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From Kindergarten to 12th Grade: How MSI Became a Second Home

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:06:56 GMT

For the Combs family, MSI isn’t just a soccer club. It’s part of their family story.

Juliana’s dad played for MSI when he was younger, and he knew exactly where he wanted his kids to start their soccer experience. As her mom, Darlene, recalls, “He said, ‘This is a phenomenal program. Our kids have to do it.’”

Their older son and daughter joined first and enjoyed their time with MSI before eventually moving on to other sports. Juliana made a different choice. From the moment she was old enough for the Kindergarten program, she stayed. Now a high school senior, she’s finishing her youth career in MSI’s Classic League, completing a Kindergarten-through-12th grade run with the same organization her dad once played for.

Juliana’s earliest memories aren’t of a particular goal or game, but of being part of a team.

“It was being on a team with friends from my school,” she says. “It was definitely fun. Our coach was a parent, but he made it fun for everyone, and that made me want to keep playing.”

For Darlene, those early years felt like classic “soccer mom” life: rushing to practices, weekend games, and building friendships on the sideline.

“The camaraderie between the kids, the parents, just everything,” she says. “Our whole social network was there.”

One constant during that time was Juliana’s first coach, Brian, who stayed with the team from Kindergarten through sixth grade. That consistency helped make MSI feel like a stable, safe space.

“She was very blessed,” Darlene says. “We were grateful for that consistency. We’re still friends with him.”

As Juliana got older, soccer shifted from something she did on the weekends to something that felt like a core part of her life. The turning point came when she had the chance to move from Rec into the Classic League.

“I definitely felt like when I went from Rec to Classic, it was more of a decision of, ‘Why do I want to continue doing this?’” she says. “Even though Rec was really fun, I wanted to improve my skills and take it to another level.”

Now she plays in the Classic League under Coach Jeremy, surrounded by teammates who share her commitment. “My coach is one of the most advanced I’ve had,” she says. “Some of the girls are more advanced than those I played with in Rec, so it’s been a learning experience. It’s helped me improve, and I appreciate the commitment level of the girls and the coach.”

Alongside MSI, Juliana also plays for her high school team at a small private school, juggling schoolwork, multiple practices, and games. That balance has become one of the biggest benefits in Darlene’s eyes.

“It helps her learn to juggle everything and be a stronger player,” Darlene says. “There were times when she had two practices in one day or two games in a day, and she just made it happen.”

Soccer has also impacted Juliana’s health. She has asthma, and her doctor actually encourages her to play. “Soccer is phenomenal for her because she has to push those lungs,” Darlene explains. “There are days when she plays almost the entire game. Her cardio has improved so much.”

For Juliana, the reason she stayed is simple: “It’s something I was always a part of, and it brought me joy,” she says. “I didn’t feel like it was something I wanted to leave. If I enjoy something, I want to keep doing it.”

Now, soccer is not just a sport, but a reset button. “After school, when I’ve had a rough day, it’s something I can go to,” she says. “I can get my energy out. It gives me a different sigh of relief. It’s kind of like my escape.”

As she looks ahead to college, Juliana hopes to keep playing, ideally at the Division III level, so that she can balance academics and soccer. Whatever comes next, she’ll leave MSI as part of a true generational story and a reminder of what long-term community soccer can do.

"The Job’s Not Finished”: MSI Coach Leads BCC Girls on a Special Playoff Run

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:50:24 GMT

From MSI roots to state-stage heights, this team proves culture wins games.

For the Bethesda Chevy Chase High School (BCC) girls’ soccer team, this season hasn’t just been about a deep playoff run, where they are gearing up to compete in the Maryland 4A Girls Soccer State Championship against Perry Hall High School. It’s been about a group of players who chose to lean into each other, respond to adversity, and turn a shared goal into something bigger than themselves.

Their head coach, a longtime member of the MSI coaching community, Travis Woodruff, describes the journey not through a single highlight but as a collection of moments that have defined who this team is.

From the earliest training sessions to the pressure of the state playoffs, the players have embraced a simple daily standard: work hard, enjoy the moment, and keep pushing for the next step. Practices have been lively and intense, with teammates challenging one another at a high level and then carrying that same energy into games. Rather than pointing to one decisive play or dramatic goal, Coach Travis talks about “the whole playoff run” and, in truth, “the whole season” as something he’ll carry with him.

What makes this group stand out is not just talent, but connection. The players love being around one another, and it shows in all the little details. Training sessions feel competitive but joyful. The bench is often louder than the stands, with substitutes fully engaged, cheering, and urging on their teammates. It is a group that responds to coaching, understands when it is time to lock in, and refuses to back down when things get hard.

As the team has marched deeper into the playoffs and into the state final, two messages have driven everything they do.

The first is a mantra repeated daily: “The job is not finished.” From the very beginning of the season, the goal hasn’t been to simply reach the state final; it has been to win a state championship. Training sessions, pregame talks, and halftime messages are all anchored in that mindset. Reaching this stage is a milestone, but it isn’t the destination. The second message is just as important: enjoy the moment. In the intensity of a playoff run, it can be easy to get lost in nerves and pressure. This team has found a way to balance focus with joy.

