The Lower Merion Soccer Club is a not for profit organization which
provides soccer programs for over 2600 youngsters ages 4-18 each year.
LMSC has been in existence for over 50 years and ranks as one of the top
youth soccer organizations in the state.
Players do NOT have to live in Lower Merion Township to participate.
While we constantly try to develop players' skills and knowledge of
the game so that they can play at higher levels of soccer in the future,
it is our firm belief that this can only be accomplished if the
children are enjoying themselves on the soccer field.
One of our strengths is the diversity of the programs that we offer.
Highly competitive and athletic players can play in the Travel Team
Program. Since 1989, LMSC teams have won over 70 State Championships (indoor and outdoor combined) and
had over 200 teams reach the State Cup semifinals. Our Travel Team
Program offers up to four teams in age groups from Under 8 up through Under 18.
For our younger players and our less competitive players, LMSC offers
a full range of intramural programs based on each player's age,
gender, athletic ability, soccer experience and desired competitive
level. Our objective is to offer a program that will be fun and
challenging to each player in the program.
LMSC also runs training programs for various age players throughout the year. We have a VERY experienced
staff of coaches, several of whom have coached at the college level and high school varsity level. Some
of our coaches played professionally when they were younger. Training Programs are offered five times
a year: spring, summer, fall, winter I and winter II (the winter season training programs run indoors).
The following is a list of the various programs offered throughout the
year by LMSC:
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Fall Intramural Program |
For players ages 3-12. There are 13
divisions, distinguished by gender, age, previous soccer experience
and athletic ability.
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Spring Intramural Program |
For players ages 3-12. There are 13
different divisions, based on gender, age, previous soccer experience
and athletic ability.
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Winter Intramural Program |
For players ages 7-12.
These leagues run indoors during the winter months at a local indoor sports
facility.
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Travel Team Program |
Our Travel Team Program consists of over 50 travel teams (boys teams and girls teams) for
players in age groups from Under 8 through Under 19.
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Developmental Academy |
This program is for players who are too young (ages 6 and 7) for the Travel Team Program but want to develop the skills
and knowledge of the game to help them make the travel team when they are old enough.
The program is run under the direction of our very experienced LMSC Staff Coaches.
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Special Needs Program |
This program runs in the fall and is open to youngsters ages 6-16 who have
physical, mental or personality limitations.
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Training Programs |
LMSC offers specialized training programs throughout the year for players of various ages
and levels. Training programs are offered in the spring, summer, fall, winter.
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Summer Camps |
LMSC offers a variet of one week summer camps in late July and August. There are programs offered
for Pee-Wees (3 and 4 year olds), intramural players (ages 5-12) and travel team players (U-8 and older).
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Our Fall Intramural Program provides soccer for boys and girls ages 4-14.
We have over 1400 youngsters participate in the Fall Intramural Program each year.
2024 Fall Intramural Program Divisions
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| Little All-Stars |
3 year olds |
2021 |
| Pee-Wees |
4 year olds |
2020 |
| Atoms |
5 year olds |
2019 |
| Bantams |
6 year olds |
2018 |
| Juniors |
7 year olds |
2017 |
| Intermediates |
8 and 9 year olds |
2015 & 2016 |
| Seniors |
10 - 12 year olds |
2012 - 2014 |
| |
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|
|
| Little All-Stars |
3 year olds |
2021 |
| Pee-Wees |
4 year olds |
2020 |
| Neutrons |
5 year olds |
2019 |
| Microns |
6 year olds |
2018 |
| Quasars |
7 year olds |
2017 |
| Protons |
8 and 9 year olds |
2015 & 2016 |
| Electrons |
10 - 12 year olds |
2012 - 2014 |
Our
Youngest Divisions (Atoms, Neutrons and PeeWees)
in the Fall season are kept very informal. Players in the Atoms and Neutrons Divisions meet every Saturday. Players
in the Pee-Wees meet every Sunday. The players are led through a fun clinic for the first 15-20 minutes where
they are taught the basic skills of the game. Each player has his/her
own soccer ball to practice with during the skills clinic.
