Question 1

​What should we expect by choosing "Competitive" soccer play?

Accepted Answer

Competitive play is our highest level of soccer and spans a wide range of teams, players, and playing opportunities.Team levels vary by age group:U8–U10: Gold, Silver, Bronze, CopperU11: Premier, Gold, Silver, Bronze, CopperU12: Pre-NPL, Premier, Gold, Silver, Bronze, CopperU13 and up: MLS Next Tier 1 (boys), MLS Next Tier 2 (boys), Girls Academy (girls), NPL, State Premier, Gold, Silver, BronzeDepending on the level, competitive teams practice two to four times per week and require a year-long commitment. In short, competitive teams are for players who have made soccer their priority sport and for families willing to travel for games and tournaments outside San Francisco—sometimes over holiday weekends.

Question 2

What does my annual registration fee include?

Accepted Answer

Your annual registration fee includes Fall league, Spring league, and Winter training (Winter League for MLS Next teams). Visit the fee page to see exactly what your club fee covers.

Question 3

Do I need to make a deposit, and is it added to the overall cost?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your deposit secures your spot at the team or player-pool level listed in your offer email. If the deposit isn't made, the club reserves the right to give your spot to a player on the waitlist. The deposit is credited toward your annual fee and is non-refundable—once you confirm your spot, it's held for your player and no longer available to others.

Question 4

When is the full registration fee due, and what if I can't afford it?

Accepted Answer

You'll have several payment-plan options, including an 8–10 month installment plan, to help you pay the yearly club fee. We also offer a financial aid program for families most in need. Please stop by our office on Judah St. so we can sit down with you, explain the financial aid options, and go over what's required. No player should miss out on soccer due to financial hardship.

Question 5

We're used to registering by season—why register for the full year?

Accepted Answer

Full-year registration is standard practice; most clubs across the country register players on year-long commitments. Given our club's size and playing level, annual registration saves everyone time and money—additional registration cycles only raise administrative costs we'd rather not pass on to families. Once you've registered your child and set up a payment plan, you won't have to worry about the club reaching out for additional payments.

Question 6

When will I know my team's training schedule?

Accepted Answer

Training schedules are released once we receive permits from SFRPD, usually around July or August. Location requests are made at the coach's discretion, often with input from the team manager. Keep in mind that many teams request the same days and locations, so we can't guarantee any team will receive its first or even second choice.

Question 7

How do I find out my player's team assignment?

Accepted Answer

Your offer letter will specify three things: the league your team will play in (MLS Next Tier 1, MLS Next Tier 2, Girls Academy, NorCal League, or SF Youth Soccer League), the level (MLS Next, Girls Academy, NPL, Premier, Gold, Silver, etc.), and the annual club fee.We invest significant time and care in grouping players of similar abilities so each player gets the coaching they need while being challenged in training and games without losing confidence. Our technical staff's goal is that, over several seasons, competitive-pool players move among the various levels and eventually consolidate into two to four tight-knit teams of 15–17 players (for 11-a-side play).Finally, keep in mind that it's often hardest for a parent to judge the right skill-level placement for their own child. Parents naturally want to advocate for their child—and they should—but we ask that you leave placement assessments to our professional coaches and technical staff. Player development is their number one goal, and with years of experience guiding players through youth soccer, they're best equipped to suggest the right initial placement, coach, and playing level to help your child reach their full potential.

Question 8

Will my child's placement stay the same all year?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. If a player is excelling, the club may move them up to continue their development. Likewise, if a player is struggling and their development has stalled because the level is too advanced, we'll look to place them in an environment where they can succeed.It's also important to understand our "club model," which allows players to play in any game with the club, at any level, as long as they have a valid player pass, meet the event's maximum age requirement, and have been properly rostered for that game. Over time, this model lets us build a small number of well-constructed, competitive teams capable of playing travel soccer.

Question 9

How do I find out who will coach my team?

Accepted Answer

We do our best to post coach names for many teams around April or May. For some teams it takes longer, because we can only estimate the number of teams per age group and their playing levels before tryouts and registration. After teams are formed and registration is complete, the club secures coaching contracts and—just as in the tryout process—works carefully to match the right coach with the right team.

Question 10

What documents do I need to register with the club?

Accepted Answer

All players need a photo and a copy of their birth certificate or passport.Travel teams (MLS Next, Girls Academy, NorCal Premier League only):NorCal League registration: US Club Soccer registration formSF Park and Rec Department (SFRPD) requirements — SF residents only: upload an SF residency document and sign the Player Commitment Form online (required of every player)SFYS Competitive League:Register through the SFYS online platform by uploading a photo and birth document and submitting payment by the deadline.

Question 11

What documents prove residency?

Accepted Answer

SF Park and Rec (SFRPD) requires proof of residency to ensure city fields are used primarily by San Francisco residents (teams may carry no more than 2 nonresidents through 8th grade, or 3 for older teams). SF residents can prove residency one of two ways:Option 1 — One school document showing the child's name and address, dated for the current school year. Accepted examples include a notice of enrollment, report card, school bill, or school portal screenshot. Note: SFUSD report cards for grades K–5 don't show a home address—use a ParentVue Student Info screenshot or Option 2 instead.Option 2 — Three documents (if no school document is available) showing the parent's name and address, each dated within the last 90 days, with no more than one per category. Accepted types include a driver's license, voter registration, government or school records, homeowner/tenant records, financial or insurance records, medical or military records, and internet/cable records. Only one residential utility bill may be used among the three. A postmarked envelope is not accepted.

COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS

What Sets Us Apart

The Commitment

Our Competitive Programs

Playing Time Policy

Guest Player Policy

San Francisco Residency Requirement

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What should we expect by choosing "Competitive" soccer play?

What does my annual registration fee include?

Do I need to make a deposit, and is it added to the overall cost?

When is the full registration fee due, and what if I can't afford it?

We're used to registering by season—why register for the full year?

When will I know my team's training schedule?

How do I find out my player's team assignment?

Will my child's placement stay the same all year?

How do I find out who will coach my team?

What documents do I need to register with the club?

What documents prove residency?

Sign Up. Stay Connected.

COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS

What Sets Us Apart

​

The Commitment

​

Our Competitive Programs

​

Playing Time Policy

​

Guest Player Policy

San Francisco Residency Requirement

​

​

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

​What should we expect by choosing "Competitive" soccer play?

What does my annual registration fee include?

Do I need to make a deposit, and is it added to the overall cost?

When is the full registration fee due, and what if I can't afford it?

We're used to registering by season—why register for the full year?

When will I know my team's training schedule?

How do I find out my player's team assignment?

Will my child's placement stay the same all year?

How do I find out who will coach my team?

What documents do I need to register with the club?

What documents prove residency?

Sign Up. Stay Connected.

What should we expect by choosing "Competitive" soccer play?