Competitive Travel League Program

This is a competitive travel soccer program that is open to both boys and girls, ages 6 through 18 (U8-U19), in Milton, Vermont, who would like to play with the Milton Youth Soccer Club during the Vermont Soccer Association/Vermont Soccer League (VSA/VSL) Spring and Fall seasons.  The league consists of three divisions which are grouped by competitive level.  U-8 competitive program is only offered in the Spring and due to Middle School and High School soccer only U-10 and U-12 competitive soccer teams will be offered during the Fall seasons.  

This is a competitive programs playing against other club and town competitive programs from across the state.  The goal of the League Program is to provide opportunities to play soccer in a positive environment that promotes skill development, fair play, and good sportsmanship. Spring leagues start early May, with practices that begin at the end of April (weather dependent) and end in June. Fall leagues begin in late August and end in October.

Spring and Fall soccer teams travel to neighboring towns that are generally within 45-minutes of Milton, and compete in league play with competitive teams throughout the area. Additional travel may be required for a small percentage of games. Training schedules are determined by the individual coach and are typically comprised of two practices per week. The VSA/VSL determine the game schedules for teams, which typically occur on weekends, but can have weekday games.

Age Groups:

U.S. Soccer uses Birth Year Registration. Regardless of grade level all competitive soccer teams are based on birth year for Competitive Vermont Soccer Association (VSA) Leagues.  Two birth years make up the division and divisions are adjusted to new age group every July.  Players can play up to a higher age group based upon team sizes, player emotional and physical development.  Playing up is done by exception only and through the approval of the board. Players can NOT play down to a younger age group due to U.S. Soccer and VSA rules. 

2023-2024 Age Brackets (by birth year) (See Table Below)

Birth Year: Age Division

2017 & 2016: U8

2015 & 2014: U10

2013 & 2012: U12

2011 & 2010: U14

2009 & 2008: U16

2007, 2005 & 2006: U-19

What is the difference between the recreational soccer program and the competitive travel program?

Unlike the Recreation Program, our League Program play competitive teams from across the state. Our teams practice in Milton and have both home and away games against other towns in our area. There are also some weekends when teams travel and play in tournaments. Parents are responsible for getting their children to all games and tournaments. The league costs rise with age and players must purchase a full uniform kit in order to play. Some age groups in this league have tryouts for team placement.

This program is designed for driven players looking for a deeper engagement with soccer through league play and skills development. The spring program has teams from U8-U19 (ages 6-18). The fall program is for U10 and U12 players only (ages 8-12).

Should my child play recreation or competitive travel soccer?

The Milton Youth Soccer competitive travel program is designed for players with soccer experience.  If your child is trying soccer for the first time, or is unsure of their commitment to the soccer season, the recreation program would be a better fit for your child.  If your child has experience with soccer and would like increased competition and higher practice intensity levels than competitive travel would be a good fit.  Since some competitive teams are split by skill level, players who can't commit to practice or games will have an impact on travel team selection, game competition levels, and development.

Who can play Fall Soccer? What is the Cost?

Who can play Spring Soccer? What is the Cost?

** Scholarship assistance is available for financial hardship. If you would like to apply for assistance, please complete our Scholarship Form and mail it to the address on the form. Once your form is reviewed and approved, you will receive a Voucher Code that you can use to register online. You must complete the application and receive your Voucher Code before registering. **

What do the fees cover?

There are set club fees for league soccer, which are determined by the VSA. In addition to the club fees, your registration also includes the Spring Kohl’s Cup Tournament, background checks for coaches, and referee fees, which are also set by VSA. These fees do not pay for coaches because coaches are VOLUNTEERS!

How do I sign up?

Next Season Competitive Travel Player Registration: Closed

All sign-ups are done through GotSport.com. If you haven’t created an account you will need to do so prior to registering your child for soccer.

For instructions on how to set up and access family accounts on GotSoccer, please click on the document provided:

GotSport Family Account Manual

If your child has never played Spring soccer for MYS previously, the Vermont Soccer Association requires a copy of his or her birth certificate. You may send a copy to us at Milton Youth Soccer, PO Box 586, Milton, VT 05468.

Along with a birth certificate, parents/guardians need to upload a current photo (head shot) to their child’s profile on GotSoccer.

Does my child need a uniform for Spring Soccer?

Yes! All league players must order a uniform for the season. In some years, uniforms from previous seasons may be reused. More information on ordering uniforms will be posted as season sign-ups approach.

At times, warm-ups and other non-game kit may be available for purchase as well.

How do I order a uniform?

MYSC uniforms are purchased through Kevin Smith Sports Attire.  See the Uniform link for details.

Can my child play up or down in age level?

