2026/2027 Team Program

Register for 2026 OPEN PRACTICES + Identification SESSIONS

West Sound Soccer Academy plays in the Washington Premier League and offers competitive team programs during summer, fall, winter and spring seasons. The timing of seasons depends on the birth year of the player.

Below you can find information about seasons based on birth year, identification session dates and team formation, summer tournaments, and our coaching philosophy. Information about our refund policy can be found here.


Junior Academy, Academy & High School Academy Teams

Beginning with the 26 – 27 season, US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer have decided to move to an age group player formation cycle that runs from August 1 to July 31. You can read more about the decision, made to better align players with their school-grade peers, here. Teams in the 26-27 will be formed according to the below chart.


Junior Academy Season (U9 – U10)

  • A 5 – 6 month season, June through the end of October/early November, depending on league game scheduling.
  • Includes two team trainings per week on Bainbridge.
  • Fall weekend game schedule is typically an eight-game schedule from September through mid-November, with games played on both Saturdays and Sundays. The majority of fall games are played at Starfire Sports in Tukwila, and typically when WSSA teams play each other, matches are played on Bainbridge.
  • Includes two summer tournaments.
  • We plan to offer an individual winter skills program (not team program) for Junior Academy in winter of 2027, with a separate fee.


Academy Season (U11 – U14)

  • A 10 month season, June through November, with a break in December, resuming in January through April.
  • Includes two team trainings on Bainbridge per week, with an additional optional skill session per week in September and October.
  • Fall weekend game schedule is typically a ten-game schedule from September through November, with games played on both Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Spring weekend game schedule runs February – April and the number of games varies depending on how teams advance in the WPL state cup. Games can be scheduled for both Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Includes three summer tournaments and the WPL Washington Cup in the spring.


High School Academy (U15- U19)

  • A 10 month season running June through August, with a break for the high school soccer season, resuming in Nov (timing varies on high school playoffs) and running through to early May.
  • Includes two team trainings, with supplemental skills and film sessions.
  • The winter/spring weekend game schedule is typically a ten-game schedule January through April, with games played on both Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Includes three summer tournaments and the WPL Washington Cup in late April/early May.


Summer 2026 Tournaments

  • Junior Academy (U8 – U9)
    • July 10 – 12, Starfire Cup, Tukwila
    • August 14 – 16, Island Cup, Bainbridge
       
  • Academy (U10 – U14) 
    • June 26 – 28, Tukwila Cup, Tukwila
    • July 10 – 12, Starfire Cup, Tukwila
    • August 14 – 16, Island Cup, Bainbridge
       
  • High School Academy (U15 – U19)
    • June 12 – 14, Spring Classic, Tukwila 
    • July 10 – 12, Starfire Cup, Tukwila
    • August 7 – 10, Harbor Cup, Gig Harbor
    • Date TBD: College showcase tournament


Identification Session Dates & Approach

REGISTER FOR OPEN PRACTICES & Identification SESSIONS HERE
  • Virtual Info Sessions: (Google Meet invite will be sent after you register for open practices & ID sessions.)
    • U9 – U10: 4/29, 6 – 6:30
    • U11 – U14: 4/15, 6 – 6:30
    • U15 – U19: 4/22, 7 – 7:30

  • 2026 Open Practice Dates: (At Battle Point Park, Bainbridge)
  • 2026 Identification Session Dates: (At Battle Point Park, Bainbridge)
  • Identification sessions give players an opportunity to display their technical and tactical skills in drills, small-sided games, and larger scrimmages. Our purpose in using the term “identification sessions” as opposed to “tryouts” is making it clear to players that our goal is to find the right spot for them on one of our teams.
  • While it’s not required that players attend both identification sessions for their age group, doing so maximizes a player’s opportunity to exhibit their skills.
  • If you cannot attend sessions, please contact our Director of Coaching at Katie@WestSoundSoccer.org.
  • Player placement is based not just on age, but also on ability, physicality, and social-emotional considerations. Requests to play on an older team will be considered on a case by case basis. Reach out to our Director of Coaching at Katie@WestSoundSoccer.org with questions or if your player is interested in playing up.


Team Formation Process

  • The number of teams we form at a given age group is influenced by both the number of players who register and the number of coaches we have available.
  • Players will be notified within 48 hours of the final identification session for their age group about their team placement.
  • Player commitment decisions must be made within 24 hours after a roster spot is offered, as there may be alternates who will be offered a spot should a roster spot offer be declined. Team commitment is confirmed when the commitment paperwork and registration fee (either the full amount or the first installment of a monthly payment plan) are received.
  • Extended Roster Spots: To increase opportunities for participation on our Academy (U11 – U14) & High School Academy (U15 -U19) teams, we may offer extended roster placements. Extended roster spots allow us to include players in our team program beyond the maximum number allowed on a tournament or league game-day roster. While game-time is not guaranteed for extended roster players, they will be eligible to play in cases where absences, injuries, illness, etc. create openings on game-day rosters.
  • While we will do our best to place each player on a team, either by offering them a roster spot or an extended roster spot, there may be cases where rosters are full, or the identification session coaches feel that West Sound Soccer Academy is not the best fit for a player. In such cases, neither a roster spot nor extended roster spot will be offered.


Our Coaching Philosophy

Our staff bring a depth of experience developing players and coaching youth soccer from some of the youngest players through college-age athletes.

WSSA coaching staff possess United States Soccer Federation or National Soccer Coaches Association of America certifications and are committed to teaching leadership, confidence, and hard work. They are committed to holistic player development, including psychosocial, physical, technical, and tactical skills.

WSSA coaches create a training environment that is safe and inclusive, where players are encouraged to take risks and express their creativity. Training and instruction is reality-based and experiential, and players are provided with opportunities to make choices and express autonomy within the training environment. 

Learn more about West Sound Soccer Academy’s player development framework and coaching philosophy here.