When are Travel Soccer Try-Outs?

Travel soccer tryouts usually take place in the spring. Tryout dates & times for each age group will be posted on our website. There are 2 nights of tryouts for each age group and players are strongly encouraged to attend both.

Who should try out?

Travel soccer is for committed players who are looking for more of a challenge in order to continue to grow as a soccer player.

Should my child attend all tryouts?

Tryouts are required. Please note that tryouts consist of two sessions & players should make every effort to attend both sessions.

What is the procedure for tryouts?

Parents must register the child for the program. All registration information is listed under the tab Online Registration above.

When will my child be notified about what team he or she is going to be on?

Players will be notified after the current soccer program has completed their season.

My child is already on a travel team. Is it necessary for him or her to tryout again?

Yes; all players tryout for travel soccer every year. If a current travel soccer player does not appear at tryouts he or she will not be placed on a team. Exceptions will only be made in extenuating circumstances (i.e., injuries, family emergencies, etc.).

Travel fees?

Travel fees are non-refundable from the Club. Upon commitment to a team, you are financially responsible for all Club fees and Team fees such as team tournaments. If a team participates in a tournament, the fees are due to the team.

I understand that travel soccer is a multi-season sport, but what if my child doesn’t want to play travel soccer in the other seasons?

MSC's travel soccer program is comprised of fall, winter & spring seasons, as this gives children the best opportunity to develop as players. If you know your child will not be playing travel soccer during a season, you should place your child in our In-house program. This will enable us to create more stable travel teams over the travel season and minimize roster disruptions created by players who withdraw or want to be added. Last minute withdrawals will not be viewed favorably in future years, nor will refunds of travel fees be granted once you have accepted a position on the team.

Can my child play Travel soccer at the same time as other sports?

Yes. Many Travel soccer players, particularly at the younger ages, play many sports during the same season, including baseball, football or basketball. Any players who anticipate scheduling conflicts should make their coach aware of the conflict before the season begins or as soon as possible so that the coach can plan practice or game schedules accordingly.

Does MSC Travel have a playing time policy?

Yes. MSC policy say that every player must play at least 50% of each game in order to maximize player development.  The only exeption is when players have multiple unexecused absences from practices (illness and school events are considered execused as long as coach was made aware ahead of time). While there is a 50% policy in place, it should be the goal of every travel coach to develop all players on the team. For teams playing in CT, the 50% rule is suspended.

Where do Travel teams play?

MSC Travel teams play league games throughout Hartford County in the fall and spring, and play at least one indoor session at a local indoor facility. The distance traveled will depend upon the teams they play in their League and could include Avon, Simsbury, Granby, Wethersfield, South Windsor or Newington. Friendly games are also schedule with surrounding town travel teams. Normally no longer than 30 minutes from Manchester CT Cup games can require you to travel outside of the Hartford area (U11 and above teams only).

What is the time commitment for the players?

Travel teams practice two evenings a week during the week starting in the preseason and throughout the season during the fall and winter. There are additional training sessions during the winter. In addition to the practice schedule, each team will play at least one regular scheduled league game, generally on a Sunday; many teams also schedule friendly games on Saturdays. Teams may also elect to attend seasonal tournaments. Manchester also hosts a tournament during the second weekend of September which parents provide their time and players participate in.

What is the Connecticut Cup?

The Connecticut Cup (“CT Cup”) is a statewide, single-elimination tournament played on Saturday afternoons over the course of a season for U11 and older. Cup teams are expected to participate in CT Cup play during the fall season and Spring Season.