What Is MSI Soccer and What Does It Offer?

Updated

MSI Soccer is a youth soccer organization serving Montgomery County, Maryland, and it has been the county's youth soccer option for 55 years, according to the site (founded 1971). Its stated vision is that every player reaches their full potential on and off the field. The site's main job is to help families find a program by age and level and register for a season. If you live in or near Montgomery County and have a child from pre-K through 12th grade who wants to play soccer, this is the organization to check.

Who it's for

MSI describes itself as offering "a level of play for all," so the relevant question isn't whether your child is good enough — it's which level fits. The site organizes programs across recreational, competitive, and travel tracks, plus camps and community events. Registration is currently open for the upcoming season.

Program levels

The site groups its offerings into distinct tracks:

Track What it is
Recreation Casual play for all, 1st–12th grade
Kindergarten Introductory program to get younger kids active and connected
MINI-Greens (Pre-K) Program for the youngest age group
Classic League A more structured competitive league with player assessments and tryouts
Travel The highest-commitment track, with tryouts by gender and age group
MSI Pro / Men's / Women's Additional playing programs listed under Programs
Top Soccer Program listed alongside the above

The Recreation track is the entry point for most families: casual play, open to all skill levels, spanning grades 1 through 12. Classic League and Travel involve evaluations — Classic has player assessments and tryout notices, and Travel has separate boys' and girls' tryout schedules. If your child just wants to play, start with Recreation or the Kindergarten/MINI-Greens programs. If they're ready for a competitive environment, look at Classic or Travel.

Beyond the regular season

MSI also runs:

  • Camps & Clinics — including a Spring Break Camp and a Winter 2025/26 session
  • Tournaments — Kick Off Classic, Turkey Shoot, and Cherry Blossom
  • Events — Annual Awards, Washington Spirit Game Day, DC United Game Day, Cleat Exchange, La Liga Pick-Up Fútbol, and Soccerfest 2026

The Cleat Exchange is worth noting if equipment cost is a concern — it's a listed event for swapping soccer cleats.

How to get started

  1. Go to msisoccer.org and choose New Player or Returning Player depending on your situation.
  2. Pick the program that matches your child's age and desired level of play (Recreation, Kindergarten, MINI-Greens, Classic, or Travel).
  3. Check the registration details page for that program — the site notes registration is currently open.
  4. For Classic or Travel, watch for assessment and tryout dates rather than a standard signup.

The site also publishes a Rainout Line for practice cancellations (noted as practices only), PlayMetrics resources for account and registration management, and parent, coaching, and player forms under Resources. The site is available in English and Spanish.

What to check before registering

  • Age group transition for 2026–2027 is listed under Travel — if your child is near an age boundary, confirm which group applies before choosing a program.
  • Tryout schedules differ by gender for Travel, so check the boys' or girls' schedule specifically.
  • Pricing isn't published in the material available here, so confirm fees on the individual program's registration page rather than assuming cost.
  • Fields and practice locations are listed under About → Fields if commute matters to you.

If you're new to the area or new to youth soccer, the fastest path is the New Player Info page, then the Recreation overview. If you already know your child wants a competitive track, go straight to Classic or Travel and check the tryout dates.