FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my child guaranteed a specific amount of playing time?
Because this is a recreational league, all children will play a minimum of 50% a game. It is the discretion of the coach as to how that time is allotted. For example: A child may play all of quarters 1 and 3, but sit out quarters 2 and 4; or, a child may play half of all four quarters. Please notify the league immediately if your child is not getting playing time.

What equipment do I need to purchase for my child?
All children must wear shin guards at all times. It is highly recommended that children wear soccer cleats as well; however, gym shoes are permitted. Please note: children may not wear baseball or football cleats. A baseball/football cleat is defined as a shoe that has a toe cleat (i.e. a cleat at the tip of the toe). If a child comes to a game in baseball/football cleats, the referee will not permit that child to play. There are no exceptions, as this is a safety issue.

Is travel required?
U4 – U10 teams will play in either Richmond or Berea. If you are a Berea team, you may have 2 or 3 games in Richmond. If you are a Richmond team, you may have 2 or 3 games in Berea. This is because we are a county-wide league. U12 and older teams will travel outside of Madison County as there are typically only 1 or 2 teams in those age groups.

When do we practice?
Practice dates/times are chosen by the coach. We can not guarantee what nights your child will practice, or that practice will not conflict with other activities. We do not place children on specific teams to accommodate or schedule around their other activities.

Where do we practice?
Berea teams practice in Berea; Richmond teams in Richmond. Older teams that have both Berea and Richmond players may choose to alter locations.

Where do we play games?
All Richmond games will be played at Lake Reba or Million Park. Berea games are played at the Berea City Park or Berea Municipal Utility Fields. See field maps here. Please note: U12 and U14 teams will be required to travel outside the county. U10 teams will occasionally be required to travel outside of Madison county.

When is registration?
Registration for Fall is June 1 – June 30, Spring registration is January 1 – January 31. You should complete online registration as early as possible. In the event that we are unable to place all children on teams, we use the registration date as the method for determining what child gets first priority. Example: Seven kids register to play. There are only five openings. The first five children who registered will be awarded the spots while the others will be placed on the waiting list. Wait list children will have their fees refunded if MUSA is unable to place them on a team at some point during the season. Please note: MUSA uses this method even if all seven kids registered before the deadline. Submitting an application does not guarantee a spot to play.

Are registration fees refundable?
Refunds will not be issued after July 14 (Fall Season) or February 14 (Spring Season). If we are unable to place a child on a team, he/she will be placed on the waiting list. If we are still unable to place that child, his/her fees will be refunded.

My child played during the Fall season but would like to switch teams in the Spring. Is that possible?
Yes, but you will need to pay the full registration fee. You can not request to switch to a specific team. Your child will be randomly drawn. NOTE: You must make the request prior to team selection.

I forgot to request that my child move up, switch teams, etc. Is it too late?
Once the child has been placed on a team, it is too late to change teams. You must make all special requests on your application form prior to the teams being selected.

Can I request a specific coach?
No. Children are selected to teams via a random draw. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Can my child play down an age group?
No. Children are not permitted to play in a lower age group. Age groups are determined by birth year.

My daughter and my niece/neighbor/friend/cousin are the same age. Can you place them on the same team to help with car-pool?
No. Children are selected to teams via a random draw. We cannot place friends, cousins, neighbors, etc. on the same team. We can only place siblings on the same team, if their ages are appropriate.

I have a friend that can help with car-pool, etc. Can you place our kids on the same team?
No. Children are selected to teams via a random draw. We cannot place friends, cousins, neighbors, etc. on the same team. We can only place siblings on the same team, if their ages are appropriate.

My child is very shy. Can you place him/her on the same team as his/her friend?
No. Children are selected to teams via a random draw. We cannot place friends, cousins, neighbors, etc. on the same team. We can only place siblings on the same team, if their ages are appropriate.

What days of the week do we have games?
The majority of games are played on Saturday and Sunday. Depending on the number of teams, weather cancellations and our limited field space, you may occasionally have a weeknight game. Teams that have an end of the season tournament will play during the week (for one week). Older teams that travel out of the county may have weeknight games.

Will soccer conflict with any other sports (baseball, softball, football, etc.)?
If your child chooses other activities, there may be conflicts with soccer. We can not guarantee your child’s games/practices will not conflict. We will not move your child to a new team to accommodate other activities.

What if practices/games conflict with my child’s nap time?
We can not schedule around your child’s nap time. We can not guarantee practices/games will not conflict with your child’s nap time.

I just found out that my child’s games/practices are going to interfere with dance/football/baseball/scouts/nap time. Can I get a refund?
No. Once your child has been placed on a team we can not provide refunds.

How many games will my child play?
We typically schedule 10 games to allow for rainouts. You will play at least 8 games, but (weather permitting) you may get up to 10.

Is my child guaranteed a position on a team if I complete a registration form?
No. In some cases there are too many players and not enough positions. In this case, MUSA uses the registration date as the method for determining what child gets first priority. Example: Twenty-five kids register to play U5. There are six kids per team and four teams. The child with the latest registration date will be on the waiting list. If we are unable to place your child, you will be refunded. Please note: MUSA uses this method even if all kids registered before the deadline. We cannot add “just one more player” to accommodate extra kids. State and league guidelines have set numbers of players on teams.

What is the difference between Berea and Richmond Requested Pool?
For the Berea Pool, all practices and the majority of games will be played at the Berea facilities. For the Richmond Pool, all practices and the majority of games will be played in Richmond. Berea teams will play a few games in Richmond. Richmond teams will play a few games in Berea. If your child is willing to play in either league, please mark so on your application as it will allow the league more flexibility in placing children.

What is the difference between the Mixed League and the Girls League?
Mixed means co-ed (boys and girls). Girls Only means only girls on a team. All U4 – U6 teams are co-ed. Girls are able to play on Girls Only teams beginning at U7. Girls are not required to play on Girls Only teams.

When does the Spring Season begin, and how long does it last?
The Spring Season begins at the middle to end of March, and ends around the middle to end of May. Please note: If we have an extremely inclement season, we may have to extend to get games in.

When does the Fall Season begin, and how long does it last?
The Fall Season begins early August, and ends around the middle to end of October. Please note: If we have an extremely inclement season, we may have to extend to get games in.

Does the league offer tournaments?
The U10 age groups have a tournament. The U12 and U14 only have tournaments if there are enough teams in the league.

What is the procedure for inclement weather?
Soccer games are played in the rain and the snow. Games are not generally canceled prior to game time unless the fields have standing water. In the event that games are canceled for an entire day, an announcement will be posted on the web site. Unless your coach has contacted you or the league has communicated a cancellation. always go to the field. In the event of thunder/lightning, the referee will clear the field, wait 20 minutes and then allow the game to continue or cancel. Please note: If the referee clears the field, all players are required to find shelter immediately. Teams may not congregate under trees or in the open fields. In Richmond, we request that players return to their vehicles. In Berea, they may wait under the football stadium or in their vehicles. This is for the safety of the players.

If a game is canceled, when will it be rescheduled?
Recreational Soccer: We only reschedule cancelled games under two conditions:
1. The cancelled game is a league sponsored tournament game.
2. If a recreational team will not have at least 8 games played for the season, we will then reschedule for that team.

Select Soccer: Select team managers must follow KSSL/KPL rules regarding rescheduling select league games.

Who do I contact to volunteer as a coach or assistant coach?
Please email [email protected].

Who do I contact to obtain information about becoming a referee?
Please email [email protected].