USA 2026/2027 TRYOUT INFORMATION
Select & Premier Teams

PREMIER TEAM TRYOUT DETAILS

Age Groups: U13 (Born: Aug. 1, 2014 - July 31, 2013) up to U19 (Born: Aug. 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009)

Saturday, June 13 (rain date = Sunday, June 14)

USA Home Fields at Helder Park

Check in at Gazebo closest to entry of park (east parking lot)

Important Notes About Tryouts and Roster Spot Commitments:

• -Any player that attends premier tryouts but does not achieve a roster spot will be urged to attend the select/elite tryouts for placement on a top-level select team. There is no additional registration needed.
• -The club will decide on the formation of premier teams based on the number and quality of players that attend tryouts - if a premier team is not formed, a top-level team will be formed (players will have to attend select tryouts).
• -Decisions for premier team rosters will be made at the field at the conclusion of the tryout.  Players and supporting adults are expected to remain onsite for the results of tryouts.
• -Players that are offered roster spots will be expected to make a binding commitment at the field.  With accepting their roster spot, they bind it by completing the required MSPSP registration form (to be provided onsite) and paying the $200 team commitment fee.  This commitment fee is non refundable.  It is a deposit and will be applied toward the full team fee. No cash is accepted - check or electronic payment only.

SELECT TEAM TRYOUT DETAILS

Boys: Monday, June 15th with a rain date of Wednesday, June 17th.
Age Groups U7 (Born: Aug. 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020) up to U19 (Born: Aug. 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009)
Check-in: 5:30-6:15pm (at large tent)
Tryout Start: approximately 6:30pm
Tryout End: approximately 9:00pm
Tryouts will be held at USA's fields at Helder Park (corner of Quincy St. and 104th Avenue).

Girls: Tuesday, June 16th with a rain date of Wednesday, June 17th
Age Groups: U7 (Born: Aug. 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020) up to U19 (Born: Aug. 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009)Check-in: 5:30-6:15pm (at large tent)
Tryout Start: approximately 6:30pm
Tryout End: approximately 9:00pm
Tryouts will be held at USA's fields at Helder Park (corner of Quincy St. and 104th Avenue).

In the event of a weather cancellation, if the announcement is not made prior to the start of check-in at the field, notice will be posted to the home page of this website only (do not rely on Facebook or other social media for official information).

HOW TO REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO REGISTER: **LINK TO REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS 2026 COMING SOON**

Please note:
~ If you are unable to pre-register, walk-ons are welcome.

WHAT IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND TRYOUTS?

Players interested in joining the club for the 2026/2027 competition year must attend tryouts. This is the only way that we can ensure that players are selected to the appropriate team, teams are formed in the most effective manner, and the club is fully prepared for the competition year. This being said, we understand that circumstances sometimes do not allow candidate players to attend tryouts.

If you will be absent, you may indicate that during the registration process. If you will be absent from tryouts, it is important that you attend are free, pre-tryout camp (and tell the coaches that you will be missing tryouts). Dates for pre-tryout camp are the week of June 1st. More details on specific dates and times to come.

WHAT TO BRING TO TRYOUTS

• A parent or guardian (to do paperwork (even if you completed the online registration) and be there with you))
  Water bottle (labeled) 
  A soccer ball (labeled) U7-U12 = size 4, U13 & Up = size 5
  Shin guards
  Outdoor soccer cleats
  Clothing appropriate for the weather
  A positive attitude
  Please do not wear any club-affiliated clothing

WHAT ARE TRYOUTS?

Teams are formed through in-person, open, age and gender-specific tryouts. It is essential that all players attend tryouts to ensure that player placement is as effective, efficient, and appropriate as possible. It is also imperative that new players join the club to ensure continued strengthening of our teams and competitive experience. Our trained and licensed coaches evaluate participants based primarily on individual skill-level and apparent coachability. Secondarily, recognition may be paid to more subjective factors (e.g., team continuity/balance, advanced skill, player attitude/effort, etc.). We historically field at least one team at each age group for each gender. We strive to ensure that our first teams are comprised of players of the strongest skill and like age/development. We often will form multiple teams at a given age group and, as such, are able to support the developmental needs of all players.

