When compared...
... to the recreational and park soccer, traveling soccer provides a higher level of play for those looking for a greater commitment as a youth soccer player who wants to improve his/her level of play.
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 of Minneapolis. 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.
Minneapolis United’s youth traveling program is dedicated to an affordable, friendly soccer experience for every participant and family; to create an opportunity for every young 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 Summer Season League running from mid May through mid July, 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 Summer 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; with a current maximum of four team per age group and gender (up to eight teams per age group). An attempt to accommodate all registered players is made, but not guaranteed. The top team in an age group is Black, 2nd team - Blue, 3rd team - White, 4th team - Yellow.
MYSA has organized the youth Traveling Soccer league by age, gender, and level of skill. The ages range from U9 through U14 in the Fall Season League. Players beyond that age typically play high school soccer in the Fall. MYSA offers Summer Season League play for U9 through U19 players. All age levels are considered competitive.
What is the "U" in the Player ages mean? The designation for say "u9" is really an abbreviation for "Nine and Under", not "Under Nine". Since players can "play up" an age group but not down — they must be no older than the designation playing age for the summer regular season league, which ends at the end of July.
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.
Birth Year Guide:
| Fall 2012 – Summer 2013 | Fall 2013 – Summer 2014 | |
| U9 | 8-1-03 to 7-31-04 | 8-1-04 to 7-31-05 |
| U10 | 8-1-02 to 7-31-03 | 8-1-03 to 7-31-04 |
| U11 | 8-1-01 to 7-31-02 | 8-1-02 to 7-31-03 |
| U12 | 8-1-00 to 7-31-01 | 8-1-01 to 7-31-02 |
| U13 | 8-1-99 to 7-31-00 | 8-1-00 to 7-31-01 |
| U14 | 8-1-98 to 7-31-99 | 8-1-99 to 7-31-00 |
| U15 | 8-1-97 to 7-31-98 | 8-1-98 to 7-31-99 |
| U16 | 8-1-96 to 7-31-97 | 8-1-97 to 7-31-98 |
| U17 | 8-1-95 to 7-31-96 | 8-1-96 to 7-31-97 |
| U18 | 8-1-94 to 7-31-95 | 8-1-95 to 7-31-96 |
| U19 | 8-1-93 to 7-31-94 | 8-1-94 to 7-31-95 |
Ages and competitive divisions:
U9 - U10 age groups offer two levels of competition, Maroon being the most competitive and Gold being the least competitive.
U11 – 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 c3 and up
Travel Programs
Summer
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 Summer Season
MU’s Winter Professional Training Program runs November through March. MU Traveling Players signed for Summer are expected to attend these sessions. This professional training differentiates MU from other club options; players that have registered and paid for the Summer 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 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 12-14 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...
As one of Minesota's largest Travelling Soccer Clubs we will have 54 teams in 2010! Our club has a Girls and Boys Traveling Coordinators.
Roles:
- Help identify and assign Team Managers each season.
- Be familiar with most of the kids in your age group gender.
- Encourage kids from the Recreational league to join Traveling soccer.
- Encourage kids in your age group to participate in tryouts.
- Set up parent education meetings prior to tryouts, when necessary.
- Help communicate results of tryouts to parents.
- Give input, where appropriate, to Coaching Directors during the team formation process.
- 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 however all teams may include “outside player” that is, players who do not live in Minneapolis or attend Minneapolis schools (public or private).
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 Dean Campbell: deancampbell@raliasportscenter.com
