Can you tell me who you are and your role within the league?

My name is Noah Walker and I am the commissioner of the Maryland Super Soccer League (MSSL). My role is that of administrator (getting the league affiliated, registration, licensing, financials, referee assignment, scheduling, etc), arbitrator (resolving issues and scheduling/ running voting meetings), and expansion.

What is your background in soccer?

I have been a player and a fan most of my life. Growing up, I played competitive club soccer with the Baltimore Bays until I was 18. After some time away from the sport, I rediscovered my passion for the game a few years ago. I played one season of JUCO soccer for Cecil College, then found a wealth of amateur leagues when I moved to DC in the beginning of 2020. I still play (I am a goalkeeper for DCFC in the WPL) but have also found myself getting involved in other ways. I started DMV Sports Media in April of this year to provide a filming and editing service with the goal of amplifying and showcasing the talent in our local amateur and semi-pro leagues to the world. I am honored by the responsibility entrusted to me to be the commissioner of this great league, and I am willing to put all my effort into making it successful

When was the league initially formed and what was the catalyst to start it?

While the league was officially incorporated recently, many clubs had been experiencing frustrations and dissatisfaction with their respective local and regional leagues for years and started thinking of creating their own league. I had a relationship with some of these coaches due to my media business, especially, Coach Michael, of Steel Pulse FC. Several teams reached out to him repeatedly because of his well, earned respect and leadership qualities, both on and off the field. The need for a competitive, fair, inclusive and commonly owned league, so as to give people a say in the leagues, was so palpable and ripe for ignition that, he had to champion their cause. He, however, did not want to be “more of the same”, so he recused himself and asked if I would be the commissioner of this new league since I would fit as an unbiased steward of competition. I accepted, and we started to build.

What is the mission and ethos of the league?

The Maryland Super Soccer League exists to provide core principles to its teams.

Convenience: The league exists to provide the highest level of competition, without having to travel unreasonably, burdensome distances at this time. We believe there is enough talent right in our backyard to host a top elite-amateur league
Representative Membership: Each team receives one vote, and all major decisions, from by-laws to new team admissions, are decided by vote of quorum in our meetings. These meetings include lots of discussion, and we try to work together to enact solutions rather than voting “against” one another.
Fair and unbiased governance: We believe merit should be the only decider of success for teams, and the commissioner exists to prevent unfair conflicts-of-interest, not to create them. I, as the commissioner, don’t receive a vote. Instead, I help foster productive conversation, and put into action the policies decided by the teams. Additionally, although I am a player, I am barred from playing or coach in this league. I serve as a completely independent adjudicator.
Fair play and respect. We hold each other to high standards with regards to respecting each other, referees, fans and all authorities. No sort of violence or verbal abuse is tolerated. The member teams are always ready to vote by quorum to expel any team that violates the MSSL’s rules of conduct.
Media Coverage: Our league seeks to showcase the product we have assembled by means of social media coverage, live streaming, recorded matches, etc. We feel that fans deserve access to their favorite teams, and we aim to foster mutual excitement between fans and players

We truly treat each new member of the MSSL as a member of a family, and we aim to keep it that way.

The announced teams in the league are some of the more established MMSL & EPSL clubs. What does MSSL provide that those other leagues do not?

Very simply, our model is a model of the people!

Unlike other leagues where fees and dues serve to be the income of an individual or a handful of people, which leads to conflict of interests and a lack of attention and investment in the league, the MSSL purports to serve the member teams. Essentially, the success of the member teams and their players are the primary focus of the MSSL, which, by extension, is the community at large.

The MSSL is intended to give teams a voice in how they want their league to be run. Most, if not all our teams, came from one of these leagues. I don’t want to disparage any person or league, but the general sentiment is that, these leagues didn’t have the interest of all clubs in mind with some of their decisions. As expected, some proprietors of other leagues, who are feeling threatened by the MSSL, obviously due to the caliber and quality of the teams who have joined the MSSL, have complained that the MSSL is detracting from progress towards a unified “pro-rel” structure by cannibalizing these leagues. Nothing could be further from the truth. To the contrary, the MSSL espouses the “pro-rel” model of competition.

As a personal example, for a long time, I was a huge fan of following MD Majors. Then, when the EPSL was launched, I was ecstatic about the promise of a “pro-rel” structure (I even reached out to them many times to see if I could spearhead some sort of video/media project for them). However, since then, the implementation and governance in both leagues have been lackluster. Indeed, one of the major goals of the MSSL is that, by giving teams a voice, we will develop an effective feeder league structure with one of the pro/ semi-pro leagues. We have already engaged in conversations with other regional/ local leagues about developing some sort of “Champions League” type playoff system to see how our best teams match up against teams from different areas. For now, we will just focus on building a high, quality product that is in the best interest of member teams and the players!

We’ve seen that the MSSL is owned by the member clubs, can you talk more about the organizational structure of the league? (What does “ownership” mean? Who governs & how does that look practically? How will the commissioner be chosen? How do clubs join/are chosen? What are the fees (entrance, franchise, annual, other?))

