REGISTER USING AGE GROUP MATRIX BELOW!

  

NOTE: If you have issue using below module see module labeled "MSA TRAVEL SOCCER TRYOUTS REGISTRATION STEPS" for alternate method

Marlboro Soccer Association

Travel Tryouts Registration Procedures

Updated: February 26, 2024

Please follow the below steps to register. Any issues with registering please email  [email protected] and [email protected]

1. Go to the registration site by clicking "+ REGISTER" at the top of this page or by clicking the following link - TRYOUT REGISTRATION
2. Sign in utilizing your ID and password. If you do not have an ID, one must be created.
   
3. Click the three dots icon in the Participant box to add your child to your account. If your child is already registered select "1 Programs Available!"
4. Click "Select" for the age appropriate tryout (Ex: 2011 Boys will register as "14 and Under Boys".) Then click "Continue"
5. Confirm information on the next page is correct. Then click "Continue"
6. If you would like to volunteer as a Team Manager click "Select" under team manager. Otherwise press "Skip"
   
7. Click "Submit Order"

Tryouts will be held at the Vanderburg Soccer Complex located on Vanderburg Road or the Marlboro Middle School Turf Fields.  Depending on the number of children and the age group, there will be one or more tryouts for each age group.

Players can try out to play up one age group, which is consistent with NJYS guidelines.  The player must be selected for the Blue team to be eligible to play up.  The tryout process will remain consistent with past processes where Tryout Results and Coach’s Input/Ratings will be used to create teams. The Travel Directors will be involved in the formation of each team and will determine if players are selected to play up.  It is important to understand that our philosophy on players “playing up” has not changed. The vast majority of players will benefit most from playing in their age group. With that said, we are following the guidelines set forth by our governing bodies. The aim for the Travel Directors will be to utilize the flexibility to have players “playing up” in a balanced way that benefits the player, team, and program. “Playing up” does not have to be an all or nothing situation. Players can play on a team in their age group and have opportunities to play up situationally to support their development within the program (e.g. guest play at tournaments or games where US Club Cards are used).   We strongly recommend that each player try out for their own age group even if they try out for the older age group. If the player does not try out for their own age group, they will not be eligible to make a team in that age group.

Should your child become ill, suffer an injury or have a family emergency, please contact one of the Travel Directors. The group for which your child is eligible to tryout is based on birth date. The tryout dates, age groups and registration instructions are posted on the MSA website.

The duration of the tryouts will be approximately 2 hours. Please do not drop your child off and leave the tryout area. Parental assistance maybe required.  All players must wear appropriate soccer attire, including shin guards and soccer cleats. All players must bring a ball and plenty of water. Current travel players MAY NOT wear, or
bring, any part of their travel uniforms, including socks and bags.  Goalie tryouts may be held at the end of the field tryout. Players interested in playing goalie will be asked to stay and participate in goalie related drills. If your child has goalie gloves please make sure he/she brings them. Should your child try out for goalie and make the team,
the coach has the right to play him/her at that position. If your child does not want to play goalie, do not have them try out for that position. 

Travel Team Selection
Players will be notified whether or not they have been selected for a team shortly after the tryout for their age group, but no later than after Memorial Day. Players selected for the highest level team in each age group will be notified first. Each player will have twenty four (24) hours to accept or decline a position. The onus to reply is on the Parent of the player. If you do not accept or decline within twenty four (24) hours that is your indication that the position is declined. If after twenty four (24) hours the position has not been accepted or declined, the next highest rated player will be notified and your child will forfeit his/her place on the team. The selection of the all travel teams is at the discretion of the Travel Directors.  The Travel Directors have the discretion to extend the acceptance period in the interests of the program, where situations warrant.

Players will be selected by the CM19 Trainers in each specific age group, based on the tryout results and the Fall & Spring ratings. Ratings will be conducted by CM19 Trainers. If new coach/coaches are appointed, the team will be selected by the alternate CM19 Trainers using the tryout ratings and the Fall & Spring ratings provided by the prior coaches. All U7 and U8 Teams will be selected solely by the CM19 Trainers based on the tryout process.

Registration

1. All Players must pre-register
   
2. All players must check in at the reception desk
3. Walk up registration will be allowed but may delay the player getting on to the field  
4. The registration desk will provide the player required kit and instructions
5. Parents are to wait by the registration desk until their child returns from the tryout (approximately 2 hours)
6. We ask that parents not leave the parent area in case of emergency
7. Parents are not allowed near the tryout out fields under any circumstance unless requested by one of the raters

Tryout

1. All players may wear weather appropriate sports clothing; they MUST have shin guards, soccer cleats, a ball and water
2. Players are not allowed to wear any uniforms or other Club related gear during the tryout
3. Players will be provided a number, pinnies and instructions on what to do during the evaluation period
4. Every tryout will have professional raters
5. At the end of the tryout, the players will be instructed to find their parents and will be provided some basic instructions on what to expect next

