Travel Soccer Overview
Colonial SC’s Travel program starts at U8 and runs through U19. The fall soccer season generally starts the weekend after Labor Day, and many travel teams choose to play indoor winter soccer and spring soccer in addition to participating in tournaments throughout the year. Travel tryouts are generally held in March or April of each year.
Travel Tryouts 2026
Travel Tryouts for Fall 2026 are tentatively scheduled between 3/21/26 and 4/21/26 EXCEPT 3/27-4/5 (SPRING BREAK). There are TWO tryouts scheduled per age group PLUS A MAKEUP DATE THAT WILL ONLY BE USED IF NEEDED FOR RAINOUTS OR IF A GROUP IS VERY LARGE WE'LL HAVE AN INVITATION ONLY CALLBACK TRYOUT. It is highly recommended players attend BOTH the tryouts for the age group AND MUST ATTEND AT LEAST ONE so the evaluators and coaches have as much information as possible about the player from the technical, tactical, physical and mental parts of the game.
2026/2027 TRAVEL AGE GROUP MATRIX
U.S. Soccer is shifting youth age groups:
Current state: Calendar birth year (Jan 1-Dec 31)
Change to: Seasonal/school-year format (August 1-July 31), starting with the 2026-27 season
Key Changes & Timeline:
2025-26 Season: No change, still using calendar birth years (Jan 1-Dec 31).
2026-27 Season Onward: Transition to seasonal year (Aug 1-July 31).
Why?
Aligns with School: Maximizes players competing with classmates, reducing physical disparities.
Reduces "Trapped Players": Prevents kids from being in an older soccer age group than their school grade.
Better Development: Aims for smoother development by keeping peers together.
Tryout Format/Approach | Notes |
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TRYOUTS FOR THE FOLLOWING AGE GROUPS
| CURRENT TRAVEL DIVISION | 2025-26 SEASON | 2025-26 GRADE | 2026-27 SEASON | Birthdate Range for Colonial School District Grade Cutoffs | If Current Grade 2025/26 | And Grade in 2026/27 | Then Tryout for this Division for 2026/27 Season |
| INTRAMURAL ONLY | Born between Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2019 | K & 1st | Born between Aug 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020 | Aug 1, 2019 - Sept 15, 2019 | K | 1st | N/A - Ineligible for Travel program. |
| | | | Aug 1, 2019 - Sept 15, 2019 | 1st | 2nd | U8 |
| U-8 | Born between Jan 1, 2018 – Dec 31, 2018 | 1st & 2nd | Born between Aug 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019 | Aug 1, 2018 - Sept 15, 2018 | 1st | 2nd | U8 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2018 - Sept 15, 2018 | 2nd | 3rd | U9 |
| U-9 | Born between Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2017 | 2nd & 3rd | Born between Aug 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018 | Aug 1, 2017 - Sept 15, 2017 | 2nd | 3rd | U9 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2017 - Sept 15, 2017 | 3rd | 4th | U10 |
| U-10 | Born between Jan 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2016 | 3rd & 4th | Born between Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017 | Aug 1, 2016 - Sept 15, 2016 | 3rd | 4th | U10 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2016 - Sept 15, 2016 | 4th | 5th | U11 |
| U-11 | Born between Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2015 | 4th & 5th | Born between Aug 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016 | Aug 1, 2015 - Sept 15, 2015 | 4th | 5th | U11 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2015 - Sept 15, 2015 | 5th | 6th | U12 |
| U-12 | Born between Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014 | 5th & 6th | Born between Aug 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015 | Aug 1, 2014 - Sept 15, 2014 | 5th | 6th | U12 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2014 - Sept 15, 2014 | 6th | 7th | U13 |
| U-13 | Born between Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013 | 6th & 7th | Born between Aug 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014 | Aug 1, 2013 - Sept 15, 2013 | 6th | 7th | U13 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2013 - Sept 15, 2013 | 7th | 8th | U14 |
| U-14 | Born between Jan 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012 | 7th & 8th | Born between Aug 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013 | Aug 1, 2012 - Sept 15, 2012 | 7th | 8th | Option U14 or U15 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2012 - Sept 15, 2012 | 8th | 9th | U15 |
| U-15 | Born between Jan 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2011 | 8th & 9th | Born between Aug 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012 | Aug 1, 2011 - Sept 15, 2011 | 8th | 9th | U15 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2011 - Sept 15, 2011 | 9th | 10th | U16 |
