2026 Youth Soccer Tryout Guide for New England Parents

TL;DR: Tryout season in New England runs from April through July, but the homework window is right now (February-March). MLS NEXT and ECNL clubs can start tryouts as early as April, and most competitive clubs are holding formal tryouts in May this year — earlier than usual. Offers come out fast, often within days of the tryout. This year is different: US Youth Soccer is switching from January 1 birth-year cutoffs to August 1 school-year cutoffs starting August 1, 2026. That means your child's age group may change. Figure out their new age group before you show up at tryouts. Watch real practices, not just the tryout. Bring a list of questions. And if your kid is under 10, the best tryout advice is simple: let them play and have fun.

Are you a club director? If your club is holding tryouts this spring or summer, make sure parents can find your dates and details. Claim your free ClubScout profile to update tryout information, costs, and program details.

Tryout Season Is Coming. Here's What You Actually Need to Know.

Every spring, the same cycle plays out across New England. Tryout dates start showing up on club Instagram pages. Parents text each other asking "did you see that Club X is doing tryouts April 19th?" Someone in the Facebook group says their kid got into an ECNL program and suddenly every parent within earshot is wondering if they're behind.

We track 290+ youth soccer clubs across all six New England states. We've watched this process unfold for thousands of families. And the pattern is consistent: parents who do the research in February and March make better decisions than parents who scramble in June. Not because the clubs change, but because those parents ask better questions, see real practices instead of just tryouts, and go in with realistic expectations about cost, time, and fit.

This guide walks through the full tryout process, from the timeline to what coaches actually evaluate, to the questions you should ask before writing a check. And this year, there's a major structural change every family needs to understand: the switch from birth-year to school-year age groups.

The 2026 Tryout Timeline

Tryout season is not one event. It stretches from early spring into summer, with different things happening at each stage. Here's what to expect and when.

Two important timing notes. First, only about 31% of clubs in our directory (89 out of 290) have tryout dates posted in their enrichment data right now. That percentage will climb through March and April. Check club websites directly and follow their social media pages for the most current dates. Second, offers move fast — clubs typically extend offers right after tryout dates, not weeks later. Be ready to evaluate quickly, but don't let urgency pressure you into a decision without doing your homework.

How Tryouts Work by League Level

A tryout at an MLS NEXT club looks nothing like a tryout at a NECSL club. The format, the evaluation criteria, and what happens afterward are all different. Knowing what to expect at each level helps your family prepare.

MLS NEXT and ECNL (Top Tier)

There are 11 MLS NEXT Homegrown Division clubs in New England (including the New England Revolution, Boston Bolts, Valeo FC, NEFC, IFA, Bayside FC, three Connecticut clubs, and two Seacoast United programs in NH) plus 9 Academy Division clubs. On the ECNL side, there are now 9 clubs across Connecticut and Massachusetts (FSA FC, CT Rush, AC Connecticut, Connecticut United, STA, FC Stars, Select, Select Soccer Club, and Sions SC).

What to expect:

• Multi-session evaluations, sometimes across 2-3 days
• Structured small-sided games and positional exercises
• Coaches evaluating technical ability, tactical awareness, and athleticism
• Tryout numbers can be large (80-150+ players for 18-22 roster spots)
• Some clubs run invite-only tryouts after an initial ID clinic
• Offers may come within days, sometimes with short decision windows

The reality: These tryouts are competitive. Players are being evaluated against a regional and sometimes national standard. If your child hasn't played competitive soccer before, top-tier tryouts are not the place to start. That's not a judgment. It's practical advice that saves your family a stressful weekend.

NAL (National Academy League)

The NAL is a newer league that sits between NECSL/EDP and the top-tier national pathways. There are 13 NAL clubs in our New England database, including Boston Bolts, FC Stars, NEFC, SFC New England, Seacoast United, and others across MA, CT, ME, and NH. Some of these clubs also participate in MLS NEXT or ECNL at higher age groups, so NAL often serves as a development pathway within the same organization.

