Welcome to competitive soccer and tryouts for the San Mateo County Football Club. We designed this page to answer some of the more frequent questions parents have.

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INFO FOR U8 AND U9 BOYS & GIRLS

Selected U8 & U9 players will play in the NorCal Premier League, others, not selected for comp, will play 4v4 Rec soccer until they are ready for the 7v7 NorCal league comp format. The Rec league is great for player development as it provides a perfect environment for players to get more touches on the ball, score more goals and have more fun, which is very important for their development. There are no scores and no standings in the Rec Leagues - these usually create a lot of pressure on players, negatively affecting their development at early age.

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If I am currently on a SMC team do I still need to tryout?

Our current players do not need to register for the tryouts. They have been evaluated throughout the season and coaches will communicate with our current players and offer them spot on a team for the following season based on their skill level, performance and commitment.

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Does my son/daughter have to come to all of the tryouts?

No, but every child is expected to attend as many tryouts as possible. Although only one is required, the more tryouts you attend the more accurate the ultimate evaluation you will receive. You and your child will also have more opportunities to ask questions, meet the coaches and managers, and get a better feel for what Cub soccer will be like if you come to all of the tryouts. Current SMC players are also required to attend club tryouts.

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Can I choose which age group I tryout for?

Unfortunately not, all players have to tryout for the age division that is determined by their date of birth and required by US Soccer, and NorCal. You can find the age division appropriate to you on the posted tryout schedule. It is mandatory that all players tryout with their own age as players are not allowed to tryout for an age group older or younger. Once tryouts are underway SMC technical committee will identify and consider any advanced players that they determine could "play up" and communicate these players of this opportunity. Players will only be invited to play up on older teams if the technical committee believe that it is in the best interest of that player's individual development and that they can be contributing players on that older team.

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Does every player that attends the tryouts make the team?

Unfortunately not. Although we can accept a large number of players, due to limited resources (fields, coaches, referee's) we can not accept every player who attends tryouts. It is also possible that the coaches feel that some players are not ready for club soccer and that they are better suited to a recreational level of play.

How is my child's team assigned?

During the try-out process your child will be evaluated by multiple coaches from the SMC organization. Based on their collective feedback, your child will be assigned to a team which is designed to both challenge and support your child's soccer skills. There are one and sometimes two coaches per team, a head coach and a secondary coach or age-group coach. It is the goal of the SMC to have each coach in an age group be familiar with every player in that group.

How many teams does the SMC have and what level do they play?

SMC has as many as three teams per age group, per gender, for boys and girls ages 6-18.

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How many players will make a team?

Our goal is to have between 2 to 3 teams in the early ages in both the boys and girls programs. These teams play smaller sided games (4v4, 5v5, 7v7, 9v9) and we tend to keep team rosters small to provide enough playing time for each player. These teams combine into 2 or 3 teams when they graduate to the 11v11 format of the game at U13 boys and girls. The selection of the players and the number of teams that the Club will form will depend on the quality of the player pool that will be evaluated at the tryout. The Club also has field space limitations and wants to be competitive and selective in terms of talent without the intention of continuing to grow the number of competitive teams.

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Will the teams for each age group be balanced?

No. SMC will create a structure and series of teams that all compete at differing levels of competition within each age group. In the younger age groups SMC typically host 1 or 2 teams at each age that compete at a Premier or Gold level of play and then have 1 or 2 teams that compete at the more local Silver or Bronze level. The goal of our program is to place players in an environment where they can compete, contribute, feel valued and continue to develop at their own individual rate of development. At U6/U7/U8 - early ages Club might balance the teams when players start in our program to evaluate player progress in first season/year of their play and then place each individual player at the right level and challenge the team playing right league/bracket.

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What if there is an already existing team in the Club at the age group I am trying out for?

At club tryouts new and returning players are evaluated evenly. San Mateo County FC is a competitive program, we are always looking for the best and most committed players possible. If a new player is deserving of a place on a team, a current player could very possibly be moved to a lower level team.

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What are the coaches looking for?

Coaches will primarily evaluate technical and coordinative abilities as well as looking for players that are active and engaged in the tryouts and demonstrate the ability to follow directions and be coached. Coaches are also looking at each players potential athletic ability and their desire to impact the game environment.

