The Q&A below discusses eligibility, registration, placement process, 2025-2026 travel season fees, financial aid, and expectations of the 2025-2026 travel program.

ELIGIBILITY
Q. At what age can players be considered for the travel program?
A. Our travel program now begins at U8 for the 2025-2026 travel season and continues to run through U19. Travel age groups are based on birth year, so players born in 2018 will be eligible for the rising U8 age group for the 2025-2026 travel season. The oldest age group is U19, and players born in 2008 and 2007 are eligible to play.

Q. Can players be placed on teams outside of their birth year?
A. Players will register for the ID sessions or club tryouts according to their birth year. Players are allowed to play “up”, but can not play “down” an age group. For example, the rising U9 team may have players born in 2017 and 2018, but players born in 2016 can NOT be placed on U9 travel teams. Players born in 2016 would play for the U10 age group, and in a few circumstances, might be able to play “up” in the 2015 U11 age group if it is developmentally appropriate. When players register on Playmetrics, they will only see the tryouts they are eligible for based on their birth year and gender

Q. Are there any requirements to try out or to be selected to a team?
A. Registration is free and open to all players. In many age groups, we have 2-5 teams that participate in leagues at various competitive levels. The goal of player placement during our ID Sessions and Tryouts is to have all players placed on teams at the level best suited for their development, where they have balanced opportunities to successfully contribute and be challenged to aid in their growth. All players MUST register for tryouts to be selected to a team.

REGISTRATION
Q. Do players have to register or can they just show up for the try out?
A. All players attending tryouts (new and current) MUST register as it is the only way to ensure evaluation and communication of selection. Players should register ahead of the tryout. Any players not registered at the field will need to take the time at the field to register, which can potentially limit their time trying out.

Q. Do I register for ID Sessions or Club Tryouts?
A. ID Sessions are only for the top level Academy teams competing in the ECNL in the age groups U11-U19 and will begin in March. Please note, ECNL teams will not be immediately formed after an ID session. ID Sessions are used as an opportunity for staff to identify and evaluate talent both internally (current DCSC players) and externally (players from outside clubs who are interested in playing for DCSC). Therefore, players should not expect communication about offers, roster spots, playing level, team formation, etc. at the conclusion of an ID Session. Our club will continue to host ID Sessions in the spring to work through the identification process when forming teams. The rest of the travel teams below the top level will be held as Club Tryouts by age group, where players selected from the tryout will be placed on the various level teams according to their current ability.

Players not currently playing in DC Soccer Club’s travel program may register for either or both ID sessions and Club Tryouts.
For players currently in DCSC’s travel program: Our travel program has been tracking individual player development on every team throughout the 2024-2025 season and we use this tracking system to properly evaluate players throughout the year. This typically offers a more comprehensive indication of the individual’s current competitive level, and is shared amongst the technical staff and age group directors to more accurately place players within our travel program.
The ECNL ID Sessions are to identify talented players to compete on our top U11-U19 teams in the ECNL Regional League and Pre-ECNL.
- All DC Soccer Club returning ECNL Regional League and Pre-ECNL players should register for and attend the ID sessions. Additionally, 2015 Blue level players should register for and attend the appropriate ID session.
- Current DC Soccer Club Red team players and/or DCSC Brookland Blue team players may register, but should discuss with their coach about their current development before registering.
- If DCSC players currently on white, silver, gold, Brookland red or Petworth teams are interested, they should discuss with their coach first about their level of development and whether to register for the ID sessions.
- If players are not sure where they fit in best, they are encouraged to discuss potential placement first with their coach before registering for ID sessions or age group tryouts.
- The vast majority of players interested in our travel program will attend our Club Tryouts, which is held by age group. As we have several teams in each age group, these tryouts aim to select players and place them on the appropriate level team in the age group based on their current development. These tryouts will take place in April, schedule will be released soon.

Q. What if my player has a conflict with the schedule for ID sessions or Club Tryouts?
A. We understand sometimes an injury, or prior important commitment, may present a challenge to attend the scheduled ID session or tryout. Please contact Technical Director Edu Souza about the possibility to attend a training session for evaluation.

FINANCIAL AID
Q. Does DC Soccer Club offer financial assistance?
A. Our club is committed to ensuring that all players can participate in travel soccer regardless of economic status. As such, we offer a generous financial aid program for qualifying families. Please note, financial aid must be applied for annually and submission of an application does not guarantee financial aid assistance.

We encourage families to apply for financial aid as soon as possible when registering for tryouts. This will allow time for the club to review qualification ahead of the tryouts, so that any players receiving offers to join the team will be able to accept in a timely manner with an up front understanding of what the cost will be. There is no obligation by applying for the financial aid, and you'll be notified within five business days.

Q. How do I apply for financial aid?
A. Financial Aid for the 2025-2026 travel season will open up as soon as possible (typically in April) and can be applied for on your PlayMetrics account (In order to register for tryouts, you will need to have a Playmetrics account). Once you have an account, you can request Financial Aid on PlayMetrics by navigating to Club Programs > Financial Aid once it is made available for the 2025-2026 season.

When applying, please make sure you list all of your family members; otherwise your application may be denied.