Frequently Asked Questions

What is Premier Level Soccer?
What makes the Empire USA Academies unique?
What age groups are served?
What constitutes a typical season?
Where are practices held?
How long are practices and how are the training sessions structured?
What is expected of an EUSA player?
In what leagues do the EUSA Rochester teams play?
In what tournaments do the EUSA Rochester teams play?
How many teams are there at each age level?
Is "dual carding" allowed?
What about ODP commitments?
How are teams selected?

Q. What is Premier Level Soccer?

A. Premier Level Soccer is the next step for select travel soccer players who excel and are seriously committed to the game (and have parents equally committed!).

Recreational level soccer, or "house leagues", generally consist of town teams open to all players. All players are accepted and there are no tryouts.

Travel level soccer in the Rochester area, is played in the Rochester District Youth Soccer League (RDYSL). Travel soccer is more competitive than recreational soccer. There are often tryouts and teams generally consist of the best players from each town or community. Travel soccer often requires a greater time and financial commitment than recreational level soccer.

Premier level soccer bring together the best players from the entire Greater Rochester area to compete against the best players from Buffalo, Syracuse and Binghamton in the Upstate Premier League. Premier teams often compete in some of the highest level tournaments against the best players in the North Eastern United States. Premier level soccer requires a greater time and financial commitment than travel level soccer.

Q. What makes the Empire USA Academies unique?

A. The EUSA Rochester Academy and it's companion Academies in Buffalo and Syracuse, offer Western New York's most complete program for premier level soccer. The Academies offer programs for boys and girls between the ages of nine and nineteen. EUSA Academies offer players a chance to compete at some of the higher levels in the game, under professional coaches, and with teammates who are as driven and passionate about soccer as you are.

Q. What age groups are served?

A. The Empire USA Rochester Academy supports programs for both Boys and Girls from the ages of 6 to 19. Competitive teams are offered for both Boys and Girls from the ages of 9 to 19. Teams from 9-12 years of age are considered Developmental Academies and are less competitive and focus more on teaching technical skills.

Q. What constitutes a typical season?

A. Tryouts are held at the end of July and beginning of August. The younger teams often participate in "Open Soccer" during the fall season. The older teams take the fall off to allow players to participate in school soccer.

The indoor season starts in November and runs through April. Indoor often consists of 2 practices per week. Teams have the option to enter a November-January and/or a January-March indoor league. Indoor league games generally occur once per week. Most teams enter 1-3 indoor tournaments during the indoor season.

The outdoor season runs from April (Rochester weather permitting) through July. Teams practice 1-2 times per week. Younger teams participate in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse Friendlies. Older teams play in the Upstate Premier League. Most teams enter 3-5 tournaments during the outdoor season.

Q. Where are practices held?

A. Practices during the indoor season are held at various Indoor Facilities located throughout the Greater Rochester area. Outdoor practices and home league games are held at Total Sports Experience and Grace and Truth Sports Park.

Q. How long are practices and how are the training sessions structured?

A. Teams will train 2 to 3 times per week (depending on age group), each session lasting approximately 1.5 hours. The practice schedule for each team is set in November and will be published on this web site. Training sessions consist of a warm-up, skill work, tactical work, shooting, scrimmaging, and conditioning. EUSA Rochester puts considerable emphasis on training -- both in terms of quality and quantity.

Q. What is expected of an EUSA player?

A. Players make a full year commitment to the EUSA Rochester Academy. Players are expected to attend most practices, both outdoor and indoor, have a positive attitude, be attentive, and work hard.

The EUSA Academies require a high level of commitment from players, parents and coaches. Participation in other sports or activities is accepted, primarily in the Fall and early Winter months. However, participation in other sports that require multiple activities per week, could jeopardize the player's ability to develop or maintain the skill sets that will help his or her team.

Q. In what leagues do the EUSA Rochester teams participate?

A. EUSA teams participate in the New York Upstate Premier League against other premier level teams from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Binghamton. Additionally, the Academies will participate in the Great Lakes Alliance League competing against teams from Erie, Pittsburgh and Cleveland. In addition, many of the stronger teams in the program will be entered in the US Youth Soccer Region 1 League competing with the best teams from Maine to Virginia.

Q. In what tournaments do the EUSA Rochester teams play?

A. EUSA Rochester teams compete in two to four outdoor tournaments during the Spring and Summer months. Tournaments are selected based on each team's readiness level. Travel is minimized to the best of our ability without sacrificing appropriate competition. Tournaments are not considered an ideal format for player development so EUSA does what it can to minimize tournament play and provide appropriate competitive environments in other ways. View the list of tournaments EUSA teams participated in during 2008.

Q. How many teams are there at each age level?

A. There are two teams planned for each age group between 10 and 18. Historically, u17 and u18 age groups consist of only one team due to player drop out and expanded roster sizes.

Q. Is "Dual Carding" allowed?

A. EUSA Rochester permits multiple rostering ("dual carding") of a player to more than one team during a season in accordance with US Youth Soccer Rule 2206 and if the player meets the criteria outlined below. Click here for a full explanation.

Q. What about ODP commitments?

A. The EUSA Academies fully supports the Olympic Development Program. Should a conflict arise the ODP program shall take precedence over most EUSA activities. Every effort will be made to minimize conflicts by not touching the designated days of the other organization.

Q. How are teams selected?

A. Each year, each team will hold 4 tryout sessions. It is not mandatory to attend all 4 sessions. However, attending more sessions will allow the coaching staff a better chance to see the player's true abilities. Players will be evaluated by several coaches, often including coaches from other teams. Selection criteria include ability, commitment, attitude, age and player development. Depending on the number and talent level of the players attending tryouts, one or two teams may be selected per age group.