2026–2027 Tryouts FAQs
Tryouts are open to both new and returning players interested in joining Santa Cruz United FC for the 2026–27 season.
All players must register before attending tryouts, including current Santa Cruz United players.
Tryouts are an important part of our team formation process and help the club place players in an appropriate environment based on their current level, readiness, development, team needs, and overall fit.
Helpful Links
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Contact Us: info@scunited.org
DO all players need to register for tryouts?
Yes. All players must register for tryouts before attending.
This includes:
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Current Santa Cruz United players
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New players interested in joining the club
who should attend tryouts?
All new and returning players should attend tryouts for their appropriate 2026–27 age group.
Tryouts help Santa Cruz United evaluate players and place them in the best available environment for their development.
For returning players, tryouts are considered alongside coach input, training history, game performance, and development over the course of the season.
For new players, tryouts give our coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the player and learn more about their current level, experience, and potential fit within the club.
what if my player can't attend tryouts?
We strongly encourage players to attend their scheduled tryout sessions wherever possible.
If you player is unable to attend one or more tryout sessions, please complete the tryout absence form below.
Completing the absence form does not guarantee placement, but it allows the club to track absences and follow up where appropriate.
how many tryout sessions should my player attend?
Players should attend as many scheduled tryout sessions as possible for their age group.
This gives our coaching staff more opportunities to observe players in different activities and game situations.
If your player can only attend one session, they should still attend that session and complete the absence form for any missed dates.
WHAT SHOULD PLAYERS BRING?
Players should bring:
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Cleats
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Shin guards
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Water
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Appropriate soccer clothing
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A positive attitude and a willingness to compete
Santa Cruz United will provide soccer balls and training equipment for tryouts.
WHAT HAPPENS AT TRYOUTS?
Players participate in age-appropriate soccer activities, which may include technical work, small-sided games, and large game situations.
Coaches will evaluate players across several areas, including:
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Technical ability
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Tactical understanding and decision-making
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Physical qualities
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Mentality, competitiveness, and coachability
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Team fit and overall developmental readiness
How are teams formed?
Team placement is based on the full picture, not just one tryout performance.
The club considers:
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Tryout performance
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Player readiness
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Current level of play
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Coach input, where available
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Training and game history, where available
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Player development over time
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Roster needs and team balance
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Positional needs
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Appropriate competitive level
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Potential play-up considerations, where applicable
Our goal is to place each player in the best environment for their development while building balanced, competitive, and healthy teams.
For brand-new players, we recognize that tryouts may be the first time our staff has seen them play. For returning players, tryouts are considered alongside their development and performance throughout the season.
what about the new age group structure?
For the 2026–27 season, youth soccer is moving to a new age-group structure. Santa Cruz United teams will be organized according to the updated age-group rules for the 2026–27 season.
Players should register and attend tryouts for their correct 2026–27 age group based on the registration options provided.
Some players may be considered for evaluation in an older age group where appropriate, but placement will be based on developmental fit, team needs, player readiness, and club review.
Can my player play up?
In some cases, a player may be considered for the older age group. This may happen because of developmental readiness, team fit, player/family interest, or club recommendation.
However, playing up is not guaranteed. The club will consider:
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Player readiness
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Physical and emotional maturity
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Current and long-term development
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Competitive level
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Roster needs
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Coach and director input
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The best overall environment for the player
For most players, the age-pure environment will be the best developmental fit. In certain cases, playing up may be appropriate, but those decisions will be made through a club-wide review process.
what level will my player be placed at?
Santa Cruz United aims to provide appropriate playing environments for a wide range of players.
Depending on the age group, teams may be organized by level, including top teams, second teams, and developmental teams.
Placement will depend on the number of players, player level, roster balance, coaching assignments, and league fit.
Families who are new to the club are encouraged to review our Player Pathway page, which explains the different phases of Santa Cruz United, including Foundation, Discovery, Development, and Performance:
Santa Cruz United Player Pathway
what Leagues will teams play in?
Santa Cruz United teams compete in appropriate NorCal Premier and regional competition platforms based on age group and level.
For the 2026–27 season, our top girls teams at U13 and older will participate in the ECNL Regional League pathway, while our top boys teams at U13 and older are expected to participate in the new National 1 League platform.
Other teams will compete in appropriate NorCal Premier divisions based on their level.
Families can learn more about how these competition platforms fit into the club’s overall development structure by reviewing our Player Pathway page:
Santa Cruz United Player Pathway
when will we hear about team placement?
Team offers will be sent as soon as placements are reviewed and confirmed.
Our goal is to begin sending initial team offers by the end of the week following tryouts, with additional offers following as team formation is finalized.
Some age groups may take longer depending on roster numbers, play-up considerations, late registrations, and additional evaluation needs.
do returning players have to try out?
Yes. Returning players should attend tryouts.
Tryouts are part of the team formation process and help the club evaluate players within the new age group structure.
Returning players are not evaluated based on tryouts alone. Coach input, training history, game performance, and development over the season are also considered.
what are the costs and fees for the 2026-27 season?
Program fees vary by age group, team level, length of season, training schedule, coaching structure, league platform, and other team-specific factors.
Families will receive fee information as part of the team placement and registration process. Fees may include club registration, coaching, field rental, league registration, referee costs, insurance, administrative costs, and other program-related expenses.
Some optional team events or additional programming may be billed separately, including tournaments, State Cup, winter indoor soccer, futsal, skills clinics, camps, or other supplemental opportunities.
Santa Cruz United is committed to being as transparent as possible with families about program costs before they accept a roster spot.
is financial assistance available?
Yes. Santa Cruz United is a nonprofit club and offers need-based financial assistance where possible.
Families seeking financial assistance should complete the scholarship/financial aid process during registration or contact the club for more information.
Financial assistance is limited and depends on available funding.
Questions? Contact Us
Email: info@scunited.org
Website: www.scunited.org