What’s the deal with MSI Academy

[Anonymous]

Is it a lower level travel program? Is it worth the investment ? We are kind of new to the travel soccer team. We have a U12 girl who wants to “focus on soccer” - her words, not mine.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

There are dozens of local clubs all to willing to take the money of any fool who asks such a question. If you are serious, do some reseach and then ask specific questions. If you had done that you would know that the only strong teams are at the u14 and u15 level and then only the top teams bit it depends what you and your DD want out of the experience.

If you want prestige so that you can impress your friends with a name drop than pick Bethesda. If you and your daughter want to develop into a complete player then FCGB is the beat at that age group. You can probably find some independent teams with great coaches but even those coaches can only take you so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are dozens of local clubs all to willing to take the money of any fool who asks such a question. If you are serious, do some reseach and then ask specific questions. If you had done that you would know that the only strong teams are at the u14 and u15 level and then only the top teams bit it depends what you and your DD want out of the experience.

If you want prestige so that you can impress your friends with a name drop than pick Bethesda. If you and your daughter want to develop into a complete player then FCGB is the beat at that age group. You can probably find some independent teams with great coaches but even those coaches can only take you so far.

Bethesda is not at all impressive unless youre in the top team.

[Anonymous]

I’m actually looking for that lower level travel option- which is why I asked. I’m scared of people like the first pp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m actually looking for that lower level travel option- which is why I asked. I’m scared of people like the first pp.

I literally laughed out loud at this! I think MSI Academy would fit the bill in that case. There is no reason not to try it for a year if your DD makes a team and then reevaluate as needed as you go along. If you find she is looking for more competitive options, you can ask to practice with some other area travel teams in the spring.

[Anonymous]

While MSI Academy experiences are very coach dependent, DD's friend played on a team at that age and loved it. She had been on other travel teams where the kids and parents were over the top and said that MSI Academy girls were very competitive but not crazy. It was a few years ago but they were ranked very high in Maryland at the time.

She ended up playing a few years for MSI Academy and is now on some prestigious selective team at U15. I'm sorry I don't know the name. I have a much younger child who plays soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m actually looking for that lower level travel option- which is why I asked. I’m scared of people like the first pp.

The best way to find out is to email the coach and ask him to attend a practice or two. In games that my DD played against them, I noticed that they have a mix of really skilled players, average players and some unskilled players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are dozens of local clubs all to willing to take the money of any fool who asks such a question. If you are serious, do some reseach and then ask specific questions. If you had done that you would know that the only strong teams are at the u14 and u15 level and then only the top teams bit it depends what you and your DD want out of the experience.

If you want prestige so that you can impress your friends with a name drop than pick Bethesda. If you and your daughter want to develop into a complete player then FCGB is the beat at that age group. You can probably find some independent teams with great coaches but even those coaches can only take you so far.

And if you want to impress employers, spell "then" correctly, and use commas occasionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are dozens of local clubs all to willing to take the money of any fool who asks such a question. If you are serious, do some reseach and then ask specific questions. If you had done that you would know that the only strong teams are at the u14 and u15 level and then only the top teams bit it depends what you and your DD want out of the experience.

If you want prestige so that you can impress your friends with a name drop than pick Bethesda. If you and your daughter want to develop into a complete player then FCGB is the beat at that age group. You can probably find some independent teams with great coaches but even those coaches can only take you so far.

Bethesda is not at all impressive unless youre in the top team.

Maybe in the boys side but the girls side has been struggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are dozens of local clubs all to willing to take the money of any fool who asks such a question. If you are serious, do some reseach and then ask specific questions. If you had done that you would know that the only strong teams are at the u14 and u15 level and then only the top teams bit it depends what you and your DD want out of the experience.

If you want prestige so that you can impress your friends with a name drop than pick Bethesda. If you and your daughter want to develop into a complete player then FCGB is the beat at that age group. You can probably find some independent teams with great coaches but even those coaches can only take you so far.

Bethesda is not at all impressive unless youre in the top team.

Maybe in the boys side but the girls side has been struggling.

Are you talking about the U12 Girl’s Team? Curious to find out more as I plan to have my DD tryout during the Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it a lower level travel program? Is it worth the investment ? We are kind of new to the travel soccer team. We have a U12 girl who wants to “focus on soccer” - her words, not mine.