| U-16 | Born between Jan 1, 2010 – Dec 31, 2010 | 9th & 10th | Born between Aug 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011 | Aug 1, 2010 - Sept 15, 2010 | 9th | 10th | U16 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2010 - Sept 15, 2010 | 10th | 11th | U17 |
| U-17 | Born between Jan 1, 2009 – Dec 31, 2009 | 10th & 11th | Born between Aug 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010 | Aug 1, 2009 - Sept 15, 2009 | 10th | 11th | U17 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2009 - Sept 15, 2009 | 11th | 12th | U18 |
| U-18 | Born between Jan 1, 2008 – Dec 31, 2008 | 11th & 12th | Born between Aug 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009 | Aug 1, 2008 - Sept 15, 2008 | 11th | 12th | U18 |
| | | | Aug 1, 2008 - Sept 15, 2008 | 12th | College | N/A - Graduating June 2026 |
| U-19 | Born between Jan 1, 2007 – Dec 31, 2007 | 12th & College Fr | Born between Aug 1, 2007 – July 31, 2008 | Aug 1, 2007 - Sept 15, 2007 | 12th | College | N/A - Graduating June 2026 |
Rising U15 and older teams will have separate tryout sessions scheduled and run by the coaches. Interested players should still sign up for the tryouts and also contact the relevant coach listed below. If you have questions, please contact the relevant coach TBA IN MARCH 2026:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
US SOCCER AGE GROUP CHANGE FOR 2026/2027
What is changing?
US Soccer is moving to a August 1 - July 31 birth year cycle that aligns closely with the school year ages. This replaces the current calendar year system.
Does my child have to tryout in their new age groups?
Yes. All players are expected to tryout within their mandated age group under the new rules.
Who do I contact with questions?
Travel Coordinator: Chris Zeoli [email protected]
Technical Director: Danielle Fagan [email protected]
Director of Coaching: Val Munyan [email protected]
If my player was born in the Colonial School District “Gap” Aug 1 - Sept 15 and is in the older grade, can he/she choose the age group since he/she technically falls in both age groups?
No. Any players in the “gap” must tryout for the age group with their grade. The only exception is for the high school age teams which includes rising 8th graders who have been with the same age group for 5 years.
If my player was born August 1 - December 31, will he/she have to repeat the same age group?
Yes, unless they were born in the Colonial School District “gap” August 1 - September 15 AND they are in the older grade.
Will teams stay together?
Teams won’t stay together with the exception of the high school age groups. Many players may be rostered with the same teammates, but there is no guarantee that will happen. In addition to players falling in different age groups, the U11 and older age groups will be split into A and B teams while the U8 will only have one team per gender and the U9 and U10 age groups will have 2 equally rostered teams per gender.
Will coaches stay with their age groups?
Coaching positions are open for nomination each year. Coaches will submit their interest to the Director of Coaching to coach in the 2026/27 season by January 31, 2026. Coaches will be named at some point during the tryout process.
When are tryouts?
Tryouts will be held in March and April. There will be 2 tryout dates for each age group U8-U14 which will be run by the Technical Director and staff. There will be a 3rd tryout only if needed either for rainouts or for larger groups which will have an invitation only 3rd tryout. All tryouts for U15 and older will be arranged and run by the coaches. More information coming soon.
How many tryouts does my child need to attend?
Players must attend at least one of the two scheduled tryouts for his/her age group. It is highly recommended that they attend both.
How do I signup for tryouts?
Tryouts are free of charge. The club is transitioning to a new registration platform. Stay tuned for more information on how to register.
What happens at tryouts?
Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. Each player will receive a numbered pinnie to be worn during the tryout and handed back in at the end of each tryout session. Players will NOT be issued the same tryout pinnie at each tryout.
What is the tryout format?
After all players have checked in, a tryout facilitator will call participants onto the field to provide players instructions. Players will be put into small-sided games or a combination of small-sided games and larger size games on day 1. On day 2 we will proceed to larger size field games (7v7, 9v9, or 11v11) for assessment. In general, players will be evaluated by the club's technical staff, coaches from the age group, non-age group coaches, or any combination of the 3.
