About GMSA

Founded in 1979, the Greater Memphis Soccer Association is the Mid-South's largest adult soccer league, and the largest for several hundred miles in any direction. It represents approximately 1,100-1,200 men and women players of all ages and skill levels.

During a typical season, the league consists of approximately 60-75 teams in multiple men's divisions, coed divisions, and men's 7v7 over-35 "Legends" divisions.

LEAGUE STRUCTURE:

Unlike some adult leagues, our 11v11 divisions are structured around skill level rather than age requirements, so ages vary widely throughout our multiple divisions. The number of divisions has changed dramatically over the past 25 years, growing from just two divisions (men's teams only) from the league's inception through the early 1990s, to eight men's & coed divisions by the start of 2007. We added our women's divisions (previously as MWSA) in Fall 2008 (currently on hiatus). We have restructured several times since then, including adding our men's over-35 "legends" divisions in 2011.

While we wouldn't recommend GMSA for an "absolute beginner", if you have at least a bit of background in the game somewhere in your past, we generally have a division that will be a fit for you.

MEN'S DIVISIONS (11v11): Currently we have five men's divisions (Premier, First, Second, Third, Fourth). The Premier Division is ideal for players of the highest skill level...many ex-club and ex-college players play here, and occasionally a few ex-pros. (For example, former pros Steve Bradshaw, Tony Carbognani, and Goran Meskovic, formerly of the NASL, and Tony Kuhn, Grant Paule, Andy Metcalf and Dayton O'Brien, formerly of MLS, have each played in our top division over the years. First/Second/Third Divisions have gradual cascading levels of skill and fitness. The Fourth Division is currently the most recreational in nature...but there are many excellent players in this division also, including some folks who have been out of the game for a time, but are attempting to play themselves back into shape. All men's divisions play on Sunday afternoons/evenings and Thursday evenings.
COED DIVISIONS (11v11): Our Coed League was founded in 1993, and has grown from the original four teams, to more than two dozen at its peak. Currently, there are 18-20 coed teams split into either two or three divisions, depending on the season. The talent level cascades accordingly from top to bottom, with the most highly skilled players in the highest divisions (including many ex-collegiate and ex-club players throughout), with each successive division being more recreational in nature. All coed divisions play on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
MEN'S "LEGENDS" DIVISIONS (7v7 OVER-35): Formed in Fall 2011, GMSA launched its "Legends" Division, exclusively for men over 35, in a 7v7 format. GMSA offers this format in addition to our regular men's league, as an opportunity for some of our men's players to get some "extra kicks" in each week, and for those closing in on retirement from full-sided play an opportunity to continue to participate competitively at a "slower pace". Whenever possible, play is split into two divisions based on skill level, though depending on the number of teams, occasionally all teams are in one division. Men's Legends Divisions play exclusively on Monday nights.
WOMEN'S DIVISION (11v11): Prior to the Fall 2008 season, eight teams that previously existed under the banner of the MWSA (Memphis Women's Soccer Association) came under GMSA's banner. The division was active through 2013 with anywhere from four to nine teams, playing as a single division or in two divisions, depending on the season, with a mix of ex-college, ex-club, and recreational players. Due to losing a number of our existing teams, the women's division has been been inactive since 2014.

OTHER LEAGUE DETAILS:

ROSTERS: Maximum number of players on a team's active roster is 30. Rosters must be submitted at a date to be announced at the beginning of each season's registration period. Players may be added during the course of the season; rosters are subject to a freeze deadline, following completion of first five weeks of each season.
SEASON DURATION: GMSA conducts two primary season (Fall & Spring) each year. The Fall Season begins in late August, and is usually completed in late November or early December. Each team is scheduled for 10 regular season games, with as many as four tournament games also possible in our various Cup competitions for those teams that qualify. The Spring Season typically runs from late February through late May or early June; each team is scheduled for 10 regular season games, with as many as two additional games in our intra-divisional Maybry Cup tournaments for those teams that qualify.
AGE/GENDER REQUIREMENTS: All players must be at least 18 years of age, though there is no maximum age...most players are in their 20s and 30s, though some current players are in their 40s & 50s, and a few in their 60s. (NOTE: Effective January 2022, the previous minimum age exception for youth club teams has been removed. All GMSA players must be 18 years of age at the time of their registration, regardless of team, division or league.)

In our coed divisions, it is required that there be no more than 7 men and no fewer than 4 women on the field at all times. (If there are fewer than 4 women, the team will play short by that many players, even if there are more men on the bench.) A full team can, however, be fielded with more than 4 women. (For example, a team of 5 women and 6 men is perfectly legal.)

View the complete GMSA Rules Of Competition.

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