Tryouts are held every Spring, typically in April and May.  Please refer to the Tryout Schedule Page for current year details.

Tryout Schedule

The current landscape is inconsistent and not as successful as it could be when it comes to player development. Through these initiatives, U.S. Soccer aims to develop players with more individual skill, intelligence, creativity and confidence. These changes also provide a consistent approach across the country while challenging the status quo of our soccer landscape by focusing on the development of the individual versus the success of a team. Parents can also have a better understanding of exactly what they should expect from a soccer program for their children.

Yes. These initiatives align the entire youth player development environment with the proven approach and success of the Development Academy program. Clubs, coaches and parents who are in programs external to the Development Academy are encouraged to incorporate these philosophies of player development. These initiatives fully support the existing technical framework of the Development Academy, which serves as the model for development across the country.

All of U.S. Soccer’s membership is required to put these initiatives into place.  This includes our club.

Players still have the ability to “play up” with older teammates if deemed appropriate by the GFSC Player Development Staff.  GFSC will abide by the US Soccer and New Jersey Youth Soccer guidelines on playing up.  In some cases the Player Development Staff may approve “playing up” to compete in a more appropriate environment based on their skill level.  This can provide players the best environment in which to compete and can aid in their future development.

The answer to this depends on a variety of factors. Playing on a team with all of your friends isn’t always a reality in the current environment. This is similar to not having all of your friends in the same class or classes at school. Another factor is that the age cutoff used for school registration varies across the country. This means that there are already a variety of unique player age and grade combinations. Participation in scholastic sports can also impact the composition of some teams.  The placement of individual players on specific teams will remain a function of GFSC's Technical Staff to help find the players the best possible environment for their development.

No. Players will have the ability to play with their birth year team, or “play up” with teams in older birth years.

Players have the ability to “play up” with teammates at older age groups, based on birth year. Players are not permitted to “play down” with teammates at younger age groups, based on birth year.

Relative age effect (RAE) refers to the selection bias towards players born earlier in the calendar year. Registering players according to birth year will help everyone understand and better identify the potential for bias. Birth year registration is not intended or expected to eliminate relative age effect.

The player development initiatives do not claim to fix this issue. However, having players grouped by birth year does make it easier to understand for parents and coaches. 

Support and the education of parents is key. Unless we do this together, we won’t be successful. U.S. Soccer acknowledges that these changes are not as easy as flipping a switch.  Change of this magnitude takes time and it can be uncomfortable. Because of this, U.S. Soccer asks that the entire soccer community please have patience as these changes are implemented, and trust that these and future initiatives will lead to long-term success in the area of player development.