What does MOD mean?
“MOD” is short for “modified”. The games have been modified to fit the budding skill levels of our youngest players.
U6 & U7: 3v3 on two fields simultaneously
U8: 4v4 + goalie
U9: 5v5 + goalie
What does U6-18 mean?
“U” is short for “under”. 5 year olds play U6 (under 6), and so on.
What does Association mean?
Association teams play all over Seattle against teams from other neighborhood soccer clubs operating under SYSA (Seattle Youth Soccer Association).
How can I tell if my child is already registered?
Login to you member account and click on past registrations. You will see which of your children are registered and their team assignment (if determined).
Can my child play on their friend’s team?
MOD: Yes, if you and friend’s grown-up volunteer to coach together. MSC’s goal is to create balanced teams with players of different skill level and from different schools. Community soccer is an opportunity to make even more friends.
Association: Please refer to the Club’s Team Formation policy.
Do I really need to submit a birth certificate?
Yes, the Club keeps all birth certificates on file should we need to submit proof to the Seattle Youth Soccer Association or the Washington State League. You only need to provide one copy, one time. If you do not have a copy of a birth certificate, a passport or other official document will be accepted.
Click here for Washington State birth certificates.
Click here for other state birth certificates.
My 4yo has an August birthday and is starting Kindergarten in the fall. Can they play?
Yes. If your 4yo misses the July 31st age cut-off, you can still register. Contact registrar Anne Bare.
Can my child play up – i.e. play on a team of older players?
Yes, playing up is generally accepted by the club for MOD teams. This request does not require special circumstances or a letter from the family. The club will decide team allocations. To submit a request to play up, contact anne.bare@sysa.org.
For players U11 and older wanting a higher level of competition, we recommend taking advantage of the many select soccer opportunities in Seattle.
Why is playing select soccer recommended rather than playing up for players who are highly skilled and highly motivated?
Players have the best chance to develop by playing with and against players of similar ability while receiving appropriate coaching.
Playing up can result in violation of the prohibition of using skill level as a criterion for placement on recreational teams. It can result in playing with and against older/bigger players, but not necessarily players who are more skilled, motivated, and committed. There is often a wide range in the interest levels on recreational teams as opposed to a more consistent attitude on select teams. Playing up does not provide the opportunity for increased development provided by a prolonged season, training, and tournaments. It also may not provide the coaching support that a select program can.
Can my child play down – i.e. play on a team of younger players?
MOD (U6 – U9) – Yes, based on recommendations of the coaches, space availability on a team, and parents’ acquiescence. The MOD League is administered by Magnolia Soccer Club which allows us flexibility. The family must submit a written request to the Registrar Anne Bare.
Association (U10 – U19) – Very rarely, and only for medical conditions. The Association League is administered by Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) which includes 14 neighborhood clubs. A request for a child to play down may be submitted to SYSA by the Club and requires a letter from the parents, a supporting letter from Magnolia Soccer Club, and a letter from a doctor. The decision will be made by the SYSA Board of Commissioners. You can start this request by contacting Registrar Anne Bare.
What equipment does my soccer player need?
MOD (U6 – U9) and Association (U10-U19) players need soccer cleats (not baseball shoes) and shin guards. We also recommend soccer socks and a full water bottle for each practice and game. A team jersey, which the player can keep, will be provided.
When will my child’s team practice?
Practices times are determined by the coach(es) and field availability. Only in rare cases can players swap teams for a different practice time. If your child cannot attend practices and swapping teams is unavailable, they can still play in games.
What day will my child’s team play?
Saturdays: U6, U7, U8, U9, U11, U13, U15, U16, U17, U18 girls, U19 girls
Sundays: U10, U12, U14
Wednesday evenings: U18 boys,U19 boys
I’m planning on coaching my child’s team but I’m going to be absent for a practice/game. What do I do?
All practices and games must have an adult present that has completed SafeSport and had a background check through SYSA. If you (and you’re co-Coach, if applicable) will be absent for a practice, practice must be cancelled if a substitute coach (who has gone through training and required background checks) cannot be found. For games, if you (and your co-Coach, if applicable) will be absent for a game but coaches from an opposing MSC team will be present, they can serve as the on-site certified person. Be sure to coordinate with the opposing coach so that they know ahead of time that you will be absent and to assign parents on your team to coach in your absence.
Magnolia Soccer Club is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All of the money goes to running our programs. For each player, the club pays fees to Seattle Youth Soccer and to Washington State Youth Soccer Association (includes liability and supplemental medical insurance). The Club also must purchase and replace goals, nets, balls, pumps, ice bags, coaching bags, pinnies, and cones. Most importantly, we provide scholarships to those in financial need so that we can accomplish the club’s mission of finding space for every child who wants to play soccer.
Does MSC run Spring Soccer?
During the spring, some of our teams enter in the Seattle Spring Soccer League: an informal, small-sided league for ages U9-U18. This is not run by MSC. Visit SYSA Spring Soccer website for more detail.
