MSI Academy

[Anonymous]

My son was invited by an academy MSI coach to join a team for his age group and we don't know what that means. My son loves soccer but the costs/commitment isn't super clear from the website. Is MSI academy different/worse/better than a club level team? We have 2 younger kids and both parents work full time so we want to encourage his love and skill for soccer but also have to run our lives without going insane.

Any thoughts into this process would be appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was invited by an academy MSI coach to join a team for his age group and we don't know what that means. My son loves soccer but the costs/commitment isn't super clear from the website. Is MSI academy different/worse/better than a club level team? We have 2 younger kids and both parents work full time so we want to encourage his love and skill for soccer but also have to run our lives without going insane.

Any thoughts into this process would be appreciated!

I don’t really understand your what you’re asking. Anyhow, MSI has three programs: Recreation, Classic (select soccer) and Academy (travel soccer).

For MSI Academy, they play in the National Capital Soccer League (NCSL). While this is a travel soccer league, travel distance is not too bad at all as most teams are in the National Capital and just a few teams are 1.5 hours away. So travel games are not to far.

The annual Academy cost is on their website. It’s about $2,400/year excluding uniform and any hotel costs. Hope this is answers what you’re asking.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! That does answer almost all my questions.

I guess I just don't know what we're getting into. My son loves soccer and seems to excel but I also don't know how to decide as a parent how much we want to put into it. Like he also enjoys playing with his friends on the local neighborhood rec team. And we have other priorities as a family. I guess we try it for a year and see how it goes? Am I over thinking this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! That does answer almost all my questions.

I guess I just don't know what we're getting into. My son loves soccer and seems to excel but I also don't know how to decide as a parent how much we want to put into it. Like he also enjoys playing with his friends on the local neighborhood rec team. And we have other priorities as a family. I guess we try it for a year and see how it goes? Am I over thinking this?

Yes you are over thinking it. If the kid enjoys it, do it. NCSL doesn't chew up much more weekend time than rec. The main difference will be a couple of extra pratices during the week - which will be local and shouldn't mes with your family commitments too much.

[Anonymous]

Fyi- youre asking this on a board where I would guess at least 75% of the posters have/had a kid in travel, pay that cost and make those drives.

[Anonymous]

My daughter played for MSI Rec, MSI Classic then MSI Academy. Their NCSL games are predominantly on Sundays. So if you typically have plans on Sunday (Church, NFL games, etc.), this can definitely alter your schedule. Their is a benefit on playing with school/neighborhood friends, but there are also benefits of having friends (ie teammates), besides school/neighborhood friends.

[Anonymous]

^ I forgot to add that MSI Academy requires a lot more commitment for practices and games.

[Anonymous]

I would advise going to a bigger travel program if your kid is super into soccer. Our MSI Academy team wasn't playing in the NCSL league so I think it really varies based on gender, birth year, etc... It was also more $$ than the travel team we switched to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would advise going to a bigger travel program if your kid is super into soccer. Our MSI Academy team wasn't playing in the NCSL league so I think it really varies based on gender, birth year, etc... It was also more $$ than the travel team we switched to.

MSI Academy plays in either NCSL or EDP. If your MSI Academy team isn’t playing in NCSL (or EDP), then you’re not on a MSI Academy team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would advise going to a bigger travel program if your kid is super into soccer. Our MSI Academy team wasn't playing in the NCSL league so I think it really varies based on gender, birth year, etc... It was also more $$ than the travel team we switched to.

MSI Academy is $2,400/year. BSC, MRM, Potomac and FCGB cost more than this. Hence, what travel club are you referring to?

[Anonymous]

OP, to answer... it is a commitment. More practices, tournaments, and games further away. It is a pain. It playing time is relatively equal, it can be ok. If the coach has players that are truly bench, the calculus may change for those parents. Personally my DD enjoyed MSI Academy but know that it will take more time and energy for sure.

[Anonymous]

The MSI Academy teams run by Total Futbol are more than $2,400.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The MSI Academy teams run by Total Futbol are more than $2,400.

You’re confused then. All MSI Academy teams are coached by MSI coaches. Check the MSI website to see the teams, coaches, league each team plays in and annual fees. We’ve been in MSI from Rec, Classic and now Academy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The MSI Academy teams run by Total Futbol are more than $2,400.

What in the world are you talking about? MSI Academy is a club with club coaches (MSI coaches). MSI Classic on the other hand is a league of select soccer teams. MSI Classic teams are comprised of independent parent-coaches and/or paid coaches playing the MSI Classic league. As the PP indicated, you’re confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MSI Academy teams run by Total Futbol are more than $2,400.

What in the world are you talking about? MSI Academy is a club with club coaches (MSI coaches). MSI Classic on the other hand is a league of select soccer teams. MSI Classic teams are comprised of independent parent-coaches and/or paid coaches playing the MSI Classic league. As the PP indicated, you’re confused.

+1. Iyou’re paying more than $2,400 to play in MSI Classic, run.