9U/10U Next Event and Schedules
The SMSL 9U/10U Academy schedules for game #3 and #4 will be published early next week. The next event will be hosted by Owatonna on Saturday September 30th for Boys and Sunday October 1st for Girls.
Reminder, game matchups will align teams with similar results. This plan includes the possibility of mixed flights such as having a successful Blue level team play a challenged Black level team or maybe a 9U vs a 10U of mixed ages and less experience.
A main goal of our approach is for teams and clubs to feel out and experience games that will aid in the best spring-summer league formations.
We want to thank Mankato United for hosting an awesome event last weekend. We look forward to coming to Owatonna in just a few weeks.
SMSL Passes and Rosters For Tournaments
We have formally affiliated with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association and the US Youth Soccer. The SMSL Stack Sports Connect platform is being updated with new logos for rosters and passes. While this has not happened quick enough for this fall season, MYSA has sent communication to fall tournaments, including the National Sports Center (NSC Fall Cup) to have these events accept your Sports Connect printed SMSL Rosters and Passes. This means no more USSSA parent signed rosters. All can be handled by your team access to rosters and passes.
MYSA and USYS logos will be embedded within a few weeks. We are also looking at ways to better integrate SMSL and MYSA platforms to help make club and team usership easier to navigate.
9U and 10U Academy Weekends
The 9U and 10U SMSL Fall teams play in the Soccer Academy format. Each team is scheduled to play 2 full 7v7 games, with a break between, on either a Saturday or Sunday on three separate weekends in the fall. Dates and sites include:
- Owatonna September 30th (Boys) and October 1 (Girls)
- Rochester October 7th (Girls) and 8th (Boys)
The initial two games are scheduled against teams from the same level (Black or Blue). Following games are scheduled after recognizing similar results. By the third weekend, it is the goal to have teams playing similar teams, even if in other levels (Black or Blue). Developmental goals of this “ladder” scheduling allows clubs to evaluate their team cores, pools of players (using club pass) and planning before entering the proper level of the more traditional Spring Summer 10-game season.
Games schedules will be released approximately 10 days prior to the first play dates. Schedules for the last play date will be released five days prior.
There can be no rescheduling or special kickoff requests in this Academy format.
*Note all teams may schedule additional games, home and aways or other vs neighboring clubs. Teams may also participate in sanctioned Fall Season tournaments.
MYSA Affiliation and Background Checks
SMSL Clubs should have finalized Minnesota Youth Soccer Association affiliation by now. Your adult coaches, managers and administrators then submit annual background checks through MYSA. Club Registrars must access an approval status from MYSA before assigning any coaching or contact with youth.
IMPORTANT SEASON FALL DATES
Saturday, September 9 League Season begins
Wednesday, September 20 Owatonna Academy Schedules Released