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2025-2026 Tryouts
our incredible
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Dear Seattle United Families,
As we approach the mid-point of our 2025/26 season, and looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, we wanted to send out some pertinent information regarding age groups and team formation.
Beginning with the 2026/27 tryouts, leagues and clubs will transition to “seasonal” year age groups where rosters will be formed by birthdates that are defined as August 1-July 31 of the following year. This includes the NPSL (Regional Select teams), the RCL (Premier teams), and theECNL. Below is a chart outlining the new age groups and corresponding seasonal year birth date ranges.
It is important to note that US Soccer has made this change and is part of a nationwide initiative, and not unique to Seattle or Washington. We understand that some players have late summer birthdays and are therefore in a different class year, which is why this is called “seasonal year” and not“school year”. There are NO exceptions allowing players to “play down” to anage group below because of school year, nor because they were born right before the new age group cut off.
We understand that the change from the current calendar/birth year team formation process to the new “seasonal” year team formation comes with a lot of questions and anxiousness for players and families. The club is trying to cover as much as possible below to answer these questions. Below is the 2026/27 Seasonal Year Age Groups with the birthdate ranges.
Age group
birthdate range
game format
Example:A player born on September 15, 2012 and is currently a U14 will again be a U14in the 2026/27 seasonal year; a player born July 26, 2012 and is a current U14will be a U15 under the new seasonal year age group.
Preparing for Seasonal Year Changes
Our Directors and Coaching Staff have begun to plan for this transition to better understand how the new seasonal year age groups, teams, and players may be affected.
To aid in the transition, training sessions are being organized for the new seasonal year groupings. These are not mandatory and are not tryouts, but simply another tool to aid our staff in being able to effectively and efficiently prepare. Sessions are strictly developmental and observational; they are not used to determine team placement or roster status at this time.
Our staff has been meeting regularly, and will continue to meet through tryouts, to discuss teams and players. As always, a Seattle United player’s performance throughout the year in trainings and games is critically important in determining placement at tryouts. This, along with other factors, will be considered when placement does occur at tryouts in 2026.
Communication Timeline
Club Directors will begin to communicate with their age groups as seasonal year training sessions are scheduled. The priority for these will be the High School-aged boys teams (U16-19 based on the chart above) that have tryouts near the end of February.
If we receive any other information on this transition, or anything new arises, we will communicate to the families in a timely manner.
FAQ's
- Fall 2011 birthdates that are U15 will tryout in May 2026.
- Unfortunately, players are not allowed to play down age groups. The birthdate ranges are clearly defined by US Soccer and exceptions for playing down are not made.
- The club’s stance on play ups will remain mostly unchanged. Players exhibiting the ability both in skill level and maturity may be looked at to play up if club leadership feels like that is theright fit for the player and team.
- Team formation will take place based on the new seasonal year birthdates of August 1 – July 31. Please anticipate roster changes.
- Newseasonal year teams will start competitive play late-May/June 2026.
- Current calendar year teams that qualify for any post-season summer playoff or competition will fulfill all required games.
- All clubs participating in the leagues will have to adhere to the new seasonal year roster changes.
- The Coaching staff will do their best to set expectations for individual players ahead of the 2026/27 tryouts, but there are no guarantees a player will know exactly on which team they will be placed until tryouts.
- Yes, be on the lookout for specific dates in the near future.
- “The August 1 age group cut-off most effectively reduces the number of “trapped players” in youth soccer and reduces negative impacts on these players at multiple stages of their career. “Trapped” players are those who, due to soccer age group cut-offs, are in an older soccer age group than their school year. Trapped players have significantly reduced competition opportunities and disrupted training experiences in 8th grade (when most of their team is in high school) and are similarly negatively impacted four years later when players from the older soccer age group, but who are still in high school, are moved down into the same soccer age group. Second, an Aug. 1 age group cut-off best aligns soccer age groups with school year ages (around the country), maximizing the number of players who participate in soccer programs with their school-year friends. This alignment has a positive correlation with increased numbers of youth players entering and staying in the sport.” ***No age group cut-off will eliminate all trapped players.
seattle united Tryouts BEGIN APRIL 25, 2023
REGISTER FOR TRYOUTSMEDICAL RELEASE FORMVOLUNTEER REGISTRATIONThe Elite Clubs National League, or ECNL is the highest level of club soccer in the United States, consisting of some of the best competition in the country. ECNL teams compete with other ECNL-level teams across the United States, both in their own region as well as National events throughout the year that brings clubs together to compete. This is the highest level of competition that Seattle United provides and it is designed for the elite player looking to play in high-level colleges or potentially with the US National team programs. Seattle United will be offering the ECNL Regional League to our U16-U19 Copa teams, giving ECNL opportunities to more teams than ever before.
