Registration
📅 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
- IMPORTANT – MDSL has limited game fields this season, therefore, teams will be responsible for locating fields to host their home matches. If you are unable to locate a field, then you can reach out to the league office for assistance.
Please provide the date, time, county/city, and game format. We have access to fields in Montgomery, Prince George’s, and D.C. However, the host will be responsible for preparing the fields.
Below are a list of fields that the MDSL has reserved for the Spring 2026 season. If you would like to schedule your games within the block of time then you may do so.
| Venue | Dates | Time Block | Format |
| South Valley Park (Montgomery Village) | Saturdays | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | 11 v 11 |
| Judith Resnik Elementary School (Gaithersburg) | Weekends | 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Saturdays) and 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (Sundays) | 9 v 9 |
| William Gibbs Elementary School and area Germantown Elementary Schools | Weekends | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm | 7 v 7 |
🗓️ Important Dates
| League | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Team Acceptance | February 20, 2026 |
| Registration Deadline | March 11, 2026 |
| 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