San Francisco Seals SC

Programs and competitive levels

Families can enter through grade-based recreational teams for kindergarten through seventh grade, Sunday Micro Academy sessions for ages four through eight, or micro teams that train twice weekly and play weekend games in the SF Micro Soccer League. Competitive tryouts place nearly 50 boys and girls teams born 2016 through 2006 into NorCal Premier League rosters matched to skill level. MLS NEXT teams operate by invitation for U13 through U19 players seeking national showcase competition, including participation in MLS NEXT Fest for older age groups.

Beyond league play, U14 and older NorCal travel teams enter State Cup, and competitive rosters also travel to regional tournaments. Summer programming includes full-day and half-day camps, goalkeeper camps, and a Level Up camp for NorCal Gold-level players and above led by the director of coaching. The club also partners with Soccer Without Borders to extend access for underserved and newcomer youth in the Bay Area.

Coaching philosophy and development

Core values center on respect, effort, and positivity alongside player development, love of the game, and teamwork. Training emphasizes age-appropriate skill growth, game strategy, and overall team development within U.S. Soccer Development Academy guidelines. Director of Coaching Shani Simpson, a USSF National A-License coach and club CEO since 2000, oversees the coaching staff and works with each team coach to support individual and collective growth. The club invests in ongoing coach education and maintains a low player-to-coach ratio in youth academy settings.

Tryouts and registration

Annual competitive tryouts for the 2026–27 season run Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 at the City College of San Francisco soccer field, with staggered sessions by birth year for boys and girls from U7 through U19. Zoom information meetings are held Sunday, April 26 at 5:00 p.m. and Monday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. Families interested in competitive placement should complete the tryout request form; MLS NEXT roster spots are by invite, with ID clinics offered for eligible birth years ahead of each cycle. No tryout is required for micro or recreational teams—contact the recreation and micro program director for grade-based team placement.

Where teams train and play

Competitive evaluations and many academy sessions use the CCSF turf field. Recreational micro games take place at Marina Green or Little Rec, with league schedules set by SF Micro Soccer League. Summer camps operate at Beach Chalet and Crocker Amazon, with specialized goalkeeper and Level Up sessions also using CCSF. Field assignments can shift by age group and season, so confirming your player's schedule with team staff before travel day is the safest approach.

Contact and community

General questions go to info@sfseals.com. Competitive travel, tryouts, and NorCal operations can reach shane@sfseals.com; recreation and micro soccer questions go to zak@sfseals.com. The club mailing address is 58 West Portal Avenue #345, San Francisco, CA 94127. Financial assistance is available for families who demonstrate need in micro academy and other programs—contact the club for aid details.