2017 & 2018 Girls
2017 & 2018 Boys
U8 & U9
U8 & U9
April 22
April 23
April 28 (Supplemental)
April 22
April 23
April 28 (Supplemental)
4:45-6:00pm
5:00-6:00pm
5:30-6:30pm
6:00-7:15pm
6:00-7:00pm
5:30-6:30pm
Shoreline A/B
Twin Ponds
Twin Ponds
Shoreline A/B
Twin Ponds
Twin Ponds
2016 Boys
U10
U11
U12
U11
U12
U10
4:45-6:00pm
6:00-7:15pm
7:15-8:30pm
7:00-8:00pm
7:45-9:00pm
6:00-7:00pm
6:30-7:45pm
6:00-7:00pm
6:30-7:45pm
2014 Boys
Shoreline A/B
2015 Girls
2014 Girls
2016 Girls
2015 Boys
Eagle Staff
Shorewood HS
April 29-May 1
April 29-May 1
April 29-May 1
April 29
April 30, May 1
Eagle Staff
Shorewood HS
April 29
April 30, May 1
April 29
April 30, May 1
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Eagle Staff
Shorewood HS
2013 Boys
U13
U14
U15
U14
U15
U13
ECNL: 4:45-6:00pm
RCL/NPSL: 4:45-6:00pm
ECNL: 6:00-7:15pm
RCL/NPSL: 6:00-7:15pm
ECNL: 7:15-8:30pm
RCL/NPSL: 7:15-8:30pm
ECNL: 7:15-8:30pm
RCL/NPSL: 7:15-8:30pm
ECNL: 6:00-7:15pm
RCL/NPSL: 7:45-9:00pm
ECNL: 4:45-6:00 PM
RCL/NPSL: 6:30-7:45 PM
2011 Boys
2012 Girls
2011 Girls
2013 Girls
2012 Boys
ECNL: May 6
RCL/NPSL: May 7-8
ECNL: May 6
RCL/NPSL: May 7-8
ECNL: May 6
RCL/NPSL: May 7-8
ECNL: May 6
RCL/NPSL: May 7-8
ECNL: May 6
RCL/NPSL: May 7-8
ECNL: May 6
RCL/NPSL: May 7-8
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shorewood HS
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shorewood HS
2010 Girls
U16
U17
ECNL: 4:45-6:00pm
RCL/NPSL: 4:45-6:00pm
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
U18-U19
2007/2008 Girls
2009 Girls
ECNL: 6:00-7:15pm
RCL/NPSL: 6:00-7:15pm
ECNL: May 13
RCL/NPSL: May 14-15
ECNL: May 13
RCL/NPSL: May 14-15
ECNL: May 13
RCL/NPSL: May 14-15
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
Shoreline A/B
ECNL: 7:15-8:30pm
RCL/NPSL: 7:15-8:30pm
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO SHOULD TRY OUT FOR COMPETITIVE SOCCER?
Competitive soccer requires much more of a commitment than recreational soccer. Competitive soccer players need to be focused and highly motivated. They must possess a strong desire to learn the game from experienced coaches and to surround themselves with other focused and highly motivated players.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR TRYOUTS?
Online registration is available through the Seattle United website (www.seattleunited.com). Use the blue button at the left, or at the bottom, of this page to access our online registration platform. We strongly encourage you to pre-register for two reasons. First, it helps facilitate an easier check-in on the first day of your tryout. Secondly, it helps the coaching and evaluating staff to more properly prepare their sessions. If you are unable to register online, walk-up registrations are allowed. Be advised that online registration closes 48 hours prior to the first day/night of any scheduled tryout. Please note that there is a $25.00 registration fee online and a $40.00 registration fee for walk-ups. Anyone that registers at the field must have a parent or legal guardian present to complete all registration forms and to submit payment.
HOW ARE SEATTLE UNITED TEAMS STRUCTURED?
ECNL Teams - Our ECNL teams are the highest level of play within the club and compete year-round in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).
Premier Teams – There are sometimes up to four premier teams at each age and gender, though the number of teams will depend on number of players attending tryouts and overall quality of play. Our premier teams play at the highest applicable WYS league (currently, the RCL).
