2024-2025 Tryouts Information
Interested in a 2024-2025 Team?
Tryouts are held in July 2025 for the 2025-2026 Season
Tryouts held at:
Academy of Holy Angels South Turf • 6600 Nicollet Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423
and
MTA Winter Park Training Complex • 9520 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Note: Dates/times are subject to change
Subscribe to our MTA Nation Newsletter for the most accurate up-to-date info
Birthyear Age Groups • 2024-2025 Season
Girls U13-U19 ECNL Tryouts
Birthyears 2012-2006 / July 8 & 9, 2024 – plan to attend tryout sessions both days.
** All girls trying out for an ECNL team should attend – ECNL rosters will be formed at these sessions.
Holy Angels
Winter Park • Fieldhouse
Boys U13-U16 ECNL Tryouts
Birthyears 2012-2009 / July 11 & 15, 2024 – plan to attend tryout sessions both days.
** All boys trying out for an ECNL team should attend – ECNL rosters will be formed at these sessions.
Holy Angels
Winter Park • Fieldhouse
Boys U17-U19 ECNL Tryouts
Birthyears 2008-2006 / July 8, 11 & 15, 2024 – plan to attend tryout sessions all three days.
** All boys trying out for an ECNL team should attend – ECNL rosters will be formed at these sessions.
Girls Juniors Tryouts U8-U11
Birthyears 2017-2016-2015-2014 / July 15-17, 2024
** U9-U11 Age groups will have 2 sessions within July 15-16-17. Players should attend sessions both days. U8 – 2017 players only have 1 session.
incl. Pre-ECNL
Winter Park
Winter Park
Winter Park
Boys Juniors Tryouts U8-U11
Birthyears 2017-2016-2015-2014 / July 15-17, 2024
** U9-U11 Age groups will have 2 sessions within July 15-16-17. Players should attend sessions both days. U8 – 2017 players only have 1 session.
incl. Pre-ECNL
Winter Park
Winter Park
Winter Park
Girls U12 PreECNL/Swoosh + U13-U19 NPL
Birthyears 2013-2006 / July 27 & 28, 2024 – plan to attend tryout sessions both days.
Girls Pre-ECNL and NPL teams will be formed & any remaining ECNL rosters finalized July 27-28
Pre-ECNL &
Swoosh
Holy Angels
Winter Park
Boys U12 PreECNL/Swoosh + U13-U19 NPL or TCSL
Birthyears 2013-2006 / July 27 & 28, 2024 – plan to attend tryout sessions both days.
Girls Pre-ECNL and NPL teams will be formed & any remaining ECNL rosters finalized July 27-28
Pre-ECNL & Swoosh
Holy Angels
Winter Park
Tryout Steps, Details & FAQs
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Financial aid is awarded only for the current season. Recipients must reapply each year. Prior awards of financial aid do not guarantee future awards.
- 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.
- 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
If financial aid is awarded, players must stay current with the agreed-upon payment plan each month.
Players who are behind on payments for club/player fees due to MTA AND/OR team fees due to the team manager will not be allowed to attend training or participate in games or tournaments.
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 both 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?
| Player age | Ball size |
| 8 years & under | junior size 3 |
| 8-12 years | youth size 4 |
| 12 years & up | official size 5 |
Check in early on the day of Tryouts
Every player must check-in for BOTH DAYS of their birthyear 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.
- U17-U19 ECNL Boys ONLY – Day 3 Check-in: 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, you will be required to do so before you can attend tryouts. On-field registration is $10 extra.
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.
- The tryout evaluation will be made over a 2-3 day period – see the schedule for details
- 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 NPL teams at MTA are often at the same or a higher level than the top team at other clubs, and our 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!
After Tryouts, rosters are typically finalized within a few days. 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 are usually sent within 24 hours after the last 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.
- 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.
If you are not offered a roster spot on an ECNL team, you will receive an email by July 22. You are invited to try out again on July 27-28 at no additional cost. Tryouts July 27-28 are for:
• Girls’ U12 (Pre-ECNL & Swoosh) + U13-U19 NPL + any remaining ECNL roster positions, U13-U19.
• Boys’ U12 (Pre-ECNL & Swoosh) + U13-U19 NPL and TCSL + any remaining ECNL roster positions U13-U19.
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
In order to accept a roster spot, click Accept in your offer email, and pay the non-refundable Commitment Fee. Payment must be received within the stated time period on your offer letter or the club may offer your roster spot to other eligible players.
Commitment Fee: Please see the team expectations page.