Thank you

If your DD is currently a Rec player, consider joining a good MSI Classic Team. Much cheaper, no out-of-town games, and you would be surprised how good some of these teams & players are. The top 5 U12D Classic Teams are better than the low travel teams. At least check it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are dozens of local clubs all to willing to take the money of any fool who asks such a question. If you are serious, do some reseach and then ask specific questions. If you had done that you would know that the only strong teams are at the u14 and u15 level and then only the top teams bit it depends what you and your DD want out of the experience.

If you want prestige so that you can impress your friends with a name drop than pick Bethesda. If you and your daughter want to develop into a complete player then FCGB is the beat at that age group. You can probably find some independent teams with great coaches but even those coaches can only take you so far.

And if you want to impress employers, spell "then" correctly, and use commas occasionally.

Zip it jackass, did I spell that correctly? What a prick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are dozens of local clubs all to willing to take the money of any fool who asks such a question. If you are serious, do some reseach and then ask specific questions. If you had done that you would know that the only strong teams are at the u14 and u15 level and then only the top teams bit it depends what you and your DD want out of the experience.

If you want prestige so that you can impress your friends with a name drop than pick Bethesda. If you and your daughter want to develop into a complete player then FCGB is the beat at that age group. You can probably find some independent teams with great coaches but even those coaches can only take you so far.

And if you want to impress employers, spell "then" correctly, and use commas occasionally.

Zip it jackass, did I spell that correctly? What a prick.

And this would be why you frighten strangers on the internet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are dozens of local clubs all to willing to take the money of any fool who asks such a question. If you are serious, do some reseach and then ask specific questions. If you had done that you would know that the only strong teams are at the u14 and u15 level and then only the top teams bit it depends what you and your DD want out of the experience.

If you want prestige so that you can impress your friends with a name drop than pick Bethesda. If you and your daughter want to develop into a complete player then FCGB is the beat at that age group. You can probably find some independent teams with great coaches but even those coaches can only take you so far.

And if you want to impress employers, spell "then" correctly, and use commas occasionally.

Zip it jackass, did I spell that correctly? What a prick.

And this would be why you frighten strangers on the internet.

If you want to be a grammar/spelling police, go start a thread. I come here to learn and share soccer content and not grammar/spelling. I’m not either of the two PP. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

FPYCparent wrote:As a 2008/U12 parent in NCSL, I've gotten to see at least six matches between MSI Academy and FPYC. (There were two more matches between the two, but those two were in the fall of the U9 year before my DD joined the team.)

As far as I can tell, MSI fields two teams … Green and White, and both have the same coach. Given the Academy style prescribed by the team name, I'll assume that all of the girls practice together and that players could play on either of the teams throughout any given season. In terms of overall match performance, the teams are virtually identical (again, this should be the case if all of the girls are getting the same academy-style training).

Currently, both Green and White teams are in the same division … and they'll have to play each other before the end of the season. It is possible that one (or both!) of them end up in another division depending on how the rest of the season goes.

NCSL 2008/U12 Division 1: http://ncsl-soccer.com/_element_display/#%2F80738%2Fschedules%2FFall2019%2F95857227.html%3Frnd%3D1569607314717
NCSL 2008/U12 Division 2: http://ncsl-soccer.com/_element_display/#%2F80738%2Fschedules%2FFall2019%2F95857223.html%3Frnd%3D1569607314717

Looking ahead, I only see one U13 MSI Academy team right now, so it may be natural for both U12 teams formally combine to play as a single team next year.

…

So, what about the value for your investment? I think that's something that only you can decide.

https://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=902827

The page above lays out the costs and approximate scheduling of regular activities for the year (NOTE #1: A full-year commitment is normal at this level of play … and that includes the winter … which may have practices outside). As the page lays out, expect two to three practices a week, and one to two games on a given weekend. Holiday weekends are ripe for tournaments. (NOTE #2: You likely have no more control over your holiday weekends in the fall and spring seasons.) Because MSI currently plays in NCSL, your weekend games can be as far away as Hollywood, MD and Winchester, VA … for the current age group. At present, you'll likely have more away games in Virginia than in Maryland.

Is it worth it? If MSI is your local club and you are committed to developing a better player, MSI might be a good fit. If you aspirations are getting in front of professional scouts or high-level college recruiters, well that may not happen at any club that doesn't play ECNL or DA.

FPYC parent,

I just looked up the NCSL schedule and noticed that your team will play MSI Academy White this Sunday. Would love to get your opinion on their skill level as my daughter might tryout for them next year.