For tournament participation to be successful, families need to know well in advance the plan. Remember, TWO tournaments are included in player fees, and that includes the entry and payment to the coach. In a first, I believe every team did at least one tournament.
Early planning is necessary because there are very FEW tournaments in the spring. It is a short season, with spotty weather until late May. there are some options though. Below are my recommendations. Talk to your team and coach now, and realize you will not please everyone.
I DO NOT MIND HELPING YOU WITH TOURNAMENTS (caps for emphasis). it does not take me much time so please ask if you need help.
Tournament pick to click: Little Illini Spring Classic.
This is an easy pick because it is the best chance of good weather, and there are good, big, tournaments nearby. By far the most popular is Park Ridge over the weekend. It is close and has multiple levels at all ages, usually. The only disadvantage is that it is over Memorial Day weekend. Some families will want to go out of town, but remember the number of players needed for a tournament is the number on the field, plus a couple of subs.
Libertyville also has a Memorial Day tournament. The advantage to playing there is better fields, and a better chance that you will see teams that you do not usually play in season. There are some advantages to that, but the drive to Park Ridge is so much easier.
Last one over this weekend is Grove United in Schaumburg. They moved this tournament from fall to spring, and are using the complex in Schaumburg. I would select this over Libertyville, because of parking and the turf fields for older kids.
The endorsement here is to go to Park Ridge if your team has not been there 400 times already. If you have, go to Grove United.
Alternatives to Memorial Day, May 7-9.
I think a team could get fired up for taking Memorial Day off and playing in the Little Illini Spring Invite In Champaign. Hotels are plentiful and inexpensive, and the drive is easy. For all of us that went to school there, the 150 miles south does give better weather sooner. No question. My team has participated in their fall tournament. it was well run, games were on campus, and the competition was good.
Probably and orange only tournament, Illinois Fusion has a 5/21 weekend event. Don't know much about it. Seems a little smaller, but Bloomington is not hard to get to, and hotels should be reasonable.
There are a couple more listed, but if it was my team, and I wanted a close by hotel tournament, I would go to Little Illini.
MARCH 19-21, Indianapolis
We have had a a group of girls make the pilgrimage to Indy for 3 or 4 years in a row. The Dynamo Round Robin is a good tournament with good competition. If your team wants to jumpstart the season to get games in before league play, this is a good choice. the weather is highly variable, but can be good. Make sure you accurately describe your team, because the top bracket will be tough. www.dynamoroundrobin.org/
The Red Lion Invitational http://www.fcpride.org/tournaments/redlion/index_E.html looks like a good tournament for top teams. In looking at it, I would think the competition level at the highest bracket would be very good. There are multiple tiers in every level. great soccer complex, so fields should be top notch.
There are so many WI tournaments that I can not wade through them all. If you are interested in going to WI, let me know, and I will research a little for you. There are a bunch of good options for white and silver teams in WI!
Usually I do not recommend WI tournaments in the spring because of the weather. But...every team that we have that has gone to a WI has enjoyed it. Hotels are reasonable, and the clubs usually have a great community feel.
Reddan Soccer Park is the home of Madison Soccer and they offer a bunch of professionally run tournaments. Madison is a quick trip, and hotels are inexpensive and plentiful. Highly recommended.
April 17-18 Kenosha BOYS ONLY
UW Parkside Puma Classic. Interesting in that it is somehow a ONE DAY three game guarantee. Close by. Might merit a look.
let me know if you need help. I am happy to do so.
