United Futbol Academy

2026
Tryouts

June 1 – 20  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

This is your moment. UFA is one of Iowa’s most accomplished youth soccer clubs — national champions, college producers, and community builders. If you are ready to compete at the highest level, we want to see you on the field.

Register for Tryouts View Schedule
Key Dates & Deadlines
1
June
First Tryout SessionTryouts open at RecPlex. Attend all 3 sessions for best evaluation.
10
June
Last Day — U11–U15Final tryout sessions for U11 through U15 age groups.
11
June
Bid Day — U11–U15Official offer window: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM per Iowa Soccer rules.
23
June
Last Day — U16–U19Final tryout sessions for U16 through U19 age groups.
24
June
Bid Day — U16–U19Official offer window: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM per Iowa Soccer rules.
700+
Families Served
44
Coaches on Staff
24+
Players to College
#1
Largest Futsal League in Iowa
🏆
National Champions
Why UFA

A Proven
Model.
Real Results.

UFA is not just another club. We have built a championship-tested system that develops players from the ground up — technically, tactically, mentally, and physically. Our model works because it is built on consistency, professional coaching, and a relentless culture of growth.

Players who come through UFA leave better than they arrived. That is not a promise — it is a track record that spans state titles, national stages, and college scholarships across the country.

🏆National Champions & Finalists — 2011 Girls National Champions. 2010 Boys National Finalists. 2012 Girls National Qualifiers. UFA has represented Iowa on the biggest stages in US Youth Soccer.
🎓24+ Players Sent to College — Across four graduating classes, UFA alumni are playing at the collegiate level.
⚽Regional League Competition — Elite-level competition pathways available for top performers at every age group.
🏛Great Facilities — We train and compete at MidAmerican Energy RecPlex, James Cownie Soccer Complex, and United Center DSM.
3x
Training Per Week
All competitive players train three times per week with professional UFA coaches following a structured annual curriculum.
90
Minutes Per Session
Every training session is 90 minutes of focused, purposeful development. No wasted reps. No wasted time.
12
Age Groups
From U9 Academy through U18 Elite, every player has a home at UFA with a program built specifically for their stage of development.
⚽
Futsal Builds Better Players
Every UFA player trains and competes in futsal all winter. The small-sided game builds technical ability, faster decision-making, and sharper first touch — skills that show up every spring on the outdoor field.
The Tryout Process
What to Expect
01
Register Online
Complete your registration through PlayMetrics before your tryout date. Registration confirms your spot and age group placement.
Do This First
02
Check In & Get Your Shirt
Arrive at MidAmerican Energy RecPlex 15 minutes early. Check in at the registration table — you will receive a numbered tryout shirt to wear on the field.
Arrive Early
03
Attend All 3 Sessions
Each session is 75 minutes. Coaches evaluate players across multiple sessions. Attending all 3 scheduled sessions for your age group significantly increases your evaluation time and chances of selection.
Strongly Recommended
04
Offers on Bid Day
Per Iowa Soccer rules, official offers are made on Bid Day — June 11 for U11–U15, June 24 for U16–U19. Offers are extended between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
Iowa Soccer Rules
What to Bring
👞 Cleats
⚽ Shin Guards
💧 Water Bottle
📋 Completed Registration
👕 Tryout Shirt Provided at Check-In
Iowa Soccer Official Rules
Bid Day Information
U11 – U15 Age Groups
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Official offer window: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Tryouts for U11–U15 may be conducted between May 26 and June 10. No offers may be made before Bid Day per Iowa Soccer rules.

Iowa Soccer Tryout Policy ↗
U16 – U19 Age Groups
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Official offer window: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Tryouts for U16–U19 may be conducted between May 27 and June 23. Offers extended only during the official bid window.

Iowa Soccer Tryout Policy ↗
MidAmerican Energy RecPlex — 500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines
2026 Tryout Schedule by Age Group
⚫ Boys
U9 Boys
U10 Boys
U11 Boys
U12 Boys
U13 Boys
U14 Boys
U15 Boys
U16 Boys
U17 Boys
U18 Boys
⚫ Girls
U9/U10 Girls
U11 Girls
U12 Girls
U13 Girls
U14 Girls
U15 Girls
U16 Girls
U17 Girls
U18 Girls
⚫ Other
Open
U9 Boys1 Session

Born Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017  ·  Academy program evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 45:45 PMIndoor Turf
U10 Boys1 Session

Born Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2016  ·  Academy program evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 47:00 PMIndoor Turf
U11 Boys3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 15:45 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 35:45 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 61:00 PMIndoor Turf
U12 Boys3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 15:45 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 35:45 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 611:30 AMOutdoor
U13 Boys3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 17:05 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 35:45 PMOutdoor
Jun 65:30 PMIndoor Turf
U14 Boys3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 15:45 PMOutdoor
Jun 37:05 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 611:30 AMOutdoor
U15 Boys3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 27:05 PMOutdoor
Jun 57:00 – 8:30 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 87:15 PMOutdoor
U16 Boys3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010  ·  Bid Day: June 24  ·  Attend all 3 sessions  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 610:00 AMOutdoor
Jun 155:45 PMOutdoor
Jun 2012:15 PMIndoor Turf
U17 Boys3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2008 – Jul 31, 2009  ·  Bid Day: June 24  ·  Attend all 3 sessions  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 610:00 AMOutdoor
Jun 155:45 PMOutdoor
Jun 201:45 PMIndoor Turf
U18 Boys3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 2008  ·  Bid Day: June 24  ·  Attend all 3 sessions  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 611:30 AMOutdoor
Jun 157:15 PMOutdoor
Jun 201:45 PMIndoor Turf
U9/U10 Girls1 Session