What happens after tryouts?
Following the final tryout, all evaluations will be compiled and the staff will select rosters for each team. Players will be notified by the end of April whether they were offered a roster spot or not. Players have 48 hours to accept their roster spot.
Can players be added to rosters after tryouts?
Yes, only if there is space available as rosters have limits set by each league.
What if my child can't attend tryouts due to injury or sickness at the time of tryouts?
If your child is injured or sick and unable to attend tryouts, families will then coordinate with the Technical Director and Coach or Director of Coaching if there isn't a coach named yet if there is availability post tryouts for the player to receive an opportunity to attend a team training session and be evaluated to be considered for a team. If the child is a returning travel player, the child will be evaluated using a combination of prior coach assessments based on past training and games.
Does my child need to attend all tryout dates?
We ask that every player attend all tryouts while it is only required to attend at least one tryout to be considered for a team. This gives the coaches and evaluators an opportunity to see players over a longer period and make a fair assessment of the player. If your child cannot attend all tryouts, please inform the Travel Director [email protected]. Each U8-U14 age group has 2 tryout dates and the 3rd date will be used only if needed for callbacks or rainouts. Older age groups will be at the discretion of the coaches.
What do the evaluators look for during tryouts?
Players are evaluated on the 4 Pillars of the Game: 1) Technical 2) Tactical 3) Physical 4) Mental
Can my child play for an older team?
While it is the club's policy to not allow players to play above their age group, we acknowledge that extenuating circumstances may exist. Please contact the Travel Director at [email protected] for more information.
What age group should my child tryout for?
The age group corresponding to your child's birthdate unless they are born between August 1st and September 15th of that year in which case they'll tryout for the group that is the grade they will be in the Fall 2026. See matrix above and at this link 2026/2027 TRAVEL AGE GROUP MATRIX
Example:
*A player born 8/14/17 who will be in 4th grade will tryout with the U10 age group
*A player born 8/14/17 who will be in 3rd grade will tryout with the U9 age group
What do players need to bring to tryouts?
Players should bring water. A ball is NOT needed. Players should wear soccer cleats, shinguards and weather appropriate training gear.
Are returning players required to attend tryouts?
Yes, everyone is required to attend the tryouts and no one (including returning travel players) are guaranteed a roster spot.
What are other options if my child isn't selected for a team?
Unfortunately all players will not be offered a roster spot. Other options include the Colonial SC Intramural program and the option to tryout for Intramural Select in the Fall (open tryouts for IM players.)
How much will it cost if my child is selected for a team?
There is a club registration TBA 2026-2027 that covers the fall and spring travel seasons as well as uniforms. Additional fees vary by team based on tournaments and other activities and are managed by each individual team. Please contact the Travel Director at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Do I need to pay all at once?
To secure your spot on a roster, you must pay the registration fee in full. For the team fees, please speak with the individual team head coach/team manager.
Does Colonial Soccer Club encourage players to play other sports?
Yes! We are a community based club comprised of multisport athletes and our players compete in many other sports besides soccer. We ask that the Fall season be dedicated to the soccer team and make the soccer team the number one priority for the Fall season. We expect you to be in full communication with your head coach about attendance and expected availability PRIOR to accepting the roster spot and throughout the year.
Can a player have Colonial Soccer Club as their secondary travel team?
Club policy is that all travel players MUST be primary at Colonial SC.
Can a player play for a secondary travel team while being primary at Colonial SC?
Being a secondary player at another club at at 7v7 and 9v9 levels while being a Colonial SC travel player is strictly prohibited. All 11v11 players wishing to secondary at another club must receive approval from the travel director and president of the Club.
What are the team roster sizes and number of teams per age group?
- 7v7 (12 max per team): U8, 1 team per gender, U9 & U10, 2 balanced teams per gender per age group
- 9v9 (16 max per team): U11 & U12, 1 A and 1 B team per gender per age group
- 11v11 (22 max per team): U13 and older, 1-2 teams per gender per age group A & B based on availability of players.
What does balanced, A & B mean for levels of play?
Our U8-U10 Teams are balanced which means the teams are created of equal ability. Our U11 and older teams are A and B with the A team of higher ability and commitment level than the B team.