How Can My Child Try Out for or Join an FC DELCO Team?

FC DELCO offers three main entry points for new players: ID Clinics, where a player works out with an existing team so coaches can evaluate skill level and determine a proper team fit; Summer Select Tryouts, a five-week intensive summer program for U8–U14 boys and girls; and the Player Interest Form, which lets families express interest in joining. Which route fits your child depends mainly on age and whether you want a short-term summer experience or a full team placement.

The Three Ways In

ID Clinics

An ID Clinic gives your player the opportunity to work out with an existing team. The stated purpose is evaluation: the coaching staff assesses skill level to determine a proper fit with the club's teams and organization. This is the most direct route if you are aiming for a place on a current team, because your child is seen in the actual team environment rather than in a standalone session.

Summer Select Tryouts

Summer Select is described as a five-week intensive summer program for U8–U14 boys and girls, designed to challenge players, unleash creativity, and help them be ready for the fall season. Tryouts are the entry point to this program. It suits families who want a defined summer commitment and a development-focused experience, and it can serve as a lower-pressure first look at the club for younger players.

Player Interest Form

The Player Interest Form is the general expression-of-interest channel listed on the site. Use it when you are not yet sure which program or team is right, when your child's age group falls outside Summer Select, or when you simply want the club to contact you about next steps.

Which Route Should You Choose?

If your child is U8–U14 and you want a time-boxed summer experience, start with Summer Select Tryouts. If you are pursuing a specific team, an ID Clinic puts your player in front of the coaches who make that decision. If neither clearly applies, the Player Interest Form is the catch-all starting point.

What the Club Says It Looks For

FC DELCO states that it "always see[s] the child first and the player second," and describes its aim as creating a fun and challenging experience that inspires creativity, competitiveness, and respect. It also says it strives to make soccer more accessible for those who demonstrate the ability, desire, and perseverance to play at FC DELCO. Practically, that means evaluation is not only about current skill level — willingness to work and commitment are part of the picture the club describes.

Beyond Trying Out

The site also lists Tournament Info and Fundraising Events, plus Pathway Stories about players who have moved up through the club's pathway. If your child joins, these give a sense of how players progress and how families participate in club life. FC DELCO describes itself as a nationally recognized boys and girls soccer club with a history of current and past national champions, operating since 1982.

Practical Next Steps

1. Decide whether you are targeting a team placement (ID Clinic) or a summer program (Summer Select Tryouts).
2. If your child is U8–U14 and summer development is the goal, look at Summer Select Tryouts first.
3. If you are unsure or your age group does not match, submit the Player Interest Form and let the club guide you.
4. Expect evaluation to focus on skill level and fit, with the club's stated emphasis on the child as a person, not just the player.

One caveat: the site does not publish specific dates, fees, or registration deadlines for these programs in the material available here, so confirm current schedules and costs directly with the club before planning around a particular session.