Why Maryland United
Maryland United FC (formerly known as Freestate Soccer) has spent the past two decades building a reputation for excellence — consistently growing, developing, and nurturing aspiring young athletes into collegiate players and even professional talent.
But our mission goes beyond the game. Aligned with our holistic approach and shared values of commitment, passion, and courage, we focus on developing the whole person — helping our players grow into confident leaders and active contributors in their communities.
At Maryland United, success is measured not only by achievements on the field, but by the quality of character we help shape off of it.
Environment
Our environment is enthusiastic and contagious. From the moment you walk down the hill at Indian Creek or step onto the fields at Liberty Sportspark, you'll be greeted by a “sea of red” and instantly feel the energy. The passion, the drive, the unity — it’s all around you. With every training session and every cheer from the sidelines, you’ll know you’re part of something special.
Training
With our aim to dominate games with the ball and high-pressing style of play we create an environment where players are constantly challenged — and consistently rewarded. As outlined in our Pathway Pyramid, each developmental block builds upon the last, growing with the players as they mature. The core principles introduced in the Foundation Phase are refined and mastered in the Competitive Phase, ensuring a deliberate and progressive learning experience.
Our coaches take immense pride in delivering age-appropriate training sessions that reflect our club’s core values, philosophy, and style of play.
To support this, our practice schedule is intentionally aligned by adjacent age groups — directly above or below — allowing for coordinated, academy-style training sessions. This structure encourages collaboration, cohesion, and shared learning between coaches and teams, helping every player stay connected to the Maryland United identity.
Competition
Access to the top leagues and highest levels of competition in the country provides the ideal platform for player development — and ensures the best possible experience for every player and team. Competing at this level not only sharpens our athletes’ skills, but also continually pushes us, as a club, to reflect, grow, and raise our standards.
We are committed to excellence in every area of our organization — from player development and coaching education, to top-tier facilities, efficient administration, player health and safety, and meaningful parent engagement and education. Our pursuit of growth is ongoing, and our standards never stop rising.
Developing The Whole Child
At Maryland United, we develop more than just soccer players — we develop the whole person.
Through our holistic approach to player development, athletes gain life skills that extend far beyond the field. They learn the values of teamwork, leadership, discipline, time management, sportsmanship, respect, resilience, responsibility, confidence, and commitment — qualities that shape strong individuals both on and off the pitch.
These traits have become the foundation for our alumni’s success, carrying them into college, careers, and life long after their playing days are over. At Maryland United, the lessons last a lifetime.
STABILITY
At Maryland United, stability is one of our greatest strengths. From our club leadership and coaching staff to our long-term player development model, we provide a consistent and supportive environment where athletes can thrive. Many of our coaches and staff have been with the club for years, creating trusted relationships and a strong sense of community.
In a fast-changing youth soccer landscape with new leagues emerging across regional and national platforms and frequent changes to structure and standards. Through it all, we’ve remained grounded in what matters most: creating the best possible experience for our players and families.
We will successfully navigate the upcoming transition from birth year to school-year age groupings — by making thoughtful, forward-thinking decisions rooted in player development and long-term growth. Maryland United remains a steady, trusted home for players and families alike.
COMMUNICATION
At Maryland United, clear and consistent communication is a priority. Families receive regular updates via email, calendar notifications through Playmetrics, and are invited to parent meetings throughout the year to stay informed and involved.
Our Individual Development Plan (IDP) process ensures that every player receives personalized feedback and clear, actionable guidance on how to grow and improve within the team environment. By keeping lines of communication open, we foster trust, alignment, and shared goals between coaches, players, and families.
The Pathway
Maryland United Academy U6-U8
Building Passion!
Our focus is on small-sided games and activities that help players learn and develop the basic skills and concepts of soccer. Most importantly, we prioritize having FUN — creating an environment where players can enjoy the game, build their love for soccer, and grow in confidence as they play!
The Pathway
Zone 1 | Foundation U9-U11
At this stage, the emphasis is on developing a core foundation of technical skills and game understanding. We encourage players to take risks and embrace mistakes as part of the learning process — we believe in growing through failure, not avoiding it out of fear.
While physical maturity and early results are part of the journey, they do not overshadow our focus on long-term development. We challenge our more athletic players to refine their technical abilities, ensuring they don’t rely solely on physical traits. Similarly, we encourage smaller players to be exceptionally technical and quick thinkers, helping them navigate physical disparities in speed, strength, and size.
At the Foundation phase, the goal is simple: Love to Play!
The Pathway
Zone 2 | Development U12-U14
The Golden Age of Learning
During this phase, our focus is on teaching and reinforcing strong training and performance habits, while further developing both technical skills and tactical understanding of the game. The transition from 9v9 to 11v11 is a significant one, requiring time and patience to adjust to the larger field, particularly in terms of physicality and tactical play.
We understand that physical, mental, and emotional maturity all evolve at different rates, and poor results along the way don’t shift our focus from long-term development. Every challenge is a learning opportunity.
In the Development phase, we encourage players to embrace the process and Love to Learn!
The Pathway
Zone 3 | Competitive U15-U18
Focusing on the Player’s Role in the Team
At this stage, we concentrate on refining each player’s profile, skill set, and role within the team’s game model to produce highly competitive, winning performances. Training becomes more position-specific and tactically driven, helping players develop a clear understanding of their role and expectations, as well as a deeper comprehension of the game as a whole.
We emphasize building a team-first mentality, fostering a winning mindset, overcoming adversity, and holding each player accountable for their growth. Players are encouraged to put in the extra effort — to push themselves to become better athletes and better people, both on and off the field.
At Maryland United, we encourage every player to Love to Compete!