The remainder of each session is spent playing small sided games
(4 vs. 4) on scaled down fields using a small (size 3) soccer ball.
The scaled down games allow each player to be more involved in the
play and have many more "touches" on the ball.
Players are not placed on permanent teams during the season to
minimize the "winning and losing" aspect.
Our primary objective in the youngest age groups is to develop a
passion for the game of soccer in each player.
Players in our Middle Divisions (Microns, Bantams, Juniors, Intermediates
and Protons) are placed on set teams for the season. Each team has a game every Saturday against
another team in their division. Each team has one practice a week, either on a weeknight or on Sunday.
TWO simultaneous games are played on game day to maximize player involvement.
- Microns and Bantams Divisions: Games are played 4 vs. 4 with no goalies, maximum of 12 players per team, size 3 ball
- Juniors Divisions: Games are played 5 vs. 5 (four field players and a goalie), maximum of 14 players per team, size 3 ball
- Protons and Intermediateds Divisions: Games are played 6 vs. 6 (five field players and a goalie), maximum of 16 players per team, size 4 ball
One of the objectives of the middle divisions is to prepare the more
athletic players for the prestigious Travel Team Program which is
available to youngsters starting at 8 years of age.
Our Oldest Divisions (Seniors and Electrons Divisions)
are for players who have either elected to not tryout for
the Travel Team Program or who were not selected for the Travel Team
Program.
The Seniors and Electrons Divisions play 9 vs. 9. Players are placed on teams of
up to 14 players per team.
Click Here To Go To The Fall Intramural Program Page
In the spring, LMSC runs an intramural program for 4-12 year
old boys and girls. The Spring Intramural Program runs on Sundays from
late April through the end of June.
For the 4 and 5 year old divisions, the players have a 15-20 minute skills
clinic each session, followed by a 40 minute game. All games are "small
sided" (usually 4 vs. 4) to maximize player participation and skill development.
The 6-9 year old divisions in the Spring Intramural Program, (the Juniors, Intermediates
and Protons divisions) have players placed
on set teams for the season. TWO simultaneous games are played each week to maximize player involvement.
- Juniors Divisions: Games are played 5 vs. 5 (four field players and a goalie), maximum of 14 players per team, size 3 ball
- Protons and Intermediateds Divisions: Games are played 6 vs. 6 (five field players and a goalie), maximum of 16 players per team, size 4 ball
The 10-12 year old divisions (Seniors and Electrons) have players placed on teams of 14 players and play games of 9 vs. 9.
The Spring Intramural Program consists of the following age
divisions which are based on age, gender, previous soccer experience
and athletic ability:
2025 Spring Intramural Program Divisions
|
|
|
|
| Little All-Stars |
3 year olds |
2021 |
| Pee-Wees |
4 year olds |
2020 |
| Atoms |
5 year olds |
2019 |
| Bantams |
6 year olds |
2018 |
| Juniors |
7 year olds |
2017 |
| Intermediates |
8 and 9 year olds |
2015 & 2016 |
| Seniors |
10 - 12 year olds |
2012 - 2014 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Little All-Stars |
3 year olds |
2021 |
| Pee-Wees |
4 year olds |
2020 |
| Neutrons |
5 year olds |
2019 |
| Microns |
6 year olds |
2018 |
| Quasars |
7 year olds |
2017 |
| Protons |
8 and 9 year olds |
2015 & 2016 |
| Electrons |
10 - 12 year olds |
2012 - 2014 |
Click Here To Go To The Spring Intramural Program Page
The Travel Team Program is
geared towards the more competitive and athletic boys and girls ages 7-18.
The Travel Team Program offers a much more extensive soccer experience
than the Intramural Program and offers a much more experienced
coaching staff. Several of our Travel Team coaches are former players in the LMSC Travel Team Program.
Most of the coaches in the Travel Team Program have successfully
completed various levels of the coaching courses offered by the
United States Soccer Federation.
LMSC travel teams play against other local Travel Team Programs, both
within Pennsylvania and in neighboring states.
Our travel teams play in the EDP League and the Central League.
