RDA City Tryouts – 2026-2027 Tryouts
The tryout process for the 2026-2027 season is closed. If you missed the tryouts and would like to be considered for placement please email Academy Director, Scott Gibson, at sgibson@riverhounds.com.
League Structure for the RDA City Teams
U13 / U14 / U15 / U16 / U17 / U18.19 Boys and Girls:
Highest Level – Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) – (Only Club in Area)
Second Level – Elite Clubs National League Regionals League (ECNL-RL)
Third Level (RDA Prep Teams) – Ohio River League (ORL – Pittsburgh)
U10 / U11 / U12 Boys and Girls
Highest Level – Pre ECNL (Only Club in the Area)
Second Level – Pre ECNL RL
Third Level (RDA Prep Teams) – Ohio River League (ORL – Pittsburgh)
U8 / U9 Boys and Girls
At our youngest age groups, the teams play in a much more localized platform in either the Pre ECNL, Pre ECNL RL or ORL Pittsburgh. These groups also take part in local friendlies and opportunities.
RDA Coaching Staff – 2026-2027 Season
Below you will see our RDA Coaching Staff for the 2026-2027 Season:
RDA Boys:
U18.19 ECNL Boys – Bryan Cartwright
U18.19 ECNL RL Boys – David Moxom
U17 ECNL Boys – Bryan Cartwright
U17 ECNL RL Boys – Cameron Williams
U16 ECNL Boys – Justin Evans
U16 ECNL RL Boys – David Moxom
U15 ECNL Boys – Josh Kremers
U15 ECNL RL Boys – Nick Zuch
U14 ECNL Boys – Max Dragich / Justin Evans
U14 ECNL RL Boys – Cody Culp
U14 Prep Boys – Cody Culp
U13 ECNL Boys – Erik Duffy
U13 ECNL RL Boys – Matt Meyers
U13 Prep Boys – John Chisolm
U12 Pre ECNL Boys – Noah Salsi
U12 Pre ECNL RL Boys – Cory Northrup
U12 Prep Boys – Javin Melvin
U11 Pre ECNL Boys – Kevin Kerr
U11 Pre ECNL RL Boys – Neil Shaffer
U11 Prep Boys – Kevin Garcia
U10 Pre ECNL Boys – Noah Salsi
U10 Pre ECNL RL Boys – Cory Northrup
U10 Prep Boys – Javin Melvin
U9 Pre ECNL + Pre RL Boys – Max Dragich / Matt Meyers
U9 Prep Boys – Nick Zuch
U8 (Futures) Boys – Kevin Kerr / Neil Shaffer
RDA Girls:
U18.19 ECNL Girls – Scott Gibson / John Rotz
U18.19 ECNL RL Girls – Mike Proviano
U17 ECNL Girls – Scott Gibson
U17 ECNL RL Girls – Mike Proviano
U16 ECNL Girls – John Rotz / Joenal Castma
U16 ECNL RL Girls – Roman Nardozi
U15 ECNL Girls – Joenal Castma
U15 ECNL RL Girls – Roman Nardozi
U14 ECNL Girls – Nathan Salsi / Jason Kutney
U14 ECNL RL Girls – Brittni Grenninger
U14 Prep Girls – Matthew Wilson
U13 ECNL Girls – Jason Kutney
U13 ECNL RL Girls – TBD
U12 Pre ECNL Girls – Chris Reamer
U12 Pre ECNL RL Girls – TBD
U12 Prep Girls – Matthew Wilson
U11 Pre ECNL Girls – Jason Kutney / Sabrina Bryan
U11 Pre ECNL RL Girls – Chris Reamer
U10 Pre ECNL Girls – Josh Salsi
U10 Pre ECNL RL Girls – Chris South
U10 Prep Girls – Sabrina Bryan
U9 Pre ECNL + RL Girls – Brittni Grenninger / Chloe Kuminkoski
U8 (Futures) Girls – Chris South / Chloe Kuminkoski
RDA Transition to Grade-Year Age Groups
Effective 2026–2027 Season
Beginning with the 2026–2027 season, the RDA will transition from the current birth-year registration format (January 1–December 31) to a grade-year format (August 1–July 31) across all RDA locations.
This change aligns with updated direction from U.S. Soccer, US Club Soccer and the ECNL, and reflects a broader shift in youth soccer toward grouping players more closely with their school classmates and graduating class.
The 2025–2026 season will remain under the current birth-year structure.
2026–2027 Age Group Alignment
Why This Change
- Players compete more consistently with school classmates
- The “trapped player” issue between U14 and U15 is removed
- Age groups align more naturally with graduating classes
- It provides greater clarity in the college recruiting process
What This Means for RDA Players
Tryouts
Tryouts for the 2026–2027 season will be organized using the new grade-year age group structure. Additional details will be shared closer to the tryout period.
Team Formation
Because teams have historically been formed using birth-year groupings, some roster adjustments may occur as teams transition to the new format. Player placement will continue to be evaluated each year through the tryout process.
Playing Up
Playing up will remain an option when it is determined to be beneficial for a player’s development. These decisions will continue to be made by RDA Directors. Under the current birth year format, we do have players that are playing up (in age) and this will certainly still be an option under the new format. There are some players that need accelerated development and this will not go away. Any decision made by the Riverhounds in this regard is at the discretion of the RDA Directors and will be made to stimulate positive player development.
Leagues and Competition
RDA teams will continue competing in the same league platforms (ECNL, ECNL Regional League, and other competitions) as applicable to each team.
Our Development Philosophy Remains the Same
The RDA platform is built around individual player development within a team environment, and that approach will not change.
Player placement decisions will continue to consider:
- Player ability and developmental needs
- Coach evaluations and recommendations
- Long-term development opportunities
All placement decisions will continue to be made by RDA leadership with the player’s development as the priority.
We understand this transition may raise questions, and we will continue sharing additional details, including 2026–2027 tryout information, in the coming month.
Our goal is to provide a clear pathway for players while continuing to create the best possible environment for development across the Academy.
For questions please contact Academy Director – Scott Gibson – sgibson@riverhounds.com
SCOTT
Gibson
Academy Director
Phone: (412) 325-7226
