Competitive Program Commitment Overview

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Playing in the Strikers FC Competitive Program requires a significant time and travel commitment. Please review the information below to understand what to expect for your player's age group.

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Team Selection: Tryouts vs. Intent to Play

Beginning with the 2026–27 season, Strikers FC age groups are based on school age (August 1 – July 31 cutoff), in line with the U.S. Youth Soccer nationwide transition. How players are placed on teams depends on their age group:

• U12 and older: Players attend formal tryouts in late October through mid-November. Team placements are communicated in mid-November.

• U10 and U11: Players do not attend November tryouts. Instead, families complete an Intent-to-Play (ITP) registration. Players then take part in optional age group training in January, followed by formal evaluation sessions during the first two weeks of February. Teams are formed and communicated by February 12.

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Winter and Spring Training

U12 and older teams begin training in January, practicing at least two times per week. Some of our oldest and most competitive teams begin in December to prepare for the PacNW Tournament in Seattle in January.

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U10 and U11 players participate in age group training in January and evaluations during the first two weeks of February. Team training begins the week after teams are formed.

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All U12 and older teams participate in the Heartbreaker Cup, hosted by Strikers FC in February. U10 and U11 players who take part in January training will have the option to play in the Heartbreaker Cup, and teams will be formed from the players who choose to participate.

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Starting in late March, training increases to three times per week as teams prepare for MYSA League play in April. Our youngests age groups (U10 & U11) continues to train two times per week.

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Games and Tournaments

Families can expect games nearly every weekend, typically two matches per weekend, usually on Saturdays in cities across Montana. Teams also participate in 2–6 weekend (U12 and younger teams 2-4) tournaments throughout the spring season. Most teams finish their season by mid-June, but 5–8 teams often continue on to compete in regional and national tournaments during the summer.

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Schedules and Team Details

Before U13 and up players are asked to accept their team placement, each team will receive a more detailed overview, including training time commitment, tournaments, travel expectations, coaching assignments, and team fees.

 

Detailed practice days and times are published once teams are fully established:

• Teams participating in PacNW: before training begins in December

• U12 and older teams starting in January: by mid-December

• U10 and U11 teams: when teams are communicated, by February 12

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Game schedules typically are not released until the beginning of March.