Youth soccer in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 pandemic entered another chapter Friday, as the commonwealth’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) announced further updates (Phase III, Step 2) that went into effect Saturday.
The amendments apply to athletes in kindergarten through 12th grade, and are poised to most greatly impact club soccer programs, particularly when it comes to out-of-state travel. Masks are also required and previous gameplay modifications no longer apply.
Before delving into specifics, it’s important to note that soccer remains defined as a moderate-risk sport, allowing for Level 3 competition, a term that translates into inter-team games. Nothing has changed on that front, though things get more complicated when it comes to cross-border travel.