📅 Dates: April 11– June 7, 2026 📍 Locations: Maryland and D.C. ⚽ Ages: U-8 – U-19 (Boys & Girls) 🕒 Registration Deadline: March 11th 💳 Entry Fee: $750 – $950 (includes referees) 🏆 Sanctioning: US Youth Soccer
🏆 MDSL Championship Overview
The MDSL Championship continues to grow season after season, providing entry-level travel teams with meaningful, competitive matches. Designed for teams seeking a step up in competition, the league emphasizes a balance of player development and winning.
Teams Typically Participating:
Combined top recreational players forming competitive teams
2nd or 3rd tier teams from smaller clubs
4th or 5th tier teams from larger clubs
1st tier teams may join but are required to play up an age group to maintain competitive balance
MDSL mantra: “Development over winning.” All clubs are expected to foster a professional, positive environment, with coaches, players, and families demonstrating proper conduct, arriving early, and warming up appropriately.
📅 Season Details
Dates: April 11 – June 7, 2026
Game Days: Saturdays & Sundays
Games per Team: 8
Game Times: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Game Locations
Montgomery County teams: fields provided if hosting
Non-Montgomery County teams: option to provide your own fields or play all home games at an MDSL field
🗓️ Important Dates
League
Deadline
Registration Deadline
March 11, 2026
Team Acceptance
Upon Registration
De-Conflict Request
March 14, 2026
Brackets Released
March 18, 2026
Schedule Released
March 21, 2026
Team Check-In
March 31, 2026
Roster Changes Deadline
April 4, 2026
Final Changes Cutoff
April 7, 2026 (11:59 PM)
💰 Cost & Club Support
MDSL keeps fees affordable for smaller clubs.
League handles scheduling, referees, and field assignments, saving clubs time and money.
Season margin: 5–10% (vs. 60–70% typical in other leagues).
Focus is on player-first experience, development, and fun.
⚔️ MDSL vs. Other Maryland Leagues
Feature
MDSL Championship
Other Leagues
Player Focus
Development over winning; balanced competitive environment
Often results-driven; less focus on development
Season Length
8 games over ~2 months
Varies; often similar or longer
Game Scheduling
League handles scheduling; optional self-scheduling
Teams handle all scheduling
Referees
Provided by league
Teams may need to hire/pay referees
Field Management
League provides fields for Montgomery County home games
Teams handle field rentals/management
Travel
Local/regional; optional MDSL field for away games
Often extensive travel required
Cost
Moderate; 5–10% league margin
High; 60–70% margin
Support for Clubs
Full administrative support
Minimal support
Competitive Fit
Entry-level travel; 2nd–5th tier teams; some 1st tier teams play up
Varies; often excludes smaller clubs or low-tier teams
Philosophy
Player-first; fun + development
Often focused on revenue & winning
🔢 Age Groups & Fees
Age Group
Birth Year
Format
Max Roster
Entry Fee
U8
2018
7v7
14
$750
U9
2017
7v7
14
$750
U10
2016
7v7
14
$750
U11
2015
9v9
16
$850
U12
2014
9v9
16
$850
U13
2013
11v11
18
$950
U14
2012
11v11
18
$950
U15
2011
11v11
18
$950
U16
2010
11v11
22
$950
U17
2009
11v11
22
$950
U18/19
2008/2007
11v11
22
$950
⏱ Game Format & Duration
Age Group
Halves
U8–U11
30 min
U12–U14
35 min
U15–U16
40 min
U17–U19
45 min
📜 League Rules Highlights
Build-out lines required for U10 and below
No heading for U8–U11
Slide tackling allowed for U11 and up
Referees: 1 per match (U12 and under), 3 per match (U13 and up)
Centralized scheduling via GotSport
Block scheduling & double coach scheduling options available
💵 Refund Policy
100% – Before team acceptance
75% – After team acceptance
50% – After schedule completion
0% – After schedule is posted
$75 administration fee deducted for any refund
📅 Season Schedule
Pre-season (Spring Classic): March 21–22
Week 1: April 11–12
Week 2: April 18–19
Week 3: April 25–26
Week 4: May 2–3
Week 5: May 9–10
Week 6: May 16–17
Bye Week (Memorial Cup): May 23–24
Week 7: May 30–31
Week 8: June 6–7
Post-season (DC Cup): June 19–21
Teams play 8–10 league matches including playoffs. Inclement weather games are rescheduled as needed. All scheduling and fields are handled by MDSL.
✅ Key Takeaways for Clubs
Affordable: Fees kept reasonable to reinvest in players/programs
Low Administrative Burden: Scheduling, referees, and fields handled by league
Development-Oriented: Meaningful games, skill growth, and positive environment
Competitive but Balanced: Teams matched for fair competition; U9–U10 divisions focus on development
