Answers to Questions we often get asked:
Q: Who is PSA Force?
Force is the Select soccer program of Pilchuck Soccer Alliance (PSA). We are a close-knit soccer community formed out of a merger of several successful youth soccer clubs from the Marysville, Arlington, and Lakewood areas of Northwest Washington with decades of history behind us. We provide players in Snohomish County and the greater Seattle area with the opportunity to be professionally coached and play soccer at the Select and Premier level. Our teams play in the North Puget Sound League (NPSL) and compete with some of the top youth soccer teams in the State of Washington.
Q: Do players have to be at all of the tryout days?
Not necessarily, however, the tryout sessions are when coaches will be evaluating players and making their decisions regarding which players will be selected for the team. So the more time coaches have to evaluate your player, the better. This is also a great opportunity for players to get to know and evaluate the coaches as well to make sure it will be a good fit.
Q: Can a player ‘play up’ and tryout for an older team?
Players are not prohibited from playing up, however, we strongly encourage players to try out and play at their own age. Typically, unless a player is likely to be one of the top-5 players on the older team, we discourage them from playing up. If you would like to try out for an older team, you will be asked to indicate this during registration, and be sure to let the coaches know right away if your intention is to try out for more than one Force team.
Q: Can a player tryout for more than one team?
Yes, as long as you let the coaches know right away of your intention to try out for more than one Force team.
Q: Can a player tryout even if they aren't sure they want to play select soccer?
Absolutely! Tryouts are free, so there is nothing to lose. Plus, it can be a great experience for players who are “on the fence” about whether or not they are ready for the commitment that Select/Premier soccer requires. But please let the coaches know up-front if you do not intend to join the team if selected.
Q: Do you play all year long, and How does That work with players who play other sports?
Typically, FORCE soccer teams train and play year-round. Practices start in June, and teams will typically play in at least 2 tournaments over the summer. The Fall season games start in September and may extend into early December (except for High School girls). There is then usually a short break during the holidays, and practices resume again in the new year to get ready for the Spring season (except for High School boys) and/or State Cup Tournament. How far a team advances in the State Cup Tournament will determine how long their season ultimately lasts.
Players are expected to play both the Fall and Spring seasons. The coaches for each team will determine what their team’s season plan will be. Be sure to ask this of the coach for the team your player is trying out for. If a player participates in another sport during the months of January-April while also playing soccer with FORCE, we require that they attend at least one FORCE soccer training session per week.
Q: Do high school girls and boys have different season schedules?
Yes. Select/Premier Clubs in the State of Washington have made an agreement with the School System so that players may participate in both Club and High School soccer. High School aged Force Girls teams will train through the summer, and play in summer tournaments. But they will take a break from Club soccer around mid-August, so that players may participate in High School soccer. Force Girls teams will start training again towards the end of November, once their High School soccer season is over. Games will start in January, and go through the end of March or the beginning of April.
High School age Boys Force teams also train throughout the summer, play in summer tournaments, and their Fall Season games start in September just like other Force teams. However, they will break during the Spring for High School Boys soccer season.
Q: How many days a week do we practice?
Beginning in June, most teams practice only twice a week. However, some teams may also have optional additional training which means practicing 3 times a week.
Q: How far do we have to travel for games?
Most teams playing in the NPSL do not travel outside of the greater Puget Sound area (as far north as Bellingham, as far south as Tacoma, as far east as Issaquah, and as far west as Bremerton or Sequim). Basically, we don’t typically travel east of the mountains.
However, Force teams participating in the Washington Youth Soccer (WYS) President’s Cup State Tournament may have to travel all throughout the State of Washington, including Eastern Washington, because it is a state-wide tournament with teams participating from all WYS clubs and leagues.
Q: How much does FORCE cost, and what does it include?
Our Force program was designed to provide the highest value competitive soccer experience available, so we are always working to ensure that Force remains affordable. The Player Fee varies slightly from year-to-year based on the costs associated with running the program, but typically is less than half the cost of other clubs in our area. We also offer affordable monthly payments to spread the cost out over the course of the season.
How do I get started?
We recommend that you register for tryouts online prior to attending. This will speed up the check-in process once you arrive at the field.
UNABLE TO ATTEND TRYOUTS OR HAVE Additional QUESTIONS?
Contact our Director of Coaching: Kelly Huestis doc@psaforce.soccer
