DO WE STILL REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS EVEN THOUGH THERE WILL BE NO PHYSICAL TRYOUTS?

It is imperative that you REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS before May 22nd 2020 so that we are aware of your interest in playing on a Saline FC team in the 2020-2021 year. This helps us know how many potential players we have and how many teams we can form at each age group.

IS THIS REALLY A TRYOUT?

Yes, however not as you are accustomed to. Because of Covid-19, MSYSA will not sanction or insure tryouts in person this year. Saline FC will form teams to the best of our abilities with knowledge of evaluations that have occurred over Fall and Winter seasons of 2019-2020.

WILL NEW PLAYERS HAVE A DIFFERENT REGISTRATION DATE?

New players can register for tryouts any time, however, Saline FC cannot speak to them about a spot on a team until June 13th or later!  Current Saline FC players can be offered a spot June 1st or later. 

WHAT IS THE YOUNGEST AGE GROUPS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS FOR THIS UPCOMING SEASON 2020/2021

The youngest age group for both boys and girls will be Birth year 2013. They will be playing in the U8 division in a 4v4 formation.

DOES REGISTERING FOR SALINE FC TRYOUTS COMMIT A PLAYER TO SIGN WITH SALINE FC?

No, however we ask that you are somewhat committed to being part of the Saline FC soccer program. If you are sure you, for whatever reason do not wish to return, please inform your coach of that also. This can help us in forming teams and the future development of our club. Please reach out to us if you have questions or concerns we can help you with. You can contact your coach or send your inquiry to [email protected]. 

DOES DIRECTOR’S ACADEMY LOOK DIFFERENT AT TRYOUTS?

No. Once a team is formed, it will be determined if the skill level of that team is best suited to play at the Director’s Academy level.  Saline FC recognizes many of our teams are at that level, hence our work to be a designated DA Club.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THE DIRECTOR’S ACADEMY STATUS WILL MEAN FOR TEAMS?

The Directors Academy is focused on the  U11 and U12 age groups and allows our Black teams to compete against the top teams in the state on a consistent basis.

HOW WILL NEW PLAYERS BE HANDLED AND WILL YOU ACCEPT NEW PLAYERS YOU HAVE NOT SEEN PLAY?   

If a new player expresses interest in Saline FC whose playing has not been seen by our staff, we will request a short video of an outlined performance be sent to our Director of Coaching who will then gauge the player’s skill level. You can find instructions for recording and sending a video HERE.

WILL CURRENT COACHES FORM THE NEXT YEAR TEAM?

Yes, the current coach and the new coach (if applicable) and the Director of Coaching will collaborate to agree about the formation of the team for the 2020/2021 season.

WILL REC KIDS BE ALLOWED TO TRYOUT AND JOIN TRAVEL TEAMS?  

Yes, they are welcome and encouraged to try out. They too may be asked to provide a short video to aid in the decision for placement. You can find instructions for recording and sending a video HERE.

CAN WE SEND A SKILL VIDEO?

Yes, if you feel you would like the coaches to see updated skills, improved techniques or anything on which you have practiced during your time at home, please do send us a video. You can find instructions for recording and sending a video HERE.

WHEN ARE VIDEOS DUES?

Videos are due May 25th 2020. You can find instructions for recording and sending a video HERE.

WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I MADE A TEAM?

Each player that registered for Saline FC tryouts will be notified by their coach on June 1st with information regarding the decision of placement on a team. 

HOW ARE WE SENDING OUT, SIGNING, ETC. PAPERWORK?

All paperwork will be done electronically.  This has been a goal of MSYSA and would have been the case with or without our current situation.

COULD PLAYERS GET MOVED TO AND FROM BLACK AND GOLD TEAMS?  HOW WILL WE BE NOTIFIED?   

Yes. There is the possibility, just like at regular tryouts, that players could move teams. The coaching staff will have a conversation about how each player has progressed over the season and determine whether a change would best aid their development on June 1st.  We encourage everyone to register for tryouts now to make team formation and placement possible. If you are sure you, for whatever reason do not wish to return, please inform your coach of that also. This can help us in forming teams and the future development of our club.