Travel teams Under 8 through Under 15 begin play in the fall. U-16 through U-19 teams
start up in early November, after the high school seasons have finished. All teams train
in the winter and all teams play in the spring.
Many travel team players go on to play at the high school level.
Many players make it to the college
level. Most people realize the social pressures of high school. The
prestige that comes with being an athlete greatly reduces these
pressures. It is our belief that being an athlete on a school team
has tremendous value. The Travel Team Program is by far the most
successful way of reaching that objective in soccer.
Tryouts are held in May for our travel teams. Notices are sent to
all players on our mailing list. LMSC will field up to five teams in an
age group, depending on the number of players attending tryouts.
Many of our 'A' level travel teams are considered to be among
the best in the state. Since 1989, LMSC has had 70 teams win State
Championships. During that time, over 200 teams have reached
the semifinals of State Cup competition.
The commitment of the 'A' teams in the Travel Team Program is much greater
than that of other divisions of travel teams. Our 'A' teams are
committed to developing players for both high school and collegiate
levels of play.
Several players from our Travel Team Program have gone on to play professionally or for national teams, including:
- Ben Olsen:
| Played for the USA in the 2006 World Cup and the 2000 Olympic
Team in Sydney, Australia. Ben played in the MLS for DC United for over 12 years. He is currently the head coach for DC United, winning the 2014 MLS Coach Of The Year Award.
|
- Jon Conway:
| Played in the MLS for 12 years (New York Red Bulls, San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC and Chicago Fire).
Jon was a second team All-American selection while at Rutgers University.
|
- Daniel Lovitz
| Currently playing for Nashville in MLS, was called into the USA Men's National Team Camp in 2019 |
- Jimmy McLaughlin:
| Former member of the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer, currently playing for FC Cincinnati |
- Matthew Real
| Currently a member of the Philadelphia Union and USA Men's Under 20 National Team |
- Greg Cochrane:
| Former member of the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer, currently playing for San Antonio FC |
- Emily Morgan:
| Played with the USA Under 14 National team |
- Max Kurtzman:
| Played with the USA Under 15 National team |
- Will Kohler:
| Started for the USA Under 17 National Team in the 1991 U-17 World Cup |
- Sarah Friedman:
| Played professionally for ASA Tel-Aviv in Israel |
- Richard Wilmot:
| Played professionally for the the Reading Rage |
- Suzie Grech:
| Starting goalie for Spain's Under 18 National team. Trained with Spain's full women's national team |
- Justin Ceccarelli:
| Played professionally for the Worecester Wildfire |
Many other players have made the USA Region I teams and State Select teams.
In 1996, there were five LMSC alumni on the nationally ranked Harvard University men's soccer team.
Click Here To Go To The Travel Team Program Page
Our Developmental Academy is geared for our more athletic and competitive players who are too young to be in the Travel Team Program.
Developmental Academy players train under the direction of the LMSC coaching staff
so that they will be ready to successfully compete in the Travel Team Program. The program is
MUCH more extensive
than the intramural program.
Tryouts are held for the Developmental Academy takes place in May.
Click Here To Go To The Developmental Academy Page
This program is geared for players with physical limitations, mental limitations or emotional limitations
who might not be comfortable playing in our other programs. Players range from age 6 - 16. The program
runs on Saturday mornings in the fall.
Click Here To Go To The Special Needs Program Page
LMSC has a
VERY experienced staff of coaches that run training programs for a wide range of soccer players.
These programs run during the winter months, indoors.
The focus on the training programs is on skill development and technical work. Our Training Programs are offered to a wide range of players.
Training Programs offered during the year include Pee-Wees training (4 year olds) up through 12 year old intramural players.
Advanced training programs are also offered for travel team players.
Please visit our web page, www.lmsc.net to see what traing programs are currently
being organized.
Each year, LMSC offers a wide range of summer camps. These camps run in late July and in August. There are camps
for Pee-Wees (ages 3 and 4), intramural players (ages 5-12) and travel team players (Under 8 through Under 12).
Click Here To Go To Our Summer Camps page
