U7-U18 ADVANCED PLAYERS: DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER YOUR ITP

Momentum is building for 2026/2027 — complete your ITP in PlayMetrics through the links below!

The journey to Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 soccer begins now as we return to our historic Colorado Storm identity. While our partnership with the Rapids concludes this May, we are excited to enter this next chapter with the same leadership, coaches, and commitment to excellence that have defined our community since 1967. From leading state leagues to national platforms, this is where potential turns into results. The Player Placement process for U7–U18 players is underway and will continue throughout May.

Inside this guide, you’ll discover how the process works, key dates, and how our pathway can take your game to the next level. Driven by transparency and service, our Player Placement process is built to support you at every step. Let’s raise the standard, and let’s get to work.

The soccer fields are calling — fill out your ITP before it's too late!

Beginning this year, all players across all regions will use a single centralized Intent to Play (ITP) link to complete their registration. Only one ITP per player is needed. In prior years, the ITP process was managed separately by region with individual registration links. Please use the link below to access the 2026–2027 ITP and get started.

2026-2027 Seasonal Year Age Group Chart Starting This Fall

As we approach the 2026-2027 season, we are preparing to align with the nationwide shift instituted by Colorado Soccer Association, U.S. Youth Soccer, and US Club Soccer. We are transitioning from birth-year age groups (January 1-December 31) to national school-year age groups (August 1-July 31). Check out the chart below to understand how the recent age group transition will affect your player starting this fall! For more information, click here to view our full transition guide.

Elevate Your Game: The Storm Player Placement Process

Player Placement is a process designed to put every athlete in the best position to succeed. This process evaluates and places players at the most developmentally appropriate level, ensuring they thrive on the field and find fulfillment in their Colorado Storm soccer journey. Placement is about opportunity, growth, and finding the right fit—not about validating or invalidating talent.

The Four Pillars of Player Placement

1. Invite – Players are identified and invited to specific leagues.
2. Intent to Play – Players declare their commitment to compete.
3. Tryouts/Kickarounds/Age Group Trainings – Players showcase their development and potential.
4. Offer – Players receive their placement and next steps.

Player Placement: More Than Just Tryouts

While “tryouts” are a well-known term, Player Placement is a year-round process. Through continuous evaluation, depth charts, and structured player assessments across all levels—Thunder (formally Rising Rapids), U7-U10 Rec and Rec+, State Competitive, NPL, EAL, DPL, ECNL-RL, and ECNL—we track the progress of every player to make informed placement decisions for the following year.

The Player Placement Process

Invite – As the season progresses, players receive invitations to Kickarounds and Tryouts based on their development and potential. These invites will come from Storm staff and coaches. Some players may receive invites for multiple leagues at different competitive levels. Expect to receive invitations in March, April, and May.

Intent to Play – Each spring, players interested in competing at advanced and elite levels must register their Intent to Play (ITP) for the upcoming fall 2026 / spring 2027 season. This step is critical for Storm staff to coordinate player placement and team formation. Players must submit their ITP before attending a Tryout or Kickaround and before receiving an Offer.

Tryouts/Kickarounds/Age Group Trainings – We understand that traditional tryouts can be stressful, which is why we prioritize year-round evaluation. Our process provides a more relaxed, integrated environment where players can showcase their development alongside peers in their new age groups. While formal Tryouts will take place for certain programs and age groups, they are just one part of a broader evaluation process. Players will receive more detailed information about upcoming Kickarounds, Age Group Trainings, and Tryouts in March, April, and May.

Offer – Once staff and coaches finalize placements, players will receive an Offer to join a specific team or details regarding further evaluation if needed. Offers will include team and league information, giving players clarity on their soccer journey. For elite-level programs (U11+), players typically have 24 hours to accept or decline their Offer.

The Player Placement process is about finding the right environment for each athlete to grow, compete, and love the game. We look forward to seeing you on the field and helping you take the next step in your soccer journey!

From the First Touch to the National Stage: Forge Your Path

At Colorado Storm, we offer the most robust player pathway in the country—built on a foundation of professional coaching, year-round development, and clear advancement from local leagues to national platforms. Every step is guided by experienced staff who prioritize growth, not just results. Whether you're 7 or 18, our Player Placement process ensures you're in the right environment to thrive. Explore new challenges and unlock your full potential as we shape the next generation of athletes—starting now.

Programs & Regional Placement

Colorado Storm is hosting Player Placement for the following programs this spring. At the conclusion of the process, players who demonstrate the skill, commitment, and desire to compete at advanced and elite levels will be placed on a team competing in one of the leagues listed below.

The regional placement map outlines where each program will compete – click here to view a high-quality version.

A separate invitation will provide details on Kickaround and Tryout dates, deadlines, locations, times, and next steps.

Please note: Players should register for only one ITP for the upcoming Player Placement.

Thunder: The Thunder Program represents our most talented group of U8-U10 players at the club. Thunder teams offer players a higher level of competition and a direct route to competitions across the state and nation. Every Thunder team is unique, but they all share a common goal of fostering and developing soccer talent for the future.

CSA Competitive: CSA competitive teams play in Colorado's largest and most diverse competitive league, hosted by Colorado Soccer Association. This is the premier competition for U11-U19 players at the state level. Storm competitive teams boast a talented coaching staff, a full local competition schedule, and opportunities to play in tournaments and events nationwide.

