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Minneapolis United Traveling Soccer Program

When compared...

... to the recreational and park soccer, traveling soccer provides a higher level of play for the more committed soccer player who wants to improve his/her level of play.

playing soccer

MU’s Traveling Soccer Program is affiliated with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA), which in turn is affiliated with the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). Through this affiliation, MU can participate in the MYSA league and tournaments sanctioned by the MYSA or USYSA.

The MYSA league is broken into distinct geographical districts. MU typically plays in the West District which spans the west metro out to the western suburbs. Playing other club teams throughout one’s district is the “travel” in Traveling Soccer.

Tournaments can be in the Twin Cities metro area, as well as outlying communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and other out-of-state locations.

MU traveling program is dedicated to an affordable, friendly soccer experience for every participant and family; to create an opportunity for every player to play on a team at a level consistent with their ability and commitment, and to provide an environment for players to improve their playing skills and ability.

Traveling Soccer Basics

Two seasons are currently supported: a Spring Season League running from mid May through early August, and a Fall Season League running from early September through October. The Fall Season League is shorter, focuses more on player development, and is less competitive than the Spring Season. It can serve as an introduction to traveling soccer.

The number of players signed up for a particular age group with MU determines the number of teams we try to field. An attempt to accommodate all registered players is made, but not guaranteed.

MYSA has organized the Traveling Soccer league by age, gender, and level of skill. The ages range from Under 9 (or U9) through U14 in the Fall Season League. Players beyond that age typically play high school soccer in the Fall. MYSA offers Spring Season League play for U9 through U19 players. All age levels are considered competitive.

The MYSA operates on an August 1 to July 31 soccer year. To determine your player’s “U” age level, find your player’s birth date in the grid below.

Playing age [Birth date]

  Fall 2006 –
Summer 2007		 Fall 2007 –
Summer 2008		 Fall 2008 –
Summer 2009
U9 8-1-97 to 7-31-98 8-1-98 to 7-31-99 8-1-99 to 7-31-00
U10 8-1-96 to 7-31-97 8-1-97 to 7-31-98 8-1-98 to 7-31-99
U11 8-1-95 to 7-31-96 8-1-96 to 7-31-97 8-1-97 to 7-31-98
U12 8-1-94 to 7-31-95 8-1-95 to 7-31-96 8-1-96 to 7-31-97
U13 8-1-93 to 7-31-94 8-1-94 to 7-31-95 8-1-95 to 7-31-96
U14 8-1-92 to 7-31-93 8-1-93 to 7-31-94 8-1-94 to 7-31-95
U15 8-1-91 to 7-31-92 8-1-92 to 7-31-93 8-1-93 to 7-31-94
U16 8-1-90 to 7-31-91 8-1-91 to 7-31-92 8-1-92 to 7-31-93
U17 8-1-89 to 7-31-90 8-1-90 to 7-31-91 8-1-91 to 7-31-92
U18 8-1-88 to 7-31-89 8-1-89 to 7-31-90 8-1-90 to 7-31-91
U19 8-1-87 to 7-31-88 8-1-88 to 7-31-89 8-1-89 to 7-31-90

Ages and competitive divisions

U9 - U11 age groups offer two levels of competition, Maroon being the most competitive and Gold being the least competitive.

U12 – U13 age groups offer Classic 1, Classic 2 and Classic 3 levels of competition.

U14 – U19 age groups offer Premier, Classic 1, Classic 2 and Classic 3 levels of competition.

Competitive divisions comparisons are:

Premier: Most competitive; usually an elite or select group

Classic I: Highly Competitive

Classic II: Competitive and possessing good skills

Classic III: Skill building

MYSA determines the placement of U14 - U19 teams based on the team’s past performance in summer league play. Teams compete within districts organized geographically throughout the State. The top teams in each district may move up a level, the weaker teams may move down. For details, see the MYSA policy manual.

MU has a tryout for teams competing in levels c2 and up

Travel Programs

Spring

League games are played 1-2 times per week on weeknights (usually Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday), with a variety of tournament opportunities available on weekends.

Typically, teams attend one to three tournaments during the season. District and State tournaments are at the end of the season from mid-late July through very early August. Participation in the District and State Tournaments is elective. Teams pay the cost of tournaments. MYSA sanctioned tournaments are listed on the MYSA web site

Training for Spring Season

MU’s Winter Professional Training Program runs November through March. MU Traveling Players signed for Spring are expected to attend these sessions. This professional training differentiates MU from other club options; players that have registered and paid for the Spring Traveling season can attend winter training at no additional cost. Please see the Training tab in MU’s web site for more details.

While there is no formal training program during the month of April, teams are encouraged to train outside with their Team Coach as soon as weather permits.

Season practices will be scheduled directly by the Team Coach and will be run by the Team Coach.

Fall

During the Fall season, league games are played one time per week on weekends. There is a season-ending tournament.

Practices begin in late August. MU offers teams 4 free training sessions at no further cost to the kids. MU Traveling Players are expected to attend these sessions. This professional training differentiates MU from other club options. Please see the Training tab in MU’s web site for more details. Additional practices will be scheduled directly by the Team Coach and will be run by the Team Coach.

Roster Size

U9 to U10 teams play 6v6 and typically roster 10-12 players.

U11 and U12 teams play 8v8 and typically roster 12-15 players.

U13 and older teams typically roster 15-18 players.

Several factors enter into the determination of the roster size for a given team. The number of players on each team may be impacted by the number of players registering for any season and other specific team considerations. The number of players on any given team is up to the Coaching Director with input from the Team Coach.

As our club has grown...

...from 10 to a projected 47 teams in 2008!. Our club has four Age Group Coordinators to share the duties of boys and girls Traveling Team coordination and formation.

Roles:

  1. Serve as the first line question and answer point for parents in your age group.
  2. Your phone number and email will be listed on the web site.
  3. Be familiar with most of the kids in your age group gender.
  4. Encourage kids from the Recreational league to join Traveling soccer.
  5. Encourage kids in your age group to participate in tryouts.
  6. Set up parent education meetings prior to tryouts, when necessary.
  7. Communicate results of tryouts to parents.
  8. Give input, where appropriate, to Coaching Director and Traveling Coordinators during the team formation process.
  9. For the u8-u9 groups, help form a core of kids from Recreation league and Winter training to develop into the Club’s select team.

MU Club Policies

Outside Players

Minneapolis United’s primary goal is to serve Minneapolis players. Premier and Classic 1 teams may include “outside player”, that is, players who do not live in Minneapolis or attend Minneapolis schools (public or private). There may be no more than 30% “outside player” on the roster of any MU C1 or Premier team. Exceptions to this rule will require MU Board approval.

Non-C1 and Non-Premier have no “outside player” restrictions.

Risk Management

MU complies with and adheres to the Risk Management Program mandated by the MYSA. We strongly endorse the need to provide a safe and healthy environment for all participants involved in our soccer program. It is the intent of the Club to protect the wellbeing of both the children and adults involved with the program.

MYSA has set Player/Adult Protection Guidelines that must be recognized and respected by all members of MU. All MU volunteers and employees who have regular contact with MU players will be required to complete an Informed Consent Disclosure Statement. As required by MYSA, these forms will be submitted to MYSA’s Risk Management Director for background checks performed by an independent agency. Individuals required to complete this statement include coaches, trainers, team managers, MU Board members, and other volunteers.

Any incidents of abuse, harassment, assault, or other inappropriate behavior should be immediately reported to the Club’s President.