Navigating Tryout Season

Tryout season is here. Whether your team is imploding or you've outgrown your current environment, making your next move matters. Here are three crucial factors to consider as you navigate this critical decision in your soccer journey:

1. Development Trumps Everything

Parents often fixate on league prestige and club reputation, but this misses the point. "Top" clubs excel at recruiting—not necessarily developing players. Before committing, ask: What kind of players does this club consistently produce? The evidence is on the field every weekend. Watch closely and you'll quickly spot which programs truly develop talent versus those that simply collect it.

2. Choose the Coach, Not the Club

While showcase exposure seems attractive, sitting on the bench at high-profile events stunts growth as much as playing for a team that never attends them. A quality coach who develops your skills will make you the player college recruiters notice—regardless of what patch is on your sleeve. Do your homework: the soccer community is small, and a coach's reputation travels quickly. Talk to current and former players. Prioritize finding a coach who can elevate your game.

3. Own Your Development

The only factor truly beyond your control is playing time—and even that changes when you become undeniable on the field. Individual training, strength sessions, match analysis, and mental preparation represent the largest portion of your development. Team practices are just a fraction of what shapes you as a player. Even in less-than-ideal team situations, focusing on what you can control will create opportunities.

After two decades of watching tryout seasons, leagues rising and falling, and clubs merging, one truth remains constant: players who prioritize development and control what they can control finish their youth careers satisfied—regardless of which path they chose.