What we mean by “ownership” in the MSSL is that, as of now, the league is totally financed by registration fees and donations from member clubs. Team registration is $500/season (a fraction of what other leagues charge because the goal is not for any one person to be “rich”; instead, we are focused on producing a high level of quality games that is based in merit and is affordable) and player registration is $30/season, and these funds finance league operation, startup costs, and potential field needs.

We, however, are actively in dialogue with potential sponsors. In that sense, we are incredibly, fortunate and poised to attract willing sponsors due to the caliber of teams, their general competitive nature, their following, fan base, and accomplishments of teams in the MSSL. With our intent to record and stream live games, we will increase our viewership exponentially. We will maintain our sovereignty of decision-making, but will offer exposure to potential partners.

Teams are selected according to their merit in past competitions, fair play on the field, and how they are known to interact with other teams off the field. I, as the commissioner, am constantly on the lookout for potential future clubs, but in the end, it is the member teams who decide which new member clubs are accepted.

I was selected and voted in as Commissioner by Quorum by the Board of Directors, which is comprised of the Current member teams. In the future, the teams can vote another commissioner or other league officer as they see fit.

Tell me about the competitive structure of the league. How many teams? What is the season timetable and format (single table? split season? round-robin? Playoffs?)?

The season is a 10 week season (single table), followed by a semi-final and then finals. There will be a regular season champion, playoff champion, and playoff runner-up (all receiving prize money/ trophies)

Will teams need to find their own home venues, or will the games be played in a central location(s)?

No. The league acquires all fields, but of course, if a member team has access to an acceptable field, we are happy to oblige.

How will the MSSL fit in the current US soccer pyramid? Will there be any affiliations with EPSL, NESL, NISA, etc? Will there be avenues for competitive entry into (& exit out of) the league?

Right now, I think it’s fair to say that the MSSL falls into the 4th tier of the US Soccer pyramid. We have teams competing concurrently in NPSL (Christos FC), UPSL (SureSport), and NISA Nation (Steel Pulse), which shows the quality of the league.

By giving teams a voice, we will develop an effective feeder league structure with one of the pro/ semi-pro leagues. During the intervening time, we are already engaged in conversations with other regional/ local leagues about developing some sort of “Champions League” type playoff system to see how our best teams match up against teams from different areas. By next season, we intend to start a highly competitive second division for teams who want to earn their way into MSSL premier. We are also open to the idea of having a feeder league of our own. For now, we will just focus on building a high, quality product!

With the massive number of soccer players in the DC, Baltimore and Northern Virginia region it’s distressing the lack of club competitions available for women players. Are there any plans for a MSSL women’s league?

That is a very interesting opportunity for growth and, in line with one of our principles of diversity, we have plans to make those offerings. Unfortunately, as is too often the case in society at large, many people tend to forget that, without our “Soccer Mums” there would be no thriving, robust soccer communities. That is why MSSL is keenly interested in creating an avenue for women as well, and is definitely open to any input and active roles for any person that will express an interest in seeing such a wonderful league come to fruition. I understand that the DCPL just started a women’s premier league for DC, and I think that is amazing.

What are some short-term and long-term goals for the MSSL?

Short Term Goals: Livestream all matches with post-match highlights to grow our audience, receive all necessary licensure and finances for growth, SPONSOR, provide a second division, start a local “champions league” with other nearby leagues, continue regular meetings to assure all needs are met and teams are happy, ROWLAND and STEWART CUPS for our teams

Long Term Goals: Partnership with affiliated pro/ semi-pro league, unified league structure for the region from amateur to pro in which all teams have a voice

What are some of the biggest challenges the league has faced getting started? Do you see these challenges as insurmountable?

Getting clubs to take a chance on a new league, overcoming the perception that we are “anti-pro/rel”, handling all types of duties as commissioner while handling my film and media business, time-management, learning how to start LLC, business account, gain affiliation with MSSA, etc

None of these challenges have been insurmountable so far. Any time I need help, I have found someone willing to lend a hand. As with all worthwhile projects. the last few weeks have been exhausting, but exciting, and I absolutely want the pace to continue.

How have these challenges changed your views of the soccer landscape, if at all?

The last few weeks have given me a crash-course in just how fragmented our soccer landscape is in this country. It seems most fans, players and teams want relatively the same thing (unified league structure with promotion/relegation), but some owners of leagues do not want that and those who want to, seem to, go about it in ways, which tend to disenfranchise most teams to the benefit of a few. In the end, I think if we just focus on promoting good competition to people who love the game, focus on promotion/relegation and let the teams decide for themselves what is best for them, the rest will fall in place naturally because that is what the beautiful game is all about.

If there is anything else you’d like to share about the league?

Our league is very much in a growth stage, and we are open to constructive criticism and request from fans on what they’d like to see in this league. Also, if you operate a competitive team and are interested in joining, reach out to us. For now, I can be reached on Twitter @LeagueMaryland or email me directly dmvsportsmedia@gmail.com

We think we will have some of the best soccer available in the DMV/ Baltimore area so, if you are available on sundays, come watch some very competitive and exciting matches! Otherwise, you can look out for our live streams from the comfort of your homes. We are also working with sponsors, so if you think your business would benefit from weekly social media posts, weekly YouTube video promotion, and more, shoot me an email. Needless to mention, this league is exploding and growing with competition and notoriety. We would love for you to grow with us!