NORTHWEST UNITED FC
TRYOUTS
Northwest United is committed to providing national-level programming and distinguished coaching that supports long-term player development. As a club, we strive to provide youth in Skagit County and the surrounding areas with the highest quality soccer training environment.
Beginning with the 2026/27 season, Northwest United will be moving away from birth-year team formation and transitioning to an August 1 – July 31 age grouping format. This change is designed to better support player development, team continuity, and alignment across competition levels.
Players born between August 1 and July 31 of the applicable age group will be eligible to try out for that team. Tryouts will be hosted over two days per age group, providing players multiple opportunities to be evaluated within the updated format.
JOIN NORTHWEST UNITED FOR THE 26/27 SEASON
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS
FEBRUARY 25TH & 26TH
U16: August,1st 2011 to July, 31st 2010: 5pm-6:15pm
U17: August,1st 2010 to July, 31st 2009: 5pm-6:15pm
U18: August,1st 2009 to July, 31st 2008: 6:30pm-7:45pm
Please note U15 Boys, August, 1st 2011 to July, 31st 2012 will be held on May 5th & 6th
BOYS U8
APRIL 21st & 22nd
August,1st 2018 to July, 31st 2019: TBC
BOYS U9-U11
APRIL 28TH & 29TH
u9: August,1st 2017 to July, 31st 2018: TBC
u10: August,1st 2016 to July, 31st 2017: TBC
u11: August,1st 2015 to July, 31st 2016: TBC
BOYS U12-U14
MAY 5TH & 6TH
u12: August,1st 2014 to July, 31st 2015: TBC
u13: August,1st 2013 to July, 31st 2014: TBC
u14 August,1st 2012 to July, 31st 2013: TBC
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
MAY 5TH & 6TH
u15: August,1st 2011 to July, 31st 2012: TBC
u16: August,1st 2010 to July, 31st 2011: TBC
u17: August,1st 2009 to July, 31st 2010: TBC
U18:August,1st 2008 to July, 31st 2019: TBC
ALL TRYOUTS WILL BE HELD AT SKAGIT RIVER PARK
*High school girls will be held at Skagit Valley College
Skagit River Park
1100 S Skagit St, Burlington, WA 98233
Contact Coach Alex for more info regarding all tryout questions
TRYOUT SCHEDULE
GIRLS U8
APRIL 21st & 22nd
August,1st 2018 to July, 31st 2019: TBC
GIRLS U9-U11
APRIL 28TH & 29TH
u9: August,1st 2017 to July, 31st 2018: TBC
u10: August,1st 2016 to July, 31st 2017: TBC
u11: August,1st 2015 to July, 31st 2016: TBC
GIRLS U12-U14
MAY 5TH & 6TH
u12: August,1st 2014 to July, 31st 2015: TBC
u13: August,1st 2013 to July, 31st 2014: TBC
u14 August,1st 2012 to July, 31st 2013: TBC
WHAT ARE TRYOUTS?
Every soccer club that plays in a competitive league host tryouts at the beginning of every season. Tryouts are a process ran by Northwest United to ensure that every player wanting and interested in playing premier soccer are identified and coaches and directors can provide appropriate placement of players onto teams that will help accelerate and benefit their development. Our mission at Northwest United is to provide high level support to players that will facilitate the technical, tactical and mental developmenf of all players. By placing players onto teams during tryouts, this ensures players are in an environment suitable to support their growth. Washington Youth Soccer mandate the tryout dates and schedule.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT NWU TRYOUTS
To participate in NWU tryouts players need to register online by creating an account through the information above. Players need to register 1 hour before tryouts start for their age group, but we will accept walk on's if you miss this deadline. Each age group hosts 2 tryouts, so we encourage you to make both!
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the tryout starts, and you will need to bring confirmation and check in at the Skagit Park pavilion at the south side of Skagit River Park playfields, or at the check in at SVC for High School Boys. Also bring water and appropriate clothing, shinguard's are mandatory. NWU players are to wear non branded playing clothes. Here you will be given a jersey with a number. This jersey number is how coaches identify you throughout the process, and you will the same jersey on both days.
Each age groups head coaches will introduce themselves to the group and our club trainers will then deliver tryouts while the head coaches evaluate. Players will complete a ball mastery warm up, followed by small sided 1v1 and 2v2 attacking practices. This will then progress to small sided games and age format games to finish. Tryouts last for 90 minutes.
Following tryouts the coaches will meet and place players onto teams, the number of teams depend on the number of players available to each age group. Players will receive a phone call offering a spot on a team within 48 hours of tryout as well as jersey numbers posted on our results page. Players will have 24 hours to accept a position on respective team, or be offered a number of different programs our club has to offer.
HOW ARE NWU TEAMS STRUCTURED?
ECNL-RL Teams - Our ECNL-RL teams are the highest level of play within the club and compete year-round in the Elite Clubs National League- Regional League.
Premier Teams – There are 1-2 premier teams at each age and gender, though the number of teams will depend on number of players attending tryouts and overall quality of play. Our premier teams play at the highest applicable WYS league (currently, the RCL).
WHAT IF I DO NOT MAKE A TEAM? WHAT ARE MY OTHER OPTIONS?
Unfortunately, not all players will make a team. There are plenty of options available to those that do not. At all age groups, the SVSA rec soccer program is a fantastic way to stay involved and hone your skills. At the younger age groups, Northwest United's NEXT GEN program is a great way to stay involved with the club and work on your development. We encourage players that are interested in other opportunities to contact your age group head coach.
WHAT IF I AM SICK OR IF I HAVE TO MISS TRYOUTS?
In the case of all unavoidable conflicts, please contact the age group director and the head coach of the team for which the player is most likely trying out. He/she will advise you on how best to proceed.
WHAT DO THE COACHES LOOK FOR DURING TRYOUTS?
All players will be evaluated based on their technical and tactical ability as well as their physical abilities. Players who exhibit a strong work ethic and who display a respect for the game, coaches and fellow players will show well.
I AM INTERESTED IN PLAYING FOR NWU BUT I CANNOT AFFORD IT. IS THERE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OFFERED?
Yes. Details are on our Parents Resource page.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST IF I MAKE A TEAM?
This varies by team. All fees are published each year on the our Parents Resource page.