Have questions? We have answers and if we don't, we will find out for you! You can email us at info@msa-soccer.org and we'll get back to you.
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Player Information
Q. How do I know what division my child is eligible for?
A. Division eligibility is dependent on your child's age on January 1st through December 31. It should be noted that the Spring session uses the ages from the Fall session. For example: Your son/daugher turned 5 in 2017, therefore for the Fall of 2017 AND the Spring of 2018, they qualify for U6. MSA has divisions for the following age groups and is all Co-Ed(actual divisions may vary due to registrant numbers):
Please see the AGE MATRIX for detailed information
Q. If my child is too young for the regular season of games then do you have anything for him/her?
A. We try to offer a spring Beginner's Clinic for those kids who have not yet played team soccer. This is a good place to start. The clinic's format may vary from year to year. In the past, we have offered it as a one afternoon event as well as a multi-session event. As soon as the Clinic's details are set, the webmaster will be notified and it will be posted online.
Q. My child has spikes that we used for baseball - are those ok for soccer?
A. Maybe. Soccer cleats do not have a toe-spike (e.g., a spike at the top of the footplate). Baseball cleats have a toe spike, and are not allowed.
Q. What should my child wear to practices?
A. For practices, all players should wear shin guards and soccer cleats. Dress for the weather. Bring water and a ball. Coaches usually have extra balls in case a player forgets theirs. Remind your child to use the bathroom before practices as most practice fields don't have port-o-potties.
Q. Can my player wear clothes under their uniform if it is cold?
A. Yes. Black pants are fine as long as they have their shin guards on. Long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts and even jackets are fine under the uniform. If it is very cold or cool & windy, hats and gloves are encouraged, especially for the younger kids!
Q. What additional clothes are required as part of the uniform?
A. MSA provides a shirt and pair of socks as part of the uniform. Parents are asked to provide black shorts to complete the uniform.
Q. What seasons are available with MSA?
A. We have two seasons, spring and fall.
Spring season runs from late March through early June.
Q. Does MSA have any tournaments?
A. This depends upon the level of your player. U6 typically does not have a tournament but may participate in a Fall Festival the first or second weekend in October. U8 and U10 have tournaments that take place in mid-October. U12's tournament is usually the second to the last weekend in October. U14's tournament is the last weekend in October. Note: These are approximate dates, subject to change.
Q. Does MSA observe any Holidays with regard to scheduling?
A. Yes! Generally, MSA does not schedule games for the following holidays:
Memorial Day
Labor Day
Morris Cornfest Weekend
Q. How can I see multiple kids schedules into one calendar?
A. When you go to the calendar page, look for "Show Tag Menu" on the upper right side. Click it. When the tag menu opens, checkmark the teams you wish to see on the calendar. Close the tag menu. You should now have all events from the selected teams.
Q. Can I download the calendar into my phone calendar?
A. Yes! As long as your calendar is iCal ready, you can select "Subscribe to iCal feed" below the calendar.
Q. Why can't I see my child's team roster?
A. Have the teams been formed? If it is before the draft date, teams will not have been updated into the computer system. Even once they are formed, teams may not be available for everyone to view until after the first week of practices. If the games have begun and you still cannot see the team roster, please email the webmasters.
Q. Does MSA use a phone app?
A. Yes! MSA-soccer.org is hosted by Sports Enginge, and they do provide an app. Please visit https://www.sportsengine.com/mobile/.
Q. I have downloaded the app, but don’t see any of my child’s team information.
A. To use the app, you must have your child’s team # (generated automatically by Sports Engine). To find your child’s team #, navigate to your child’s team, and in the upper right hand corner, there is a picture of a phone and an entry that reads “Search Team ID:######”. The number is what you need to search for in the Sports Engine app.
If you have further questions regarding the website functionality, please email the Webmaster at webmastersMSA@gmail.com.
Q. What does my registration fee cover?
A. Registration fees cover uniforms, end of season awards, referee fees, goals, nets, practice balls, pinnies, first aid supplies, printing registration forms, insurance through IYSA & SAY and costs associated with hosting online registration.
The concession stand, sponsorships, and fundraising also help with these expenses. The cost of the raffle tickets are included in the fee. By selling your tickets to others, you can earn the money back.
The registration fee also now includes a $25 volunteer fee. If your family volunteers, this money will be either applied as a credit for next season or refunded to you upon request. If your family does not volunteer, this fee is put towards paying grounds maintenance.
Q. Are the deadlines for the Beginner's Clinics the same as the regular season and can I register my child online?
A. The Beginner's Clinic does not have the same registration dates. therefore, no additional late fee is imposed if you register past the "regular" season's dates. The Beginner's Clinic will have a register by date posted once the details are set. Our registration system is set up for registering our Beginner's Clinic players only during the regular registration period. After that date is past, please print a form and mail it in with a check to our post office address (Morris Soccer Association, P. O. Box 488, Morris, IL 60450.
Q. When does registration open for each season?
A. See below:
Spring season registration typically opens late January and closes mid-February. Practices begin (weather permitting) the last week in March.
Fall season registration opens either late May or very early June and closes late June. Practices begin the last week in July.
Q. What is MSA’s ‘Bad Weather’ policy?
A. Games are cancelled for lightning and/or flooded fields. Rain, sleet, wind and snow do not stop soccer, so please dress accordingly. Games are not cancelled by coaches; it is an MSA Board (or host city) decision. If lightning is visible and thunder is heard, the games will be paused for up to 30 minutes while everyone takes cover. No one can remain on the fields. Often a game that is delayed can be restarted and completed after the pause. However, if bad weather persists, games will be called by the board (or host city) at that time. Do not leave unless the games have been called, not just paused. MSA board members will be watching the weather and if it appears games will be canceled, we will try to do it 30 minutes prior to the game. However, if you have not been called by your coach, show up to play. DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BE ON THE WEBSITE. It will be posted only if a webmaster is alerted and able to post it. If this concerns you, please consider volunteering to help out with the website. Games that have played 2 full quarters will not be rescheduled. The final score stands. Cancelling practices is up to each coach. Cancellations will NOT be posted on the website unless your team has a dedicated web tech person who is able to do so
If you need to request assstance, you may email Board President Steve directly at srain71@gmail.com, or our Executive Board through webmastersmsa@gmail.com.