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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions we hear most often.

Getting Started

Who can play at FUSA?
FUSA is open to Fairfield residents in 1st through 8th grade (approximately ages 7–14), competing in the U8 through U14/15 age groups. Players must reside in Fairfield to participate. Boys and girls compete on separate teams at every age level.
About FUSA
What's the difference between travel and recreational soccer?

Travel soccer is the next step beyond recreational (town) soccer, offering a more competitive and structured environment. FUSA teams compete against clubs across Connecticut, primarily in Fairfield County, in the CJSA Southwest District league.

Players receive professional coaching, attend structured practices, and are placed on teams based on evaluations. The program requires a full-year commitment.

New to travel soccer?
What's the time commitment?

FUSA is a full-year program that spans both the fall and spring seasons. Players attend two 90-minute team practices each week, along with a 60-minute weekly age-group foot skills session (typically held on Fridays).

League games are played primarily on Sundays between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM, although some matches may be scheduled outside of that time window or on Saturdays.

Each season also includes one club-funded tournament, for a total of two tournaments per year.

About FUSA

Tryouts & Placement

When are tryouts and how do I register?
Tryouts are held each May. Registration is free and must be completed in advance through PlayMetrics — walk-up registrations are not permitted. Create or log in to your PlayMetrics account and register your player for tryouts.
Tryout details
What should my player bring to tryouts?
Cleats, shin guards, a ball, and a water bottle. Arrive 10 minutes early to check in. Parents should plan to stay in their vehicle — evaluations are conducted without parents present to ensure fair assessments.
Day-of instructions
How are teams decided?
At U8, teams are balanced equally. Beginning at U9, teams are tiered by competitive level — Black (top), Red, then White. Returning players are evaluated by coaching staff throughout the season and at tryouts; new players are evaluated based on tryout performance only.
How placement works
What if my player can't attend tryouts?
Returning players unable to attend due to injury or another approved circumstance are evaluated using their most recent in-season assessments. Contact the board as early as possible if your player has a conflict.
Contact the board
What if my player missed tryouts?
If your player missed tryouts, register them in PlayMetrics. Your player will be placed on a waitlist, and the FUSA registrar will contact you if and when a roster spot becomes available in your player's age group.
Register on PlayMetrics (opens in new tab)
What happens after tryouts — when will we hear back?

Roster notifications typically begin in late May, with the goal of completing placements by mid-June. Offers are released one tier at a time (Black first, then Red, then White). Each tier must be finalized before the next set of offers can be extended, meaning delays in accepting or declining an offer can affect placement timelines for the entire age group.

Families have 72 hours to accept or decline a roster offer. Spots not responded to within that window may be offered to another player. Players not placed on a team will be added to the waitlist.

Team Formation
When will rosters be released?
Rosters are released in mid-August.

Costs & Payment

How much does it cost?
$1,450/year for U8–U11; $1,500/year for U12–U14/15. An $850 non-refundable deposit is due when you accept your roster offer. The remaining balance can be paid in full or via monthly payment plan (a small additional fee applies).
Full cost breakdown
What's included in the program fee?

The program fee includes both fall and spring seasons, with twice-weekly team practices and a weekly foot skills session. It also covers goalkeeper training, approximately 8 Sunday league games per season, and two tournaments per year (one in the fall, typically over Columbus Day weekend, and one in the spring, typically in mid-to-late April). Additional inclusions are professional coaching, player evaluations, referee fees, and Town of Fairfield field usage.

Not included in the program fee: uniforms (approximately $175), cleats, shin guards, soccer ball, and any personal travel or incidental expenses.

What's included
What is the refund policy?
All fees are non-refundable. The deposit is non-refundable from the moment you accept your roster spot, and no refunds or cancellations are issued after registration — including if a player stops participating. Families on payment plans remain responsible for all remaining installments even if a player withdraws. FUSA recommends optional Registration Protection Insurance through PlayMetrics for coverage against unforeseen circumstances.
Full refund policy
Is financial aid available?
Yes. Financial aid is available for U8–U14/15 players. Applications are submitted through PlayMetrics during tryout registration and reviewed confidentially. The deadline is in early May — check tryout registration for the exact date each season.
Apply for financial aid

The Season

When does the season start?
The fall season typically begins in late August or early September and runs through early November. The spring season typically begins the first week of April and runs through mid-June. Exact dates vary by year and are communicated through PlayMetrics and team emails.
What does a typical week look like?
During the season, players attend two 90-minute team practices and one 60-minute foot skills session per week. League games are on Sundays. Each season includes one tournament. Scheduling details are communicated through PlayMetrics and team channels.
When are tournaments?
FUSA funds one tournament per season. The fall tournament is typically held over Columbus Day weekend; the spring tournament is typically held in mid-to-late April. Both are included in the program fee.
When are games typically played?
League games are played primarily on Sundays between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM, although some matches may be scheduled outside of that time window or on Saturdays.
When will I know my coach?
Coach assignments are shared once team rosters are finalized, typically in mid-August.
When will I know the practice and game schedules?

Practice schedules are typically released in August (Fall season) and March (Spring season). Our goal is to keep each team's practice day and time consistent for both seasons whenever possible. However, schedules may need to change due to field availability, coaching assignments, or other scheduling conflicts.

Game schedules are set by the league and are usually released shortly before each season begins — typically in late August for the Fall season and late March for the Spring season.

What happens if we have a scheduling conflict?
Players are expected to attend all practices and games as part of their commitment to the team. If a conflict arises, notify your parent manager and coach as early as possible. Occasional conflicts happen, but consistent attendance is important to the team.
What gear does my player need?

Players should wear cleats and shin guards and bring a soccer ball to every practice and game.

After roster placement, families will order a uniform kit (home, away, and practice jerseys, shorts, and socks), typically costing around $175. Uniforms are ordered through Soccer & Rugby, and an email with ordering instructions and a purchase link will be sent in mid to late July. Optional FUSA gear (such as sweatshirts, backpacks, and other spirit wear) will also be available through the same ordering link.

How do I order a uniform?
After rosters are finalized, an email from myuniform@soccerandrugby.com with ordering instructions and a purchase link is sent in mid to late July. Uniforms are ordered through Soccer & Rugby. The required kit is a home, away, and practice jersey, shorts, and socks (~$175). Optional FUSA spirit wear is available through the same link.
Are summer and winter training programs included?
No — summer (June–August) and winter (December–February) programs are optional and separate from the main FUSA season. Girls train with Coerver; boys train with FCS. These programs have their own registration and fees paid directly to the coaching provider.
Summer & Winter Training

Getting Involved

How do I volunteer or contact the board?

If you're interested in volunteering (board roles or event support), visit the Volunteer page to see open roles and sign up.

Email the board at fusaboard@gmail.com for any questions — we aim to respond within 72 hours.

Volunteer opportunities