For parents and players with MSC, information has been e-mailed; if you haven’t received anything, please contact your team manager. Interested parties may also visit the Crossfire Premier website to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this affiliation?
The affiliation between Crossfire Premier SC and Matanuska Soccer Club is to collaborate and leverage the clubs’ strengths to foster our players’ development and competitive opportunities, improving the overall youth soccer experience for our players, coaches and families.
Are Crossfire Premier and MSC merging?
No.
How does this help Crossfire Premier and its players?
Crossfire Premier is the Northwest’s most widely recognized premier-level soccer institution for boys and girls. This affiliation means access to more top-caliber youth players capable of competing at the highest national levels and showcasing that talent coming out of the Northwest.
How does this help MSC and its players?
MSC is committed to delivering not only a first-class player development environment, recognized in its market, but also in establishing and executing personalized player roadmaps that meet the unique and varying needs of its players. This affiliation translates into access to more high-quality outlets for development, competitive play and tournament showcase opportunities at the highest levels for MSC players. Crossfire Premier is one of only eight (8) clubs throughout the US (and the only club in the Northwest) with national “top 30” rankings for BOTH its boys and girls programs*. Crossfire Premier has set the standard for competitive clubs in this corner of the country. Crossfire Premier has also achieved membership not only in the US Soccer Development Academy program (USSDA, men) but the Elite Clubs National League program (ECNL, women).
This relationship is about creating exciting opportunities and development roadmaps for players. This affiliation establishes a direct pathway between Matanuska Soccer Club and the leading youth soccer club in the Pacific Northwest, and it also establishes a pathway for our most capable players into the top elite youth soccer programs available to U.S. youth, not to mention opportunities with Inter Milan (F.C. Internazionale), recognized as one of the top five professional soccer clubs worldwide.
* Soccer America’s Top 30 Boys & Girls Youth Clubs, December 2011
Does this change anything within AKFC?
Nothing changes for AKFC, which remains our vehicle for continued development and higher-level showcasing of Alaska teams. This affiliation affects and is only available to MSC players.
How does this strengthen my MSC team?
The experience that certain MSC players will earn in top, national-level competitive play through this affiliation will be brought back to benefit their team environment. Anytime a player returns to his/her team with top-shelf playing experiences such as these, it only benefits the entire team.
Are the clubs going to charge me more for this affiliation?
No.
Will I have to train outside of where I train today?
The affiliation does not alter what the clubs’ teams do or where they train. Some players that are identified by the Coaching Directors may periodically be invited to train together in each other’s geographical locations.
Does this affiliation mean we are going to have a different uniform?
No.
Is there transfer of funds tied to this affiliation?
No.
Are there changes in board composition or governance structure tied to this affiliation?
No.
How long is the affiliation slated for?
This affiliation is crafted for the long-term benefit of both clubs’ membership. It will continue as long as both parties are pleased with its progress.
Is this affiliation for certain players or for all players?
The affiliation is initially first and foremost for a small number of top players at each age. As such, there are elements of the affiliation reserved for such players that are periodically identified by the clubs’ Coaching Directors. However, there will be other elements of the affiliation that will be unveiled in the near future that will benefit all interested players.
Is Crossfire Premier going to take MSC’s top young players?
The intent of the affiliation is to provide Matanuska Soccer Club’s top young players supplemental opportunities throughout their development that will permit them to continue local instruction within the club and periodic participation in supplemental activities through this affiliation.
In consultation with both club’s Coaching Directors and member families, a few older-age players (U14+) across the club may qualify to compete for slots on Crossfire Premier top teams during each annual team-formation process. In turn, Crossfire Premier’s top players have access to its elite programs, including the US Soccer Development Academy program (men), the Elite Clubs National League program (ECNL) for women and to higher-level exposure and training with Inter Milan (F.C. Internazionale), one of the world’s top professional soccer clubs.
What is the relationship between Inter Milan and Crossfire Premier?
Inter Milan (F.C. Internazionale, www.inter.it), one of the top professional soccer clubs in the world, entered into its first US youth soccer club partnership Crossfire Premier in 2010. This partnership offers players and coaches access to – and involvement with – one of the top soccer clubs in the world. The relationship is focused on coach- and player development. Crossfire Premier coaches travel to Italy and study with the Inter coaching staff. Inter coaches join Crossfire Premier for selected events to work with Crossfire coaches and players. Through their partnership, Inter has the chance to observe and assess young American talent.
Exclusivity
This MOA grants Matanuska SC exclusivity working with Crossfire Premier, whereby Crossfire Premier cannot execute a similar agreement or perform similar services with other parties in the state of Alaska.
