ARSENAL COLORADO

AGE GROUP TRAINING/TRYOUTS

Philosophy & Process

AGE GROUP TRAINING (AGT)


Arsenal Colorado is excited to join US Soccer and Colorado Soccer Association in the transition back to grade-based age groupings, starting with the Fall 2026 season. This important change marks a return to align age groups by school year, a move we believe will strengthen our players’ developmental experience both on and off the field.



  • Arsenal Colorado will be holding Age Group Trainings (AGT) (formerly known as Birth Year Training) to prepare for the 2026-27 seasonal year. Team formation will transition to age groups to more closely align with the school year (August 1 - July 31) rather than birth year. 
  • Arsenal Colorado Competitive (U11 - U18) and PDL (U9 - U10) Age Group Trainings (AGT) will be held throughout the month of May.
  • U11 - U16 boys and girls will have two AGT's leading into tryouts. The U17 and U18 boys and girls will have one AGT before their tryout.
  • All competitive AGT's will be held at the complex - including for ECNL-RL placement.
  • Roster spots and player notification will occur after each respective tryout. Players will receive an invitation through PlayMetrics starting May 18 at which time they will need to register for the 2026/2027 seasonal year. 
  • Any player interested in participating in our competitive or PDL leagues next year will need a numbered shirt for the entire evaluation process.



** If you are a non-Arsenal player who is interested in trying out for an Academy level (ECNL-RL) team, please fill out  this form **

Welcome to the AGT / Tryout process

  • At Arsenal Colorado, we are committed to developing young soccer players to their highest potential by placing them in an environment that best matches their ability and commitment level. The Age Group Training sessions are a key part of this process, allowing us to form teams that challenge, provide success, and foster growth for every player.


Why We Hold Age Group Trainings

  • Our club’s vision is built on the belief that players develop best when grouped with others of similar skill and dedication. This ensures that each child is challenged appropriately and continues to grow in their soccer journey. The Age Group Training process helps us create the best possible teams for our PDL Select  (U9 & U10) and Competitive programs (U11-U18).

2026 Tryout Schedule

MAY 2026

All ECNL RL, Competitive, and PDL Tryouts will be held at the Fort Collins Soccer Complex

The Tryout Process

  • Timing

    Official tryouts typically take place in late spring to form teams for the upcoming seasonal year (fall and spring).

    Tryout Schedule

  • Registration and Tracking

    Players will register for tryouts through our Playmetrics registration system. Progress will be tracked using specialized tryout software.

  • Evaluation Criteria

    During the tryout process, players are evaluated on the four pillars of the game: technical ability, tactical understanding, physical attributes, and mental perparedness


    For returning players, their player history is also considered.

  • Team Formation

    We will form as many teams as there is interest, ensuring as many players as possible find a suitable place within the club. Players not placed on a competitive team will have the opportunity to participate in our recreational programming.

  • Team Invitations

    Players who are invited to a team will need to be prepared to make a decision. If an offer is accepted, players will be asked to register for the team in Playmetrics.

  • Ongoing Player Assessment

    During the year, highly successful players may have opportunities to "train up" with higher-level teams for additional development.


    Players will receive mid-season player evaluations from their team coach.

  • Mid-Year Placements

    Players joining Arsenal Colorado mid-season (either transfering from another club or moving into northern Colorado) will be evaluated through training sessions with teams that have available roster spots to determine the best fit.

Dealing with Tryout Stress

We know that tryouts can be a stressful experience for players and their families. Here are some tips to help navigate the process.


  • Focus on Growth
  • Encourage players to see tryouts as an opportunity to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience.
  • Stay Positive
  • Regardless of team placement, each player will have opportunities to develop and improve.
  • "Control the Controllables"
  • A player's effort, attitude, and focus are entirely within their control. Worrying too much about external factors can lead to poor performance.
  • Be Supportive
  • Parents and guardians can help by keeping conversations uplifting, emphasizing effort over results, and encouraging resilience.
  • Trust the Process
  • Our goal is to create the best environment for all players to thrive, and placements are made with development and long-term success in mind.



Thank you for being a part of Arsenal Colorado! We look forward to seeing your child on the field and helping them reach their highest potential.