COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When do tryouts occur?
Each year in mid May for the following Fall-Spring seasons.
What is the tryout process like?
All players, new and returning, participate in an evaluation. For younger teams, the evaluation includes doing skills and small-sided drills and then a scrimmage. For older teams, players participate in a travel practice. Please see the Travel Team Formation page for more details.
Do I have to attend the tryouts if I want to play travel? I missed tryouts and registration - what should I do?
Yes we need players to officially tryout. But we do understand some families miss tryouts or move to the area over the summer. If you will miss or have missed tryouts, do reach out as we may still have spaces available.
I am currently on a travel team, do I need to register and tryout again?
Yes, you need to register again to declare your interest in remaining in the player pool. You will also join tryouts and/or practices as discussed above for an evaluation and to be placed on an appropriate team. Please see the Travel Team Formation page for more details.
What is the tryout timeline? When will I learn if I made a team?
Initial registration is early May. You do not pay a fee for tryouts. Actual tryouts are late May/early June. After tryouts, the commission and coaches coordinate to form the teams. This is a complex process - it's a multiple constrained puzzle considering players, coaches, ages, roster sizes and communication across all with the commission (all of whom will be on vacation at different times). It will take the month of June to form the teams for the coming Fall. We appreciate your patience. If your child makes a team, you will receive an email indicating so with an invitation to confirm you accept the roster position. Then, you'll pay the fee. If your child does not make a team, you will receive an email indicating so, with an option to join the waitlist and/or a suggestion to join the recreation league.
How often do travel teams practice? What days?
Travel teams practice two times a week, usually 6:30p-8:00p. Days of the week are typically determined by the volunteer coaching staff schedules, along with our field permit availability. Final practice schedule is usually not official until late August. Yes, we realize this isn't ideal but we are constrained by the timing of field permit assignments.
What day do the games occur on?
Sundays! Divisions 4 and 5 play on Sundays in the PA West Soccer league. Occassionaly, a rain-out may require a make up game to be played during the week. Those are usually held to the extent possible on days when the team would normally practice.
Where do travel teams "travel" to?
Most games are within a one hour drive of Pittsburgh usually towards the east. This means away games may be a 3-4 hour commitment (2 hours driving, 30 min warm up, 1-1.5 hours of game time).
When is the travel season?
Fall Is August - November
Spring is late March-June
**Winter is via the indoor league which is separate from Travel***
What are the fees for travel?
2025-2026 fees are TBD. Last year's fee was $299 per child. Scholarships are available.
Dynamo has not raised the fee for several years. And club teams in the area are on the order of $2,000 for the year.
How much are the uniforms?
The full required kit for games costs about $70 (2 shirts, shorts and socks). We also attempt to coordinate uniform exchanges when players out grow them.
Can I request to play with friends?
This kind of request is appropriate for the recreation league; but in travel we are assessing skill and readiness for travel league play so friend requests are not honored. Travel team kids often become friends for life!
What if my child identifies as non-binary or transgender?
If your child identifies outside of the male/female binary or with a gender not assigned at birth please be aware that PA West rules allow for cisgender females to play on cisgender male teams; however cisgender males are not permitted on cisgender female teams. We seek for Pittsburgh Dynamo to be an inclusive community club for all families and children. Please contact [email protected] so that we can assist your family.
Where are home games played?
Most home games are played at Schenley Oval (1 Overlook Drive Pgh, PA 15217) What are the age levels for the teams? How do I interpret U10?
This is always confusing and some of us wish we could switch to birth year team designations but it isn't our decision! (Also, changes afoot - see below...)
It is further complicated by the seasons being Fall to Spring, so over two different calendar years.
U10 really means "age 10 and under."
Team age level = Spring season calendar year minus your child's birth year
e.g., 2026 - 2016 = 10 so players born in 2016 are U10 for the entire season 2025-2026.
Kids on this team play the Fall season as 8 or 9 year olds depending on their birthdate. Kids may turn 10 during the Spring season.
U9 is the youngest teams we organize for travel.
If we mix age groups to have sufficient players, teams will play in the age bracket of the oldest players.
How old can I be to play?
For the Fall season, we typically have teams that are U15/14 mixed teams (players in 8th grade). Since local high school teams play in the fall, we do not have sufficient numbers to field teams, and PA West doesn't have a large pool of other teams either.
For the Spring season, we will form teams for high school players if interest exists and coaches can be found. High school teams are typically a mix of U15, U16, U17, U18, and U19 players. We work with PA West to assure teams are playing appropriately skilled teams in the region. How can I help the Travel league?
Great question! We are always seeking volunteers for help with equipment, uniforms, tryouts, etc that are a few hours of time. Please reach out to [email protected] for more details.
How can I become a referee?
We are always looking to expand our referee pool. We also pay a very fair wage per game ($30+/game for line judge, more for center ref and for older team games). Please complete the referee training offered by PA West. Dynamo will help cover the cost of certification if you then enter our referee pool and complete a season of refereeing for us. Once you are certified, please email us to be put in contact with our referee coordinator.
Have a different question?
Let us know.