Travel Soccer Frequently Asked Questions

What travel teams are currently planned for EYO? - Currently we have secured one coach and are planning on fielding a U15 boys team. Additional age/gender teams will be formed if coaches, volunteers and players show interest.

Can my child play EYO Travel and EYO Rec soccer in the same season? – Yes. For the fall 2010 & spring 2011 seasons we have decided that it would be in the best interest of the overall soccer program to allow players to play in both. However the travel team will always have to be the priority for games and practices.  We will examine this policy each year and evaluate what is best for the program.  

Why is it called “travel” soccer? - The teams are all competitively selected and travel to games throughout the greater Baltimore metropolitan area (therefore “travel”).

Who can tryout for an EYO travel team? – As long as they meet the age criteria, anyone can tryout for the travel team.

Against whom do these teams play? - At this time it is anticipated that the EYO travel teams will compete in the Baltimore Beltway Travel League and compete against area and regional teams.

What sort of commitment is required for parents and players of a soccer travel team? - Everyone involved in travel soccer recognizes that serious commitment for young players is difficult. However, being on a soccer travel team requires that both the player and the parent understand that this activity is a commitment. Neither the player nor the team can develop to their full potential without that commitment.  Simply stated, in the case of a conflict, the travel team takes precedence.

How much soccer do we mean? - The commitment lasts one year starting with the fall season and ending after the spring season, essentially the period June 1 of the current year to May 31 of the following year.  After tryouts and team selection are completed (approx June 15) teams will get together during the summer months for limited practice to prepare for the fall season. During the playing season, travel teams practice at least once per week and often two times.  At the tryout, each travel coach will have a specific schedule that outlines frequency of practice during different times of the year as well as the general schedule for leagues and possible tournaments.   For the U15 through U19 teams, with the assumption that most of the players on the  team are also playing High School soccer, practice will be limited during the fall season league (from the period August 15^th to October 15^th).    In addition, teams may compete in one or two local or regional tournaments in the fall and in the spring. In the winter, teams may participate in indoor soccer leagues (though players not required to play winter soccer and thus fees for indoor soccer would be additional)

How far do we have to travel? - Travel teams will play in games schedule by leagues on fields throughout the metro area.  Home games would most likely be at Rockburn Park.  Most of the away games are within 30-60 minutes away.

What are the costs to be on a travel soccer team? - The cost for travel teams includes uniforms, travel team registration fees, travel league fees, referee fees, and tournament fees.   Please contact the coach of the team for specifics.

Whom do I contact for more information? –  For the current U15 Boys Team you can contact Steve Sarnecki at elkridgetravelsoccer@comcast.net  or 410-455-0915.  It is recommended that the subject line of all emails contain "EYO Travel Soccer".

How do tryouts work? Tryouts are scheduled to be held in mid-May and early June (usually two-days in the evening) to evaluate and rank all players within each particular age group by ability and, where applicable, by position. The player evaluations will be conducted by experienced Travel coaches.  Tryouts are currently scheduled to be held at Mayfield Woods Middle School. Players trying out are evaluated on their ability to receive and control the ball with their feet with a minimum number of touches, control and dribble the ball with all surfaces of the foot with the head up, and the ability to pass or shoot the ball both accurately and with pace, with both feet as well as the ability to “see the field” and move without the ball. These skills and the ability to apply them in game settings are the primary skills that will be evaluated.  After evaluations are completed, the evaluators will meet to review the player assessments and develop a consensus on the proper placement of each player. The initial selected players to form the team will be called and extended an offer to play.  Players offered a position on a team should be prepared to accept or decline when called. This is important because it impacts the players who ranked below them in the tryout process. Contact numbers must be provided on the registration forms for any family that will be out of town following the tryouts. Team roster positions will not be held open for players who are unable to commit at the notification time.   Should a player decline, offers will be made to players that did not make the initial cut but are still believed to posses skills needed for travel players.  Should there not be sufficient number of players available to field a team after the initial tryouts; a supplement tryout will be conducted.  Once the roster is set, player numbers will be posted on the website of those players on the final roster.

Tell me more about the actual tryout? - Players should arrive 15 minutes before the start of each session for registration and warm up. Players should plan on being at the initial tryout for two hours. If, for whatever reason, a player cannot attend both sessions, the point of contact for each team listed above should be contacted prior to the session. To speed up the registration process, parents should complete the registration forms prior to arriving at the tryouts (will be posted on the website).  Required Equipment: Soccer Ball, Water bottle, Shin guards, Black shorts, and White or Gray T-shirt.