TRYOUTS

Month of Promises and Decisions

Tryout, just the word can cause a wave of emotions—hope, pressure, excitement, and yes, a bit of stress—for players, parents, coaches, and academy directors alike.

After almost 15 years running SP Soccer Academy, I’ve had countless conversations with parents before, during, and after tryouts. Every year, the same themes return: doubts, uncertainty, pressure, and important decisions.

I've lived this month from every angle. And trust me, it’s not easy. But I want to start this post by sharing something personal—something that might help you see things differently.

Before I Was a Pro, I Was Like You

Before becoming a professional soccer player, I went through the same trials and emotions many of our young players face today. I’ve been “accepted.” I’ve been “rejected.” I’ve played on second and third teams. And you know what? I was happy. Why? Because I was doing what I loved—playing soccer with my friends, learning, and growing. I wasn’t chasing a title or a team name. I was chasing my passion. I never felt pressure from my family to play for a certain team. They understood what made me happy and recognized that I was growing both as a player and as a person. Soccer taught me values like friendship, commitment, respect, resilience, and dedication—values that have stayed with me long after those early seasons.

Why I Call It “The Month of Promises”

Every April and May, conversations increase. Coaches, directors, and clubs are working to form teams, and many are eager to retain or attract players. Unfortunately, this often leads to promises being made—some well-intentioned, some purely strategic.

Some common examples:

  • “You’re going to be on the top team, and you’ll always play.

  • “You’ll play in this top league if you join us.”

At SP Soccer Academy, we value local and regional competition. Tournaments and showcases out of town are great experiences, but playing locally against strong teams is just as valuable—if not more so—for player development.

Said that, t’s valuable to compete outside our usual environment—to test ourselves against teams we don’t normally face. That kind of challenge helps us grow. Like anything, it comes with both positives and negatives, but at the end of the day, it’s about getting on the field, competing, and enjoying the game.

I have personally faced situations where I didn’t give in to pressure to place a player on a team when it was clear to the coaches and me that it wasn’t the right fit. These are not easy decisions. But honesty and clear expectations protect players, families, and the long-term credibility of the academy.

"As a coach, I can never promise that a player will always play. Performance levels rise and fall throughout the season. Every player must earn their place through skill, commitment, dedication, respect, and the kind of attitude that lifts the whole team."

Do You Want the Truth or Just a Title?

Here’s something I would ask parents:
Do you prefer honesty—or false promises?

It’s not always easy to hear the truth. Maybe your child isn't ready for the top team yet. Maybe moving down a team will help him build confidence, get more minutes, and regain joy. We’ve seen players flourish after making a “step back” because it gave them room to breathe, to grow, and to feel important again.

Our job is to guide that journey, not speed it up unnaturally just for status. Growth comes with time, effort, and support—not shortcuts.

Would you rather hear the truth or a promise that feels good in the moment but falls short later?

I went from playing for my neighborhood team—where I was one of the standout players—to the youth teams of River Plate, one of the biggest clubs in Argentina. The first two years were quite tough. Sometimes I played; sometimes I was on the bench. Back then, there was only one team per age group—no second or third teams. If there had been, I wouldn’t have minded playing on one of them.

That experience taught me that nothing comes without effort. Years later, I achieved my dream of playing professionally for that same club—where my journey had started in such a challenging way.

Not Everyone Can Be on the Top Team—and That’s OK

It’s also important to be realistic—not everyone can be on the top team. Rosters are limited. Sometimes the difference between the first and second teams—or second and third teams—is minimal. The problem is that the focus often shifts to “status” over what really matters.

The most important thing is your child’s development—on and off the field. Are they improving? Do they enjoy training? Are they learning values like responsibility, teamwork, and respect? That’s what should matter most.

Moving Players Up or Down

This is one of those moments where we sometimes have to make difficult decisions. When we move a player up, there’s usually no issue. It’s a reward for their hard work and dedication. The player is proud, the parents are happy, and everyone embraces the new challenge.

