Travel Team Tryout Process Overview
Formation of teams --- The Club follows the US Soccer mandates for team sizes, ages, and field sizes. This includes high school age teams which are typically Winter/Spring teams. If sufficient qualified players are available, multiple teams will be formed within the same age/gender grouping.
Roster Size -- The Club recommends a minimum of 11 players for “7 a side” teams, 13 for "9 a side" teams and 15 for the older “11 a side” teams. Experience indicates these numbers allow for absences, needed substitutions, and are reasonable numbers to still be able to provide adequate playing time for all players.
Selection Process for Players -- Two publicly announced tryouts are conducted in spring. Players should attend both, where they are evaluated and ranked. If more than one team is formed within an age and gender, the highest ranked, more skilled players will be assigned to the 1st team and the next set of skilled players will be assigned to the 2nd team. Player and parent preference for a team is not part of the decision criteria.
Playing Up -- MTSC encourages players to play on teams of the appropriate age and ability. Typically, that is the age based upon their date of birth. Players significantly ahead in their development for their age may tryout and play for an older team if it is appropriate for their development.
The only other situation where a younger player may be invited to play for an older team is if the player does not make their age appropriate team(s) and the Club is considering forming an older team of similar abilities and that team needs players to complete its roster. The decision to offer such a spot rests with the Tryout Committee and the Club President.
If a situation arises that is not covered by these rules, the President, VP of Player Development, Director of Coaching, and the Tryout Committee will resolve the issue.