Born Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2017  ·  Academy program evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 45:45 PMIndoor Turf
U11 Girls3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 25:45 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 64:00 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 85:45 PMOutdoor
U12 Girls3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 25:45 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 64:00 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 85:45 PMOutdoor
U13 Girls3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 27:05 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 62:30 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 85:45 PMOutdoor
U14 Girls3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 25:45 PMOutdoor
Jun 62:30 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 85:45 PMOutdoor
U15 Girls3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011  ·  Attend all 3 sessions to maximize your evaluation  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 25:45 PMOutdoor
Jun 610:00 AMOutdoor
Jun 87:30 PMIndoor Turf
U16 Girls3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010  ·  Bid Day: June 24  ·  Attend all 3 sessions  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 165:45 PMOutdoor
Jun 185:30 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 203:15 PMIndoor Turf
U17 Girls3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2008 – Jul 31, 2009  ·  Bid Day: June 24  ·  Attend all 3 sessions  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 157:30 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 187:15 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 203:15 PMIndoor Turf
U18 Girls3 Sessions

Born Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 2008  ·  Bid Day: June 24  ·  Attend all 3 sessions  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 157:30 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 187:15 PMIndoor Turf
Jun 203:15 PMIndoor Turf
Open Sessions2 Sessions

Open evaluation — all interested players welcome regardless of age group  ·  MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Jun 15:45 PMOutdoor
Jun 35:45 PMOutdoor
Got Questions?

Frequently Asked
Questions

Do I need to register before showing up to tryouts? +
Yes. Registration through PlayMetrics is required before attending tryouts. This confirms your age group placement and ensures our coaching staff has your information on file for evaluation. You can register using the button at the top or bottom of this page.
How many sessions should my player attend? +
We strongly recommend attending all 3 scheduled sessions for your age group. Each session is 75 minutes and coaches evaluate players across multiple dates. More sessions means more evaluation time, more visibility with our coaching staff, and a significantly stronger chance of receiving an offer.
When will my player receive an offer? +
Per Iowa Soccer rules, no offers can be made during the tryout period. Official offers are extended on Bid Day only — June 11 for U11–U15 (8 AM–8 PM) and June 24 for U16–U19 (8 AM–8 PM). Any club that contacts your player before Bid Day is in violation of Iowa Soccer policy.
What if my player misses one of the scheduled sessions? +
Missing a session is not an automatic disqualifier, but it does reduce your evaluation time. If your player has a scheduling conflict, contact us at ufa@ufaiowa.com before tryouts so our coaching staff is aware. We will do our best to accommodate, but attending all available sessions remains the strongest path to evaluation.
Can my player try out for multiple age groups? +
All players must try out in their correct age group based on their birth year (Aug 1 – Jul 31 formation cycle per US Youth Soccer). UFA coaching staff will make all decisions regarding players being considered to play up based on what they see during the evaluation process. If you have questions about your player’s age group, contact our technical director Ozzie at Ozzie@ufaiowa.com before tryouts.
What age groups are tryouts open to? +
Tryouts are open to players U9 through U18 (born August 2007 through July 2017). Per Iowa Soccer rules, competitive tryouts are for U11–U18. U9 and U10 sessions are evaluations for our Academy program. See the full schedule above for your specific age group dates and times.
Is UFA the right club for my player? +
UFA is for players and families who are serious about development — players who want to train hard, compete at a high level, and be part of a club with a proven track record of producing college players and competing on the national stage. If your player is ready to commit to 3 practices per week, compete in a top-level league, and grow within a professional system, UFA is the right home. If your family is looking for a recreational option, check out our DMFA program at Des Moines Futbol Academy — designed for lower commitment and local competition.
What do I wear and bring to tryouts? +
Bring cleats, shin guards, and a water bottle. Make sure you have completed your registration through PlayMetrics before arriving. A numbered tryout shirt will be provided to your player at check-in — wear it during the session. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in before your session starts.
Ready to Be Part
of Something Special?

Register now and take the first step toward joining one of Iowa’s top youth soccer clubs. Spots are limited. Tryouts run June 1–20 at MidAmerican Energy RecPlex.

Register for Tryouts

Questions? Email ufa@ufaiowa.com

UFA IOWA

The UFA Soccer Academy is dedicated to developing players at every level, from beginners to advanced athletes. Through expert coaching, structured training, and competitive opportunities, we focus on enhancing technical skills, tactical understanding, and personal growth. Our academy provides a comprehensive approach to soccer, helping players achieve their full potential both on and off the field.

CONTACT US

Email: ufa@ufaiowa.com