What to expect:

• Tryout format similar to top-tier clubs: structured evaluations over one or two sessions
• Higher technical standard than NECSL, but more accessible than MLS NEXT/ECNL
• Clubs that are building academy-level programs and want committed players
• Offers typically come quickly after tryout dates

The reality: NAL is growing fast in New England. If your child is strong enough for competitive play but MLS NEXT or ECNL feels like a reach, NAL clubs are worth looking at. Many of these clubs run teams across multiple leagues, so a player who tries out might land on a NAL roster, an NECSL roster, or both depending on the age group.

EDP and NECSL (Competitive to Premier)

The 77 NECSL clubs and 3 EDP clubs in New England run the most tryouts by volume across the region. This is where the majority of competitive players end up, and the process is more accessible.

What to expect:

• Typically a single tryout session, 60-90 minutes
• Warm-up, skills stations, and small-sided or full-sided scrimmages
• Coaches watching how players move with and without the ball
• Multiple age groups may try out on the same day
• Clubs with multiple teams per age group (A team, B team) may sort players during or after
• Communication about results within days to two weeks

The reality: NECSL tryouts are where most New England families enter the travel soccer world. The evaluation is real, but the atmosphere is less intense than top-tier tryouts. Many clubs actively want kids to have a positive experience regardless of outcome.

Recreational (Town Programs)

Rec programs typically don't hold tryouts. Registration is open to all players with team placement based on age, geography, or school. If your child is trying competitive soccer for the first time, starting at rec is a legitimate path, not a consolation prize.

What Coaches Actually Look For at Tryouts

Parents often assume tryouts are purely about talent. They're not. What coaches evaluate depends heavily on the age group. A U9 tryout and a U15 tryout are fundamentally different evaluations.

U8-U10: Can They Move? Do They Want the Ball?

At the youngest ages, coaches are looking for:

• Comfort with the ball at their feet. Not fancy skills. Can they dribble without staring at the ground? Can they receive a pass without the ball bouncing away?
• Athleticism and coordination. Balance, change of direction, spatial awareness. These are more predictive at this age than any specific soccer skill.
• Willingness to engage. Does the kid go toward the ball or away from it? Are they competing or standing back? Coaches want players who want to play.
• Coachability. Can they listen to a brief instruction and attempt it? This is about attention and effort, not perfection.

What coaches are NOT looking for at U8-U10: Tactical positioning, formation awareness, or a "soccer IQ" that hasn't had time to develop. If a tryout evaluator is grading your 8-year-old on their ability to play a through ball, that tells you more about the evaluator than your child.

U11-U13: Technical Foundation and Decision-Making

This is the transition zone where technical quality starts to separate players.

• First touch quality. Can they control the ball under pressure and in tight spaces?
• Passing accuracy. Can they connect passes with both feet at a reasonable distance?
• Speed of play. Not just foot speed. How quickly do they recognize what to do with the ball and execute it?
• Defensive effort. Do they track back? Do they compete for the ball? Effort and positioning matter here.
• How they respond to mistakes. Do they recover and keep playing, or do they shut down? Resilience is a real evaluation factor.

U14+: Tactical Understanding and Competitive Mentality

At the older ages, coaches are building teams, not just collecting talent.

• Positional awareness. Do they understand where they should be on the field relative to the ball, teammates, and opponents?
• Decision-making under pressure. Can they choose the right option quickly when an opponent closes them down?
• Physical attributes. Speed, strength, and endurance matter more at this level. The game is faster.
• Competitive drive. Do they compete for every ball? Do they want to win the 1v1 or avoid contact?
• Team fit. Coaches are looking at how a player fits into their existing squad. A technically strong midfielder who duplicates what three returners already do may not make the team, while a solid left back fills a need.

How to Prepare Your Child

Preparation looks different depending on age. The worst thing you can do is turn tryouts into a source of anxiety.

