NCFC Youth

Challenge

Community Soccer Environment for Ages 9–19
Competitive soccer with a balanced commitment level between Recreation and Classic, where players can grow their love for the game and choose the path that fits them best.
Competitive. Connected. Community.
About the Program
Challenge

Challenge soccer is a competitive program that requires a higher level of commitment than Recreation, but a lower time and financial commitment than Classic.

Players are required to tryout and teams are formed by age group, creating an environment focused on development, competition, and long-term growth.

U9–U19 • Competitive Environment • Fall + Spring Options
Quick Facts
  • Intermediate competitive program for U9–U19 players
  • Teams train 2x per week
  • Weekend league matches
  • Tryout-based team placement
  • Optional local and travel tournaments
Coaching Support
  • Teams led by passionate volunteer coaches
  • Supported by a full-time Challenge Director
  • Additional support from full-time administrators
  • Focus on player growth and enjoyment of the game
  • Positive, safe, and development-focused environment
Program Commitment
  • Higher commitment than Recreation
  • Lower commitment than Classic
  • Balanced competitive environment
  • Built for players continuing their soccer journey
  • Flexible pathway for long-term development
Season Structure

U9–U14

Two-season commitment including Fall (August–early November) and Spring (February–early May).

U15–U19 Girls

Fall-only season structure designed to accommodate the high school soccer season.

U15–U19 Boys

Spring-only season structure designed to accommodate the high school soccer season.

Field Locations

Players select a designated region during registration, which helps determine team assignment. Every effort is made to place players on age-appropriate teams within their selected region. Find our field maps here.

Raleigh / Knightdale
Durham / Chapel Hill
Holly Springs / Fuquay-Varina
Cary
Garner
Wake Forest
About Our Coaches

The Challenge program is led by passionate volunteer coaches who are committed to creating a positive experience for every player.

Our overall goal is to provide a fun, competitive, and safe environment where players can continue developing their skills and grow their love for the game.

Interested in becoming a coach? Contact our staff to learn more about opportunities within the Challenge program.

Apply to Coach Challenge
Contact Us Complete an ITP for Challenge
2026–27 Season
Challenge Tryouts

Players interested in joining the NCFC Youth Challenge program must complete the Intent to Play registration and attend their designated tryout evaluation.

U9–U19 • Competitive Tryouts • Birth Year Based Teams
New Players
  • Create a PlayMetrics account or login to your existing account
  • Complete the Intent to Play – Challenge Program registration
  • Attend your designated tryout evaluation
  • Teams are formed by birth year, not grade level
  • Tryout details will be emailed closer to your evaluation date
Returning Players
  • Current Challenge players returning to their team will receive a Team Invite in mid-April
  • Do not complete an Intent to Play registration if returning to your current team
  • U15–U19 Boys receive invites in October for the Spring season
  • Players trying out for a different team must complete the Intent to Play registration
  • Declining your invite forfeits your current roster spot and does not guarantee placement on another team
Tryout Format
  • U9–U13 Boys & Girls: two-day tryout format
  • Players are expected to attend both evaluation days
  • U14 Boys & Girls: one-day tryout
  • U15–U19 Girls: one-day tryout
  • All evaluations are conducted individually — not by team, coach, or friend request
  • U15–U19 Boys tryouts will take place in November/December
Complete an Intent to Play Email Challenge Staff
2026–27 Tryout Dates
Age Group Day 1 Day 2 Time Location
U9 Boys Monday, May 11 Thursday, May 14 6:45–8:00 PM WRAL Soccer Park
U9 Girls Monday, May 11 Thursday, May 14 5:15–6:30 PM WRAL Soccer Park
U10 Boys Tuesday, May 12 Friday, May 15 5:15–6:30 PM WRAL Soccer Park
U10 Girls Monday, May 11 Thursday, May 14 5:15–6:30 PM WRAL Soccer Park
U11 Boys & Girls Saturday, May 30 Sunday, May 31 Sat 9:00–10:15 AM
Sun 2:00–3:15 PM		 WRAL Soccer Park
U12 Boys & Girls Saturday, May 30 Sunday, May 31 Sat 10:30–11:45 AM
Sun 3:30–4:45 PM		 WRAL Soccer Park
U13 Boys & Girls Monday, June 1 Wednesday, June 3 5:15–6:30 PM WRAL Soccer Park
U14 Boys & Girls Monday, June 1 (one day only) 6:45–8:00 PM WRAL Soccer Park
U15 Girls Tuesday, June 2 (one day only) 5:15–6:45 PM WRAL Soccer Park
U16–U19 Girls Wednesday, May 13 (one day only) 5:15–6:45 PM WRAL Soccer Park