WILL THERE BE CUTS?

Our goal is always to do all we can to allow kids to play travel soccer with Saline FC. Cuts are not necessary providing there is space on the roster and the level is appropriate for the player. However, with this in mind, we have had to cut players in the past. If this happens, Saline FC offers training opportunities or will aid in placement elsewhere.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PLAYERS TO FORM A TEAM AFTER A PLAYER HAS SIGNED?

Our goal is to form a team or two if numbers allow at every age group we can. Often, players from inside and outside Saline FC inquire about playing with our club later in the summer. However, if we find we are short players after all efforts have been made to form a team, Saline FC will release players and aid in their placement elsewhere.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR A PLAYER TO SIGN A CONTRACT FOR ANY TEAM/CLUB?  

Technically, a deadline has not been set by MSYSA. However, Saline FC is requesting our players sign with this club by June 5th in order to ensure your place on a team and that we can fill our allocated roster spots.

WHAT IF I SIGN AND THEN CHANGE MY MIND?  

Please sign only after you are certain of your commitment to Saline FC and before June 13th.  Once the contract is signed, Saline FC can hold a player’s registration for the 2020-2021 soccer year. By signing, however, you insure your spot on the team. MSYSA rules permit players to commit, sign or register with a new club starting June 13, 2020 if desired. This will only be available to those players who have not already committed, signed, or registered with their existing club (starting June 1, 2020) for the 2020-2021 seasonal year.  Beginning June 13, players from other clubs can fill spots on Saline FC rosters.  

WILL THERE BE A FALL PLAY FOR 06 BOYS WHO DO NOT PLAY HIGH SCHOOL?

Once the majority of the registrations have come in, around May 15th, we will start getting in contact with DOCs from clubs in our surrounding area to see how many 06 players they have in a similar situation. We would then look to form what they call a "Trapped team," for the fall season only. That team would play against other areas who look to do the same. 

This is something that happens every year since US soccer switched to the birth year format for forming teams.

WHEN WILL MONEY BE DUE AND ARE THE REGISTRATION PRICES STAYING THE SAME?  

The first payment or the discounted full payment will be due June 15th 2020. The registration rates will not change for the 2020-2021 soccer year.  

THE FIRST REGISTRATION PAYMENTS ARE DUE ON 6/15. WHY IS IT A MONTH EARLIER THAN IN OTHER YEARS?

This decision was made at the end of tryouts in 2019.  Our goal is to eliminate vulnerability for our committed players by cementing their commitment via payment. It is an industry norm.  Saline FC, however will still offer the same payment plans for two or three payments over several months. 

WILL THERE BE A PRICE DIFFERENCE IF WE DON’T START TILL FALL?

If it is deemed by our governing bodies that we cannot play a full Fall Season, Saline FC will be proactive with a fair financial solution to our membership. 

WITH THE LOSS OF TRAINING AND PLAY THIS SPRING, WILL THERE BE AN EFFORT TO ADD EXTRA TRAINING IN THE FALL BESIDES THE NORMAL TWICE A WEEK SLOTS?

There will not be an extra team training session. We will be looking to offer summer player programming when we are allowed to return to play to make up for the loss of spring soccer.

DO WE HAVE TO BUY NEW UNIFORMS THIS YEAR?

No, existing travel players do not have to buy a new uniform this year. New players will have to order new uniforms.  Order them by July 1st to make sure the uniform arrives before the first game in the Fall. Before ordering, please check your jersey number with [email protected]

CAN A PARENT OR PLAYER TALK TO THE COACH BEFORE SIGNING?

Yes.  All coaches will be available for a conversation in the weeks leading up to June 1st.

THIS YEAR MANY AGE GROUPS HAD THE SAME COACH FOR THE BLACK AND THE GOLD TEAM; DO YOU ANTICIPATE DOING THIS AGAIN?

There are a lot of factors that go into deciding which coaches take which teams. Last year we had multiple age groups where one coach took both the Black and Gold teams. This will happen again this year for some age groups but not as many.

CAN WE DO A ZOOM MEETING?