Milton Youth Soccer follows the US Club Soccer and Vermont Soccer Association age brackets for all games.  Players cannot play below their specified by birth year age bracket.  Age brackets are located here.  Players can ask to play up in age.  They may request playing up by emailing the travel coordinator and registrar.  All decisions to play up are made by the board and will be decided on a case by case basis.  Team composition (both gaining and losing team), player skill, and player maturity will all be factored into each situation.  Play up requests will only be granted by exception.

How are teams split and team selections made in for competitive travel?

Milton Youth Soccer does not perform tryouts to cut players or move them between recreation and travel league.  The first priority for Milton Youth Soccer is to keep age brackets playing together, if able this will be done by birth year with birth years playing together from at least U-12 and older.  In some cases, teams will need to be divided due to the number of registered players inside an age bracket.  When this happens an evaluation will be conducted to decide how teams will be split.  If the group is U-10 age group or younger this evaluation will be set to balance the skill levels between the teams.  From U-12 age group and older this split will be mainly with Blue team players being second year birth years in the age bracket and Gold team being first year birth years.  Evaluations will decide if any first years will play up to the older birth year within the age bracket only for that season.  The board will make final team selections and try to maintain the birth year as the primary factor in choosing blue versus gold team placement, and will have final say on any 1st year players moving up to Blue team early.

What are practices and games like in the Competitive Travel Program?

Milton Youth Soccer follows the best practices and other standards put out by U.S. Soccer, the parent federation of all soccer programs in the United States. For more detailed information, please see https://learning.ussoccer.com/coach. In summary, our League Program follows these standards:

U8

About half of your games will be in Milton, while the other half will be in nearby towns. These games are 4v4, with 20-minute halves. There are no goalkeepers in U8. The U18 ball size is size 3.

Each week, your team will meet twice to practice, for 60-75 minutes.

Under the U.S. Youth Soccer Player Development Model, U8 coaches are instructed to “provide equal opportunity and playing time for all participants for at least 50% of the game.”

U10

About half of your games will be in Milton, while the other half will be in nearby towns. These games are 7v7, with 25-minute halves. There are goalkeepers in U10. VSL introduces offsides starting with U10. The U10 ball size is size 4.

Each week, your team will meet twice to practice, for 60-75 minutes.

Under the U.S. Youth Soccer Player Development Model, U10 coaches are instructed to “provide equal opportunity and playing time for all participants.”

U12

About half of your games will be in Milton, while the other half will be in nearby towns. These games are 9v9, with 30-minute halves. The U12 ball size is size 4.

Each week, your team will meet twice to practice, for 75-90 minutes.

Under the U.S. Youth Soccer Player Development Model, U12 coaches are instructed to “allow for proper development with a minimum of 50% playing time for players at all levels of competition.”

U14

About half of your games will be in Milton, while the other half will be in nearby towns. These games are 11v11, with 35-minute halves.

Each week, your team will meet twice to practice, for 90 minutes.

Under the U.S. Youth Soccer Player Development Model, U14 coaches are instructed to “be sure all players get playing time” at the coach’s discretion.

U16

About half of your games will be in Milton, while the other half will be in nearby towns. These games are 11v11, with 40-minute halves.

Each week, your team will meet twice to practice, for 90 minutes.

Under the U.S. Youth Soccer Player Development Model, U12 coaches are instructed to “be sure all players get playing time” at the coach’s discretion.

U19

About half of your games will be in Milton, while the other half will be in nearby towns. These games are 11v11, with 45-minute halves.

Each week, your team will meet twice to practice, for 90 minutes.

Under the U.S. Youth Soccer Player Development Model, U12 coaches are instructed to “be sure all players get playing time” at the coach’s discretion.

What are the U.S. Soccer Development Initiatives?

U.S. Soccer released a new set of national standards for all league youth soccer programs in the United States. The standards cover field and goal size, team size, ball size, playing time, break times, and the use of goalkeepers and offsides rules. Implementation of the standards is mandatory in August 2017. As a member of the VSA/VSL, Milton Youth Soccer adheres to these standards as closely as possible.

These standards give everyone a level playing field, and set up a challenging, but fun and rewarding development experience for youth players. 

How can I become more involved with the soccer programs in Milton?

The Milton Youth Soccer Board is always looking for help! There are various ways in which you can support the program by joining the Milton Youth Soccer Board. Some tasks include (but are not limited to): Equipment, Field Organization/Preparation, Website support, Coordinators for both Spring and Fall programs, etc.

Board meetings usually take place on the first Sunday of every month, with occasional adjustments for holidays.

If you are interested in coaching, please go to the Coaches Corner and fill out our form, and mail to coach@myscvt.org.