Photo credit: Olypmic Development Program Player at the 2023 Maryland Invitational
EDUCATE PROMOTE SUPPORT PROVIDE
*Coaching Education
*Communicate policies/procedures for programs, plater registrations etc.
*Disseminate info from US Soccer, US Youth Soccer and East Region
*Parent Education
*Affiliate Club spotlights
*Affiliate Coach Spotlights
*Player Accomplishments
*Recognize players, teams, coaches, and referees with annual awards
*Highlight talented players that make National level pools and teams
*Issue Grants
*Award scholarships
*Club Leadership Webinar Series
*Offer technical and administrative expertise
*Provide resources to expand recreational opportunities
*Serve as a repository for ideas/ initiatives for benefit of all members
*Insurance coverage
*Issue Certificates of Insurance
*USYS Carding and rostering
PROGRAMMING
*ODP
*Indoor Training
*Presidents Cup
*State Cup
*Summer Soccer Academy
*Strategic Partnership and Sponsorship benefit affiliates
AVAILABLE GRASSROOTS IN-PERSON COACHING COURSES!
HOST MT. WASHINGTON SC
9V9 GRIP COURSE 12/4/2024-12/7/2024
@BALTIMORE, MD
HOST ST. MARYS SOCCER CLUB
7V7 GRIP COURSE 1/23/2025-1/25/2025 -
@GREAT MILLS, MD
HOST ST. MARYS SOCCER CLUB
9V9 GRIP COURSE 1/24/2025-1/25/2025 -
@GREAT MILLS, MD
HOST MT. WASHINGTON SC
11V11 GRIP COURSE 12/5/2024-12/7/2024
@BALTIMORE, MD
HOST ST. MARYS SOCCER CLUB
11V11 GRIP COURSE 1/23/2025-1/25/2025 -
@GREAT MILLS, MD
D Courses
The U.S. Soccer D License course is a comprehensive training program designed to improve coaches' skills in developing youth soccer players. Here's what participants can expect to learn and experience:
Key Learning Outcomes:
Leadership & Performance Management:
• Understand how to manage and lead within a performance environment
• Develop skills for managing teams and fostering positive team dynamics
Player Development:
• Learn how to coach players effectively within a team setting.
• Enhance understanding of individual player needs and how to integrate them into team goals.
2024 & 2025
HOST: LFCIA
HAGERSTOWN, MD – DEC 26TH, 2024 - FEB 27TH, 2025 (THURSDAY EVENING GROUP)
HOST: MSI
ROCKVILLE, MD – JAN 12TH - MAR 21ST (SUNDAY EVENING GROUP)
In-Game Coaching:
• Develop strategies for coaching during games
• Learn how to adapt to game situations and provide tactical guidance
Training Session Design & Execution:
• Learn to design and implement effective training sessions.
• Focus on one specific activity within a session to demonstrate coaching proficiency.
HOST ST. MARYS SOCCER CLUB
GREAT MILLS, MD - JAN 8TH - MAR. 9TH (WEDNESDAY EVENING GROUP)
HOST ST. MARYS SOCCER CLUB
GREAT MILLS, MD - JAN 10TH - MAR 12TH (FRIDAY EVENING GROUP)
On October 20, the Washington Spirit hosted a special "Let's Play! Day" at their game, creating a memorable experience for families and kids involved with the Let's Play! program. Thanks to an incredible partnership between Let's Play! and the Spirit, families were able to attend the Spirit match for free, enjoying an exciting day of soccer and community. The kids and parents cheered on the Spirit, making lasting memories and celebrating the power of sport to bring people together. It was a fun-filled event that everyone thoroughly enjoyed!
Let’s Play! Families having fun!
COACHING EDUCATION COACH FOR COMMUNITY
In partnership with MSYSA, Coach for Community delivers in-person learning sessions, access to a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities, training sessions, and access to a FREE Online Grassroots License ($25 Value) -at NO COST to participating coaches!
ARE YOU READY to host a FREE Coach for Community event to give your new or inexperienced coaches, volunteer coaches, and parent coaches the tools they need to create better player-centered soccer environments?
MSYSA’S FIRST U.S. SOCCER “B COURSE”
From July through December of 2024, the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) successfully hosted the U.S. Soccer "B Course" at Covenant Park, MD. This marks the first time MSYSA has been able to offer this advanced coaching course, a critical step in the development of coaches across the state. The course saw participation from 24 dedicated student coaches, all eager to deepen their knowledge and skills in guiding youth and senior teams in high-performance environments.
The U.S. Soccer "B" License, part of the Pro Pathway within the U.S. Soccer coaching education system, prepares coaches to create well-structured training sessions and implement age-appropriate game plans. Key objectives of the course include optimizing player learning, fostering an inclusive and respectful environment, and aligning coaching strategies with the overall game model.
Given the overwhelming success of this first course, MSYSA is excited to announce U.S Soccer has approved our application to host another "B Course" in 2025, continuing to support the growth of top-tier coaching talent in the region. This initiative underscores MSYSA’s commitment to improving the coaching landscape and enhancing the development of soccer players at all levels.
