Tryouts + Team Structure 2026-27

TRYOUTS

Tryouts are required to be rostered on a team

Tryouts take place at Lynnhurst Park

Players should be prepared to run 4-6 miles daily each day of tryouts as well as engage in fitness, ball skills and scrimmages.

Players should plan to have cleats, running shoes, balls and water for every day of tryouts. 

Registration for Southwest Soccer is now open for athletes planning to join fall sports at Southwest

Players should bring the following items to every day of try outs:

• Cleats

• Flats/Running Shoes

• Shin Guards

• Water

• Soccer Ball (optional)

Players will be assessed on the following throughout try outs week:

• Fitness (50yd dash, 1mile run)

• Agility

• 1 v 1 (offense and defense)

• 4 v 4 (play in small sided games)

• Full Field Play

Players will be scored on technical ability, physical ability and effort/mindset.

2026 TRYOUT SCHEDULE

August 17, Monday - All players together

• 8:00am - All Player Check In (Lynnhurst Park) 

• 8:30-10:30am - Try Outs - Small Sided - Full Program 

• Break/Move to SW Stadium 

• 11:30am-1:00pm - Fitness and Skills Assessment (Southwest Stadium) 

• Tuesday Try Out Pool Lists will be posted by 7pm on Monday 

August 18, Tuesday - POOl tryouts begin

All player postings and pool groups will be updated nightly on the website during the tryout week

• Pool B - 8:30-11:00am - at Lynnhurst Park 

• Goalie Try Out - 9:00-10:30am - at Southwest Stadium 

• Pool A - 10:30am-1:00pm - at Southwest Stadium 

• Wednesday Try Out Pool Lists will be posted by 7pm

August 19, Wednesday 

• Pool B - 8:30-11:00am - at Lynnhurst Park 

• Goalie Try Out - 9:00-10:30am - at Southwest Stadium 

• Pool A - 8:00am - Lake Harriet South Beach - Lake Run 

• 10:30am-1:00pm - Southwest Stadium - Try Outs 

• Thursday Try Out Pool Lists will be posted by 7pm, Goalies will be included in Pool lists for Thursday/Friday 

August 20, Thursday 

• Pool B - 8:30-10:30am - at Southwest Stadium 

• Pool A - 10:30am-1:00pm - at Southwest Stadium 

• Friday Try Out Pool Lists will be posted by 7pm, Goalies will be included in pool lists for Thursday/Friday 

August 21, Friday 

• Pool B - 8:30-10:30am - at Southwest Stadium 

• Pool A - 10:30am-1:00pm - at Southwest Stadium 

• Saturday Blaine Scrimmage Player List posted by 7pm

TEAM STRUCTURE

There are typically 4 teams rostered - all eligible players can be placed on any team.

• Laker B

• Laker A

• Junior Varsity 

• Varsity

  After tryouts are complete, players will see which teams they will be rostered at 7pm Saturday

PRACTICES

All team practices are 5 days per week starting in August.

Summer practices will be announced after team formation - times can vary.

During the school year, practices are typically after school between 3:30-5:30p.

Sites included are: Lynnhurst, Linden Hills Park and Southwest Stadium and are dependent on teams.

GAMES

Games occur from August through October over 8 weeks.

• Home Southwest game sites expected to include: Southwest Stadium + Neiman Fields + Armatage

• District games could be all over the metro

• Game days could include 2-3 games per week, including weekends

• Game start times range from 4p-7p depending on team - some early school releases may be required

• Players should plan their own transportation* for games.  

  Previous teams have coordinated carpooling - more information at team welcome dinner.

• Varsity games are typically $6-10 per game for spectators.  

• Laker A, B and JV games are free. Players get into all games for free if they are playing that day,