Headquartered in Middletown (Monmouth County), we arrived on New Jersey’s soccer scene in 2014 to offer a differentiated option for local soccer talent. In 10 years, we've rapidly grown into a successful, decorated club with teams ranging from entry-level travel to elite competing at the highest level, including a number of nationally-ranked teams. Our 36 current professionally-trained boys and girls teams range from U7-U17 competing in USYS National League, EDP leagues, APL Acela Premiership, NPL Mid-Atlantic Premier League, Mid-New Jersey Youth Soccer Association League and local, regional and national tournaments
Philosophy
With a heavy focus on proper foundations, we aim to develop complete players and teams to their fullest potential from an early age. Our goal is to build critical skills and cognitive aspects of the game, centered around the key developmental competencies below – this drives a competitive, technical, high-tempo style of play that's fun to play and exciting to watch:
Technique & technical prowess
Tactics & game philosophy
Confidence & bravery on the ball
Creativity & sound decision making
Teamwork & togetherness
Player Development Pathway
& Team Structure
The MUSC Player Development Pathway explains our club’s system and path from grassroots to our academy-style Premier team level. Our Team Structure Guidelines go into detail on leagues, tournaments, training and overall commitment expectations for our Travel and Premier team levels. The unique value and varied playing opportunities offered through our model attracts players of all levels from Middletown, Monmouth County and beyond.
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Our Premier model is run similar to an academy program with full, year-long commitment and play at the highest levels. Many of our Premier teams rival academy teams.
LEAGUE: High-flight EDP, National League, Acela, NPL or other top league
TRAINING: 2x/week year-round (additional offered/optional)
TOURNAMENTS: Multiple tournaments year-round
COMMITMENT EXPECTATION: Full (soccer is primary sport)
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Our Travel model, representing the Blue, White and Gold teams, is run like a standard travel team model where play can vary from high-level to entry-level travel.
LEAGUE: Mid/low-flight EDP, high-flight NPL to all levels within Mid-New Jersey.
TRAINING: 2x/week in fall/spring, 1-2x/week in summer/winter. Blue teams may often take advantage of additional optional training opportunities.
TOURNAMENTS: Most Blue teams will have multiple tournaments year-round, with White teams averaging 2-3 tournaments and Gold teams averaging 1-2 tournaments.
COMMITMENT: Blue teams in EDP or NPL will be very high commitment where soccer is ideally the primary sport. Soccer may not be the primary sport for White and Gold teams but they should expect to be fully committed to their teams as well.
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Our Future Stars program introduces entry-level age groups (U6 & U7) to travel soccer concepts in a professional training environment. We run seasonal programs which often serve as early talent identification and feeders into the travel program, which begins at U8.
LEAGUE: Not applicable until U8
TRAINING: 1x per week programs run during fall & spring
TOURNAMENTS: Not applicable until U8
COMMITMENT: This training-only program is run once a week during each season and is a minimum commitment level by design.
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We partner with Lincroft Soccer Club, who run a recreational soccer program in conjunction with MDS Academy.
LEAGUE: Internal recreation soccer leagueTRAINING: 1x per week during fall & spring season
TOURNAMENTS: No external tournaments
COMMITMENT: Lower commitment level
Frequently Asked Questions
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MUSC is a non-profit youth travel soccer organization based in central new jersey that provides professional training and development pathways for players of all levels. We currently comprise 36 boys and girls teams ranging across U7-U17 age groups.
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We host tryouts each spring (April/May) for the following seasonal year. We also host Talent ID sessions throughout the year to enable opportunities for outside players to experience our environment and express interest.
Visit the Our Programs page for up-to-date information on tryouts and Talent ID sessions.
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As a non-profit organization, our fees are based primarily on club/state/league registration costs, professional training costs and vary by age group. Fee information is delineated clearly in player offers post tryouts. Players are also required to purchase a uniform package (every two years) which typically includes home/away/training jerseys, shorts, socks and backpack.
Within the NJ youth soccer landscape, our fees are comparatively very reasonable offering considerable value in terms of year-long professional training and competitive playing opportunities.
