U9 & U10 TRAVEL TEAMS
Since 1974 the Michigan Wolves have established a tradition of excellence in developing teams and players from across Michigan, and we continue to achieve that goal today. We accomplish that goal through everybody associated with the club living our clubs mission of 'preparing players for the next steps in soccer and in life' and exhibiting our core values of 'character, commitment and courage'.
We are more than just a soccer club, we are family!
At every age we strive to develop players who:
Work to improve
Own their development
Love the game
Value Character, Commitment and Courage
Excel & make a positive difference
Solve problems
At these specific age groups the players are in the 'learning to train' phase of our curriculum. Our focus is on creating an enjoyable training environment that is developmentally focused, while teaching players how to train in order to maximize their potential and growth as a player.
Each team trains twice per week during the fall, winter and spring seasons.
Training traditionally starts in the second week in August and runs through June. There is a break from training during thanksgiving and the winter holidays.
The U9 & U10 age groups play in the Michigan State Developmental Soccer League (MSDSL) or Western Suburban Soccer League (WSSL). Having different league options allows us to balance the level of competition for each team, which leads to more meaningful, developmentally appropriate games.
MSDSL is a state league and exposes our players to the most competitive clubs from around the Metro Detroit area.
WSSL is a more local league, which includes clubs and individual teams from in and around the western suburbs.
The Michigan Wolves have arguably the best staff in the region. All our staff are licensed through US Soccer and the United Soccer Coaches organizations. For more information please check out the TEAMS page and COACHES bios.
The U9 & U10 Age Group Director is Will Thornton. Will have over 10 years of coaching experience at varying levels of soccer; college, semi-professional and different youth soccer clubs. He holds the US Soccer 'A' License.
Will's background also includes an extensive playing career. Starting at York United he was quickly identified as one of the top players in the state and represented Eastern Pennsylvania's ODP program from 1994-1998. He also represented Region 1 on their Regional team from 1995 to 1998, which led to him being identified by national teams scouts and a position on the 1998-1999 U18 US Men's National team. He finished his career playing for FC Delco Dynamo from 1996 to 2000.
The Wolves have arguably the best facilities in the state. Our teams primarily utilize the St. Joe’s Sports Dome and the lighted outdoor stadium field at Schoolcraft College.
Our teams play in tournaments both in Michigan and around the region. Our objective when choosing tournaments is to find events that will provide meaningful competitive games against competition we usually do not find in league play.
The short answer to this question is YES. This falls into two different categories; highly motivated players who want additional training opportunities and high performing players. When allocating extra training the club wants to make sure we are not exposing the players to overuse injuries and stay within a healthy number of training sessions per week
Highly motivated players who are seeking extra training opportunities will be provided with opportunities. The decision on which team to do extra training with should be between the coach and the parents. A unique schedule will then be provided.
High performing players within their own teams will be given opportunities to train and play with different teams within their own age group or the age group above. These decisions will be made in collaboration between the players head coach, the head coach of the proposed team and the age group director. This decision will only be made if it is in the best interests of the players development.
For more information please reach out to the age group director and / or your head coach.
AGE GROUP DIRECTOR
Will Thornton
Email: wthornton6@gmail.com


POOLS, TEAMS & COACHES
U10 - 2012 - MSDSL Pool
Wolves '12 - Granit Caushaj
Wolves '12 Black - Shaun Gray
Wolves '12 Gold - Matt Grodzicki
Wolves '12 White - Zac Warner
Wolves '12 Yellow - Nick Atwood
U9 - 2013 - MSDSL Pool
Wolves '13 - Dan Mellors
Wolves '13 Black - Zac Warner
Wolves '13 Gold - Pat Hilton