The city has closed all the grass fields in Melrose today.  As a result the Boys U15 practice has been canceled.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Due to the change to Eastern Standard Time over Halloween weekend we need to adjust our practice schedule (days, times and/or fields) for the last week of the season.  The Calendar page has been updated to reflect the following practice schedule:

U12 Girls
Wednesday 4:30PM to 6:00PM on West Side Knoll (day/field change)
Friday 5:00PM to 6:30PM on West Side Knoll (day/time/field change)

U12 Academy
Monday 3:30PM to 4:30PM on West Side Knoll (no change)
Thursday 3:20PM to 4:20PM on West Side Knoll (slight time change)

U10 Academy
Monday 5:00PM to 6:00PM on West Side Knoll (field change)
Thursday 4:40PM to 5:40PM on West Side Knoll (time/field change)

The city has closed all grass fields for the day, therefore today’s U12 Girls practice has been cancelled.

Sorry for the bad news and for any inconvenience.

With today’s opening of the fall Club Champions League New England season here is a reminder about some of the major changes that will be in effect at all games.

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND FACIAL COVERINGS
While limiting proximity of participants is the first line of defense to reduce the risk of transmission, Facility Operators and Activity Organizers must require facial coverings to be worn by all participants except:

• During high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities.
• When distancing of 6 feet or more is possible between participants
• For individuals that are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability.

Massachusetts Youth Soccer is requiring all players wear a face covering per the most current EEA Guidelines for Organized Youth and Adult Amateur Sports. Only face coverings that secure with loops around a player’s ears are acceptable. Face coverings must be worn when a player steps onto the playing field. During play when spacing is greater than 6 feet from another player a “mask break” to catch their breath may be taken. The default expectation is that face coverings will be worn.

Players must properly wear their face covering at all times when on the sidelines and in any huddles except when 6 or more feet from another player for a “mask break” to catch their breath, drink or eat. If conditions are so severe as to warrant masks too dangerous to wear, the competition must be delayed, postponed or cancelled.

Coaches, staff referees, umpires, and other officials are required to wear facial coverings and maintain a social distance of 6 feet from players, coaches, spectators and other persons at all times.

MODIFIED RULES
Please review the link for CCL NE Rules but keep in mind that Mass Youth Soccer playing rules are our governing body. Please stay up to speed with current information. After speaking with MA Youth Soccer and US Officials the rules have again been updated and now throw ins and corner kicks that have been replaced by an Indirect Free Kick (IDFK) can be played into the penalty area. In addition to this update we are also going to NOW ALLOW goalkeepers to punt the ball or drop kick at the 9v9 and 11v11 level. Normal 7v7 rules still apply with NO punts or drop kicks by goalkeepers.

Fall registration is scheduled to close on Friday August 21st.
Register today at http://melroseunited.com/?page_id=1336

More details about our Fall program can be found via the links below:

• Boys & Girls Fall 2020 Registration Is Open

• Fall 2020 Update

Here are our latest updates about the Fall 2020 Season

The latest Mass Youth Soccer Return to Play Guidelines are available at https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/returntosocceractivitiespdf/

Dates of Play for 9U through 15U
September 13
September 20
September 27
October 4
October 18
October 25
November 1
Make-up date – November 8

8U Age Group (2013 and 2014 birth year)
Play will be 5 v 5 including a goalkeeper.
The games will be 4 x 8-minute quarters with a running clock to allow for coaches to give instructions at the breaks.
Where possible coaches are encouraged to allow players to play for a full quarter.
Modified rules – No heading, throw ins are replaced with pass-in’s, for goal kicks the opposing team must all retreat to the halfway line, no punting or drop kicks by the goalkeeper.
Dates of Play – U8 Season will be 5 weeks
Sept 20
Sept 27
Oct 4
Oct 18
Oct 25
Games take place on Sunday mornings.

9U, 10U and 11U Age Groups
For the fall season 9U, 10U and 11U age groups will play in a 7 v 7 format

12U, 13U, 14U and 15U Age Groups
These age groups will be a 9 v 9 format

16U and 19U Age Groups
CCL New England is offering league play for players high school players should the fall high school season be removed.
This will be a 6-week season starting on September 20th and then follow the CCL New England schedule.
There will be two age groups offered for 16U and 19U players across both genders.
League play will be 11 v 11 format.

Rule Modifications
All rule modifications will be made in partnership with US Youth Soccer/Mass Youth Soccer.
Should a local board of health have stricter guidelines than the modifications suggested above then the board of health will take precedent.

Given the current situation with COVID-19 we will not be conducting our traditional fall team tryouts.  All new and returning boys or girls players interested in playing for Melrose United should register for the fall season here.  

This fall there will be a $100 deposit as part of the registration process.  The balance of the fall registration fee will be due prior to our first game.  The final cost for the Fall season is still TBD, but is not expected to exceed last fall’s cost of $390/player.  Your deposit will be applied to the final cost of the fall season.  Players that need to purchase uniforms will be able to do so for $95 once team placements are determined.

We are asking all interested players to register for the fall season using the following link.  https://melroseunited.com/?page_id=1336We are planning to field up to five boys teams (birth years 2006 through 2014) and up to three girls teams (birth years 2008 through 2014) this fall.  The final decision on the number of teams and their age groups will be determined based on the response we receive from the registration process.  Player placement for each team will be determined based on each player’s birth year and ability.  

Read more about our Club Philosophy and Coach Biographies at http://melroseunited.com/?page_id=55.

The Mass Youth Soccer and Club Champions League New England (CCLNE) guidelines and fall season details are still evolving, including season length, potential modifications to the rules of play, travel guidelines, league cost, etc.  Melrose United will follow the Return to Soccer Activities Guidelines as determined by Mass Youth Soccer, as well as any additional requirements mandated by CCLNE.  The guidelines can be updated at any time and we will be monitoring the situation closely.  The updated Mass Youth Soccer Return to Soccer Activities Guidelines will be available at https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/returntosocceractivitiespdf/.Register here

Please let us know if you have any questions and we look forward to seeing everyone on the pitch in the near future.

We hope this update finds you and your family safe and healthy during this unprecedented time.

We recently received an update from Mass Youth Soccer concerning the Spring 2020 Season.  The full Mass Youth Soccer update is available using the link above.