Although our coaches do a good job evaluating the players during tryouts, it is sometimes difficult to properly assess every player accurately. As such, once teams are formed SMC will practice in a pool environment and continue player evaluation so that players can be moved to the appropriate level team within the age group. This player movement typically happens in the summer between seasons.

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When will we hear the results of the tryouts?

The results will be communicated to you via email no later than 4 days after the last day of the tryouts.

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How is Club soccer different from AYSO or Rec Soccer?

Club soccer is more competitive and selective than AYSO. There are fewer teams with a tryout process to select the players who demonstrate the most aptitude and interest in playing competitive soccer. Competitive teams travel to play teams of comparable skill and experience levels. Game scores and standings for the season are kept at every level - even the youngest (U7).

Unlike AYSO, every child may not get equal play time during games but it is important to emphasize that SMC coaches are focused on individual player development and not winning games at early ages. Coaches set long term goals knowing that fundamental skills developed early will pay dividends in years to come. Every player on the roster will likely play at least ½ of every game, but some may play the entire game. Teams formed through Club tryouts tend to stay together from one season to the next but Club coaches are encouraged to move players from one team (level) to another team within the same age group based on player development. Since SMC plays year-round and competition is at a higher level, transitioning from AYSO to the SMC is best done at a young age (U7-U9). It becomes increasingly difficult for players to "step up" to the Club as they get older.

There is a level of intensity and competitiveness in Club soccer that may not be best for every child or family. The children who play Club soccer are very committed to soccer and improving their game. If your child is looking for the next level of competitive soccer, San Mateo County FC may be perfect for him/her.

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When is the season? When do practices start?

• Spring Season consists of Winter Futsal Training (January 9th-March 17th) and Spring Training (March 20th -June 9th): Teams play 8-10 games.

• Fall August 1st - December 9th: Teams play 8-10 games.

During the Spring and Fall seasons, teams typically play 1 game per week, which will be played either Saturday or Sunday. There may be some weekends with games on both days. Many teams also play a couple of weekend tournaments or jamborees.

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How often will my child practice?

 

All entry-to-mid level teams practice 2X per week. NPL/Pre-NPL teams practice 3-4X/week.  In addition, we run Player Identification and Development Program (for the most competitive players who are looking for more challenge and extra training and playing opportunities). Every effort is made to have younger players practice earlier in the afternoon, while older players practice later in the afternoons and evenings.

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Are there any playing opportunities during Winter and Summer break?

Our Winter Break typically starts third week of December and ends second week of January, while summer break typically starts end of-June and end ends last week of July. Throughout the entire Winter break we offer Winter Futsal at no additional cost. We also offer Summer Rec Leagues and Summer pick up soccer for players looking to play and train more.

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Do players frequently move between teams?

No, unless it is necessary to move player so he/she is placed at the right level to continue developing soccer skills. Players may "guest play" on another color/team within the club, but typically only move officially from one team's roster to another either at the end of the spring season, or after fall try-outs. 

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In which leagues do the SMC teams play?

U8 and older SMC teams play in the NorCal Premier & NorCal National Premier League (NPL). Club Head coaches, the directors of the Age Groups and team coaches determine which league and level of play will best support the development of the team. The NorCal NPL is regarded as the highest level of competition accessible to U14 - U19 teams in the Northern California League. They create opportunities for more competitive players to showcase their talents at college recruitment events that are organized for member clubs only. These two leagues work together and run promotion and relegation systems for the teams and club members.

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How far do teams travel?

The more competitive the team, the farther it will typically travel. Most games will be within a 30-45 minute drive from San Mateo- roughly from SF to San Jose for the Gold / Silver league levels and from South San Francisco to Palo Alto for Bronze / Copper league levels. Home games are played at San Mateo County FC Fields, depending on where a team is based, either in Redwood City, San Mateo or South San Francisco.

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What does the weekly practice schedule look like?

SMC uses city fields, San Mateo High School Union District, Sequoia High School District & South San Francisco Unified School District fields and the SF Elite Sports Center Indoor Facility. Once we receive all the field allocations, the schedule is created for an entire season, but the schedule is generally as follows:

- 2015-2013 teams usually practice from 4:00 to 5:15 PM or 5 to 6:15 PM

- 2012-2009 teams practices are usually between 5:00 and 8:00 PM

- 2008 and older teams practices are usually between 6:00 and 9:30 PM

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Are games on Saturdays or Sundays?