For U8-U10 players:

• Play. Seriously, that's it. Play in the backyard, play at the park, play pickup games. The more they touch the ball in relaxed settings, the more comfortable they'll be at tryouts.
• Make sure they've had water and a snack beforehand. A tired, hungry 9-year-old is not going to show their best.
• Don't do a "tryout prep boot camp" the week before. If the idea of tryouts makes them nervous, frame it as "going to play soccer with some new kids."
• Make sure their cleats fit. This sounds obvious, but kids' feet grow fast and a half-size-too-small cleat affects everything.

For U11-U13 players:

• A few weeks of consistent ball work at home helps. Passing against a wall, dribbling in small spaces, working on their weaker foot.
• Play in pickup games or open play sessions where they're challenged by players of different ages and skill levels.
• Talk about what to expect so there are no surprises, but keep it low-key. "There will be drills and then scrimmages. Do your best and have fun."
• If the club offers a pre-tryout ID clinic or open session, attend it. Familiarity with the coaching staff and training environment reduces nerves.

For U14+ players:

• Physical preparation matters. Make sure they're in reasonable shape going in. Running fitness shows in scrimmages.
• Game-speed training is more valuable than cone drills. Small-sided games with competitive players are the best prep.
• They should know what position they play and be able to articulate it. Coaches may ask.
• Mental preparation matters too. Tryouts are stressful at this age. Remind them that one tryout on one day doesn't define them as a player.

What Parents Should Do at Tryouts

Short version: watch, don't coach.

During the tryout:

• Sit back. Literally. Find a spot away from the field where you can observe without being in your child's sightline. Kids play differently when they feel watched by their parents.
• Do not coach from the sideline. Not "shoot," not "pass," not "get back." Nothing. The evaluators are watching parents too, and a sideline parent is a red flag for every coach in youth soccer.
• Watch the coaching, not just your child. Is the session organized? How do the coaches communicate with players? Are they teaching or just directing traffic?
• Take mental notes. How does your child look compared to the other players? Not to judge them, but to get a realistic sense of the level.

After the tryout:

• Ask your child how it went and how they felt. Listen to their answer. "Did you have fun?" matters more than "did you score?"
• Write down your observations while they're fresh. How did the coaching look? How was the organization? What was the parent energy like on the sideline?
• Don't dissect your child's performance in the car ride home. If they want to talk about it, let them lead.

Questions to Ask the Club Before or During Tryouts

These are the questions that separate informed families from families who find out the hard way. Ask them during tryout check-in, at the parent information session (if the club runs one), or in a follow-up email to the Director of Coaching.

About the team and playing time:

• How many players will be on the full roster?
• How many players are allowed on the game-day roster? (A roster of 22 where only 16 dress means 6 kids sit out every weekend.)
• What is your playing time policy for this age group?
• If my child doesn't make the top team, is there a development team option?

About coaching:

• Who will coach this age group, and what licenses do they hold?
• How long has this coach been with the club?
• What's the coach turnover rate at the club?

About cost and logistics:

• What's the total cost for the year, including uniform kit, tournament fees, and winter training?
• Are we in year 1 or year 2 of the uniform kit cycle? (This alone can save $150-$300.)
• How many tournaments are required vs. optional?
• Where do games take place, and how far is the farthest regular-season trip?

About culture and environment:

• How many teams train on the same field at the same time? (Field congestion directly affects training quality.)
• What's the club's policy on multi-sport athletes?
• How does the coaching staff communicate with parents?
• Is there a financial aid or scholarship program? (More clubs offer this than advertise it. Ask directly.)
• Can I talk to 2-3 current families about their experience?

Write down the answers. When you've talked to three club directors in the same week, the details blur together.

After Tryouts: Evaluating the Offer

Your child got an offer. That's great. Now comes the decision that actually matters: is this club right for your family?

