Players Development Academy

What ages and program levels does PDA offer in Somerset and PDA Blue?PDA forms boys and girls teams from young academy ages through Under-19. Somerset boys include MLS NEXT Homegrown and Academy tracks, NAL and ECNL-RL teams, Pre-MLS NEXT and EDP groups for younger birth years, and dedicated goalkeeper coaching. PDA Blue girls center on ECNL and ECNL-RL, with Pre-ECNL and Somerset Blue teams for younger players. PDA NextGen serves boys about ages five through nine as an introductory competitive block.

Where does PDA train and play?The flagship Somerset complex is at 1 Upper Pond Road, with Morningside Farm also used in Somerset. Additional sites named for training and games include The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, Rutgers RAC and Rutgers University Park in Piscataway, Iron Peak in Hillsborough Township, and Rutgers Preparatory School in Somerset.

When are tryouts and how does registration work for 2026–27?Spring 2026 tryout windows include Somerset boys U8–U12 from about April 6 through May 29, U13–U15 boys from April 13 through May 31, and U16–U19 boys from April 3 through May 29; PDA Blue girls U8–U14 from April 7 through May 5 and U15–U18 girls from May 1 through May 29; and PDA NextGen boys ages about five through nine from early April through late June 2026. Families complete the linked online registration form for the correct age band, bring shinguards, and follow arrival instructions for Field #1 at the Somerset main complex. At least one of two listed tryout dates is required for many bands, with both recommended. Age groups are moving to an August 1–July 31 soccer year, so confirm eligibility against NJ Youth Soccer before signing up.

What is PDA’s mission and coaching approach?PDA aims to challenge elite-minded players with year-round training and national-level competition so they can grow as student-athletes. The club stresses holistic development—technical, tactical, physical, and mental work alongside academics, leadership, and community involvement—and uses a pathway roster model built around development through competition, with pools of players who may suit up for more than one league platform when it helps their growth.

How can families get tryout help, financial aid, or general updates?For Somerset boys roughly U8–U12 tryout questions, email dboutilier@pdasoccer.org. For broader questions, families can reach the boys executive director of coaching at 201-687-0695, the girls executive director of coaching at 732-921-6748, or the Somerset boys academy director at 609-440-9815, and can email zone directors such as dboutilier@pdasoccer.org or Nheinemann@pdasoccer.org for age-band-specific help. Need-based aid for club teams runs through the PDA scholarship fund; families should ask club administrators how to apply. To hear about clinics and tryouts, families can use the interest-registration prompts at pdasoccer.org and follow the club’s social accounts for weather or schedule changes.