MLS GO Rec, Open & Club Leagues


Already have a team? Our Rec, Open and Club divisions allow coaches and team organizers to bring a pre-formed team into the Adirondack Coast Sports MLS GO league.


These divisions are different from our House League, where ACS forms teams from individual registrations. With Rec, Open and Club registration, your group comes in as a team and competes against other appropriately matched teams throughout the session.


Our goal is to provide competitive, developmentally appropriate games while creating the best possible experience for every player.


What’s Included

  • MLS GO uniform — jersey, shorts and socks
  • A regular 8-game league schedule, with the goal of approximately one game per week
  • Up to four scheduled practices per session
  • Organized league scheduling and officials
  • Playoffs for U8 and older divisions


Which Division Is Right for Our Team?


REC
The Rec division is intended for independently organized teams that have been put together primarily to participate in our league. Think, "town ball."


This might include:

  • A group of friends who want to play together
  • Players from the same school or community
  • A coach who has assembled a team specifically for the ACS season
  • An established group that is recreational rather than part of a competitive soccer club


Rec teams generally compete against other Rec teams and may also play House teams or, occasionally, Club teams when appropriate. ACS may adjust division placement when necessary to create appropriate competition and the best possible experience for the players.


Teams assembled specifically for our league will normally be placed in Rec, although they may choose to register for Open or Club competition if they are looking for a higher competitive level.


OPEN
Open divisions give ACS additional flexibility to create the strongest and most balanced league possible when the number or type of registered teams does not support completely separate divisions.


An Open division may include House, Rec and other pre-formed teams, with ACS working to group and schedule teams based on competitive level whenever possible.


This format is used particularly in older age groups, where there may be fewer teams or a wider range of experience. If registration numbers allow, ACS may further separate teams by ability to create better competitive balance. ACS may adjust division placement when necessary to create appropriate competition and the best possible experience for the players.



CLUB
The Club division is intended for established competitive soccer organizations and teams.


Organized clubs—including organizations operating as a nonprofit or for-profit club, or teams that are generally recognized as annually competitive—are expected to register in the Club division.


Club teams primarily compete against other Club teams when registration numbers allow. They may also play appropriate Rec or Open teams when necessary to create a complete and competitive schedule. ACS may adjust division placement when necessary to create appropriate competition and the best possible experience for the players.


Game & Practice Schedule


We work hard to provide consistent game days so families and coaches can plan ahead.


Typical Game Days

U8 - Tuesdays (5:15, 6:15 or 7:15)

U10 - Wednesdays or Fridays (5:15, 6:15, 7:15)

U12 - Thursdays (5:15, 6:15, 7:15, 8:15), with occasional Tuesday (7:15, 8:15) or Wednesday (7:15, 8:15) games

U14 - Saturdays (12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:15)


Rec, Open and Club team practices are scheduled in coordination with the team's coach.


Teams may receive up to four scheduled practice opportunities per session, depending on the division, facility availability and overall schedule.


Weather, facility availability, enrollment and other scheduling considerations can occasionally require changes.


Games & Competition


Games are generally two 25-minute halves, and ACS makes every attempt to schedule teams with competitive balance in mind.


Our goal is to provide approximately one game per week, but the schedule may not be perfectly even from week to week. Odd numbers of teams, facility availability and other scheduling considerations may occasionally result in a bye week or a week without a scheduled game.


Teams may also occasionally play on an alternate day or against a team from another competitive category when doing so creates a better overall schedule.


ACS will work with coaches whenever possible to place teams where they are most likely to have competitive and positive games.


Rosters


We recommend approximately 10 players per team, with rosters of up to 12 players permitted.


Only properly registered and rostered players may participate. Guest players, substitutes from another team or other non-rostered players are not permitted unless specifically approved by Adirondack Coast Sports.


Roster checks may be conducted before games, and use of an ineligible or non-rostered player may result in a forfeit.


Coed & Club Team Considerations


ACS youth Rec and Open leagues are primarily coed. Teams should include players of both genders, with both represented on the field in accordance with league rules.


When there are enough Club teams within an age division to create a separate Club division, Club teams may be single-gender.


If there are not enough Club teams to create a separate division, Club teams may be incorporated into Rec/Open competition. ACS will work with coaches on the appropriate roster and game requirements in those situations.


Playoffs


U8 through HS divisions include postseason play. During the regular season, teams compete for playoff positioning, with the top four teams advancing to the postseason.


Which Option Should I Choose?


Choose Rec if you have put together your own team specifically to participate in the ACS league.


Choose Open if your team has played together for ACS before, plays in one or two tournaments per year, and/or has only a few players on modified/JV/Varsity teams. 


Choose Club if your team is part of an established competitive soccer organization, regularly competes together as a club team, and/or has players that are on modified/JV/varsity teams.


ACS may adjust division placement when necessary to create appropriate competition and the best possible experience for the players.