The Player Commitment Fee (or any portion thereof) binds your player to Minnesota Thunder Academy for the full Competitive season, through the end of July of the following year. Commitment to Minnesota Thunder Academy is valid for ECNL, TSCL, US Club, USYS, MYSA and any other leagues. All MTA Player fees are Non-Refundable*.
Financial Aid (FA): If you applied and you qualify to receive financial aid, you will receive information regarding your financial aid award with your team offer, and instructions for securing your roster spot should you accept the financial conditions of your offer. You must pay the Commitment Fee. Any financial aid discounts will be applied to all future payments. See the Financial Aid tab for more information.
*As a Non-Profit organization that must plan the use of resources and staff in advance, we do not refund Player fees.
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:
1 payment: Pay in full today.
4 payment plan: Player fees are divided into 4 equal installments, with the first payment collected online when you set up the plan. The remaining payments will be automatically debited from the same account* on October 10; December 10; and February 10. There is a $60 service fee for this option.
10 payment plan: Player fees are divided into 10 equal installments, with the first payment collected when you set up the plan. The remaining payments will be automatically debited from the same account* on September 10, October 10, November 10, December 10, January 10, February 10, March 10, April 10 and May 10. There is a $180 service fee for this option.
* If you wish to use a different account to pay the balance, log into your BYGA account BEFORE the date of payment to update your account information.
Please have your Visa, Mastercard, Discover or bank account routing and account number available. Following completion of your registration, you will see a charge on your account from Minnesota Thunder Academy.
ORDER A UNIFORM & TRAINING KIT
All MTA players must order the 2024-2026 Uniform Kit. The Uniform Kit is approximately $xxx (unknown at this time). 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:
- 2 Game Jerseys
- 2 Game Shorts
- Training Jersey
- Training Shorts
- 3 pr socks
- 2 numbered pinnies
- Nike soccer ball
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register if I can’t attend Tryouts?
YES. All players MUST register online for Tryouts in advance, regardless of attendance at Tryouts. You will not be considered for placement on a team if you are not registered. Please let us know if you will miss tryouts by making a note under “Addtional Comments” in your registration and/or emailing admin@mnthunderacademy.org.
What if I am injured and cannot participate in Tryouts?
Players who are injured and unable to participate in tryouts must still register for Tryouts and make a note under “Addtional Comments” in your registration. If you are injured after you have submitted your tryout registration, email admin@mnthunderacademy.org. Injured players should still attend tryouts.
What should I wear to Tryouts?
MTA Tryout T-shirts will be handed out at the first tryout for your age group. Players need to bring BOTH T-shirts to any/all tryouts! Shinguards are required. Do not wear any soccer team affiliated gear/logos (including MTA).
What should I bring to Tryouts?
Plenty of water, sunscreen, shinguards, soccer cleats, and an inflated soccer ball of the appropriate size.
Should I attend both/all 3 days of the Tryouts?
Yes, every player should attend both tryout days for their birthyear.
U17-U19 ECNL Boys may have 3 days of tryouts. Plan to attend all three days, although it is possible that some players may not need to attend Day 3.
If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled Tryout Days, it is important that you make a note under “Additional Comments” in your registration and/or notify the MTA office at admin@mnthunderacademy.org. Current MTA players must also communicate with their Director of Coaching.
Are team fees included in the Player Registration fee paid to the club?
Team fees (coach travel, tournament registrations, ECNL events, futsal, non-MTA training, etc) are not included in MTA player fees, except when otherwise noted in the team’s Season Plan you receive with your team offer. The Season Plan is a cost estimate only. Each team has an individualized season plan and all team fees are determined by the team’s coach and DOC, and finalized in November/December after a team meeting. Team fees are collected by the team manager through Snap!Spend in most cases, but at times may be collected through the MTA office.
Is the uniform included in the cost?
The uniform is not included in the MTA Player Fees. The uniform follows a 2 year life cycle, which begins Fall 2024 and ends with the Summer 2026 season. Uniform numbers will be assigned by the club in order to minimize unnecessary and costly jersey changes and/or purchases throughout the uniform cycle.
Can I watch my child’s tryout?
Parents are not allowed on the tryout fields, to coach from the sidelines, or to engage in conversation with evaluators. Please stay outside the fence surrounding the field. If your tryout session is at Winter Park, you are welcome to use the lobby to visit with others, or get some work done on our free wifi.
What if I have other questions not answered here?
Please email admin@mnthunderacademy.org with your questions and they will be forwarded to the appropriate staff.