The preliminary game schedules are published in mid-March for Spring and mid-August for Fall. Games are scheduled by the leagues on both Saturdays and Sunday. Game schedulers do their best to schedule games around conflicts that team coaches have (coaches coach multiple SMC teams).

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Who are the coaches?

The coaches are all experienced and licensed professional soccer coaches. Many have played professional or semi-professional soccer. They work closely together to design and implement effective practice drills and games. All of the coaches in the San Mateo County Football Club are paid. Brian Mansell is the San Mateo County Football Club Executive Director and is one of the top coaches in California. He works closely with the technical derictors and directors of age groups on buidling the training curriculum, style of play and club culture. He also recruits, trains, and assigns coaches to each team. He works with coaches, players and teams at all ages and oversees the program. The club assigns a Head Coach for each age group who works closely with the other coaches in the same age group to ensure that the program is unified and players are receiving uniform development.

SMC Coaches get assessed by the directors, benefiting from their experience and mentorship in implementing their curriculum and player assessment for optimal player development.

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Who are the managers?

Each team will need one or more parent managers who will help with team communication, organizing team parties, etc.

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Where do the teams practice?

Practices take place at one of several SMC fields including Fair Oaks Field, Sequoia HS and Woodside HS in Redwood City, King Center, Bay Meadows, Fiesta Meadows San Mateo HS, Hillsdale HS and Aragon HS in San Mateo and Orange Park, Terrabay, SSF HS and El Camino HS in South San Francisco. We also play and train futsal at the SF Elite Sports Center in South San Francisco.  Each team will be assigned 2 practices/week. Typically, the younger teams will practice earlier in the evening (4:00pm or 5:00pm) and the older teams later (5:00-8pm or 8:00-9:30pm). The Club also runs special training programs which include Goalkeeper training and skills training.

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What are Club Fees and Team Fees?

Club Fees are the payment that goes to San Mateo County Football Club to cover the majority of expenses to play. Club Fees cover the costs of all coaching (director of coaching, director of goalkeeping, head coach, assistant coaches, special clinics), operations manager, outdoor fields, indoor futsal facility, field maintenance, lights, referees, equipment, insurance, as well as administrative and professional services such as bookkeeping. Club Fees cover a minimum of two practices per week. There are typically 8-10 league games per season, plus scrimmages. Club Fees vary by age group and team and range from $450 to $1,150 per player/per each season (Spring and Fall seasons), with the exact amount due for your child's team posted on/before the beginning of the season.

Team Fees are in addition to Club Fees and are items specific and unique to your team. They cover your team's tournaments and any additional expenses for teams playing in the MLSNext, EA, DPL, NPL or Pre-NPL, etc. Team Fees vary widely depending primarily on how active your team is in playing tournaments. But, the average Team Fee is about $100-$500 per player per season (Spring and Fall seasons). The lowest for a team playing 0-1 tournament may be about $100, and the highest for a team playing 3-4 tournaments may be about $400. Your head coach and team manager, in coordination with the Executive Director, determine the tournament agenda for your team. Team Fees are invoiced to each player through BYGA on behalf of your team in order to make the process more efficient for all our families.

 

Uniform costs are separate and are paid individually by each family. A full Addidas uniform kit is typically replaced every two years and costs about $250 and, beginning Fall 2023, includes 3 custom jerseys, 3 shorts and 3 pairs of socks.

 

Team Summer Camp fee is separate and is $225. SMC runs Summer Camps throughout the summer. To view the schedule and signup, please visit our summer camp registration page.

 

Financial Aid is available and is based on financial need. For more information, and the financial application, go to the financial aid section on the website or click here.

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What is expected of parents?

Parents are expected to support their children with positive feedback and well-planned logistics. To do this we ask that you get your children to practices and games on time, discuss your concerns with the coaches at a time when they are able to focus their attention on the subject, and cheer (but do NOT coach) your children from the sidelines at the games and practices. Parents are also expected to volunteer a few hours per season in support of their child's team and the SMC overall. Team managers will notify you of volunteer opportunities throughout the season.

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How do I order uniform?

Your Admiral account will be set up shortly after your register for the Season. In case you don't receive the uniform email Please email the Club Admin at support@smcfc.club to set up your admiral account that you will use to purchase your player's uniform and any additional items.

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Where can I go for more information?

Please visit the San Mateo County FC Website.