*Please see the age group calculator below to find your age group

Day 1 Monday, May 11
Day 2 Thursday, May 14
Time 6:45–8:00 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Day 1 Monday, May 11
Day 2 Thursday, May 14
Time 5:15–6:30 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Day 1 Tuesday, May 12
Day 2 Friday, May 15
Time 5:15–6:30 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Day 1 Monday, May 11
Day 2 Thursday, May 14
Time 5:15–6:30 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Day 1 Saturday, May 30
Day 2 Sunday, May 31
Time Sat 9:00–10:15 AM · Sun 2:00–3:15 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Day 1 Saturday, May 30
Day 2 Sunday, May 31
Time Sat 10:30–11:45 AM · Sun 3:30–4:45 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Day 1 Monday, June 1
Day 2 Wednesday, June 3
Time 5:15–6:30 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Date Monday, June 1
Time 6:45–8:00 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Date Tuesday, June 2
Time 5:15–6:45 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park
Date Wednesday, May 13
Time 5:15–6:45 PM
Location WRAL Soccer Park

Age Group Calculator

Enter your child's birth date to find their age group for the 2026–27 season

Tryout Info Sessions (Zoom)
Tuesday, May 26
6:30 PM
Register & Join
What we'll cover:
• Tryout Registration, Process & Timeline
• Program Overview + FAQs
• Coaching Structure & Player Evaluation

Sessions will be recorded and shared with participants.
Challenge Dates & Schedules
Fall 2026 Dates
Challenge
August 10
Week of First Team Practices
August 22–23
Play Date
August 29–30
Play Date
September 5–6
No Games (Labor Day Weekend)
September 12–13
Play Date
September 19–20
Play Date
September 26–27
Play Date
October 3–4
Play Date
October 10–11
No Games (Capital City Classic / Optional Event)
October 17–18
Play Date
October 24–25
Play Date
Oct 31 – Nov 1
Weather Make-Up Weekend / End of Regular Season
Schedules

Challenge teams participate in NCFC Youth's Challenge Scheduling League which is sanctioned by NCYSA.

Game schedules are available through the SINC schedule page as well as your team's PlayMetrics page.

To view schedules in PlayMetrics, login to your account, click on your Team page, then open the Games tab.

NCFC Youth Challenge soccer action
Club Fees & Uniforms

NCFC Youth Challenge players who accept a spot on a Challenge team are committing to the Fall & Spring seasons (barring extenuating circumstances), will pay the Challenge Club Fee upfront or in installments, and purchase a uniform kit every two years.

2026–27 Full Year Fee
Challenge
Age Group Full Year Fee
U9–U10 $700
U11–U12 $730
U13–U14 $740
U15–U19 $440
Installment Schedule
Date U9–U10 U11–U12 U13–U14 U15–U19
Acceptance Fee $175 $185 $185 $225
July 15 $175 $180 $185 $215
September 15 $175 $185 $185 —
October 15 $175 $180 $185 —
Uniforms
2025–2027 Cycle

Fall 2025 begins the first year of our 2-year Adidas uniform cycle. NCFC Youth Challenge players will be using the Challenge uniform kit through the end of the Spring 2027 season.

Youth Kit
≈$175
Adult Kit
≈$195
*Estimated costs are based on minimum required uniform kit items and do not include taxes or shipping, if applicable, and may vary based on sizes. Economy shipping is free on orders over $100.
NCFC Challenge UniformNCFC Challenge Uniform 2
Coach Support

We provide a number of coaching education opportunities to coaches at all skill levels. Click the links below to learn more.

Coaching Application
Challenge

Qualified candidates must have passion, energy, enthusiasm, and desire to work with young players.

Apply Now →
Season Plans

We provide a weekly session for the length of the season that is easy to follow, implement or adapt to your environment. These plans are created by our Director of Coach Development and are developmentally appropriate for each age and format.

Get Started →
Rules of Play

Understand the rules of the game for whichever age group you are coaching.

Learn the Game →
Coaching Education

We provide a number of coaching education opportunities, both through US Soccer and NCFC Youth, to support our coaches at all skill levels and coaching ambitions. Let us know if you are interested in pursuing the coaching pathway!

Coaching Starting Kit

Head coaches receive a SOCCER.com gift card, cones, and bibs to help you get started on the field.

Coaches Meeting

Each season kicks off with a pre-season coaches meeting led by our Challenge Director.

Contact Us

Please direct any questions to your area administrator:

Challenge Director
Jamie.Corti@NCFCYouth.com
Assistant Challenge Director
U9–U12 Age Group Administrator
Patty.Scharville@NCFCYouth.com
Assistant Challenge Director
U13–U19 Age Group Administrator
Christine.Rocchio@NCFCYouth.com
Assistant Challenge Administrator
Susan.Conroy@NCFCYouth.com