Before you accept, evaluate these factors:

Don't accept under pressure. Some clubs give short decision windows ("respond by Friday"). That's a sales tactic, not a development philosophy. A club worth joining will give you reasonable time to make a family decision. If they won't, that tells you something about how they'll treat you for the next 10 months.

It's okay to say no. If the club isn't right, declining the offer is not a failure. It's a responsible decision. The average kid changes clubs at least once. Better to start at the right place than to join the wrong one and switch in January.

The Age Group Change: Birth Year to School Year

This is the biggest structural change to US youth soccer in years, and it directly affects 2026 tryouts. If you take away one thing from this section, it should be this: figure out your child's new age group before you register for tryouts.

What's Changing

Until now, US youth soccer has used January 1 birth-year cutoffs to determine age groups. A player born on January 15, 2014 and a player born on December 28, 2014 were in the same age group.

Starting August 1, 2026, the cutoff switches to August 1 school-year cutoffs. This means age groups will be determined by a player's school year (August 1 to July 31), not their calendar birth year.

Why It Matters for 2026 Tryouts

The 2026-27 season is the first season under the new system. That means the tryouts happening this spring and summer are placing kids into age groups that use the new cutoff. Most players will stay in roughly the same competitive group, but the composition of that group changes. The specifics depend on your child's birthday.

Who's Affected

The simplest way to think about it: If your child starts school in fall 2026 as a 4th grader, they'll be in the same soccer age group as their 4th-grade classmates. That's the whole point of the change: aligning soccer age groups with school years so kids play with the peers they see every day.

The "Trapped Player" Problem

Some players will feel stuck. A child born in January 2014 who was always one of the youngest in their birth-year group will now be one of the oldest in their new school-year group. That might sound like an advantage, but it also means their old teammates (born later in 2014) may now be in a younger age group. Friend groups and team chemistry get disrupted.

On the other side, a child born in October 2013 who was comfortable in their age group may now be grouped with kids born as late as July 2014 -- potentially younger and less physically mature opponents, which could make the competitive level feel different.

What to do about it:

• Check with your target clubs about how they're handling the transition. Some clubs have published guidance; others are still figuring it out.
• Talk to your child's current coach about where they think your child fits competitively under the new age groups.
• Don't assume the transition is negative. For many players, playing with school-year peers is a better social and competitive fit than the old system.
• If your child falls near the cutoff boundaries, ask clubs whether they allow players to "play up" or "play down" during the transition year.

Common Tryout Mistakes

We hear about these from coaches and parents every single season. Every one of them is avoidable.

1. Only attending tryouts at one club. You need at least two to compare. One tryout in isolation always looks fine. It's the comparison that reveals differences in coaching quality, organization, and parent culture.

2. Choosing a club because their kid's friends play there. Friends change teams, get cut, or age out. If the club is wrong for your family, it doesn't matter who else is on the roster. Pick the club that fits. The friendships will follow.

3. Skipping the cost conversation until after tryouts. Get the all-in number before you commit. The registration fee is 50-65% of your actual annual cost. Tournaments, winter training, uniforms, and travel make up the rest. Here's what travel soccer really costs in New England.

4. Signing up for a top-tier tryout without competitive experience. MLS NEXT and ECNL tryouts are not introduction-to-travel-soccer events. If your child hasn't played competitive soccer, start with a NECSL or local competitive club tryout. Build the foundation first.

5. Coaching from the sideline during the tryout. Coaches are watching. Every coach we've talked to says the same thing: a parent yelling instructions during a tryout is the biggest red flag they see. It signals that the parent will be a problem all season.

6. Treating the tryout as a one-shot evaluation. A tryout is one data point on one day. If your child was nervous, had an off day, or got placed in a scrimmage group where they were outmatched, that doesn't define their ability. Some clubs offer callback sessions. Others invite players to attend a second tryout date. Ask about options if the first session didn't go well.

