Travel Tryouts

Travel Tryouts for Fall 2026 are COMPLETE



U.S. Soccer is shifting youth age groups 2026/27:

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

PLEASE NOTE THAT US SOCCER DOESN'T PERMIT PLAYERS TO PLAY DOWN AN AGE GROUP.  For example, if your child was born in January - July of 2017, he/she will be in the age group with players born 8/1/2016-7/31/2017 regardless of school grade. 

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

• Players born in the “Gap” between August 1-September 15 (Colonial School District Grade Cutoff) will tryout with their grade
• 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
• U15-U19 teams will work together to create teams that allow as many players to continue playing Travel soccer as possible by combining age groups as necessary and allow players to continue playing with their current teammates.
• We will work with players and coaches to ensure 8th and 12th graders aren’t “trapped” and have a team.
• Want to Learn More? Watch the Town Hall Video
• There are two tryouts approximately 45 minutes each for each age group U8-U14 with a third date assigned as a make up date or an invitation only call back tryout if needed.
• The Technical Director, Danielle Fagan, will oversee all U8-U14 tryouts and will be on site for every tryout.
• The U15 and older age groups will have tryouts as scheduled by the coaching staff which will be run by the coaching staff of those age groups and may simply consist of open training session(s) that includes current players and any other players interested in being considered to join the team.
• The U8-U14 tryouts will be staffed by independent evaluators, Colonial SC’s professional training staff, the Technical Director and parent head coaches as designated by the Director of Coaching.
• The Director of Coaching, Val Munyan, will be on site for at least one tryout per age group.
• At least one  Colonial SC board member will be on site for each tryout session.
• All parents (unless they are head coaches designated by the DOC) must stay away from the tryout field allowing the players to demonstrate their ability without the influence of their parents or any outside coaching.
• Players must register for the tryouts in order to be eligible to tryout and be rostered for a team.
• Players must try out for their appropriate age group (LINK TO AGE GROUP CHART).

EVALUATION PROCESS & TRYOUT FORMAT

• NEW FOR 2026: We will be using the PlayMetrics app for player evaluations.  Evaluators will be using their smart phones or tablets to complete the evaluations on the field. 
• This app will streamline the evaluation process and allow for more data to be collected more efficiently and accurately.
• Please note that evaluators will be using their devices while observing the players on the field.
• They are capturing all information in the app. 
• Returning Players Evaluations: Performance, Attitude & Commitment from prior season (50%) and tryout performance (50%)
• New Players Evaluations: Tryout Performance and Attitude (100%)
• Players will be evaluated using Colonial SC criteria consisting of:
• Technical Ability - Dribbling, passing/ball striking, ball contro
• Tactical Ability - Decision-making, soccer I
• Physical Ability - Speed, quickness, strength, power, explosiveness, agility
• Coachability & Attitude - Listens, follows directions, effort, work rate, sportsmanship, teamwork
• U8-U14 Tryouts will consist of small-sided games and full field games depending on field size and number of players at the tryouts
• We do not have goalkeeper specific tryouts.
• Players interested in playing GK should rotate into that position during the full field games during tryouts.
• U8-U10 players will each play at least one half of a game in goal during the travel season so no players will be solely focused on playing GK at those age divisions.
• U11 and U12 players may opt to dedicate more time in goal; however, they will still participate as field players
• U13 and older players may be GKs only.
• The Head Goalkeeper Trainer, Emily Haas and Goalkeeper Trainer, John DiCriscio along with the Technical Director will evaluate players for goalkeepers using past experience with the players as well as their performance during tryouts. 
• U15 and older Tryouts will be run by the coaches at their discretion in consultation with  the Technical Director.
• If players are injured or sick and cannot participate in the tryouts, the following criteria will be used for evaluation and selection:
• Players must attend one of the tryouts as a spectator.
• Returning players will be evaluated based on their past performance.
• New players will only be given an opportunity to tryout after the scheduled tryouts are completed if there are roster spots available. 
• Upon completion of the tryouts for each U8-U14 age group,  the Technical Director and Director of Coaching will review the evaluations with the head coaches.
• If a player is selected, they will be notified by the Club or the head coach within one week upon completion of the tryouts.
• Players will have 48-hours to accept or decline the offer.
• Players who haven’t been selected will also be notified once all rosters are finalized.
• 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. 
• Upon completion of the tryouts for U15 and older age groups, the coaches will communicate with the players regarding the timeline for offers.