Q: What nights do you play?
A: For teams U13-14 (and any gap year players who would be U15 but not in high school yet), the fall season includes two weeknight practices and a weekend game each week starting mid August and ending the second weekend of October. The main spring summer season for all U13 and older teams begins in early April and ends in early July. Teams have three contacts per week with an assigned game night of either Mon/Weds or T/Th depending on age, gender and competitive level. Teams also typically play in 2-3 weekend tournaments. Teams typically select tournaments that work best for the families on their teams.
Q: Can a player play competitive soccer while participating in other activities/sports?
A: 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 team formation can help to guide that decision. As players get older and the skill level of certain teams gets higher, it’s tough for players to miss too much time.
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 July 1 finish. Fall league play for U13&U14 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 practice 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. Players U15 and older typically play for their high school team in the fall with their club team coming together in the winter or spring to start training.
Q: Is there a uniform?
A: Players are required to purchase an Addidas kit selected by the club through Soccer.com for $125. The kit includes home and away kits of matching jerseys/shorts/socks with a practice jersey provided by a club sponsor.
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 referees, a referee assignor, league registration and insurance, club administrative expense, tournaments and coach pay.
Q: Are there tryouts?
A: United has player identification sessions in July for U13 and older players. At these sessions, we identify players interested in a competitive team and evaluate their level of play to determine team placement. If players miss or are unable to attend those sessions, they simply need to register and the club will notify them of team placement.
Q: What competitive level will my player be placed at?
A: Teams U13 and older typically have a history in the club to determine playing level or through league play may have earned a particular skill level. Depending on league placement, teams may self select the level they wish to play at.
Q: How does fall soccer work?
A: Fall club soccer is offered for players at U13 and U14 with gap year players (too young for high school but who would be U15 the following summer). It is a condensed season with six games and roughly 12 practices between mid August and early October. United will look to form fall teams based on the results of the player identifications and using the teams for the following summer as a starting point for roster formation. If there are spots open due to players electing not to play fall but who plan to play summer, fall only players may have a chance at a roster spot for fall. Contact the club for more information about your player.
U13 & Older
COMPETITIVE SOCCER
Fall 2023 Registration NOW OPEN. Information on the “2023-2024 Tryouts” page.
Our U13 and older teams are comprised of both multi-sport athletes and those who have chosen soccer as their sport to focus on.
Players are identified during the tryout/player ID process in July and then play on teams that compete in the Fall Season and Spring/Summer Season with additional Winter training.
We hold an additional tryout/player ID session in January for the Spring/Summer season to add new players if space permits and the player has the skills to make the team. Only new players are required to attend.
Program Summary
U13 & Older Competitive
- Teams are coached by a paid staff coach with a parent manager who helps with team communication and planning.
- There is minimal travel for league play with all games being played in the Twin Cities area.
- At an individual team's discretion, and with guidance from the club, some teams may choose to play in tournaments outside of the Twin Cities or Minnesota.
SCHEDULING
Teams will have two days of training and games per week plus their tournament schedule. Teams have two tournaments guaranteed with additional tournaments at the discretion of the team with guidance from the club. Tournaments will determined by the club. Games cancelled due to weather will be rescheduled. Training sessions may be rescheduled based on the team’s schedule.
BIRTH YEAR
Competitive teams are categorized by birth year (ie, 2023-2024 Season: players born in 2009 are considered U15).
The club uses tryouts/player identification sessions plus prior year’s performance evaluation to determine team placement.
Fall Season identifications take place in late-July. Players missing those events are still eligible but must be registered with the club to be considered if there is room on team rosters.
COACHING
The United competitive program is designed for players who are interested in playing at a higher level of competition and under the guidance of a professional coach.
Our professional coaches use age appropriate training methods to create the well rounded player. The well rounded player excels in four major areas of concentration: technical ability, tactical intelligence, physical attributes, and psychological elements. United coaches coach the players and team managers help keep team parents organized.
All coaches are developed with the guidance of our Director of Coaching (DOC).
FEES
Player fees go to cover a variety of expenses including referee fees, referee assignor fees, player insurance, club administrative and coaching fees.
- Fall Competitive Traveling $335
- Winter I Competitive Prep TBD
- Winter II Competitive Prep TBD
- Spring/Summer Competitive Traveling $785
Player fees go to cover a variety of expenses including referee fees, player insurance, club administrative and coaching fees. Financial aid is available for players that qualify for the program and complete the required application process. See the chart below for a basic list of fees for our U13 and older teams. At the older age groups, there can be additional fees for scrimmages, extra tournaments (including travel expenses) or additional training depending on the goals of the team.
2023-2024 COMPETITIVE
PROGRAM
| FALL 2023 | U13+ Bloomington United |
| DATES | Practices start the week of August 14th and games start August 25th. Fall season ends October 8, 2023. |
| SCHEDULE | Two weeknight practices with weekend game |
| COST | 2023 Fall $335, Winter TBD (plus $125 uniform kit if not already purchased) |
| REGISTRATION DEADLINE | Before tryouts on July 29 and 31, 2023 |
| SPRING/SUMMER 2024 | U13+ Bloomington United |
| DATES | April - mid July |
| SCHEDULE | Two weeknight practices with weekend game |
| COST | $785 (plus $125 uniform kit if not already purchased) |
| REGISTRATION DEADLINE | Before January 2024 |