NPL (The National Premier Leagues - Mountain West League): The NPL provides a unified national developmental platform for Storm boys and girls U12-U19 players looking to hone their game at a higher level. The league's mission is to facilitate more meaningful games, reduce travel, and provide a pathway to post-season opportunities. NPL teams are equipped to compete against teams from Utah, Colorado, Idaho, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada for a shot at the NPL National Title.

EAL (Elite Academy League): EAL is a standards-based league that provides players with top competition and exposure. U13-U19 boys are invited to join an Elite Academy League team in our Storm Castle Rock region and compete in the Southwest Desert Conference against local and national advanced-level competition.

DPL (Elite Clubs National League): The DPL is an Elite National All-Girls League designed to develop and empower players in a purposeful and memorable environment. U13-U19 girls players are invited to join a DPL team in our Storm Castle Rock Region and compete in the Mountain West Open Division. 

Pre-ECNL (Elite Clubs National League): Storm offers Pre-ECNL programming for U11-U12 boys and girls to serve as the elite developmental bridge to the ECNL and ECNL-RL platforms. Competing in the Colorado Conference, this program emphasizes technical preparation and high-level local competition to ensure players are ready for the transition to national-level play at U13.

ECNL-RL (Elite Clubs National League - Regional League): Storm operates three ECNL-RL Girls programs and two ECNL-RL boys programs. ECNL-RL is a nationally recognized platform for U13-U19 players with more opportunities for players to compete locally. ECNL-RL provides a similar competition to ECNL right here in Colorado while still offering national competition against some of the top clubs in the country.

ECNL (Elite Clubs National League): Storm operates two ECNL boys programs and one ECNL Girls program. ECNL is the nationally recognized premier platform for developing youth boys and girls. U13-U19 Storm athletes on ECNL teams can expect to compete against top-level teams across the country throughout the year.

Player Placement FAQs

Is it mandatory for all players to attend Kickarounds, Tryouts, or Age Group Trainings?

Player evaluations happen year-round, but players aiming for advanced or elite teams should attend the Kickarounds, Age Group Trainings, and Tryouts they are invited to. For Tryouts, not all players are required to attend, as we strive to reduce the stress of the tryout process. In some cases, we use "Gauge Groups" to assess internal player movement or external players joining the club.

If a player is unable to attend due to travel or other commitments, please notify us.

Can I continue playing Recreational?

Absolutely. If you're enjoying your recreational team, there’s no obligation to attend Player Placement events. We remain committed to providing quality teams and leagues at all levels.

How can I move from Recreational to an advanced team?

If you're interested in transitioning to an advanced-level team, inform your coach and program director. Once we receive your interest, we'll send you an invitation to Kickarounds and/or Tryouts. We also encourage families to reach out to our Directors of Coaching for further discussion.

Can my player receive invitations for different competition levels?

Yes. Some players will be invited to multiple levels of Kickarounds and Tryouts, typically for their current level and one level higher. Players should plan to attend both. Occasionally, a player may be invited to both their current level and one level below.

If I fill out an ITP, does that mean I am invited to any Kickaround and/or Tryouts?

No. Filling out an ITP does not guarantee an invitation to kickarounds or tryouts, especially for National Platform programs, as those are "invite only".

Can my player be placed on a team below the level they tried out for?

Yes. If evaluations determine a lower-level team is the best fit, an offer will be made accordingly. However, no player will be placed more than one level down. We aim to ensure all placement decisions are communicated clearly in advance.

When should I expect communication after a Kickaround or Tryout?

Most placement decisions will be communicated within 72 hours after the final Kickaround or Tryout for that team. However, timelines vary, so please avoid comparing your communication timeline with others.

How will we receive the offer?

Offers will be communicated via PlayMetrics or email. Additional follow-up may occur through phone or in-person discussions.

When will invitations to Kickarounds and Tryouts be sent?

While Age Group Trainings are already underway, additional invitations will be sent in March and April, with invitations extending into May. Communication is staggered, so players may receive invitations at different times.

Can my player attend a Kickaround or Tryout they weren’t invited to?

No. If you believe you should have received an invitation but didn’t, please contact our staff for clarification.

What if my player is from outside the club?

Players from outside Stor are welcome but must contact our staff beforehand. After an initial discussion, we will provide the appropriate invitation based on the player’s level of play. External players should attend all Kickarounds and Tryouts they are invited to.

What if I don’t receive an invitation to a Kickaround or Tryout?

Check your spam folder and PlayMetrics first. If you still don’t see an invite, contact our staff for assistance.

What if my player is not selected for their preferred team or competition?

We recognize that placement decisions may not always align with a player’s goals, and we aim to minimize surprises in the process. If you have questions about your child’s placement, reach out to our staff.

What if we can’t attend a scheduled Kickaround or Tryout?

We understand families may have conflicts. Once dates are assigned, our staff will work with you to find the best solution.

What if I have more questions?

We are here to help! If you have additional questions or specific concerns, contact our staff. We strive to respond within 48 hours.

Player Placement is underway! We’ll keep you informed throughout the process, so stay tuned to your email for updates as they become available.

If you have any immediate questions about the Player Placement process, contact our admin staff at info@rapidsyouthsoccer.org or info@coloradostorm.com.