2025–2026 Tryouts

Why Join Santa Cruz United?

Santa Cruz United FC is more than a soccer club—we're a community dedicated to helping players reach their full potential in a fun, competitive, and developmentally focused environment. Whether you're just starting or striving for college-level play, SC United offers:

A complete pathway from recreational soccer to elite levels (NPL and ECNL RL)
A licensed, experienced coaching staff
A supportive club culture focused on cognition, competence, and character
Access to some of the most competitive leagues in Northern California

Join us and be part of the largest, most comprehensive soccer program in Santa Cruz County.

2025–2026 Tryouts FAQ + Player Pathway

Welcome to Tryouts

Whether your player is just starting out or striving for the highest levels of competition, Santa Cruz United FC offers a place to play, grow, and thrive. As the largest competitive soccer club in Santa Cruz County, we provide a supportive, development-focused environment for players of all skill levels.

We are also one of the only clubs in Santa Cruz County with access to both the National Premier League (NPL) and ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL) — offering a complete development pathway from recreational to elite-level soccer.

🔗 Register for Tryouts Now

Our Values: Cognition, Competence, and Character

At SC United, our mission is to develop players who are not only skilled athletes but also thoughtful teammates and strong individuals. Our values are at the heart of everything we do:

Cognition: Teaching players to understand the game deeply and make smart, independent decisions.
Competence: Developing strong technical skills and tactical awareness through age-appropriate training.
Character: Fostering responsibility, resilience, teamwork, and a love of the game.

We provide a fun yet challenging environment where every player can find success in their journey, regardless of starting point or long-term goals.

Our Coaches

At Santa Cruz United, great coaching is central to player development. All coaches are required to hold coaching licenses through US Soccer or other recognized governing bodies.

We provide structured support and training for every coach to ensure consistency across the club and alignment with our player-first philosophy.

Our coaching framework includes:

Licensed coaching staff at every level
Emphasis on age-appropriate teaching, development over results, and creating engaging learning environments
Ongoing mentorship, professional development, and curriculum support
Access to high-level training tools, including The Coaching Manual
A shared club philosophy built on cognition, competence, and character

From the Foundation Phase to our top Performance teams, SC United coaches are dedicated to helping players reach their potential—on and off the field.

Explore the SC United Player Pathway

We offer a complete pathway, from recreational and foundation-level play through to elite competition in NPL and ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL). We are proud to be one of the only clubs in Santa Cruz County that offers access to both of these nationally recognized platforms.

One of the key benefits of being part of a larger club like Santa Cruz United is the flexibility and opportunity it provides players. With multiple teams in most age groups, players can guest with other teams to challenge themselves at a higher level or gain valuable playing time at a slightly lower level to support their development. This fluid structure supports the long-term growth and enjoyment of every player.

At SC United, we believe every player deserves a place to grow—whether they’re just discovering the game or aiming for the collegiate and professional levels.

Key elements of our pathway include:

Players may move between phases based on development and readiness
Evaluations continue throughout the year, not just during tryouts
Every player who wants to play has a place to play

Foundation Phase

Ages U8–U11
Focused on fun, fundamentals, and social development
Teams play in developmentally appropriate leagues
Ideal for players newer to competitive soccer or still developing core skills

Development Phase

Typically U11–U15
Emphasizes technical refinement and tactical understanding
Teams compete in NorCal Premier Regional Leagues
Opportunity for players to grow into high-level competition

Performance Phase

Advanced players with the commitment and ability to compete at the highest levels
Teams compete in NPL, ECNL RL, and NorCal State Premier divisions
Provides exposure and preparation for high school, college, and beyond

View the Full Santa Cruz United Player Pathway Document

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend tryouts?

All players—new and returning—must attend. We welcome players of all levels.

Do returning players have to try out?

Yes. Tryouts help ensure each player is placed where they will grow and thrive.

How many tryout sessions should my child attend?

We strongly encourage players to attend both tryout sessions for their age group. This gives our coaching staff more time to observe players in different situations.

If your child cannot attend both, they must attend at least one session to be considered for placement.

In some cases, certain age groups or teams may hold a third tryout, and those invited will be notified directly.

What happens at tryouts?

Players participate in technical drills, small-sided games, and scrimmages. Coaches evaluate technical skill, game understanding, effort, and attitude.

How are teams formed?

Coaches and age group directors evaluate each player and place them based on development level, readiness, and positional needs.

How many teams are there per age group?

Most age groups have multiple teams across phases, ensuring the right level for every player.

Can my child move between teams or phases?

Yes! Player movement is common and encouraged as players grow and improve.

What if my child can’t make tryouts?

We strongly encourage all players to attend at least one scheduled tryout session. However, we understand that conflicts can occur.

Returning Players:
If your child is a returning Santa Cruz United player and cannot attend tryouts, please email their current coach directly to express your interest in returning for the upcoming season. Coaches will take past performance and development into account when making placement decisions.
New Players:
If your child is new to the club and unable to attend tryouts, please complete our Missed Tryouts Form to be added to the standby list. If additional evaluation opportunities arise to fill remaining roster spots, our coaching staff will reach out.

👉 Click here to complete the Missed Tryouts Form

Please note: submitting the form does not guarantee an evaluation or team placement, but allows us to track interest and follow up if appropriate.

When will we hear back about placement?

Team placement emails will be sent within 5–7 days of the final tryout.

What should my child bring to tryouts?

Cleats and shin guards (required)
Water bottle
Comfortable athletic wear

🚫 Players do not need to bring a soccer ball — we’ll provide them.

What do club fees cover?

Santa Cruz United provides a comprehensive soccer experience. While costs vary slightly by age group and team level, your annual club fee typically includes:

Two to three training sessions per week
League registration and administrative support
Access to licensed coaching staff and professional curriculum
Goalkeeper training (where applicable)
Field rentals and lighting for training
Use of platforms like BYGA for team communication and scheduling
Club-wide events, coaching support, and seasonal programming

Additional expenses may include:

Uniform kits (required for all players, typically renewed every 2 years)
Tournament entry fees and coach travel (if applicable)
Optional camps, clinics, or private training sessions

Do all teams pay the same amount?

No. Fees vary based on several factors, including:

The phase the team is in (Foundation, Development, or Performance)
The experience level of the coach (volunteer vs. licensed professional)
The number of weekly practices and length of the season
Tournaments, travel, and additional programming included in the team plan

We aim to keep our pricing structure as transparent and fair as possible while providing a high-quality soccer experience at every level.

How do I register for tryouts?

Registration is simple and available online! Click the link below to sign up for tryouts in your player's age group: