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TRAVEL ACADEMY

Southern Maryland’s Premier Player Development Academy

At Maryland-Elite Soccer Club, the Elite Travel Academy is a year-round program designed for players who are serious about their development. As the region’s only Professionally Owned, Staffed, and Operated soccer club, we provide a training-first environment where players are guided by a full-time, licensed coaching staff and develop through our exclusive Elite Player Curriculum and Elite Player Pathway.

Our primary focus is training—we believe that developing individual skills, tactical understanding, and mental toughness is the foundation for success. Playing opportunities are seen as a secondary benefit and are structured to provide competitive environments for players to showcase their development. The goal is always to ensure that every player receives the right training and exposure for their individual growth, rather than simply being placed on a team for competition.

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Program Overview

Maryland-Elite SC's Elite Travel Academy is a developmental academy. This means that our focus is on providing consistent, high-quality training that fosters an effective learning environment for each individual player within our Academy program. The goal is to develop the best possible version of each player, turning them into successful collegiate and professional athletes. Our program is designed with a "pro player development" mindset and is operated by a full-time, professional technical staff.

We are a year-round program, with three to four training sessions in the Spring and Fall months and two to three sessions in the Summer and Winter months. While seasons may include league games, tournaments, and showcases, elite, developmental training remains our primary focus. The opportunities provided to each player will be determined by the Technical Staff, based on the individual player’s current developmental needs. Players are given these opportunities, never specific and named Maryland-Elite SC teams with fixed rosters.

Since our Academy is developmental, players are grouped based on ability and developmental stage, not team affiliation. Our players train and play as a club, not as a team, ensuring they experience consistent coaching and exposure across all age groups. The sole focus for Academy members is their individual development, with playing opportunities serving as a secondary benefit to this growth. Unlike recreational travel programs that focus on team-specific play, Maryland-Elite SC is committed to elite individual player development.

Programming specifics are at the discretion of the MESC Technical Staff and may change according to Player Development needs. Below is to only serve as a sample of what our Academy Program has to offer.​

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Pre-Academy (U8-U10)

  • 2 training sessions per week, year-round

  • Fall and Spring Seasons

  • Local League Pla

 

Youth Academy (U11-U12)

  • 2 training sessions per week Summer/Winter

  • 3-4 training sessions per week Fall/Spring

  • Fall and Spring Seasons

  • Local League Play

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Junior Academy (U13-U14)

  • 2 training sessions per week Summer/Winter

  • 3-4 training sessions per week Fall/Spring

  • Year-Round Program

  • Regional League Play

  • Regional Tournament Play

Senior Academy (U15-U19)

  • 2 training sessions per week Summer/Winter

  • 3-4 training sessions per week Fall/Spring

  • Year-Round Program

  • National/Regional Showcase Play

  • College Recruitment Resources

Summer College Prep (U17+)

