I believe SB has had the open tryouts each year in the WPS and this past season in the new league. I am highly certain that in the WPS years no player from the tryout has made a final rooster. I do no believe any made it last year.
Mana Shim made the Thorns from an open tryout and now is a regular starter and with the U23s. It can happen.
I believe there was a fee. I don't recall the amount, but your number sounds in the ballpark. I'm guessing it's sort of as a gate keeper. ADDITION: I just checked and there indeed was a fee, $75. http://www.timbers.com/news/2013/01/thorns-fc-announce-2013-tryout-details
I see she was signed as a discovery player in early April and was on the opening day roster. Did she go to the open tryout? With her college background, I would think she would have signed up (had to sign up to be able to play) for the draft, was not drafted and then Portland either claimed her discovery rights and/or invited her to preseason camp. Versus her on her own going to the team's open tryouts with 80 others.
I'm pretty sure I'm right about tryouts -- but I've looked on the Thorns news archive and can't find an article about it. I'll look some more. Later: Meleana Shim @meleanashim9 Feb Off to Portland Thorns tryouts in a few. I'm so excited for this wonderful opportunity. Also, good luck to our @ussoccer_wnt !!!
I also could not find anything else on the Portland site. Like I wrote, I found it hard to think that with her background, she paid and went to go the open tryout on her own, but it appears that at least she did go to the tryout, then was invited to the pre-season camp and made the final roster. Back on SB, while I don;t think any taking part in the open tryouts ever made a final roster, my memory is that some were invited to preseason camps.
Yes, I don't really know how the tryouts work. Maybe some are invited? And others come on their own? The fee must be a gate keeper, so maybe those invited don't have to pay. I remember the commentary from CPC after the tryouts, to the effect that she was impressed and definitely felt that some of the participating players would make the team. I don't know if this was the situation with Courtney Wetzel, but it might have been. Anyway, it appears that tryouts are not a total waste. Probably every now and then, someone gets a look when she otherwise wouldn't have had a chance. Not likely, but maybe ....
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (April 14, 2014) - Sky Blue FC announced today tryouts for the 2014 reserve team - Sky Blue FC Reserves. Tryouts will take place on Saturday, May 17 at 5 p.m. ET at The Atlantic Club in Manasquan, N.J. Players should come prepared to play on both grass and turf fields. The reserve team, which will be comprised of elite-level college and amateur players, will be the exclusive development squad for Sky Blue FC. SBFC assistant coach Taka Ishihara will manage the reserves on a daily basis under the direction of SBFC head coach Jim Gabarra. Training will take place twice a week and the reserve squad will play a minimum of 6 games, including a match against the professional team. To register and make payment, please contact Gioia DiFlumeri at gdiflumeri@skybluesoccer.com. Click here for registration form. 2014 Sky Blue FC Reserve Team Tryouts Saturday, May 17th - 5:00pm The Atlantic Club 1904 Atlantic Avenue Manasquan, NJ 08736 Players should come prepared to play on both grass and turf fields
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Jan. 15, 2015) – Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has officially announced the dates for its 2015 open tryouts, which will be held from March 4-5th at Soccer Centers in Somerset, NJ. Cost for the two-day trial will be $100, and online registration is currently open. “We will always search for players who deserve an opportunity to earn a contract and make an NWSL roster,” Sky Blue FC technical director and head coach Jim Gabarra remarked. “This is a starting point for players who aspire to reach the highest level of the sport. If they do well at open tryouts, the next step on the pathway is an invitation to preseason camp where they will compete for a spot on the roster and a professional contract.” Soccer Centers is located at 300 Memorial Drive in Somerset, NJ, and the one-time $100 registration fee will guarantee both days of the trial. Any players who are interested in taking part must register online by Tuesday, March 3rd, and all participants must be at least 18 years of age. In addition to signing a liability waiver, proof of medical insurance must also be provided during the registration process. Additionally, players will have the opportunity to upload a CV when they sign up. There will be two training sessions conducted on the first day of tryouts, with a two-hour morning workout that starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. (player check-in begins at 9:00 p.m.) and a second one in the afternoon that begins at 3:00 p.m. The second day of tryouts will consist of a three-hour session that runs from 12-3:00 p.m. Times are subject to change, but participants will be notified if any alterations are made to the schedule. All trialists must bring both outdoor and indoor footwear with gear suitable for a turf surface. REGISTER NOW
http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/skyblue2.php?article_id=43618 January 8, 2016 OPEN TRYOUTS Sky Blue to hold them March 3-4