Metro United is a homeschool soccer club for students in 7th-12th grade (occasionally 6th grade if space is available). The club is founded on and guided by Christian principles as we seek to provide an excellent, competitive homeschool soccer program. (Please note that information and dates below are tentative)
REGISTRATION
Registration for the Fall Homeschool Soccer Season will open on April 1st for former 2024 Fall Competitive players and April 14th for new players. (www.metrounitedsoccer.org). Email questions to: [email protected].
7 COMPETITIVE TEAMS
- Boys (7th-12th grade) – 4 teams: C2, C1, JV and Varsity
- Girls (7th-12th grade) – 3 teams: C, JV, Varsity
COSTS
Season Costs:
$350 for C and JV Teams
$425 for Varsity Teams ($350 season cost plus $75 tournament fees)
Cost Breakdown:
Tryout Fee: $50 paid at registration. Includes three to four 90-minute tryout/team selection sessions. Tryout fee is Non-Refundable.
Regular Season: Remaining season costs will be charged after tryouts on August 22nd. Players not joining a team will not be charged for the regular season. Varsity tournament fee of $75 will be added to each players account and will also be due on August 22nd.
Payment Options:
The full season cost can be paid at the time of registration, or you can select a payment plan, where $50 (non-refundable) is paid at registration and the remaining season cost paid after tryouts on August 22nd. (How to select payment plan: On the Order Summary page of the registration - click "payment options", then "payment plan" and select payment plan}
Tournament Fee for Varsity Boys and Girls:
For players who make Varsity an additional $75 will be added to their account after tryouts for tournament fees and will be due on August 22nd. Each team will play 2-3 tournaments throughout the season, with one tournament being the National Homeschool Soccer Tournament in Chattanooga, TN on October 24-25. Occasionally, JV players are invited to participate in the tournaments and will be charged $25 for each tournament they participate in. (Transportation, food, and lodging are not included in tournament fee. Families are responsible for travel expenses. All players on the girls and boys varsity rosters are expected to attend their team's tournaments).
Practice Jersey:
$12 (All players need a gray practice jersey. New players will need to order one. Former players can use old practice jerseys or can order a new one).
TEAM SELECTION/TRYOUTS
Note: All players who are able to register will make a team. Tryouts will determine which team your player will be on. No cuts are made.
Girl Tryout Dates:
Wednesday, August 6 from 5:00-6:30 pm
Thursday, August 7 from 5:00-6:30 pm
Friday, August 8 from 10:00-11:30 am
Monday, August 11 from 4:30-6:00 pm
Boy Tryout Dates: Monday, August 11 - Thursday, August 14 from 4:30-6:00 pm
Location: Valley View Middle School - 8900 Portland Ave, Bloomington
First Day of Tryouts: Arrive 15-30 minutes early to sign in and receive pinnies. You should wear your Metro United gray practice jersey, shin guards, cleats, and bring a ball and water bottle.
Tryout Format and Team Formation:
Tryouts will be held in a training camp format with coaches teaching technical and tactical skills as well as evaluating players. Teams will be assigned by skill without regard to age (i.e., older players can be assigned to lower teams, and seniors are not guaranteed a spot on the varsity team).
First Days of Practice
- Girls: Tuesday, August 12- Friday 15 from 4:30-6:00 pm (Girls’ teams will practice every day this week)
- Boys: Thursday, August 14 and Friday, August 15 from 4:30-6:00pm
MANDATORY PARENT MEETING
Thursday, August 14 (tentative date) from 4:30-6:00pm at Valley View Middle School
SEASON LENGTH, PRACTICES, GAMES
The teams practice or have games 3-4 days a week, with practices taking place in Bloomington and games occurring throughout the metro area and outskirts. Most games are in the after-school time frame, but some are in the evening and Saturdays. The schedule will be posted in the GameChanger app as it becomes available, but will not be locked in until games are confirmed in late August.
Season Length
- C and JV Girls: 9 weeks (August 6 – October 3)
- C and JV Boys: 9 weeks (August 11 – October 10)
- Varsity Teams: 11-12 weeks (Tryouts through National Tournament October 25)
Practices
All practices are on Monday, Tuesday, and Fridays (unless a game is scheduled) at Valley View Middle School (8900 Portland Ave, Bloomington) and occasionally at a field nearby.
Practice Times
- C and JV Boys and Girls: 5:00-6:30pm
- Varsity Girls: 5:00-6:30 pm
- Varsity Boys: 4:30-6:00pm
Amount of Games
- C and JV Teams: 10-12 games
- Varsity Teams: 10-12 season games, plus two to three tournaments (each tournament has 3-4 games)
Season Tournaments: Varsity Teams Only (tentative):
Boy’s Varsity Tournament
- Kansas City, MO – September 12-13
- Chisago, MN – September 26-26
Girls Varisty Tournament
- Fall Cup – Blaine, MN – September 27-28
- Coulee Cup – Lacrosse, WI – October 17-19
Boys and Girls Varsity
- National Homeschool Soccer Tournament (Chattanooga, TN) - October 24-25
ELIGIBILITY
7th-12th grade homeschooled boys. Must be at least 12 years old by September 1st. Occasionally, 6th graders will be allowed to participate if space is available. Players in 10th-12th grade must have recreational or competitive soccer experience.
Homeschooled students are those who submit a "Letter of Intent to Homeschool" to their school district. More details about age/grade eligibility requirements are available on the Metro United website.
TEAM MAXIMUMS
Boys Teams: 64 players
Girls Teams: 48 players
Once team maximums are reached, players who register will be put on a waitlist and contacted if space becomes available.
UNIFORMS
Uniforms are provided. Players rent blue and white jerseys and blue shorts. Each player provides a $75 deposit check for each set of uniforms (one check per player). Checks will be returned to families when uniforms are returned in good condition at the end of the season. Each player will receive blue and white socks to wear for the season and to keep. Additional socks will be available for $8 each.
Uniforms are distributed at the parent meeting and families will return the uniform at the end of the season at the Year End Ceremony.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Metro United is a volunteer-run organization (except our soccer coaches are paid). With that said, we cannot run without volunteers. All Metro United families who participate will need to volunteer in some capacity in order to make our soccer program run successfully. Each family is required to volunteer for at least one position during the fall. A sign-up will be sent out closer to the start of the season for you to sign-up for a volunteer position. Some examples of volunteer positions are team manager, team photographer, fundraiser, end-of-year program coordinator, potluck coordinator, spiritwear coordinator, uniform coordinator, first aid kit organizer, tournament coordinator, and more.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Please review the player and parent code of conduct prior to registering
Player Code of Conduct
Parent Code of Conduct
SPIRITWEAR
Players and parents will have an opportunity to order spiritwear (sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats etc. with Metro logo) through Taylor Custom Printing. An order will be available prior to tryouts and then another order will be available after tryouts.
YEAR END CEREMONY
The year end ceremony will take place at the beginning of November, and is an opportunity to honor each team’s achievements throughout the season. The program will consist of each coach presenting about their team’s season, handing out player certificates, and handing out team awards for MVP, Most Improved player, Best Defensive Player and Best Offensive Player. The team awards are voted on by the players. Speeches will be given by two seniors about their experience with Metro United. A cake reception follows the ceremony.