Coach Travis's approach with this team has been shaped heavily by his long relationship with MSI. For nearly 15 years, he has coached in MSI’s Rec, Classic, and Travel programs. Many of his current players came up through MSI themselves, and at least one or two are still involved today.

They share an understanding of MSI’s culture: there is a place for everyone, effort matters, and soccer is about both development and enjoyment. That sense of “family” has carried over into the high school environment. The team stands up for each other, works hard together, and embraces the idea that they’re part of something supportive and bigger than any single player.

Coach Travis describes MSI as one of the most supportive coaching environments he has experienced. That support extends beyond his own team. Other coaches in the MSI community, including some who now coach opposing high school teams, have reached out to encourage and celebrate this playoff run. It feels less like isolated programs and more like a shared soccer community rooting for one of its own.

Beyond the final score of the state championship game, Coach Travis hopes that his players carry away a lasting sense of achievement and belonging. He often reminds the seniors that they are doing something that players before them never got to experience. Previous classes didn’t make a playoff run like this. That alone makes this season special.

The team has a level of ownership, passion, and connection that can define more than any scoreboard could. Whether they lift the trophy or not, they have built something they’ll remember for years: a season where they believed in each other, represented their school and community with pride, and proved, to themselves and everyone watching, that they were part of something truly special. And until that final whistle in the state championship game, their message remains the same: enjoy the moment. The job isn’t finished.

Building Community Through School-Based Turf Fields

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:15:13 GMT

Since 1971, Montgomery Soccer Inc. (MSI) has believed in soccer as a connector to life lessons, growth, and community. That belief is evident not just on weekends but also in the way we invest in safe, reliable fields that serve students, families, and neighborhoods throughout the year.

For the last few years, MSI has partnered with three Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)—Julius West Middle School, Albert Einstein High School, and Walt Whitman High School to host seasonal games, camps, tournaments, and club events. These partnerships helped bring modern turf fields to each school, unlocking more playing time for students and athletes while also increasing access.

At Julius West Middle School, the impact is felt from first bell to final whistle. Alexis Felix, a physical education teacher, sees the difference every day and looks forward to even greater opportunities as these fields continue to bring our community together. “We feel fortunate to have the turf fields at Julius West! Our PE program worries less about the weather impacting instruction because there is no mud, and the fields drain quickly, allowing us to have outdoor units all year round. We have saved time and money by not having to line and re-line the fields constantly for our units. The turf is an excellent space for our Outride program, especially the early lessons where students are refining the basic skills of bike riding. The athletics program has been able to host multiple games simultaneously, preventing make-up competitions due to rain. Having lights allows us to have nighttime community events. We are so grateful!”

That story repeats at Albert Einstein High School, where dependable field time changes the rhythm of athletics and school life. “The addition of the turf field at Einstein has greatly benefited our athletic programs and school community,” says Athletic Director Christina Fitzpatrick. “It has significantly increased field availability and reduced maintenance challenges, allowing multiple teams to practice and compete regardless of weather conditions. Beyond athletics, the turf serves as a shared community space that supports PE classes, school events, and local youth programs. Everyone involved wins.”

Reliable, all-weather fields matter because they eliminate the most common barriers to participation: cancellations, soggy surfaces, and scheduling chaos. With consistent playing conditions and lighting for evening use, schools host PE classes, after-school practices, and community events without constant rescheduling. Coaches plan meaningful practice sessions. Additionally, schools reduce maintenance burdens, saving time that would otherwise go to re-lining fields or repairing mud damage after storms.

Walt Whitman High School benefits in the same way. With a high-quality surface in place, MSI games and club events align smoothly with Whitman’s athletics calendar and activities. Game days feel consistent. The spectator experience improves. Because the surface drains quickly and withstands frequent use, administrators approve more student and community requests.

These school-based fields help advance MSI’s mission in practical, measurable ways. We can expand capacity across Recreation, Classic, Travel, and clinics, reaching more neighborhoods with dependable locations. We can welcome more families whose schedules demand evening or weekend options. And we can keep the focus where it belongs: on building well-rounded players, lasting friendships, and a stronger community built around a shared love of soccer.

As a community-led nonprofit, MSI invests locally and prioritizes access to resources. Turf fields on school campuses ensure that the best facilities don’t remain reserved for a select few. Instead, they serve students first during the school day and then open to the community in a responsible and coordinated way after hours. This model respects school priorities and increases opportunity for kids who might otherwise lose playing time to weather, distance, or cost.

MSI remains committed to collaborating with MCPS and school leaders, ensuring these fields are a lasting benefit for our students and a vital resource for the entire community. Our vision extends beyond more soccer: we aim for soccer that is development-focused, reliable, and accessible to all. Together, we are building a future where every child finds opportunity, growth, and a sense of belonging—on and off the field.