McKinney Soccer Association - McKinney, Texas

J B

See edit below. I coached a team in a tournament thru MSA in November 2024. One of our games was against a MSA team and the MSA team had numerous dangerous plays, we have video evidence. I calmly asked the ref (all 3 refs seemed to be high school age) if he could get the dangerous plays under control. He threatened to eject me from the game so I backed off. I then asked the coach of the MSA team if she could talk to her players and she actively ignored me and didn't address the issue. As I walked away, the sideline ref ran to the center ref stating I said the f-word (100% not true, I never cuss around youth sports) and I was given a red card and asked to leave the field. MSA reviewed the case, talked to witnesses, etc. and even the other coach stated I wasn't cussing so I was able to coach the very next game. The problem is, I am afraid the red card sticks with you (I've never had any card).

Edit: After a great phone call with a representative of MSA, my perspective of the events is completely different hence the change in my rating. There also seemed to be some confusion on who I was in this rating which didn't help, lol. Still don't think I was deserving of a red card but stuff happens and I definitely could have handled parts of this differently. Also, a reminder of how much goes into running these leagues and tournaments. We can't expect them to be perfect either (and apologize for my part in it also) but lucky to have the opportunities for the kids. We will look to enter this tournament next year after hearing more on their side of things. Was going to just delete this rating but thought it might be better to explain that the situation was resolved instead. They do seem to really care and want to make a difference.

saurabh bhattarai

After 7 season with MSA, I have seen hardly any improvement in my kids game. The rival Allen clubs are much much better with more skilled players. The MSA teams are always defeated, with reflect poorly on association. The association does well until 8 yr old age group with vounteer coaches, because those involve basic guidance, beyond that the kids do need more experienced coaches with more practice sessions. I bet parents will be willing to pay much more if their kids are coached by better coaches. Till date all vounteer coaches have tried their best upto their level of expertise, this review is not about vounteer coaches, after all they are taking time out of their busy schedule to vounteer which is much appreciated, it is about lack of insight on part of association on what is required to be good representative of city of mckinney, its kids and parents. Soccer in USA is more competitive now.
I bet they lack resource as $100 doesnt go much far these day. But we as parents are willing to help for much better game of soccer for more elder kids.

Vineeth Kumar

I have played in this league for more than 8 years now, and its been wonderful. I have been red carded twice in those years, and both of them for the right reasons. The league and refs want to have an healthy playing environment, where people like me who love the sport, can play and enjoy the game, and they do what is needed to keep it that way, and I respect that. The teams, and players who I have played have been wonderful and over the years have built some really good friends.

Mohammad Alatrash

This year was my first year for McKinney Soccer Association. I had a very unpleasant experience. Multiple times the referee made biased decisions, but the ones he made at our final game were very disappointing. We were winning 3:2 until the last few minutes of the game when he decided to count an offside goal for our opponent, and a few minutes later he gave them a goal that should not have been a goal. I was amazed at the reason behind his decisions until I was told that the opponents had 2 or 3 players on the board, and the referee is a member of the board.
I was cursed in front of him, and I told him that. He literally said, "If I were her, I would say the same."
Anyway, thanks to the board and to some referees who were professional throughout the whole season.

Sam

This is a very poorly managed association and I hope they have a DEI policy in place because they discriminate against other minorities.
MSA is lacking experience, far away from professionalism and has a very weak management.
Most of the hourly hired referees are unfamiliar with the game's rules. This raises concerns about corruption within the system.

Lisa Waters

I love this league. The refs are polite and fair, and they keep control of the games when necessary. The league is great about communicating timely, and their reps know most of us by name and go out of their way to say hello. Apart from one team whose players think the world is against them, the people who play in this league are some of the best I've competed against or with.

Ramzi Emsaytif

We have received this from people in authority in MSA : “MSA policy is to not allow participation from individuals who have left poor reviews of the organization in an attempt to deter future participation”

This continues to demonstrate MSA's weakness by not comprehending the purpose of reviews. Reviews are intended to assess the business on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, reflecting individuals' experiences. The business should accept and analyze these reviews, addressing mistakes rather than pursuing individuals with lower ratings and restricting their participation.

Also, Players from other teams benefit from referees making favorable calls to secure victories during the game. These players seem content with MSA and their referees continuing this misguided approach as it consistently favors their respective teams.

MSA is run by individuals lacking experience and exhibiting weakness in management. Their actions often contradict their stated objectives. As an over-40 player within this organization, I've encountered numerous misguided plans and decisions from those in authority. Furthermore, the referees they seem unfamiliar with the rules, and there's a perception of favoritism, especially when a referee is also a player on one of the participating teams. This raises concerns about corruption within the system.

Dan C

MSA did not follow through on issues with our coach, who did not follow league rules regarding playing time. Kids are to play at least half the game, and several of our kids played less than a quarter of games (8 year old age group). Coach was also verbally abusive to players, referees, and opposing coaches. We discussed issues with MSA, who initially wanted to hold a hearing and take action, but ultimately failed to follow through. I'm disappointed in the league.

Update: More than six months later, no further action from MSA that I am aware of. Evidently an audio recorded conversation of the coach admitting to unfair playing time and belittling our child is not actionable for this organization.