What is Players’ Placement?

GGS’s main goal and commitment is to develop soccer players at all levels. Players’ Placement is for players seeking professional, high-level training while competing with and against other motivated players. To achieve better results, we must place players on teams suitable to their ability level.  In this case, Players’ Placement enables us to place athletes at the appropriate level of play to maximize their development.

 

Do I need to pre-register for Tryouts (Player Placement)?

Yes, all players need to register.  Just click the link below and register for free.

 

• Link: Click Here to Register for Tryouts

​

Do I have to attend all Tryout (Player Placement) sessions? 

Ideally, yes. The more the coaching staff gets a chance to evaluate your child’s ability, the more likely they are to accurately assess the players’ ability and assign them to the appropriate team.

 

What is the Tryouts (Player Placement) format?

All players in their respective age groups will try out together.  Players will participate in a technical warm-up and small-sided games, typically 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11.

​

What is GGS’s competitive program?

The Competitive program is designed to allow any player to play at a higher level.  This program is for athletes whose desire, natural ability, commitment, and passion for the game drive them to develop their skills to the highest level possible. The program is divided into three divisions:

 

• Rising Stars Academy – U7 till U10

• Junior Academy – U11 till U14

• Senior Academy – U15 till U19

 

What does the GGS Soccer Academy Competitive Program offer?

• Regular Season: early August till late May

  • ​Similar to the local schools’ yearly calendar​

• Mid-Year Break

  • U7-U15 - mid December till mid-January

  • U16-U19 - mid October till mid-end January

    • Group training is offered to those not playing high school soccer.

• Field Practice Frequency: 3-4 sessions per week

• Performance Program: 2-4 sessions per week​

  • Core/Strength training​

  • Coordination/Agility/Mobility

• Functional Training Program

• Injury Prevention Program

• Specific Goalkeeper Program

• Video Performance Analysis: SCOUTIUM & VEO

• • Player Highlights

  • Performance Analysis

• Player Evaluation: 2 per year

• Top-level qualified and experienced staff

• All coaches follow a long-term age-specific program.

• Highly technical development philosophy based on the modern possession game

• Guided discovery approach to foster player thinking, problem solving, and decision making

• Focus on player development.

• Players’ Placement and Movement throughout the year

• Inter squad games

• Individual training sessions available (optional)

​

What is a traveling competitive team?

A traveling competitive team plays against other teams in and out of the state of Florida, rather than just at the home club. Some travel is involved, but it is all within an hour and a half of home for most of the teams. Teams start traveling at the U8 age competitive level for both boys and girls.

​

What do I wear and bring for the Player’s placement (tryouts)?

Players must wear appropriate soccer clothing. This includes cleats, shin guards, and a water bottle. Do not bring any gear with logos of youth soccer clubs/academies or professional teams. Players will be asked to change.

 

What if I’m out of town and can’t attend the tryouts?

You must contact the respective coach or the club’s DOC in this case. The coach will invite the player to a training session, or the player can be evaluated at one of GGS’s Free Trial/ID Camps. Coaches must be able to observe players in training and play to properly place them on a team that matches their ability level.

 

• Director of Operations: Marconi Machado

• Email: mmachado@goldengoalsports.com

 

What if it rains? 

In the case of bad weather, we will contact all registered players about make-up days. You can also check GGS’s website to stay informed.

​

When do I know which team I’ve made? 

Our coaching staff will do their best to notify players and/or parents of the level they are at on the first or second session. When notified, you may register at our registration/check-in table or wait for an email from our staff with the invitation to register. Please note that player placements are made continuously.

 

I have been identified to a level, what’s next?

You may go to the registration/check-in table and register, or wait for an email from our staff with the invitation to register. We do recommend registering as soon as possible, as we cannot guarantee a player’s place on the team until the registration process is done.

 

Can players play in an older age group?

Yes, we will evaluate all requests to play up. Players are expected to play in their age-appropriate groups. A year makes a big difference in a child’s physical and emotional growth. For the most part, playing up can provide a good opportunity for an individual player’s success and development. However, during the tryout process, the GGS coaching staff will rigorously evaluate any players interested in playing up based on their ability to do so and the team’s need. In addition, GGS staff will look at playing up on a player-by-player basis, prioritizing each player’s development.

​

Can players play in a younger age group?

No, players CANNOT play down with younger players. For example, a player who is a true U10, born between August 1, 2016, and July 31, 2017, CANNOT play with any team in the U9 (or younger) age group.

 

Are there any benefits to playing age-group appropriate?

The main benefit of playing in age-appropriate groups is for developmental purposes. At the local level throughout our state, it will allow for better development by pushing individual players, raising competitive standards, improving team competition, and creating more meaningful league games. For correct dates and age groups, please visit.  

 

Beginning with the 2026–2027 season, most major youth soccer organizations are switching to an August 1–July 31 age-group format to align with school years. The 26/27 age groups are based on the player’s age as of July 31, 2027 (e.g., U10 is born between August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017). This change helps keep players competing alongside their classmates and peers, strengthening both development and team chemistry.

 

2026–2027 Age Groups

• U7:  August 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020

• U8:  August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019

• U9:  August 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018

• U10: August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017

• U11: August 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016

• U12: August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015

• U13: August 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014

• U14: August 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013

• U15: August 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012

• U16: August 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011

• U17: August 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010

• U18/U19: August 1, 2007 – July 31, 2009 

 

When are games played?

Most games will be played on Saturdays or Sundays. U7-U19 will play league games at home and away fields.

 

Where are games played and practices held? 

All practice sessions will be held at our locations:
 

• Jim Beech Recreation Center Address: 1820 A. D. Mims Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761

• Exceptions may occur throughout the season due to unforeseen circumstances.

​

NOTE: GGS coaching staff will notify you of the days and times of training. This will vary from team to team. Games will be held at Jim Beech and at other local parks.

​

When will practice and games start up?

Practices will start the first week of August. Games will start in August or September, depending on your age/team.

​

How much does it cost per year?

The tuition for the 2026/2027 soccer season is $2500 (two thousand five hundred dollars), payable in full or in installments. For players joining throughout the season, tuition is prorated. Please follow the link below to learn more about our tuition and installment plans.

​

• GGS Tuition & Payment plan: Click Here

​

How and when do I get my uniform?

After registration, you will receive an email from our office with an order link to order your uniforms. Your uniforms will be shipped to you, and can take approximately 2 weeks or more to arrive due to high volume, so please order your uniforms as soon as possible. 

 

What additional expenses will I have?

In addition to buying your uniform, you will also expect to pay tournament fees, coaches’ expenses, coaches’ equipment, and referee fees. Everything except your uniform fees will be confirmed via a team budget, which will be provided at your team meeting at the beginning of the season.

 

Can I make installment payments? 

Yes, at GGS, we offer a flexible payment plan for each family. All payment agreements must be set up for automated debit from a bank account or a Visa or Mastercard.

​

Is financial assistance available?

Scholarships are available based on need, not playing ability. When you receive the invitation email to join GGS, please start the registration process and submit the financial aid application by July 31, 2026. Our Executive Committee will consider each application individually, and you will be notified by email of its decision. Any remaining balance due after the award of a scholarship must be paid via auto draft. The financial assistance program cannot cover uniform fees and team fees (additional expenses).