But it’s a different story when a player is moved to a lower-ranked team. In some cases, that move is actually what’s best for their development—to help them regain confidence, feel important, and avoid the frustration that comes from constantly feeling behind. Some players begin to notice they’re not at the same level as their teammates, and that can create anxiety and a fear of making mistakes. Even worse, they worry about letting their parents down. That’s why parental support is crucial. Children naturally seek approval from the people they love—parents, siblings, grandparents.

These moments bring doubt, I know. But I always tell families the same thing: if a player improves, we’ll be the first to give them another chance. We’ve done it many times. Players who spent one, two, or several seasons on a particular team were later offered spots on higher teams. It’s not easy—I won’t deny that. But as the Director of SP, I always aim to be clear and honest. Some families appreciate that, others find it harder to accept.

Sometimes, a player moves to another team, starts the season, gains confidence, plays more—and ends up staying with that team for years. They feel important again, and everyone’s happy.

One common concern I hear from parents is: “My child doesn’t know anyone on the new team.” My response is always the same—it’s often harder for the parents than the kids. After two or three weeks of training—sometimes even sooner—kids make new friends and start enjoying themselves again.

And honestly, whether it’s at SP Soccer Academy, on a new team, or at another academy, the situation is usually the same: they won’t know most of the players. The difference is, at SP, they already know the coaching staff and how we work. That makes the transition much smoother.

Parents—your support makes a world of difference. Your child will always look to you for reassurance.

So let me repeat what I always say: if a player improves and shows they’re ready, we’ll be the first to offer them another opportunity. We’ve done it before, and we’ll continue to do it.

Sometimes, all it takes is that change for a player to rediscover their joy, build confidence, and fall in love with the game all over again.

 

Tryouts Aren’t the Whole Picture

During the tryout process, there are times when players feel a great deal of pressure. We must remember that these are young athletes who are expected to showcase their abilities in just one or two hours of evaluation. This pressure can lead to different reactions, but today we’ll mention two of the most common ones:

  • The less common: the player has an outstanding performance, exceeding all expectations.

  • The more common: the player feels overwhelmed by nerves, and their performance ends up being below their actual level.

If we add to this the fact that the coaches evaluating them may not know the player beforehand, it can lead to a misjudgment. As coaches, we must be able to understand these factors and read beyond what we see in those 60 or 120 minutes.

It’s our responsibility, after every tryout session, to discuss, share impressions, and evaluate together what each of us observed. Identifying a player’s potential, even when they haven’t performed at their best, is key to their development. That kind of insight and awareness makes all the difference in a truly honest and effective development process.

Ideally, we would evaluate a player over several days. That’s why it’s so important to observe the same player more than once whenever possible.

 

Tryouts aren’t just about one or two nights of performance. We evaluate our players across the entire year—Fall and Spring seasons, training sessions, games, attitude, and effort. That’s the full picture. That’s development.


Yet with the current tryout system in Columbus, things have gotten chaotic. Clubs and Academies hold tryouts in the middle of the season. Families feel rushed. Coaches can’t fully focus. It becomes a race, not a thoughtful process. And I believe that hurts "Youth Soccer" more than it helps.


When I founded SP in 2011, tryouts happened after the season ended. We had time to assess, to plan, and to communicate clearly with families. I miss that system. It brought calm and clarity to an otherwise intense time.

 

Let’s Bring It Back to What Matters

Your child’s soccer journey shouldn’t be built on fear, pressure, or empty promises. It should be about love for the game, steady development, friendships, and values that last a lifetime.
If I could leave you with one thing, it would be this:
“Let nothing and no one tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams. If you try and commit every day, that dream will be closer.”
As we enter this “Month of Promises and Decisions,” let’s keep our focus on what truly matters: growth, honesty, and joy in the game.
Have thoughts or experiences to share about tryouts? I’d love to hear from you. Let’s start a conversation in the comments or at our next training session.

My Thought

This blog isn’t about complaining. It’s about bringing honesty, clarity, and perspective to a process that too often gets lost in pressure and promises.

After 15 years in youth soccer in Columbus—and a lifetime in the game—I’ve seen a lot. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do believe in sincerity, long-term development, and putting the player first.

We’re here to help young people grow—not just as soccer players, but as people.

Let’s always keep that in mind.