Frequently asked questions
When are tryouts held?
Tryouts are held before the start of our playing seasons, once before spring and the other before the start of our fall season. Most of our tryouts during the year are for players looking to transition form a recreational team to one of our competitive travel teams, or for former club players who are no longer affiliated with a travel club.
Tryouts for Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)
Our club is a participating member of The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) for U13-U19 boys’ teams. Tryouts for those teams are ongoing all year for those players seeking highly competitive training and playing environments. Please email our club and we can get you specifics on how to tryout out.
What is the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)
A top competitive environment through the creation of a true national competitive league. The ECNL provides a process for identifying elite soccer players through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competition. The Boys ECNL will include both regular season conference games and cross-conference national showcase events, and qualifying teams from the Boys ECNL will advance to the post-season Elite National Premier League (ENPL) Playoffs.
Do I need to register ahead of time?
Preferably yes by visiting our Tryout page and clicking on our Sing Up button. You may also show to a scheduled tyrout and complete the one page wavier and contact information application available onsite. We would recommend that you show 30 minutes before each session to allow enough time to complete the form.
How long after I register for a tryout online will the club take to respond with specifics.
We do our best to respond as soon as possible, however, at times certain teams are not adding players to rosters or we might not have an age-appropriate team or requested playing level to best fit your needs. Please feel free to email us directly at vp@ecfcsalinas.com if you do not hear back from within a week with specific questions and we will be sure to get back to you.
What should players wear or bring to tryouts?
Every player should arrive with proper outdoor soccer attire and ready to play: soccer cleats, shine guards, socks, and shorts are recommended. Please have players bring bottle water as they will be engaging in multiple scrimmage sessions.
If I am enrolled with another travel club affiliated with NorCal Premier league, may I still tryout for a team?
Yes, we will host an open tryout for all travel club players looking to make our club teams during official league tryout windows, usually in May of each year. Please stay connected to our social media sites and webpage for updates on dates and times.
If I miss a tryout window can my son or daugher still make a team?
Yes, if you are currently not enrolled with a travel club, you may attend one of our practice sessions throughout the year. If you are enrolled with another travel club, please contact vp@ecfcsalinas.com for additional questions on eligibility.
What should players expect during a tryout session?
Think of our tryouts as a player placement exercise, with our coaches gathering as many notes and opinions on a player as possible to facilitate placement. This process often times includes talks with parents and current coaches of teams to better understand a player’s development needs or opportunities to make a team and get reasonable playing time.
Please encourage players to relax and have fun at tryouts. While ECFC is a highly competitive travel club, depending on the age group and established teams, our attempt is to find an age and level appropriate team for your kids.
How will I know if my child made a team?
If our coaches are able to find a good fit with an established team, and the team has open roster spots, the coach will reach out within the week to provide further enrollment details. If our club is not able to find a team at the moment, we will still reach out with a notice on possible recommendations outside of our programs. We would encourage players to continue attending further tryouts as teams overtime do open roster spots, so a fit might be right around the corner.
If my child is already on a club team with your club, do they still need to attend a tryout?
We recommend that all players attend tryouts even those who are part of the club. This allows coaches the opportunity to see how current players might fit together with new ones and how potential new players do against the best players already with the club.
I do not see a tryout date for my child's age group, how can they join a team?
If you don’t see your age group more than likely those teams are not actively needing players. However, there are still opportunities to make a team by attending a team practice and allowing the coach to see you in action. Please email us on further details and eligibility vp@ecfcsalinas.com
NOTE: All players MUST tryout based upon their birth year. No exceptions.
A player may be invited to “play up” based on their demonstrated playing ability, but such decisions are at the sole discretion of the coaching staff. Finally and most important, please keep in mind that our decisions on players making a team are made with the best intentions and interest of the players. Team placement is designed to provide the player the best opportunity to reach their potential while keeping participation engaging and challenging.