Digital Tryouts: How you can participate in A Football Trials Online

Corona virus pandemic has sure brought about change in the way we live and the way we do things. Almost 360 turn around in some cultures... from our fashion to the way we relate to one another.

 In some cities, it is compulsory to wear face mask. And the social distancing mantra means churches cannot congregate, most denomination now meet online. Today, you can process a loan online without physically interfacing with a bank staff or official.

The entertainment industry, which survive by the gathering of crowd (spectators), seems to be worse hit. Musicians, comedians...are now staging online shows you can watch from your device, by purchasing e-ticket.

Football is not left out. Instead of gathering hundreds of youths in one place, the new way could be Digital Tryout.

DC United’s youth academy is the first to host digital tryouts in hope of discovering new talent. 

The digital tryouts were hosted in partnership with youth soccer App GoldCleats. More than 155 youth players submitted video-based tryouts on the App.

Players can download the GoldCleats mobile app for free. It allows players to upload videos of their soccer skills, whether from previous match highlights or practicing at home. DC United’s youth digital tryouts opened March 13 and will ran through April 13. 

The MLS club is also the first professional team to work with GoldCleats to launch a digital tryout. Videos are submitted directly to David Sanford, youth academy director at DC United.

Although, the partnership has been planned since Q4 2019, DC United’s virtual tryout has come at an “advantageous” time given that COVID-19 has created a need for coaches to engage with athletes while separated. According to Hendrick, engagement metrics on GoldCleats are up more than 1,000% since coronavirus suspended live sports in mid-March. 

Other MLS clubs, international teams, and leagues have reached out to GoldCleats to discuss virtual tryout campaigns... Seattle Sounders, New York Red Bull and Atlanta United already scheduled their first digital tryouts in June and July 2020, respectively.

In Europe, teams like VVV. Venlo Netherlands, BK Hacken Sweden are already working out modalities to host their first digital tryouts too.

How to Participate in A Digital Try outs

First, make a video clips of about 25 minutes or so, which best highlights your skills and traits. You may need a professional scout and media expert to help you produce a top notch video clips. I will discuss in more details how you can produce such videos in another post.

Second, download a GoldCleats in Google play store for iPhone or Android. Then look for teams asking players to upload their video. Then you upload your video, which include your profile.

Player profiles also contain details such as their age, location, position, height and weight, social media integrations, and whether athletes are represented by an agent. 

Through the app, GoldCleats is focusing on recruiting both “homegrown” youth players as well as international players who would never have the opportunity to make an in-person tryout in Faraway cities like Washington, D.C. The company’s mobile app is currently available in 130 countries, including Nigeria.

“We don't expect players to get signed just from the app. The reality is this is a discovery tool to get in front of the scout,” Hendrick said. “Obviously with covid-19 the return to play is still up in the air, but the end goal would be to have some of the best applicants come and join training to be evaluated in person.”