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When you accept an offer to be part of an MUSC team, the expectation is that you will fully participate in training and games, honoring your commitment to the club and your team. It’s very difficult for a team to develop when players miss trainings and games and can negatively impact the overall team experience.
During the fall and spring seasons, our teams train a minimum of 2 days per week (training days are determined by the club and trainer), typically play 1 game per weekend and participate in 1 or more tournaments. In the winter and summer, MUSC teams train 1 day per week, with game and tournament participation varying by team.
Commitment level expectations by MUSC team level is detailed within the Player Development Pathway & Team Structure section on our Our Club page.
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Player Development Pathway & Team Structure information on the Our Club page is a helpful place to start to understand our general club and team structure. It’s also where to find information about our current number of teams and the leagues in which we participate. Here’s some quick information at a glance:
Number of teams—we currently have 24 boys teams and 12 girls teams. The number of teams can vary year to year based on the number of player trying out and committing to us. Additionally, it’s standard to have multiple teams per age group. We strive to provide development opportunities at all levels and as such, players are rostered to the team whose overall skill level we believe aligns best to the player’s skill level, providing the most effective development environment possible.
Roster sizes
7v7 teams—typically 9-11 players
9v9 teams—typically 12-14 players
11v11 teams—typically 15-18 players
Team levels—Premier, Blue, White, Gold. Please see our Player Development Pathway & Team Structure for detailed information about these team levels.
Trainer assignments—trainers are assigned to teams and communicated after the annual teams formation process. This is typically during late spring to early summer leading up to the following seasonal year.
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MUSC teams participate in USYS National League, EDP leagues, APL Acela Premiership, NPL Mid-Atlantic Premier League and the Mid-New Jersey Youth Soccer Association League. We also participate in local, regional and national-level tournaments throughout the year.
League placement for our teams is determined after the annual teams formation process, which is typically during late spring to early summer leading up to the following seasonal year. Each team is aligned to the league and requested for a flight that best compliments its level.
League placement guidelines by MUSC team level is detailed within the Player Development Pathway & Team Structure section on our Our Club page.
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As a standard, league games typically occur during the weekends and are determined/governed by the respective league. It’s possible, albeit rare, to have a game on a weeknight.
During the fall and spring seasons, our teams train a minimum of 2 days per week (training days are determined by the club and trainer), typically play 1 game per weekend and participate in 1 or more tournaments. In the winter and summer, MUSC teams train 1 day per week, with game and tournament participation varying by team.
Training and home games are primarily held at Normandy Park and Nut Swamp School in Middletown, NJ with some other Middletown facilities in use as well. Away game locations vary widely depending on the league in which a team participates.
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US Soccer governing bodies mandate that players only be officially carded with a single club/team per governing body (NJYS, US Club Soccer, etc.). This is the player’s “primary” club/team. Many league and clubs, including MUSC, accept “secondary” players in order to provide alternate playing opportunities. A secondary player is one who has permission—by their primary team/club, a second team/club and the the second team’s league—to participate with the second team.
If you’re a player from another club interested in secondary playing opportunities with MUSC, please email info@monmouthunited.com.
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There are various volunteer opportunities available in the club:
Team Manager (non-coaching, administrative role)—the club communicates this opportunity to all members, and actively solicits for it, during spring/summer prior to the upcoming season. During that process, we’ll provide an overview of the role and expectations and allow interested members to register their interest. Candidates are reviewed and confirmed individually by the club.
Board roles—periodically, there are select volunteer opportunities with the club’s Board or Board of Directors roles needed. Please email info@monmouthunited.com to express interest and a Board member will discuss possible opportunities with you.
TRAINING
PARTNER
Major Development Soccer (MDS) Academy, under the direction of Lee Drury, is the exclusive training partner for Monmouth United. MDS is dedicated to helping players of all ages and skill levels improve their game, with experienced coaches that use a variety of drills and techniques to help athletes develop their technical ability, tactical understanding, and physical fitness. MDS’s goal is to create a positive and challenging environment that helps players reach their full potential on the pitch.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
George Amores
President
Vice President & League Representative
Adam Koster
Greg Drudy
Treasurer
Taryn Phelan
Secretary
Megan Duffy
Team Representative