GREAT turnout for January tryouts

There was a great turnout for open team tryouts on Sunday, January 26th at Kirkwood Soccer Club. Forty players, ten volunteers, and six coaches were on hand for the team’s first ever open tryout. Interest in the tryout began almost as soon as it was announced that Delaware had been granted an NPSL expansion franchise. The NPSL represents the highest level of amateur soccer in the country, with 12 players being drafted in the first two rounds of the MLS Superdraft. The players that tried out for the team came from as far away as Vermont, and had experience playing on four different continents.

The tryout was opened by GM Dave Holloway and Head Coach Chibsah Faisal, who set the bar for expectations for both the players and volunteers. “We expect the highest quality from everyone involved in the organization, and expect that commitment from players both on the field, and off” said Holloway. “Our team is part of the Delaware community, so we expect players to not only play soccer, but help support their community as well.”. The message of hard work and dedication was reinforced by Chibsah, who told the players “This is not a ‘show up and play’ league, I want you to understand the level of hard work and dedication that will be expected of everyone.”

The players were put through a series of drills, then were sorted into teams playing 6 on 6, then 11 on 11 scrimmages. The volunteers were on hand to help with registration, setting up the field, setting up video equipment, and helping support the on-field activities. It was the first chance for many of the community to meet the staff and help support bringing the next level of soccer to Delaware.