Recreational (Division IV) Teams: Recreational Soccer’s focus is on player development and soccer enjoyment. There are no tryouts for Rec teams; each year players are assigned to intentionally balanced teams. Rec soccer makes up the majority of LGUSL’s membership.
Comp (Division III) Teams: Division III is the first level of competitive play and is designed for those players who have a greater interest in and commitment to advancing their skills. Players must try out for positions on Comp teams. In addition to regular league play, these teams typically go to a few tournaments each year and may or may not travel out of the district. LGUSL Division III teams play in the Delgado League.
Select (Division I) Teams: Division I is the highest level of competitive play. Select level teams include players who demonstrate a high skill level and dedication to soccer. In addition to regular league play, Division I teams may go to several tournaments each year, which often includes travel outside the district. The players at this level tend to be very motivated and often play soccer year-round as their primary sport. Players must try out for Select level teams. LGUSL Division I teams play in the Abronzino League.
FAQ’s
Q: What age groups play Comp and Select?
Teams can start as young as U9 and may go up to U19. LGUSL doesn’t have teams in every age group. It depends on availability of coaches and players. Check out the Age Matrix on our Registrar page to know in which age group your child would play.
Q: Won’t competitive play put too much pressure on my young child?
Actually, the kids usually handle the pressure better than the parents :-) If the parents have a healthy attitude, so will the player. The competitive divisions at their heart aren’t about winning at all costs. They’re about providing levels of play that are well matched to the differing levels of the players. It’s no fun to play when you’re in over your head, or when you’re running circles around everyone else. It’s most rewarding and most fun when you can find a level that’s just right.
Q: How do I know if my player is ready for competitive play?
If your Recreational player was one of the better players on the Recreational team, with a strength in speed, balance, hunger for the ball, ball handling skills, understanding of the game, and/or a desire to always play more and practice more, then they may be ready to tryout for a competitive team.
Q: Does every player get at least 50% playing time like they did in Rec?
Generally, yes. However, while coaches typically give generous playing time to every player to help them find and develop their skills, there is no minimum requirement as there was in Rec. You should talk to the team coach prior to joining to fully understand the team policy.
Q: When and where do the teams play?
All teams play Fall soccer, which mostly coincides with the Recreational schedule that you’re used to. Games begin in late August or early September, and go through mid November or early December, depending on age group. Some teams elect to play Spring soccer, which is more informal and may have some mixing between Comp and Select teams. Spring season begins in early April and ends in early June.
Our league is part of CYSA District 2 and our teams play against teams throughout the district (click here for boundaries). Half the games are at home on our LGUSL fields, and half are away. Most away games are in the South Bay or up the Peninsula.
Tournament participation is at the discretion of each individual team, and most teams enter from 3-6+ tournaments throughout the year. A tournament typically entails two games on a Saturday, and one or two games on a Sunday. It’s up to the team whether or not to try for admission to tournaments out of the Bay Area. Tournaments are generally available in July and August, the last weekends of September and October, and toward the end of the Fall Season. The Northern California State Cup takes place January through March, depending upon age group. The winning teams play over the course of 4 or 5 weekends, with other teams being eliminated in early rounds.
Q: How much time is required?
Teams typically practice twice a week for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, and some may expect an additional weekly training or conditioning session. The other major commitment is time for games throughout the district, and weekend tournaments. Most teams take some time off during the summer. Some take lengthy breaks during the winter or spring.
Q: How much does all this cost?
Costs vary from team to team, and depend upon whether the coach(es) and trainer(s) are volunteer or paid, how many tournaments the team enters, whether or not they play Spring season, what kind of uniform and equipment the team wants, etc. Each coach should give a breakdown of expected costs before you join a team.
Q: Why should we go to all this expense of time and money?
It’s fun for the family, it’s fun for the player. It keeps your child fit and teaches them the value of hard work, lessons of winning and losing and provides a positive environment and place of belonging during their formative years. Research has shown that commitment to team sports is one of the best preventatives to drug use and other troublesome behavior. And commitment breeds commitment - many dedicated athletes also are top academic performers.
Q: How and when can my player tryout for a team?
Tryouts are typically held sometime in the January through April timeframe. It’s all up to the team coach. The tryout schedule will be posted on the league website for both Comp and Select. Many teams also advertise tryouts in the Los Gatos Weekly Times Sports section, or the SJ Mercury Venture Section. Please check our website and these other sources often for news and updates. You can also contact the team coach and ask to be put on an e-mail list for notices about tryouts. Coaching assignments are typically finalized each December and posted on the league website. But please note: it is your responsibility to stay informed and know when these tryouts will occur. The League will post tryout times on the website, but we will not send notices to individuals.
Q: What if my child doesn’t make the Los Gatos team?
Be sure to praise your child for having the courage to tryout, and encourage them to also try other sports or activities to find one that’s just right for them. Soccer isn’t for everyone. But if your child is intent on making a competitive soccer team, look for opportunities to play and develop skills in preparation for the following year. Children develop at different rates, and someone who is not ready this year may be ready the next. The most important thing is to get playing time. In winter through summer, check out Off the Wall Soccer , Kidz Love Soccer , local Parks and Recreation programs, other nearby leagues, etc. And don’t forget to take part in our own Fall Recreational league. If you’d like your child to get some private instruction, you can ask team coaches for recommendations of trainers. And look at our Soccer Links page for other instructional programs. Also, your child can try out for other Comp or Select teams outside of Los Gatos. Click here to find a listing and links for all the leagues in District 2. You can then go to their websites to find out about their teams, coaches and tryouts. The closest leagues to Los Gatos are West Valley, Central Valley, De Anza, and Almaden. Also, check our Links page for additional resources.
If you still have questions, surf over to our Comp or Select pages and contact the division commissioner.
