FAQ
What is the Alliance Season?
The Alliance season is a program for players who participated in the fall season in the U10, U12, U14, U16, and U19 divisions. This is an opportunity for players to continue playing and enjoying soccer with others sharing their enthusiasm for the game.
Alliance Season games start in early January and run through May. See " Travel and tournaments" below.
What is the preview day or player draft?
For U10 and U12 boys and girls, we will have a "preview workout session" in October. These are voluntary, but they are an additional way for the Alliance Coaches to see the players.
The teams are drafted in November, with practices starting in December. Coaches will have scouted the players at a game (and Preview Day, if applicable). Each coach is looking for different things. Factors that often play a part in selection include skill, sportsmanship, team participation, speed, effort, an understanding of the game, attendance and participation in fall training, positional needs of the team and team chemistry. Each team needs referees to be eligible for tournaments. It is possible that a player will be selected because one of their parents is a referee.
What are the Costs?
Davis AYSO Alliance registration fees ($300 in 23/24) includes Regional costs and uniform purchase. There are a limited number of scholarships for the Region’s registration cost.
In addition to these Regional registration costs, tournament registration fees (other than the Alliance Tournament), field rental fees, and other miscellaneous costs may be incurred. These fees may range from approximately $400 to $500 per player. Teams may fundraise to provide assistance to families who may need assistance with these fees.
Participation in tournaments may also require lodging, transportation, and food costs, which are the responsibility of each family.
Criteria for the Alliance Season
PLAYERS: We encourage all eligible players to apply! Interested players must complete a short online application PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE. . Players must participate in the same division in Alliance as they participated in during the prior Fall Season (age and gender). The number of teams that will be formed in each division varies from year to year. In general, you can expect up to one Alliance team for every six fall teams. This will primarily depend on the number of qualified volunteer coaches.
COACHES: Similar to the players, all interested coaches who have coached in the Fall must fill out an online application PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE detailing their experience and acknowledgement of the commitments if selected. U10 coaches must have completed the U12 coaching class in order to be considered to coach U10 in the Alliance Season. All other coaches, including assistants, must have completed the appropriate coaching class level to their age group, AYSO Safe Haven training, and the CDC concussion training. Coaches should have completed the required coach training at the time of applications.
COMMITMENT: A high level of commitment is expected from the coaches, players, and the parents. Alliance is for motivated and enthusiastic players. While some players are involved in other sports, for the good of the team, most Alliance coaches require that training sessions and games take AT LEAST equal precedence with other activities. In addition to the player’s commitment, parents are required to participate in running the Alliance Tournament and the Davis World Cup tournament.
Calendar of events preceding the Alliance Season
End of September: Registration opens for coaches and players
Mid October Registration deadline for Players
End of November: Players notified
Expected travel and tournaments
Alliance teams will likely play half their games at away locations. Expect about five weekends during which you will play away games, games are typically within 1.5 hours of Davis.
All Alliance teams participate in tournaments on a weekend in mid- or late March, played in the Bay Area or in Davis.
Davis World Cup, Davis CA (www.davisworldcup.org). Memorial Day Weekend. The BEST AYSO TOURNAMENT OF THEM ALL! The fee is approximately $600/team. Parents of Davis teams are required to help with the tournament.
Alliance teams also traditionally participate in 2-4 of the following tournaments (dates subject to change):
San Jose Presidents Cup (http://2jpresidentscup.wixsite.com/homepage). February. The fee has previously been $375 - $500/team.
Dublin United Clover Cup, Dublin, CA (www.dublinsoccer.org/tourney). Mid-March. The fee has previously been $650-750/team.
Comstock Shootout, Carson City NV (www.comstockshootout.org). April. This is an “open” tournament so you will see CYSA teams in addition to AYSO teams. The fee has previously been $500 (U10) or $600 (all others)/team, although it may be higher if you do not bring one or more referees.
El Palo Alto Invitational Tournament (www.ayso26.org/soccer-programs/elpaloalto). This tournament is typically held in late April. Fees have been $325-$375 and teams must provide 2 referees, at minimum. Open to AYSO teams only.
Pacifica Fog Classic, Pacifica CA (www.ayso157.org). This is typically held the first weekend in May. Open to AYSO teams. Fee has been $450 (U10; $350 fees + $100 ref deposit), $475 (U12), or $500 (U14-U19)/team.
Concord Cup, Concord CA, (www.concordcup.com). May. This is an “open” tournament so you will see CYSA teams in addition to AYSO teams, although sometimes there is a separate AYSO bracket. Fees have been $400.00+/team. Teams must provide at least 2 referees who will complete a minimum of 6 assignments between them in order to be accepted.
Come Up For Air, South Lake Tahoe CA (http://www.tahoecufa.com/). June. This is an “open” tournament typically with a few AYSO teams participating, so you will see mainly CYSA teams. Fees have been $650/team.