2025 – 2026 Competitive Program Information

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.

Q: What if my player is unable to attend tryouts?
A: Please contact [email protected] to discuss alternative options.

Q: What can my player expect to experience during tryouts?
A: Players will be grouped by birth year and participate in a series of evaluations 1v1, small-sided sided and full-sided, run by our coaching staff.

Q: Does Bloomington United accept all players, or are there cuts after tryouts?
Bloomington United aims to place all players who demonstrate a desire to play competitive soccer. Tryouts are used to assess skill and form teams with similarly skilled players—not to cut. The only reason a player may not be placed is if there aren’t enough players in their age group to form a team. Past performance and commitment are also considered during team formation.

Q: When will my player know what team they will be invited to?
A: Fall and Spring invites will be sent within 48 hours after tryouts.  Please note, we ask that all players accept or decline their invite within 48 hours of receipt.  This allows us to quickly form teams and prepare for coaching staff.

Q: What is the team structure by age?
A:

U9–U10 (2017–2016): Balanced Team Model

• No tiering — teams are built to include a range of skill levels. Emphasis on age group development. Players may opt into Fall, Winter, and/or Spring seasons

U11–U12 (2015–2014): Tiered Team Model

• Heat Teams – Flexible, à la carte season selection, Year-round commitment encouraged
• Fire Teams – Flexible, à la carte season selection

U13–U17 (2013–2009): Tiered Team Model

• Heat Teams: Full-year commitment (U13 – U14 Fall/Winter/Spring, U15 – U17 Winter/Spring)
• Fire Teams: Flexibility to participate in individual seasons

Q: How much does it cost, what do fees cover?
A: The fee to tryout is $50.00 which includes a Bloomington United training shirt.  If your player accepts their team invite, a $30 credit will be applied to your registration fees.