MSYSA’S FIRST U.S. SOCCER ALL-FEMALE “D COURSE”
Our inaugural free all-female USSF D License course is making history with MSYSA! Participants have just completed their fourth week (of nine), marking an exciting milestone their first in-person meeting. Led by Educators Nicole Arsenault, Idaho Technical Director, and Dr. Sherri Huckleberry of Maryland, this course aims to create more opportunities for women in the soccer coaching community.
We’re incredibly proud to host this groundbreaking initiative and remain dedicated to empowering and supporting our coaches. It’s truly inspiring to see these women advancing in their coaching journeys, and we can’t wait to witness the impact they’ll have as leaders in our community!
A huge round of applause is in order for the 445 talented players from Maryland and DC who have been selected for the prestigious Maryland Olympic Development Program (ODP)! This achievement comes after a competitive tryout process, where 1,687 aspiring athletes showcased their skills and determination.
These selected players have demonstrated exceptional talent, hard work, and a commitment to excellence, earning their place among the best in the state. This milestone is not just a recognition of their abilities but also an exciting opportunity to elevate their game and continue their development in the sport.
As the journey begins, players will engage in top-level training and compete against some of the finest athletes in the region. This is a pivotal moment for these young athletes, as they represent the future of soccer in Maryland and DC.
Let’s rally behind our athletes and support them on this incredible journey! Together, we can achieve greatness. Go #MDODP!
JOIN US IN WELCOMING SUBIR TO OUR TEAM!
I work in youth soccer because I want kids to enjoy the game just as I did. It's the best way to develop teamwork and leadership skills, all while playing the best sport in the world!
Providing support in GotSport for our Affiliates, assigning matches, and working with our referees.
Subir Nigam
Affiliate Logistics Coordinator
INTRODUCING SOCCER LAB
The Soccer Lab’s mission is to generate and disseminate knowledge designed to best guide decision-making to further grow the beautiful game of soccer and transform the lives of all who participate.
Overseen by the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association, Soccer Lab is actively shifting the anecdotal to empirical as insights are gathered and answers to questions are identified through empirical endeavors.
The Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) has recently partnered with REFSIX to more fully understand the impact that REFSIX may have on reducing a soccer referees’ administrative burden. If you are a licensed soccer referee in Maryland and are age 18 or older and would like to learn more and participate, then please send a note to Gabriel Ado (gabriel@msysa.org)!
MSYSA SOCCER LAB RELEASES NEW REPORT ON SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
The MSYSA Soccer Lab is proud to announce its latest publication, MSYSA Scholarship and Grant Programs: A Review of the First Years of Giving (2021-2024), now available for download on our website.
This comprehensive report highlights MSYSA’s mission to grow the game of soccer and transform lives through participation. To achieve this goal, MSYSA has focused on awarding scholarships and grants to reduce the financial barriers to participation and increase accessibility for players, coaches, and referees.
Key findings from the report include:
Nearly $174,000 awarded in scholarships and grants between 2021 and 2024. Direct support provided to over 300 players, coaches, and referees, alongside assistance to nearly 90 member clubs.
A remarkable 91.8% increase in player registrations and a 33.4% rise in licensed referees during this period.
An estimated socio-economic Social Return on Investment (SROI) ranging from $522,000 to $21.5 million.
This report underscores the positive impact of MSYSA’s initiatives, showcasing how targeted funding can grow the game and enhance community development. Download the full publication today to learn more about these impactful programs.
MARYLAND REFEREE COURSES
We’ve certified 453 new referees for 2025, and there are still two more opportunities to get certified before the holidays!
Upcoming Referee classes are scheduled for: Sunday, 12/8 in Fallston Saturday, 12/14 at Covenant Park
The first certification opportunity for 2025 will be on Sunday, 1/12 in Hagerstown. Don’t miss out reserve your spot today!
Becoming a referee in Maryland is easy! Simply create an account in US Soccer’s Learning Center and select one of the two “New Referee” course options here in Maryland.
GET STARTED AT THE U.S. SOCCER LEARNING CENTER
UPCOMING EVENTS
Summer Soccer Academy
Registrations start January 2025
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUMMER SOCCER ACADEMY
State Cup Registrations
Registrations start January 2025
LEARN MORE ABOUT MARYLAND STATE CUP
Presidents Cup Registrations
Registrations start January 2025
LEARN MORE ABOUT MARYLAND PRESIDENTS CUP
Referee Courses
Registrations start January 2025
LEARN MORE ABOUT UPCOMING MARYLAND REFEREE COURSES
SOCCER CROSSWORD PUZZEL
Down:
1. Scoring three goals in a single game by one player.
2. A defensive move to gain possession of the ball from an opponent.
4. To control the ball with repeated small touches while moving it forward.
5. The arrangement or structure of players on the field.
7. A kick awarded when the ball goes over the goal line, last touched by a player from the defending team.
9. A forward player whose main job is to score goals.
11. An additional period of play added to a game when the score is tied after regulation time usually in knockout rounds.
12. A kick awarded after a foul inside the penalty area.
Across:
1. To Kick the ball away from the defensive area, typically under pressure.
6. A player positioned on the outside of the field, often tasked with delivering crosses into the box.
8. A pass ofter from the wing sent into the penalty area.
10. The player who guards the goal and prevents the opposing team from scoring.
13. A violation where a player is positioned closer to the opponents’d goal than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is passed to them.
