TEAM TRYOUTS!
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 previous seasons will be heavily considered as part of team formation. We encourage any child with a competitive spirit who wants to play competitive soccer to join us!
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
- 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 30 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!
| U8 - U12 TRYOUT DATES (born between August 1st, 2014-July 31st, 2019) |
| July 13th and15th |
| LOCATION: Marsh Lake |
| U13-U19 TRYOUT DATES (Born between July 31st, 2008-July 31st, 2014) |
| July 25th and 26th |
| LOCATION: Marsh Lake |
*The 2026-2027 season will start our new uniform cycle. All players will be required to purchase a new uniform kit for home and away games for the Fall 2026 Season.
Please note: Our uniform cycle is typically two years.
Age Determination Chart 2026 – 2027 Season
COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
Learn More
Q: What nights do you play?
A: Teams have a total of 3 contacts per week (consisting of practices and games; holiday weeks are an exception).
- Exact dates for Spring / Summer typically align with League game nights, which are Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday (determined by Twin Cities Soccer League “TCSL” and based on age and competitive level), plus a weekend practice on non-tournament weekends. Teams will participate in 2 weekend tournaments (teams might collectively choose to add more tournaments at an additional cost).
- Fall season practice dates are based on coach and field availability, but are typically Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, plus a weekend practice until games start (which are weekends during the Fall season).
- Both seasons may end with a two-game tournament “Final Four” for qualifying teams based on league games (top 1 or 2 teams per TCSL bracket).
Q: Can a player play competitive soccer while participating in other activities/sports?
A: We desire to be a club that balances support for both competitive teams and multi-sport athletes. Our U5-U12 teams offer players full flexibility to join for a single season or play year-round. For U13+ teams, “Fire” and “Lightning” teams continue to offer that same flexibility. U13+ “Heat” teams require a full-year commitment, but still respect that some athletes may be juggling multiple sports and may therefore miss sessions due to direct conflicts (the winter season is our most flexible for multi-sport athletes). If you are uncertain about your multi-sport athlete’s commitment level, please discuss with club staff before tryouts to help determine the right team to try out for.
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: Spring / Summer and Fall are both main seasons for Bloomington United. Spring consists of 10 league games from April through early July, plus 2 weekend tournaments (potentially more, depending on the team’s interest). Fall league play includes 6 weekend games running mid-August through early October. Both seasons may end with a two-game tournament, the “Final Four,” for qualifying teams based on league games (typically the top 1 or 2 teams per TCSL bracket).
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 on the Competitive Program 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, insurance, club administration, 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 coach evaluations (when available) and tryouts 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 in. 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. For full details, please review our Team Formation Policy.