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Why Moline United?
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After many years with two travel soccer programs in the Moline area, the Moline Soccer Club Travel Teams (MSC Travel)
and Future Maroons Soccer Program (FMS) also known as Moline Soccer Association have joined forces to form what
is now called Moline United. MSC Travel had several teams with a supporting recreational program that is
“borderless”. FMS also had several travel teams with an emphasis on being a feeder system for Moline High School
Soccer. Both organizations had successful teams, but always had trouble getting numbers that would allow every
player to develop at the appropriate level. Moline United has adopted many strong points from each program with
an emphasis on developing each player’s skills and knowledge of the game. Moline United is a “borderless” program
that has players from East Moline, Moline, Orion, Port Byron, Rock Island, and Taylor Ridge to name just a few.
So don’t let the name fool you. The reason why we are Moline United is simply because our fields are in Moline and
two programs have united to create a better atmosphere for developing soccer players throughout the Quad Cities area.
In a few short months, Moline United has seen much success. Not because of the results in the ILLOWA league or
tournaments, but because players have been given the opportunity to develop with other players of similar skill
level. This past June, Moline United held its first try-outs. Based on those try-outs, players were placed on
teams based on their skill level. This has allowed coaches to tailor training sessions to the specific needs of
all players on their team. This in turn enabled players to participate at each and every training session without
being bored because the training was too hard or too easy. This is similar to what is done in schools today with
education. Although there was skepticism at the beginning, we have received several comments from parents stating
that they were not happy about player placement to start off, but they have seen their young soccer player develop
and grow more than they thought possible. This is not to say that Moline United is perfect. Moline United knows
very well that there are always opportunities to grow and improve, much like our young players. Moline United
together with its coaches, parents, teams, and players, will continue to grow and develop the finest players this
area has to offer.
One factor that makes Moline United unique and provides our players the best opportunity to develop is that all
of our coaches are required to be certified. Certification entails participating in an 18 hour long state
sanctioned class through Illinois Youth Soccer, for example. These classes give the coaches the basics on how
to structure a training session correctly as well as how to tailor those training sessions to the skill level
of their players. In short, better coaches create a higher level of development for the players.
With the positive comments we have been hearing from outside of Moline United, we expect the number of players to
grow by up to 20% next year, if not more. Most of that growth will come from the Moline Soccer Club (MSC)
recreational program. MSC has an excellent program that maximizes a player’s number of touches on the ball
starting at age 4. For example, ages 4 and 5 play in the Gnat Division and play their games with only 3 field
players and 1 goalie. As you can imagine, with a smaller number of players on the field at one time, each player
will touch the ball much more. This also helps control the “herd ball” factor when more players play at the same time.
MSC and Moline United share and utilize the Green Valley Soccer Complex for training and games. With the expected growth
of the MSC recreational program as well as Moline United, MSC has taken steps to improve and expand the Green Valley
Soccer Complex with the help of the Moline Parks and Recreation Department. This past fall, a new concession stand
has been built which will also include permanent restrooms. Also, this past fall, new fields have been graded and
seeded and will give more room for training and games starting in the Fall of 2007. Plans are also under way to
upgrade the current recreational fields with irrigation and new seed.
As you can see, with the uniting of MSC Travel and FMS along with the continued support from the Moline Soccer Club
and Moline Parks and Recreation Department we will continue to provide a high quality program for youth soccer in
the Quad Cities area.
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Contact Us
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Player Interest Form
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Moline Soccer Club
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