard clips and accessories are not allowed. MSI strongly encourages the use of soccer cleats, but metal cleats are banned. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn under socks at all games. Uniforms may not be altered other than the attachment of MSI Sportsmanship patches. Names of players or sponsors are not allowed on jerseys.

 

 

No. We turn away hundreds of players each season and do not allow players to participate on two MSI teams during the same season. In addition, players who are “carded” with the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA), US Club Soccer, or the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) may not play on a Recreational team. MSI Classic, Challenge, and Premier players, as well as players registered to select teams in other leagues, are considered "carded" players.

 

 

To apply for financial aid, players must register in person at the MSI office and attach their FARMS (Montgomery County Public Schools Free and Reduced Meals) voucher to their registration. 

 

 

MSI offers an appropriate level of play for over 14,000 children! Our Recreational Program is an open program focusing on fun play and skill development for children in 3rd-12th grades. Children are placed on neighborhood teams without tryouts. Players of all abilities are invited to play and enjoy the game, and the coaches are all volunteers.

 

Our Kindergarten Program places emphasis on fun-based games and skill development as our youngest players learn the great game of soccer. Teams are not formed at this age level.

 

Our Player Development Program offers entry-level players in first and second grades an introduction to the game with skill clinics and small-sided (4v4) games that focus on enjoyment of the game and technical development.

 

Our Classic Program is an in-house competitive program for children in the U10 through U19 age groups. Classic play offers a more competitive level of play and teams are formed through tryouts. Players in the U10-U12 age groups are required to successfully complete a skills evaluation conducted by MSI to qualify to participate in the Classic program.

 

Our Premier Program is the most competitive level of youth soccer. MSI sponsors teams in both the National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) and Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS). Teams compete among the best youth teams in the Washington Metropolitan area and often travel to out-of-town tournaments. The Premier Program demands a great commitment from both players and their parents.

 

Our Academy Program is designed to meet the needs of younger players (beginning in the U9 age group) who exhibit an exceptional capability and commitment to the game for their age. The path for these players is expected to lead into the Premier environment. The Academy Program is designed to deliver age group specific instruction from MSI employee coaches and tightly controlled cost for participating families. Participation fees are invoiced by and paid to MSI.

 

Our TopSoccer Program is designed for young athletes ages 6-21 with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on development, training, and participation, rather than on competition. This program provides a great opportunity for children with special needs to learn new skills, build physical fitness and self-esteem, and have fun playing soccer.

 

 

MSI requires that every player on every Recreational roster and present at a game must play at least one half of the game. Violations of this rule may lead to forfeiture of the game and/or additional sanctions against the coach. Parents with concerns regarding playing time are encouraged to speak with their coach and contact the MSI office if the problem persists.

 

 

All reports MUST be submitted in writing to the MSI office within 48 hours of the game. They may be faxed, mailed, or e-mailed. We cannot investigate your concerns unless they are received in writing within a reasonable time-frame. MSI will direct all appropriate concerns to our Policy, Rules and Discipline Committee (PRDC) which will investigate the report and take appropriate action. Games are routinely monitored by Board members when the behavior of a team or team official is in question. 

 

 

In the event of a league-wide cancellation due to inclement weather, MSI will make a decision to cancel all games before 8:00 am, when possible. Cancellation of games must be coordinated with the School and Park permitting agencies, as well as with the Maryland SoccerPlex, and decisions are not made hastily. If games are canceled league-wide, notification will be placed on the MSI website and WTOP 103.5 FM will be notified. Once games are canceled for the entire day, league wide, it is impossible to reverse the decision for games later in the day.

 

If weather deteriorates during the day, or specific fields are unplayable, games may be canceled on a field-by-field basis. Teams will be notified when possible, and cancellations will be posted on the MSI website as they are reported. Once games have started, referees are instructed to use common sense and suspend play if dangerous conditions exist. Referees and coaches are asked to contact the MSI office if their field is deemed unplayable by the referee, so that a notice may be posted on the website. Players are encouraged to check the website before leaving home for their game, when conditions are questionable.

 

A game is considered complete if it has been played through the first half before being terminated by the referee.

 

 

Coaches Manuals for the Recreational and Classic Program, as well as FIFA Laws of the Game are available on the MSI website under “Program/Info” and “Coach/Mgr Info”.