You can contact your coach or our Director of Coaching and request a Zoom Meeting.  However our coach cannot offer you a spot on the team until June 1st per MSYSA rules. 

WHEN WILL THE ROSTERS BE ANNOUNCED?

Rosters will be set closer to the Open House meeting on June 27th 2020 but will be subject to change. MSYSA has not set a deadline for people to sign so changes and additions can happen throughout the summer. 

 

WHAT IF THERE IS NO SOCCER OR PROLONGED QUARANTINE  IN THE FALL? 

We are in constant communication with MSYSA, who works with and is guided by the State of Michigan, Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, US Youth Soccer, US Soccer and the MSYSA Insurance carrier. As we learn together, we continue to make shifts in our program as well as being ready for the day it is deemed “safe to play” again. Saline FC will continue to keep all its members informed through this situation and will address any new situation that may arise fairly and promptly.  

IF WE SIGN A CONTRACT IN JUNE AND LATER FEEL UNSAFE TO PLAY IN THE FALL, CAN WE BE RELEASED FROM OUR CONTRACT?  CAN WE GET A REFUND?

If your player feels it unsafe to play, there will be no need to be released from your contract as he/she won’t be playing.  We will address refunds regarding this issue further as we learn the facts around when the Governor and our soccer governing bodies determine it is safe to play. 

WHY WEREN’T TRYOUTS MOVED TO JULY OR LATER INSTEAD OF HAVING NO PHYSICAL TRYOUTS?

Unfortunately, MSYSA anticipates that ongoing social distancing restrictions in the State of Michigan (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) will inhibit the ability for our affiliated clubs to offer in-person try- outs for travel soccer in the month of June. Furthermore, it would be impractical for MSYSA to move travel try-outs into July due to the anticipated summer calendar for many, along with preparations for the fall season. As such, MSYSA will not sanction, affiliate, or insure in-person try-outs this year.

WILL THE US YOUTH SOCCER “RETURN TO PLAY” COMMITTEE MAKE PROTOCOL CHANGES THAT MSYSA WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW OR COULD THERE BE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES?

The US Youth Soccer Return-To-Play Committee will offer general guidelines/recommendations to State Soccer Associations.  (There will be no mandates or requirements.)  MSYSA’s Return-To-Play and related safety protocols, recommendations, etc. will be, in large part, determined by the State of Michigan/Health departments.

WILL WE BE ABLE TO PRACTICE BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS?

We are working daily with MSYSA and will know more about dates and practicing protocol in the very near future.  Since the safety of our players is of the utmost importance, practicing before stepping into competition is a priority.  There is still a lot of unknown around exact dates.

ARE THERE CHANGES TO FALL TOURNAMENTS?  DISTANCE OF TRAVEL?

We do not have the answers to this yet.  There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes right now.  As we gain information, these decisions will become more clear.

WHAT IF A PLAYER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?

We do not know exactly what the protocol will be regarding players testing positive.   As we learn more, there will processes in place to address, inform and educate our teams and their families.  

WILL YOU RE-EVALUATE TEAM PLAYERS AFTER THE FALL?

That could happen.  Due to no physical tryouts, new knowledge could come to light during or after the Fall season.  This could happen if there had been a physical tryout as well.  Our goal is to place players where they will best grow and have a good experience.

WILL THERE BE A SUMMER PROGRAM OF ANY SORT AND IF SO, HOW WILL YOU FORMULATE TEAMS?

Summer Champions Cup for 2020 was cancelled, however at this time Saline FC is planning on hosting our Summer Camps and potentially other training programs.   We continue to work with MSYSA on guidelines beyond May 30th. SalineFC is focusing now on creating teams and preparing for a successful and safe Fall season.  

WILL WE BE USING SportsConnect TO REGISTER AGAIN THIS YEAR? 

Travel players will be using the link that takes them to GotSoccer for registration. SportsConnect continues to be the host for our website. Unlike SportsConnect, GotSoccer does not charge a service fee of $3 per transaction/registration to our members and has other more user friendly qualities though we know GotSoccer isn’t perfect either. We are testing scheduling features in SportsConnect that may prove nice to keep our Recreational registrations there, however we will know more about that before the Fall Rec season.