Competitive Soccer
Our Commitment
At Bloomington United, we are committed to offering competitive soccer at multiple levels to accommodate all skills. Our primary goal is to place all players on a team who demonstrate a desire to play competitive soccer. We use the term “tryouts” because it is common vocabulary. However, the purpose of our tryouts is not to cut players, rather, to identify player levels and form teams with players of similar skill levels. Please note that past player performance and commitment in the Spring will be heavily considered as part of team formation. We encourage any kid who has a competitive spirit and wants to play competitive soccer to join!
Tryout Details
- All participants MUST register prior to tryouts, regardless of attendance. You will not be placed on a team unless you are registered for tryouts.
- Fee: $20.00
- Attendance: We request that all players try to attend both tryout sessions. If an existing player cannot attend at least one of these dates, they will be placed on a team based on their Spring performance. New players must attend at least one date, preferably both.
- Each age bracket will have two tryout dates. Please review the appropriate package for more details on your player’s specific tryout date and time.
- Your players’ tryout date information will NOT show on your PlayMetrics calendar. Reminder emails will go out before the event but please put the information on your personal calendar.
- Ensure your child arrives 15 minutes early to check-in, wears appropriate athletic clothes, and brings plenty of water, sunscreen, shin guards, and a soccer ball.
- Team formations will be completed within one week from the second tryout date. Invitations to your team will be sent out via PlayMetrics along with season-specific details and instructions on the next steps. Please be ready to accept or decline your roster offer within 48 hours so your team can be confirmed!
Tryout Dates and Times by Age Group and Gender
| U9-U11 Girls Tryouts | 2016, 2015, 2014 |
| July 15th: 5:30pm - 6:45pm | |
| July 16th: 7:00pm - 8:15pm | |
| Location: Brookside Fields |
| U9-U11 Boys Tryouts | 2016, 2015, 2014 |
| July 15th: 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm | |
| July 16th: 5:30pm - 6:45 pm | |
| Location: Brookside Fields |
| U12-U14 Girls Tryouts | 2013, 2012, 2011 |
| July 27th: 10:00 am - 11:15 am | |
| July 29th: 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm | |
| Location: Marsh Lake Fields |
| U12 - U14 Boys Tryouts | 2013, 2012, 2011 |
| July 27th: 11:30 am - 12:45 pm | |
| July 29th: 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm | |
| Location: Marsh Lake Fields |
| U15 Girls Tryouts | 2010 |
| July 27th: 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm | |
| July 29th: 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm | |
| Location: Marsh Lake Fields |
| U15 - U16 Boys Tryouts | 2010, 2009 |
| July 27th: 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm | |
| July 29th: 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm | |
| Location: Marsh Lake Fields |
Q: What nights do you play?
A: Teams train 2 times per week with weekend league games. Teams will also participate in 2 weekend tournaments in May and June (teams might collectively choose to add additional tournaments at an additional cost).
Q: Can a player play competitive soccer while participating in other activities/sports?
A: We desire to be a club that both supports competitive teams and also a balanced life for kids. Scheduling may allow for multiple activities but depending on the skill and commitment level required by certain teams, it may be difficult. Conversations with club staff prior to tryouts can help to guide that decision.
Q: Where are games played?
A: League games are split between home games in Bloomington and an away schedule in nearby communities in the Twin Cities. Tournament games are also in nearby communities with out of town or out of state travel up to individual teams with guidance from the club.
Q: When is the main season?
A: Our main soccer season is in the spring/summer with an April start and late June or early July finish based on a team’s schedule. Fall league play includes a few training sessions in mid to late August with games played weekends after Labor Day and concluding the first weekend in October. Fall soccer is a condensed season with one game and two practices each week once league play starts. Fall tournaments have started to pop up and would be up to the decision of the team with club guidance. Tournament fees for fall are not included in what families pay for fall soccer.
Q: Is there a uniform?
A: There is a home and away uniform for competitive teams that is required to be purchased online for each player by that player’s family. Each player is assigned a number and purchases their uniform directly on www.soccer.com. Instructions on ordering will be provided after team invites have been sent.
Q: How much does it cost, what do fees cover?
A: See the chart at the bottom of this page for specific program costs and player fees. Player fees go to cover the cost of coach pay, indoor facilities, fields, referees, a referee assignor, league registration and insurance, club administrative expense and tournaments.
Q: Are there tryouts?
A: Bloomington United has tryouts/player identification sessions in July.
Q: What competitive level will my player be placed at?
A: United uses player identification sessions to evaluate a player’s technical skill and ability. Once we have assembled a team, we will look at the collective roster of players and determine which of four competitive levels; National (highest), Regional, State or City we will place the team at. U9 and U10 teams have three competitive levels: Red (highest), White, or Blue. We are a community based club and therefore do our best to find a team placement for every player who is looking to play competitively.
Q: How do the seasons, fees and commitments work?
A: There are two main seasons with league games (Spring/Summer, which runs about 3.5 months and Fall, which runs about 6-8 weeks). Additionally, we offer two sessions of winter training that focus on skill development and scrimmages. When you accept a position with a team after the tryouts, you are committed to the club for the 23-24 Season (August 1, 2023-July 31, 2024). This simply means that if you want to leave the club and join a new club for either Fall or Spring/Summer, you will need to be released by Bloomington United. This is standard across all teams in the TCSL (Twin Cities Soccer League). This does not mean that you need to actually participate and pay for every season. For example, your child might choose to play Fall, not do winter training because they have another winter sport, and then play again in Spring/Summer. Or your child might choose to just do winter training and Spring/Summer.
COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
INFORMATION
The Details
Spring Season: For all U9-U16 players – The Spring Season begins in late April/early May and concludes by early July. Teams practice two nights a week and play a 10-match schedule with primary play nights assigned for each division. The season culminates in the TCSL FInal 4 and Summer Festival for younger age groups. Two tournaments are included in the Spring season fees. Additional tournaments would be at the discretion of the coach and would be an additional team expense.
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- Birth Certificate (can use existing resource if already uploaded)
- Player Photo, must be updated yearly
- R-002 Liability Waiver, must be updated yearly
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| 2024-2025 Competitive U9-U10 |
| FALL: $315 |
| WINTER TRAINING: TBD |
| SPRING/SUMMER: $545 |
| $150 Uniform Fee* |
| 2025-2024 Competitive U11 - U15 |
| FALL: $335 |
| WINTER TRAINING: TBD |
| SPRING/SUMMER: $785 |
| $150 Uniform fee* |
| 2024-2025 Competitive U16 |
| FALL: N/A |
| WINTER TRAINING: TBD |
| SPRING/SUMMER: $785 |
| $150 Uniform fee* |
*Uniform fee only applies to new players who don’t have the current kit. All returning players will wear the same uniform from summer season.