Championship League (September 7 – November 3, 2024)
MDSL Championship is the top league of the MDSL and caters to Classic to Low-level travel teams. Games are mostly played in the Central Maryland area.
Classic:
A Classic level team is typically one who has combined the better players on the recreation side in their clubs to form teams. It is made up of players who are looking for more of a challenge and to play on level with the competition.
Low-Level Travel
A Low-Level Travel team is typically one who has played in divisions 4-6 in other leagues.
Classic and Low-Level travel teams will be divided by divisions in the Championship league. Low-Level travel teams will play in Divisions 1 and 2 and Classic level teams will play in Divisions 3 and 4.
MDSL Championship begins at the U-9 level and unlike other leagues who may not categorize the U-9 and U-10 age groups by divisions, we feel as though this is important at this age to ensure meaningful games. The Championship strives to provide a positive environment to support player development. This league is competitive and encourages clubs to find a balance between player development and winning.
Across all leagues the MDSL’s mantra remains “Development over winning” and it is our expectation that when your club joins any of our leagues that you too must have a similar mindset. Clubs and their teams are to conduct themselves in a professional manner. We expect teams to show up 45 minutes prior to their games, have proper warm-ups and during the games, coaches to be professional and conduct themselves positively all while enforcing the same principles in their families and players.
Season: September 7 – November 3, 2024
Game Days: Saturdays and Sundays
#of games per team: 8
Game Times (Range): 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Game Locations: Teams provide fields. If you are a Montgomery County based team then you will be able to utilize fields in the MDSL inventory.
Cost:
*Cost includes referees, game fields, and league administration.
Note that ALL players must be carded to be a part of this league. If players are not registered with their clubs under US Youth Soccer then they must be carded through U.S. Club Soccer. This is an additional annual fee per player of $22 +$150 for the MDSL to card the players. This is also an annual fee. If your team is not associated with a club and carded then they will have to be registered under the Maryland Developmental Soccer League.
| Age Group | Birth Year | Format | Max Roster | Entry Fee |
| U-9 | 2016 | 7 v 7 | 14 | $750 |
| U-10 | 2015 | 7 v 7 | 14 | $750 |
| U-11 | 2014 | 9 v 9 | 14 | $850 |
| U-12 | 2013 | 9 v 9 | 16 | $850 |
| U-13 | 2012 | 11 v 11 | 16 | $950 |
| U-14 | 2011 | 11 v 11 | 18 | $950 |
| U-15 | 2010 | 11 v 11 | 18 | $950 |
| U-16 | 2009 | 11 v 11 | 18 | $1,050 |
| U-17 | 2008 | 11 v 11 | 22 | $1,050 |
| U-18 | 2007 | 11 v 11 | 22 | $1,050 |
Refund Policy:
A $75 administration fee will be deducted for any refund request:
- 100% – Refund amount before team acceptance. Keep in mind that we have to accept the team first inorder for funds to be deducted. If the team is not accepted in GotSport then no fee will be deducted.
- 75% – Refund amount after the team has been accepted.
- 50% – Refund amount after the schedule is complete.
- 0% – `Refund amount after the schedule has been posted.
Cost comparison to other leagues:
| Leagues | U-9 – U-10 | U-11-U-12 | U-13-15 | U-16-U-18 |
| MSI Classic | $1,780 | $2,060 | $2,540 | $2,630 |
| SAM Select | $1,650 | $1,975 | $2,450 | $2,450 |
| EDP | $765 | $1,725 | $1,845 | $1,740 |
| MDSL | $750 | $850 | $950 | $1,050 |
U-9 (2016s) – U-10 (2015s) – Games are 30 minute halves.
U-11 (2014s) – U-12 (2013s) – Games are 35 minute halves.
U-13 (2012s) – U-15 (2010s) – Games are 40 minute halves.
U-16 (2009s) – U-18 (2007s) – Games are 45 minute halves.
*Note – Referee fees are included in the cost and all teams are required to be USYS and US Club Soccer carded.
League Rules
- Build-out lines are required for U10 and below.
- No Heading (U-9 – U-11)
- Slide tackling is allowed for all ages.
- One (1) Referee per match for U12 and under. 3 refs for U13 and up.
For more detailed information the league’s rules you can click here.
Block scheduling will be available. We will also offer double coach scheduling preference to de-conflict games.
AMAZING BENEFITS. MDSL member clubs and teams will also receive access to Squadra, BowNet, United Soccer Coaches, and partnerships only available to the MDSL.
MDSL Fall 2024 KEY DATES to remember:
- Team Registration Deadline: August 15, 2024
- Division Structure Released: August 20, 2024
- Tentative Schedule Released to Teams Only: August 22, 2024. On this date teams can de-conflict any games that they may have up until August 23, 2024. After this window, no changes are allowed for the rest of the season.
- Master Schedule Released: August 26, 2024
- Season Starts: September 7, 2024
- Season Ends: November 3, 2024
Match Day Dates :
Teams will be guaranteed 8 games. Matchdays are as follows:
- Pre-season: August 24-25 (MDSL Summer Breakout)
- Week 1: September 7-8, 2024
- Week 2: September 14-15, 2024
- Week 3: September 21-22, 2024
- Week 4: September 28-29, 2024
- Week 5: October 5-6, 2024
- Bye Week: October 12-13, 2024 (MDSL Fall Classic)
- Week 6: October 19-20, 2024
- Week 7: October 26-27, 2024
- Week 8: November 3-4, 2024
- Week 9 (Make-up date): November 10-11, 2024 (We understand that teams may be participating in tournaments this weekend so we will do our best to make the games up during the season.
- Post-season: November 16-17, 2024 (MDSL Fall Breakout)
Fees include:
- 8 League Matches per season. In case of inclement weather games will be made up. This might include playing a game on a day that your team typically doesn’t play or playing a doubleheader in one day.
- Standard rules and procedures developed by clubs.
- Centralized master scheduling via GotSport.
Please Note: All scheduling (games and fields) are handled by the MDSL office.