Open Tryouts
The entire soccer community is eagerly anticipating Philadelphia Union’s First Kick March 25th. The 2010 Major League Soccer season can’t come soon enough.
Neither can the first of two open tryouts for players who believe they have what it takes to make Philadelphia Union’s opening day roster.
Exactly one week after making the initial announcement, the number of aspiring athletes is pushing rapidly toward 400! About two-thirds of the sign-ups are for the Philadelphia venue, while the other third will be heading to the New Jersey location. So, it appears if you want to be noticed, you might want to focus on the Garden State where the field could be less crowded.
Players must sign up online and will have the opportunity to attract the attention of team manager Peter Nowak and his staff in a pair of two-day sessions. The first session is set for Mercer County Park, Field No. 1, in Trenton, N.J., on Saturday, November 14 beginning at 8 a.m. Nowak and his Philadelphia Union technical staff will identify athletes they want to invite back for another look at the same location the following day.
The second session will take place at the University of Pennsylvania’s Rhodes Field on Saturday, December 5, and will once again kick off at 8 a.m. Similar to the first session, it will be invitees only, as selected by Philadelphia Union staff, on Sunday, December 6 at the same location.
“We want to give a chance to everybody that feels that they could be part of this team,” said Philadelphia Union Team Coordinator Josh Gros. “We hope there could be a jewel-of-a player who just might contribute to our team hidden amongst the millions of people in our own backyard. That’s what makes this whole process so intriguing.”
That said, there are some space limitations and the number of players could be capped at some point, so please do not hesitate. Sign up now!
Spectators will be admitted at both sessions, but must stay off the field in designated locations at all times.
There is a $30 registration fee and each player will receive a Philadelphia Union T-shirt. Athletes must sign-up online through Philadelphia Union’s website and must select one site only. There are no exceptions. Space is limited, so please register early. To register or for more information, please visit www.philadelphiaunion.com.
Philadelphia Union’s inaugural First Kick will be March 25, 2010 vs. Seattle at the Sounders’ Qwest Field. The club’s home opener vs. D.C. United will be April 10, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Will one of these players from an open tryout be part of Philadelphia Union’s first-ever team?
Could happen!
That’s what makes this process so much fun. And so intriguing.