7. Not checking the new age group cutoff. This is specific to 2026. If you show up at tryouts for the wrong age group because you assumed the old January 1 birth-year system, you're wasting everyone's time. Confirm your child's age group under the new August 1 school-year cutoff before you register.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do youth soccer tryouts happen in New England? In 2026, the peak tryout window is May for most competitive clubs (NECSL, NAL, EDP). MLS NEXT and ECNL clubs may start as early as April. ID clinics and open sessions run from March through May. Remaining tryouts and roster-filling continue through June and into July. Offers typically come out within days of the tryout. Check specific club websites and ClubScout for dates as they're announced.

What age should my child start trying out for travel soccer? Most competitive clubs start at U9 or U10. But there's no magic age. If your child loves playing, wants more challenge than rec provides, and your family can handle the time and cost commitment, that's the signal. Not a birthday.

How much do tryouts cost? Most tryouts are free. Some clubs charge a small registration fee ($10-$25) to manage numbers. If a club is charging significant money just to try out, ask what that fee covers and whether it's applied toward registration if your child makes the team.

What should my child wear to a tryout? Cleats (outdoor or turf depending on the surface), shin guards, soccer socks, shorts or athletic pants, and a comfortable shirt. Some clubs provide pinnies (training bibs). Bring a water bottle and a ball in case there's time before or after. Leave the full uniform at home.

Can my child try out for multiple clubs? Yes, and we'd recommend it. Attending 2-3 tryouts gives your child experience and gives you comparison data. There's no rule against trying out at multiple clubs, though be mindful of scheduling conflicts if tryouts overlap.

What if my child doesn't make any team? It happens, and it's not the end. Ask the coach for specific feedback on what to work on. Look at rec-plus or developmental programs that bridge the gap between town rec and competitive. Try again next season. Many players who didn't make a competitive team at U10 make one at U11 or U12 after a year of focused development.

How does the new birth-year-to-school-year change affect my child? Starting August 1, 2026, age groups will be based on school year (August 1 through July 31) instead of calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If your child was born January through July, their age group label likely stays the same, but older players (born Aug-Dec of the prior year) will now join their group — so the team composition changes. If your child was born August through December, they technically move into a younger age group, joining kids born Jan-Jul of the following year. Contact your target clubs to confirm which age group your child falls into under the new system.

Should we attend an ID clinic before the formal tryout? If a club offers one, absolutely. ID clinics are lower-pressure environments where your child can experience the coaching and your family can evaluate the club without the stress of a formal evaluation. FSA FC (ECNL, Farmington CT) is running Pre-ECNL ID Clinics in March 2026, and many other clubs will announce similar sessions through April and May.

What if we can't make the scheduled tryout date? Contact the club directly. Many clubs offer makeup tryout sessions or will schedule an individual evaluation. Some clubs accept video submissions as a supplement, though in-person evaluation is always preferred. Don't just skip it and assume the door is closed.

Is it worth driving 45 minutes to try out at a "better" club? Maybe. But define "better." If the club 15 minutes away has solid coaching, plays in a competitive league, and your child will get meaningful playing time, that might be the better choice for your family even if the club 45 minutes away has a bigger name. Map the drive at 5:30 PM on a Tuesday. That's your real commute 3-4 times a week for the next 10 months. Here's our full guide to choosing the right club.

Find Tryouts Near You

Tryout season doesn't have to feel like a scramble. Do the research now, while you have time. Watch a practice. Write down your questions. Know your budget. And make sure you understand your child's age group under the new school-year cutoff before you register.

Browse 290+ youth soccer clubs across all six New England states at myclubscout.com. Search by location, age group, and league level to find tryout dates and club details in one place instead of clicking through dozens of individual websites.

If you're still sorting out which league level fits your family, start here:

• How to Choose a Youth Soccer Club: A Parent's Guide
• MLS NEXT vs ECNL vs EDP: What New England Parents Need to Know
• How Much Does Travel Soccer Really Cost in New England?

The right club is out there. The tryout is just the first conversation.