Our travel program begins at U8 and continues to run through U19. Beginning in the 2026-2027 season, Travel age groups will now be based on school years August 1-July 31, not calendar years (birth years). 

For rising U8 players in the 2026-2027 travel season, eligibility will be August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019. 

US Soccer has moved from calendar years (birth years) to school years beginning in the 2026-2027 season. Below is the eligibility for each age group for the 2026-2027 season:

• U8: players born between August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
• U9: players born between August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
• U10: players born between August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
• U11: players born between August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
• U12: players born between August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
• U13: players born between August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
• U14: players born between August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
• U15: players born between August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
• U16: players born between August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
• U17: players born between August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
• U19: players born between August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2009

Players will register for the ID sessions or club tryouts according to their eligible age range of school year (August 1-July 31). Players are allowed to play “up”, but can not play “down” an age group. 

When players register on Playmetrics, they will only see the tryouts they are eligible for based on their school year and gender. If they want to attend the tryout for the older age group, they must email registrar@dcsoccerclub.org after registering to manually move their registration so they will show up on the appropriate tryout list.

Registration is free and open to all players. In many age groups, we have between 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.

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.

ID Sessions are only for the top level Academy teams competing in the ECNL Regional League in the age groups U11-U19 and will begin in March. Please note, these teams may 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 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, current U10 players at the blue and red level players should register for and attend the appropriate ID session, as this age group rises to be Pre-ECNL in our Academy for the following seasonal year. 

Current DCSC U10 players at other levels  should discuss with their coach about their current development before registering for ID sessions.

If players in any age group rising U11-U19 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 and May.

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 de Souza  about the possibility to attend a training session for evaluation.