Classic Program

FC814 offers classic teams, who provides advanced soccer players a pathway to the highly competitive Classic soccer league located closer to western Pennsylvania. The Classic Soccer program may require a more rigorous training schedule and game schedule than recreational or competitive soccer.  At the Pennsylvania state association level, the classic league is composed of Division 3 (Classic), Division 2 (Premier) or Division 1 (Elite) soccer and occurs on Saturdays.  Travel throughout Western Pennsylvania is expected.  The leagues are organized through PA West http://www.pawest-soccer.org/ which is the state chapter of the U.S. Youth Soccer Association http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/ which is affiliated with the United States Soccer Association.  

Cost

For Classic players, the program cost is $200 per season, which comes due when the player is accepted onto a team.  This cost does not include uniform costs or optional tournaments.

For the season running fall 2022-spring 2023, for example, a player born on July 4, 2010 would play in the Under 13 age group since they are over 12 but under 13 years old on January 1, 2022.

Age group classifications are shown here: Age Group Chart

Seasonal Schedule

Open player registration / tryouts are held in mid-June every year. Certain situations may arise during a season; coaches have the flexibility to add or drop players to the rosters throughout the year with approval from the FC814 Board as per the program policy.  Mid-year tryouts may be required under some circumstances (see Tryout Policy).

Teams in the U12. U13, and U14 age groups typically compete in a Fall Season (early September to early November) and also a Spring Season (April through early June), both of which have approximately 12-10 weeks of training and an 6-8 week regular game season, depending on the number of opponents registered. Teams may include pre- or post-season tournaments. Some pre-season tournaments start as early as August.  

Typically, U15 and up will only have the option for a spring season.

Expectations

This competitive Classic program is for dedicated soccer players who place soccer as a priority. Players and their families should be willing to commit to SATURDAY GAMES (both home and away throughout Western PA) and to TWO PRACTICES per week, plus one to two TOURNAMENTS per season.

Our policy regarding players participating in other activities is supportive and understanding, although consideration should be taken with scheduling demands before committing to overlapping activities. FC814 Soccer expects a first priority to all club team practices and games when conflicts arise from all other non-soccer teams or activities or lower level soccer teams (i.e. FC814 In-House, FC814 Travel, AYSO, etc.). Excessive absences from practices and games can affect playing time and possibly result in a loss of roster status on the team.  

The lowest-level of Classic is Division 3.  Teams finishing in the top two of their group can advance to Division 2 for the following season, or from 2 to 1, etc.  Teams finishing in the bottom two may be relegated to the next division down.

Teams that finish in the top two of Division 1 have the option to promote to the Great Lakes Conference, which expands the region of play to encompass Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York West, Ohio, Pennsylvania West, and West Virginia.

Coaching Philosophy

Our coaching philosophy is to strive for the overall long-term development of every player's soccer skills, both individual and team-oriented, maximizing their potential on an individual basis. At the Classic level, more emphasis is placed on individual skills development and team tactics, and a higher premium is placed on winning matches and attempting to promote upwards.  Therefore there is no guarantee of minimum playing time at the Classic level.