Register for Tryouts

Tryout Fee: All participants MUST register prior to tryouts, regardless of attendance.
You will not be placed on a team unless you are registered for tryouts.

Registering for tryouts does not guarantee a position on a team at MTA, nor does it bind a player to the club.

Financial Aid

Note: If you intend to apply for financial aid, you MUST complete the application using the link in the tryout registration. (Do you wish to apply for Financial Aid? Check: “Yes” and the link to the Financial Aid Application will be on your receipt).

Minnesota Thunder Academy has a limited amount of financial aid to distribute each year to players in need. It is our goal to help players achieve their dreams on the soccer field by assisting with a portion of their Player Fees when needed.

To support this policy, MTA has developed a sliding financial aid schedule based on household income and household size using the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This schedule of discounts will be updated annually maintaining the most current poverty level table in order to determine the eligibility of discounts. Gross income is used for eligibility purposes and proof of need is REQUIRED to receive financial aid.

Players within MTA must be in good standing to re-apply and all players must remain current on their payments throughout the season to continue training.

Any financial aid awarded will be applied to Player fees owed to Minnesota Thunder Academy. It does not apply to individual team expenses, travel expenses or uniforms.

Financial Aid Requirements:

1. Every player on the team, including the player(s) receiving financial aid, is responsible for all additional fees incurred by the team. Team fees will be collected by your team manager through Snap!Spend, or in some cases by the MTA office.
2. If the player leaves MTA, the family will forfeit all financial aid and be accountable for all fees paid in full prior to player receiving any release to be allowed to play at another club.
3. Financial aid is awarded only for the current season. Recipients must reapply each year. Prior awards of financial aid do not guarantee future awards.
4. If the financial aid recipient has a remaining balance at season’s end, they may not be considered for financial aid the following season and future seasons.
5. Club/Player fees will be reduced by any financial aid awarded. Monthly payments must be made to stay current and to have the total due paid in full no later than May 1.

PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS

What should you wear / bring to Tryouts?

• MTA Tryout T-shirts with numbers will be provided at check-in and BOTH shirts should be brought to ALL tryout sessions.
• Soccer cleats
• Soccer ball (inflated – see below for size)
• Soccer gear appropriate for the weather (no club affiliated logos/gear)
• Shin pads
• Plenty of Water!
• Sunscreen

What size soccer ball do I need?

Check in early on the day of Tryouts

Every player must check-in for ALL TRYOUT DAYS of their age-group tryout sessions.

• Day 1 Check-in:  Arrive 30-45 minutes prior to your start time. You will receive your MTA Tryout T-shirts, your tryout numbers and any information we have regarding your season.
• Day 2 Check-in: Check in when you arrive. You MUST BRING both of the MTA Tryout T-shirts (with tryout numbers attached) on Day 2.
• Day 3 Check-in (if applicable): Check in when you arrive. You MUST BRING both of the MTA Tryout T-shirts (with tryout numbers attached) on Day 3.

If you have not pre-registered, please bring a smart device to register at the field and cash or credit card for payment (no checks).

Tryouts! It’s Time for you to play your best and MTA Staff to evaluate

• Hydrate, eat well and get lots of sleep the day(s) before tryouts.
• With every tryout season, there is potential for change which can cause great anxiety for players and parents.  We recommend families discuss all of the options with your player during the evaluation process and understand the potential difference between making “the top team” and being placed on the best team for his/her growth and development. The ECNL-RL teams at MTA are often at the same or a higher level than the top team at other clubs, and our ECNL-RL & NPL teams usually compete at the top of their league!
• Each player is unique and children develop at different rates. We provide the opportunity for our players to train and play at an appropriate level of play for their current level of performance. This helps us ensure we can get all players in the best environment for their continual development. We encourage you not to get caught up in the level of team your player is on and instead focus on the path of their development.

A team offer!

Players will be notified via email if they are offered a position on an MTA team. The email will include instructions to either accept or decline the roster spot.  The team offer will be sent to the main contact email entered in your Tryout registration.

MTA tryouts are highly competitive and there are usually many qualified players. Be ready to accept or decline your roster offer quickly so the team can be confirmed, or your roster spot may be offered to another deserving player. We know you are anxious to receive an offer, and we do our best to get them sent out as quickly as possible.

• ECNL team offers will go out at the end of Day 2 of your age group tryout.  You will have 2-12 hours to accept or decline your offer. Be ready to decide! If your offer does not arrive immediately, this does not always mean you did not make the team. Please be patient and we will communicate with you as soon as possible.
• ECNL-RL & NPL team offers are usually sent within 24 hours after the last tryout. You will have 12-24 hours to accept or decline your offer. Be ready to decide! If your offer does not arrive immediately, this does not always mean you did not make the team. Please be patient and we will communicate with you as soon as possible.
• Juniors (U8-U12) team offers are usually sent within 24 hours after the last tryout. You will have 24-48 hours to accept or decline your offer. Since Juniors teams start playing in the Fall, rosters must be finalized quickly so you can get a uniform and we can get the team ready to start the Fall season. Be ready to decide!

If you do not hear from us immediately, don’t despair. Sometimes it takes us a little longer than expected to communicate with all players. Once rosters are offered and accepted, all other players will be notified of their status.

In order to accept a roster spot, an Acceptance Deposit must be paid, and you will be asked to choose your payment plan for the remainder of your player fees.

Accept (or Decline) your roster offer

Upon acceptance of your roster spot, you will be asked to set up your payment plan and make your first payment (Commitment Fee).

Payment Plans available for your Season fees:

ORDER A UNIFORM & TRAINING KIT

All MTA players must order the 2026-2028 Uniform Kit.  The 26-27 season is the 1st year of our uniform kit.  The Uniform Kit is approximately $TBD. New Players to MTA:  You are required to purchase 2 numbered pinnies with your uniform.
You will receive uniform ordering information a few weeks after you accept your roster position.

Kit Includes:  TBD