Player Placement

RC North, Competitive

Real Colorado is committed to empowering each student – athlete with the skills to reach their greatest soccer potential. Our staff recognizes that each player has a unique set of attributes and goals. Our objective as a coaching staff is to accurately evaluate the ability of each player and to place them on a team that will promote their greatest development.

At Real Colorado, we believe strongly our players are best evaluated over the course of a season versus a single training or game. To that end, it’s important players and their families recognize that each opportunity to play is a chance to improve and impress, that training and games that fall on either side of the spectrum will get minimized through a deeper look and all help us find the best place for a player to thrive.

We understand the upcoming shift from birth year to school year alignment has raised questions for many families, especially as players think ahead to next year. As previously shared, Real Colorado will align with a nationwide change to youth soccer age groups beginning in Fall 2026, transitioning from a birth year model to one that more closely reflects the school calendar with the goal of increasing participation for all players.
Key points to know:
- This change begins Fall 2026 (it is not immediate).
- For our JA, competitive and elite programs, the Spring 2026 season remains important for competition, development, and growth. The players who improve the most between now and tryouts will be best positioned for fall placement.
- For Recreational families, the focus for Spring 2026 is a positive spring season with teammates and friends and learning to love the sport!
- This is a governing body decision, designed to better align players with school peers and reduce “trapped player” situations where player loss rates are the highest.
- Real Colorado will approach this transition the same way we approach everything: development, accountability, and competitive standards.
Player placement is never simple, but we will ensure the process is clear, transparent, and communicated well in advance. Families can expect consistent answers and no surprises.
Each program has created a transition timeline and calendar of opportunities, including Spring evaluation opportunities as necessary and the Fall 2026 age group ID days/tryouts, so families understand the process and what to expect. You will be hearing from your director this week with that information. If you have any further questions please reach out to your program director.
Thank you for being a part of Real Colorado and supporting your player or players experiences.
Kelly Thomson
General Manager
Junior Academy- Amber Bend Amberb@realcolorado.net
U11-14 Competitive- Yuriy Hrybovych Yuriyh@realcolorado.net
HS Girls- Kyle Cotter Kylec@realcolorado.net
HS Boys and ECNL RL- Ali Woods Alastairw@realcolorado.net
This section will be updated as we identify informational gaps in the information we have provided.

Fall 2026/Spring 2027 Player Placement ID Days and Tryout Information

- U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
- U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
- U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
- U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
- U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
- U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
- U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
- U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
- U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
- U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
- U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
- U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
- U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
- U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
- U18/19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2009
Erie Junior Academy U8, U9, U10 @ Crescent Park
U9/U10 Boys and Girls- 4/20, 4/27, 5/4 4:30-5:45pm
Longmont Junior Academy U8, U9, U10 @ Trail Ridge MS
U9/U10 Girls: 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13 4:30pm-5:45pm
U9/U10 Boys: 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13 6:00pm-7:15pm
Competitive U11-U14 @ Sandstone
U11-U14 Competitive Girls - Tuesdays
U11 - 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5 @ 4:30pm-6:00pm
U12 - 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5 @ 6:00pm-7:30pm
U13 - 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5 @ 4:30pm-6:00pm
U14 - 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5 @ 6:00pm-7:30pm
U11-U14 Competitive Boys - Wednesdays
U11 - 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6 @ 4:30pm-6:00pm
U12 - 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6 @ 6:00pm-6:30pm
U13 - 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6 @ 4:30pm-6:00pm
U14 - 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6 @ 6:00pm-7:30pm
HS Girls @ Dry Creek
U13 & U14- 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29 4:30pm-6:00pm
U15 & U16- 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29 6:00pm-7:30pm
Erie Junior Academy U8, U9, U10
5/11 & 5/12 @ Crescent Park
Erie Girls 4:30pm-5:45pm
Erie Boys 6:00pm-7:15pm
Longmont Junior Academy U8, U9, U10
5/18 & 5/19 @ Sandstone Park
Longmont Girls 4:30pm-5:45pm
Longmont Boys 6:00pm-7:15pm
Competitive U11-U14 & HS Girls
5/12 Boys @ Sandstone Park
U11 & U13 4:30pm-6:00pm
U12 &14 6:15pm-7:45pm
5/13 Girls @ Sandstone Park
U11 & U13 4:30pm-6:00pm
U12 & 14 6:15pm-7:45pm
5/14 Girls and Boys Call Backs @ Sandstone Park
HS Girls 6:15pm-7:45pm
ECNL RL @ Sandstone Park- Invite Only

U11-U18 Competitive Tryout Registration

Junior Academy Tryout Registration- Erie

Junior Academy Tryout Registration- Longmont

Competitve FAQ’s:

Each team is provided a Real Colorado paid coach.
3 trainings per week
Home games at Sandstone Sports Complex.
8 -10 game league season in the Colorado Soccer Association Advanced League each Fall and/or Spring.
Minimum of 1 tournament per season, one of which will be the Real Spring Classic in March.
Players have the opportunities to move up or down most often during tryouts but at times between the Fall and Spring seasons due to a player’s ability and team need matching up.
Real Colorado will form as many teams as we have capable coaches and committed players. Typically we begin with 2-3 teams at U11 for both boys and girls after player placement.
The commitment for our competitive program is for both Fall and Spring (unless your player is in high school.)
- The Fall competitive season runs from the beginning of August through early November.
- The Spring competitive season runs from the beginning of March through the end of May.
- When players reach high school the club season will run opposite of their high school season so they can enjoy the benefits of both.
Real has teamed up with Children’s Hospital Colorado to promote the health and wellness of Real Colorado families. Discover all that Common Spirit offers, from a certified athletic trainer, to injury resources and weather guidelines.

Costs:

Real Colorado club fee information
- Annual fees to Real Colorado range from $1300 to $2000 depending on the level of team the player is selected to..
- Payment plans are an option
Other costs associated with competitive soccer.
- Tournament fees
- Indoor training and leagues
- Travel, if applicable
- Uniforms - All Real Colorado players are required to purchase a uniform package every two years.
- Misc costs such as coaches gifts, team parties and experiences, team manager gifts, a team bench, tent or flag, and/or similar are often purchased by the team.