MSYSA is the primary advocate for youth soccer in Maryland and DC and works collaboratively with our Affiliates, partners, and sponsors to grow the game by educating, promoting, supporting, and providing.
EDUCATE PROMOTE SUPPORT PROVIDE
Grow the game of soccer by educating, promoting, supporting, and providing
Provide an opportunity for everyone to participate in the game of soccer
2026 ODP CYCLE OPEN TRYOUTS! WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN ODP?
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 ODP CYCLE OPEN TRYOUTS
GROWING THE GAME THROUGH COACH
FOR COMMUNITY
MSYSA recently hosted its latest Coach for Community event in partnership with Freedom Optimist Soccer, uniting local coaches with one goal, to grow the game and empower young players.
Coach for Community is a nationwide grassroots coaching initiative led by U.S. Soccer and supported by state associations like MSYSA. The program is designed to introduce new and aspiring coaches to the game by providing foundational knowledge, hands-on training, and resources to help them succeed. In addition, each coach who attends receives credit to become a licensed coach with a FREE online U.S. Soccer
Coaching License ($25 Value). These events are especially impactful for parents, volunteers, and community members who may be coaching for the first time but want to make a positive difference in their players’ development.
By investing in coach education at the commun leaders who will inspire young athletes both on
Interested in getting involved? Whether you experienced player looking to give back, Coach
KICKING IT FORWARD WITH LET’S PLAY!
Our Let’s Play! team recently had a blast volunteering with Leveling the Playing Field (LPF), helping to organize and distribute cleats that support the next generation of soccer stars. For many of our players, one of the highlights of joining the program is receiving their very own pair of cleats. Something that not only builds excitement but also builds the confidence to step onto the field ready to play and help reduce one of the equipment barriers that exist for so many youth.
MSYSA is proud to continue our partnership with LPF, a nonprofit dedicated to making sports more accessible by redistributing new and gently used equipment to children and communities in need. Together, we’re working to ensure that cost is never a barrier to participation.
Throughout the year, MSYSA offers multiple opportunities to donate new or lightly used cleats at our ODP and MSYSA cups events. Every donation directly supports players in our local Maryland community, helping them chase their goals on and off the field.
On The Line Podcast Episode 5: LOCAL BEGINNINGS TO NATIONAL SUCCESS 3 ODP PATHS, 3 INCREDIBLE STORIES
On this episode of the On the Line Podcast, host Priestly sits down with three standout former Maryland ODP players, each taking a completely different path in their soccer journey. All proving that hard work and passion can take you anywhere.
First up, Will Marbray takes the mic as a Maryland ODP alum (2022–2024) and 2024 ODP National Team player. Will talks about continuing his career at the NCAA Division III level, now in his second year at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and what it means to balance high-level soccer with academics.
Then, we go global with Sarah Dewitt, U13–U17 Maryland ODP and Regional Team standout (2013–2015), NCAA Division I captain at St. Francis College and George Mason University, professional player in Australia’s Victorian Premier League with Keilor Park SC and now a MARYLAND ODP COACH! She shares her incredible first season abroad, winning the Golden Boot (23 goals) and being named League Player of the Year.
Finally, we hear from Austen Veach, former 17U ODP Boys Captain and two-time ODP National Team member (2023 & 2024). Austen opens up about his drive to go pro, what it’s like competing at the highest youth level, and how he’s preparing for the next step in his career at Lock Haven University (DII).
WE WANT YOU AS PART OF OUR TEAM!
WE WANT YOU AS PART OF OUR TEAM!
THE COACHES’ GUIDE TO SUPPORTING HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE MENTAL HEALTH
4 WAYS TO DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS DURING PRACTICE
SOCCER SPELLING BEE
How to Play:
Use the letters below to form soccer-related words.
Words must be 4+ letters.
Each word must include the center letter (O).
Letters can be used more than once.
Try to find the Pangram (uses all the letters). G E S R A L C
OPangram
August Issue Soccer Connections Answer Key
�� Yellow: Famous Soccer Tournaments
�� Green (Medium): Soccer Terms / Actions
�� Blue (Hard): Nicknames of National Teams
�� Purple (Trickiest): FIFA World Cup Host Countries (Past or Upcoming)