Our select teams compete in the Grand Valley Soccer Association (GVSA) within the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA). Within this level of competition, they play teams that are generally within an hour of our area. They also participate in tournaments that best suited to their level of development.

The elite teams are also within the GVSA league but are those teams that compete at the top division in the U12 and older age groups. These teams compete at a higher level of competition. They play locally as well as as well as teams in other leagues across the state. These teams participate in tournaments that will provide higher levels of competition and may be further away from the area.

The premier teams compete in the Michigan State Premier Soccer Program (MSPSP) with MSYSA. These teams play state-wide at an even higher levels of competition with their results earning rankings across the state to support promotion (or relegation) to higher levels of competition. These teams participate in high-level, college showcase tournaments.

Our elite and premier teams may also participate in the MSYSA State Cup Tournament. This is an in-season tournament with games that are played throughout the season (vs a single weekend) agains other high-level teams that must be accepted for participation. These games take our teams across the state to gain further high-level competition.

ADDITIONAL TRYOUT NOTES

Tryouts are open to all ... teams do not stay the same from year to year and everyone (even legacy players) must tryout to make a team.

Generally, on any team, the core may remain together, the outcome of the tryout process does create changes to our team rosters to ensure appropriate development of individual players, appropriate competitive level of teams, and continued strength of the Club at each age group.

We strive to ensure participation ... we recognize that every athlete develops at different rates. As such, although tryouts (as is the world around us) are competitive, we strive to ensure that any player that has the desire to play (as witnessed by attending tryouts) has a team to play on (*although not a guarantee, we have historically been very successful in managing this).

We openly support the multi-activity lives of our athletes ... whether other sports, church, community ... if you play USA you can do other things, too. Although, we do expect strong personal and family commitment and dedication for the sake of our teams, level of competitiveness, and strength of the Club.

Our Club offers multiple training and individual enrichment programs that are not offered by any other local club. There are clubs that are less expensive, but they do not offer the opportunities for overall growth and wellness that are offered by USA. There are clubs that are more expensive, but their cost does not equate to the opportunities available.

Points Of Contact for Questions

If you have questions in the following areas please contact the following club staff:

Club information, tryout process, absentee tryouts, online registration, general questions:

Karrie Bishop - Club Director of Communications at kbishop@unitedsoccerathletes.com 
Bruce Lane - Club Director of Operations at blane@unitedsoccerathletes.com

Select team formation, premier team formation, coaching, general questions:

Wade Schuemann - Club Director of Coaching at wschuemann@unitedsoccerathletes.com

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER TRYOUTS

Immediately after each tryout event, the coaches and club operations staff will start the process of team formation.

For premier teams, coaches from each age group will meet together to organize teams based on the tryout results. Decisions will be made at the field. Offers to join a team will occur at the field immediately following the tryout (i.e., do not leave the tryout facility). Upon gaining an offer, immediate commitment is expected. With acceptance of a roster spot, the player and family will complete the required registration materials and provide an initial, non-refundable payment. From there, team coaches will coordinate future team-based activities.

For select teams, coaches from each age group will meet together to organize teams based on tryout results. We will do our absolute best to contact families within 24-72 hours. We know that the results are very important to you so be alert to emails (check your spam or junk mail folders) or phone calls. Communication will be flowing quickly and initial contact may be by email rather than phone calls. If you do not receive a call the night of tryouts do not be concerned - we will do our best to make calls the following day. Phone call follow-up will be completed as soon as possible by the team coach or club manager. Please know that we take this process very seriously and know how important it is on many personal levels (in addition to being important for the Club). As such, we make every effort to get it right ... and that often takes time (e.g., if you see a large turnout at your age group, the organization may take longer and calls may be delayed). The email and/or phone communication will share the team placement with the Club and will provide you with details moving forward. If you have not heard from a Club representative within 36 hours, please contact Karrie Bishop, our Director of Communications at kbishop@unitedsoccerathletes.com