  • Summer League Programming for the Area's Top Collegiate/Pro-Am Players

  • How do I order a uniform?
    Uniform orders occur twice a year (Summer and Winter). If your player joins between orders, they will receive a guest player kit to borrow until the next uniform order.
  • How do I order spirit wear?
    You can shop for MESC’s year-round spirit wear via Squadlocker. Spirit wear items are available for players, families, and fans. Orders ship individually within 6-12 business days, with tracking provided.
  • How do I add an email address to receive emails?
    To add an email address, log into your SportsEngine account. For instructions, visit this link.
  • What team is my player on?
    Maryland-Elite SC operates on an academy-style model, meaning we do not have fixed "teams." Players are grouped for participation in events based on their ability and development level. Our focus is on elite individual player development, and all players train and play as a club, not a specific team.
  • Who is my player’s coach?
    Our coaching staff operates as a cohesive unit across all levels and ages. While players may become familiar with a couple of primary coaches, all coaches work together to ensure consistency in our curriculum and game model. This structure maximizes player development and ensures every player receives well-rounded coaching.
  • Are there additional costs beyond program/registration fees?
    Program fees cover a full year of Travel Academy programming, including practices, games, tournaments, showcases, recruitment resources, and more. Additional costs include: Uniforms: Field Player Kit: $150 / GK Kit: $180 Practice T-shirt: <$30 Travel Expenses
  • What league/division do my players play in?
    The focus at Maryland-Elite SC is on individual player development rather than participation in set leagues or divisions. Our goal is to develop players into collegiate and professional athletes, so the division that matters most is the collegiate level they eventually play at. We train players with the aim of making them the best possible version of themselves.
  • Is my child eligible to participate?
    Our Pre-Academy/Rec program is for players U4-U12. Eligibility depends on your child’s birth year.
  • What team is my player on?
    Maryland-Elite SC, and the Pre-Academy/Rec Program, is ran academy-style, which means that there are not "teams". We focus on individual player development. Instead of players being assigned to specific teams for the program duration, players practice and play in groups according to their birth year. Players will be assigned to a certain area of the field (marked by field signage indicating birth year) upon arrival to the field.
  • What should my player bring to the field?
    Shin guards Ball: Size 3 for U8 and younger, Size 4 for U9 and older Athletic shoes/cleats (if preferred) Soccer socks (to cover shin guards) Athletic pants/shorts
  • How many sessions per Pre-Academy/Rec season?
    Per season, we plan for 7 sessions - weather permitting. All dates/times for the season are listed on the program's page!
  • Do canceled sessions get rescheduled?
    No, cancelations are final and any canceled sessions will not be made up. We plan for and schedule, with set dates/times, 7 sessions per season, weather permitting. Weather plays a factor from time to time, unfortunately causing field closures and/or dangerous conditions for play. As a result, cancelations may occur.
  • How do I add an email address to receive emails?
    MESC does not have access to individual player/parent accounts to change/add/update contact information. However, emails can be added by logging into your SportsEngine account! Here is a link that explains: https://help.sportsengine.com/en/articles/197-how-to-add-additional-emails-to-receive-messages-for-an-athlete
  • Can I order Spirit Wear?
    Follow the link below to shop from MESC's year-round spirit wear shop through Squadlocker. Spirit wear items are available for players, families, and MESC fans. Orders ship individually 6 to 12 business days after they are placed, tracking information is emailed upon shipment: https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/maryland-elite-sc?_k=01wl4t
  • What is the process for player identification for the MESC Travel Academy?
    Maryland Elite's Recreational All-Star ID Program, part of MESC Player Identification Program(PIP) is a first in the area and is designed to identify players with exceptional ability. The ID program allows staff coaches to distinguish the players that display talents that are required to play at an all-star level. At this level coaches will recognize the following elements of a player that displays all-star talent; Technique, Tactics, Physical and Mental. For example, the fastest kid or the strongest kid is not what we are ultimately looking for in a young player. The Player Identification Program is an extension of Maryland Elite Soccer's 'Elite Player Pathway' which not only creates programs to ensure players are being trained and prepared for soccer at the highest levels but also to make certain capable players are identified. TECHNIQUE: Enhanced dribbling skills using all foot surfaces. How they receive and control the ball. How they pass and do they pass. We don’t encourage players to just kick the ball down field. We will recognize controlling of the ball and trying to keep possession. At this age the kids are learning to shoot so the "biggest foot" will be ID'd but technique is the key. TACTICS: Players that will be ID'd will begin to understand the game. How they move up and down the field and how they penetrate defenses with quick touches through passing. Heavy emphasis will be on how they react in 2v1 and 2v2 situations towards goal. PHYSICAL: ID'd players will be evaluated by their hand and eye coordination (goalkeepers) and foot and eye coordination. MENTAL: Players ID'd should display passion with a smile on their face. No poor sportsmanship will be allowed. ID'd players should be focused and enjoy the game so they learn to love it.
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