Regional Select Teams – Our select teams train in one of three regions within the club. These regions include Shoreline, Northwest, and South. Each region will have one or two teams per age and gender, and will play in the most applicable WYS league (generally the North Puget Sound League (NPSL)).
While our select teams train within their given region, a player may opt to play in a region outside of their neighborhood provided there is roster space and the coach agrees to accept the player.
WHAT IF I DO NOT MAKE A TEAM? WHAT ARE MY OTHER OPTIONS?
Unfortunately, not all players will make a team. There are plenty of options available to those that do not. At all age groups, the SYSA rec soccer program is a fantastic way to stay involved and hone your skills. At the younger age groups, the Seattle United Player Development Academy (PDA) is a fantastic option to continue your soccer developmental cycle. We encourage players that are interested in other opportunities to contact your age group head coach.
WHEN WILL I HAVE TO COMMIT TO THE TEAM AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I COMMIT?
We ask that every player that is trying out for a Seattle United team be ready to commit to the team upon receiving an offer. This will speed up the process for everyone else in the age group. Decisions must be made within 24 hours as there are players that will be offered a spot should one decline an offer. Acceptance of a roster spot is confirmed ONLY when the commitment paperwork and fee are received.
WILL A SESSION EVER GET CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER? WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING PLAYERS?
We live in Seattle….any weather is possible. While it would take extreme weather to cancel any of our sessions, this has happened in the past. If there is a threat of severe weather, please make sure to check the Seattle United website and social media channels often. We will also attempt to contact all registered players. For this reason, it is important that the email address you put on the registration form is the best one to contact you with. Please know that while cancelling a session is extremely rare, player safety comes first.
WHAT IF I AM SICK OR IF I HAVE TO MISS TRYOUTS?
In the case of all unavoidable conflicts, please contact the age group director and the head coach of the team for which the player is most likely trying out. He/she will advise you on how best to proceed.
WHAT DO THE COACHES LOOK FOR DURING TRYOUTS?
All players will be evaluated based on their technical and tactical ability as well as their physical abilities. Players who exhibit a strong work ethic and who display a respect for the game, coaches and fellow players will show well.
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND ALL OF THE TRYOUT SESSIONS?
This is a very popular question each year. The simple answer is…YES. The more sessions you attend, the greater the opportunity you have to exhibit your skills to the head coach and the staff of evaluators. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you attend each of the sessions in your age group. If there is a major and unavoidable conflict with the dates and times of your age group sessions, please contact the age group director and head coach of your age group and they will be able to provide guidance. Arrangements can be made to provide you the opportunity to try out. In some circumstances, a supplemental session may be scheduled. It is imperative that, even if you are planning to miss a session or sessions, you still register online! When you are attending the second and third night of tryouts, please make sure that your player number is the same as on all previous nights.
CAN I PLAY FOR AN OLDER TEAM?
One of the goals of our club is to make sure that each player is placed on a team not necessarily based on age but on ability. It is in every player’s best interest, from a soccer development standpoint, to play with players of like-ability. For this reason, if the Seattle United technical staff determines that it is in your best interest to play up a year, a decision can be made at that time. If you are new to the club, please make sure that the staff knows if you are at a session and are attempting to play up a year.
WHAT AGE GROUP SHOULD I TRY OUT FOR?
Most players will attend the tryout corresponding with their birth year.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
All players should bring their soccer cleats, shin guards, a water bottle, an appropriately sized soccer ball and weather-appropriate training clothes. Returning Seattle United players: DO NOT wear your club uniform or training gear! Please be sure to print, sign and bring your medical release/liability waiver with you to the first session.Please arrive 45 minutes prior to your first session and 30 minutes prior for the following sessions.
I AM INTERESTED IN PLAYING FOR SEATTLE UNITED BUT I CANNOT AFFORD IT. IS THERE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OFFERED?
Yes. Details are on our Financial Aid page
DO RETURNING SEATTLE UNITED PLAYERS NEED TO TRY OUT?
Yes. All players must try out each year.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST IF I MAKE A TEAM? DO I HAVE TO PAY ALL AT ONCE?
This varies by team. All fees are published each year on the Registration Page.
DO I NEED TO PAY ALL AT ONCE?
The club requires a 20% non-refundable commitment fee at the time of registration and the club offers three different payment plans. The payment schedules for those plans are available at check out during the online registration process. Complete information regarding registration, fees and club policies can be found on the Registration Page as well.
Tryout registration questions? Email Paige Blomso at paige@seattleunited.com
Soccer tryout questions? Email Alex Chursky at alexc@seattleunited.com