Selection

1. The MSA Board has collected an evaluation for every player from the fall season; this evaluation will be part of the overall tryout rating
2. The professional  rater's scores along with the fall season evaluation will carry the highest weight in player selection followed by the volunteer rater scores
3. The tryout ratings will be presented to a team of MSA Directors immediately after the tryout is completed for evaluation
4. For age groups that have a second (2nd) and/or third (3rd) tryout, the process will repeat itself to ensure the most accurate player placement
5. If a player misses one tryout, the MSA Board will place a higher weighting on the fall evaluations and professional rater's scores when determining player selection
6. Players that are new to the MSA Travel program for which there are no fall ratings are highly encouraged to attend all tryouts scheduled for that age group
7. After the completion of all the tryouts for that age group, the MSA Board will inform the coaches starting with the blue teams to offer positions
8. Players have 24 hours to accept
9. After the Blue team is formed, the next color team will begin the process continuing until all the teams for that group are formed
10. Given the 24 hour windows for each player, it may take some time for the Gold Team players to be contacted
11. After all players have accepted and all teams are formed, the MSA Board will send an e-mail to any players that have not been selected

US Youth Soccer has announced changes to its age group classification system for youth players taking effect in the 2026/27 seasonal year. These changes have been adopted by New Jersey Youth Soccer and member organizations, and will be implemented beginning with the summer 2026 season. To help our families understand how these changes might affect their player(s), we have prepared some frequently-asked questions to help address the most common concerns regarding the change.

MSA is aware of the possible turmoil over the new age delineations that USYS and NJYS have made. MSA hopes to alleviate such concerns and communicate further information in this document. MSA is looking to preserve our current long-standing teams as much as we can with the least disruption. MSA is also cognizant that players may want to play with players more in line with their grade. We are encouraging players that are born between August 1 and December 31 to continue to try out for their current team. We also understand that players born in those months may also now try-out for an age group a year younger. The advantage for players born in the August-December age group is that MSA can also consider what is best for the player in terms of which team would be most beneficial for that player. This allows parents and MSA to decide what is best for both the age group and the individual player. Tryouts will remain merit based for each team. The players born between January and June will continue to try-out for their current, age-appropriate teams.

Should you have additional questions not answered by our FAQ, email [email protected] for assistance.

 

What is the “age group transition”?

Starting in the 2026/27 competitive season, youth player age groups will be organized by the typical US school year (Aug 1- July 31) rather than by calendar year (Jan 1-Dec 31).

 

Who made this decision?

Earlier this year, the governing bodies of soccer in the US (USYS, US Club, US Soccer) and New Jersey (NJYS) decided to shift to the Aug 1-July 31 age group classification.

 

What is the purpose of the change?

Under the current system, players with birthdates in the last quarter of the year (“trapped” players) commonly remain in their final year of high school while the rest of their team has graduated and moved on to college. Changing the age groups to more closely align soccer teams with the school year will help reduce “trapped” players.

 

Will it affect the current 2025/26 season?

No, teams will remain under the calendar year system through the end of the 2025/26 seasonal year. Teams will first be rostered under the new system based on spring 2026 tryout results and will begin to play with their new teams in summer 2026.

 

Does the change affect all leagues (MOSA, EDP, etc)?

Yes. All MSA teams in all leagues will transition to the new age group system in 2026/27.

 

Will registration now be based on the player’s grade in school?

Often, but not always. While age groups will continue to be determined by birth date, the birth date window will shift from Jan-Dec to Aug-July. Players attending a grade outside of their age cohort (in New Jersey, mainly Aug 1 - Sept 30 birth dates) will play in the group that corresponds to their date of birth, not their assigned school grade unless the players with the Aug-Dec birth dates “play up”

 

Which players are most likely to shift age groups?

Players with birthdays in August through December are most likely to be affected by the change, as they may remain in their current age group for 2026/27 or in some cases may “play up” with their previous age group. For example, a player with an October 2016 birth date (current U10) may remain a U10 for the 2026/27 season, or could try out for and earn a place on their current team and move to U11 with that team for the 2026/27 season.

 

Can my player “play up” an age group to remain with his/her current team?

Approval for “playing up” is determined by the MSA Board and CM19 technical staff based on tryout results and player merit. Both MSA and CM19 will collaborate to determine best placing for players as well as teams.

 

Can younger players born in August and September “play up” to remain with other players in their grade?

Approval for “playing up” is determined by the MSA Board and CM19 technical staff based on tryout results and player merit. Grade alone will not guarantee a play up approval.

 

What will my child’s age group be under the new system?

You can calculate your player’s age group for 2026/27 by using the Age Group Calculator provided by US Soccer. (You can also find an updated age group chart for 2026/27

above.)

 

How will player placement selections be affected?

Player placement for 2026/27 will follow the new age group ranges, with consideration for existing teams and players wishing to remain with their current team based on merit. Any player wishing to play with their current team (based on birth year), with August to December birthdays, may consider trying out for both age groups. Players wishing to try out for two age groups should indicate they are interested in trying out for both age groups during registration. A new section was added to registration where the registrant can advise that the player would like to try out for the older age group, or the birth year age group. Filling out this section will assist the tryout coordinator to have the player registered appropriately for both age groups.

 

When will 2026/27 player placement take place?

Registration will begin in February for April 2026 tryouts. Initial team offers for Blue Teams will be made within a week of the conclusion of tryouts. MSA will release Blue Team offers simultaneously, so players in the affected birth months may respond accordingly. Once Blue Teams are formed, Gold, White, and Black Team offers will be made sequentially as needed.

 

Can my player be offered a place on more than one team?

Yes, if a player tries out for two age groups they may receive an offer for one or both, but only one team offer may be accepted.

 

I have more questions. Whom do I contact?

With further questions, please email [email protected].