Your Player's
Next Level.

Competitive evaluations (U9–U19) are 90-minute sessions running 6:00–7:30 PM, with check-in opening at 5:30 PM. Held at Indian Trail or Eastman Park. Players are assessed on technical skills, tactical understanding, athleticism, and attitude; results are shared within a week.

Rec & Tribe assessments are a lighter-weight process used to build balanced teams — not to cut anyone. Every player who registers for Rec Soccer has a team. Dress to play with cleats, shin guards, and a water bottle for either.

Evaluations for the 2026-27 season have concluded. If your player missed them, email admin@ahunited.com and we'll arrange an individual evaluation — acceptance onto a team will depend on roster space and team needs.

Rec Soccer ($45–$85) covers assessments, 8 weeks of practices and games, referees, field use, a team jersey, and an end-of-season award. Tribe Soccer ($225–$235 + uniform kit) covers 11 weeks of licensed coaching, house league play, and TN Valley Soccer League games.

Competitive club fees ($950–$1,100/year depending on age) cover professional coaching, year-round training, facility use, and club administration. Uniform kit (~$150–$250), league fees (~$75–$200), tournament entry fees, and shared coach travel for away games are paid separately and are not included in the club fee. Club fees can be paid in monthly installments at 0% interest.

A $30 sibling discount applies to each additional child from the same household in Rec/Tribe. See the Fees section for the full breakdown.

Competitive and Tribe Soccer fees can be paid in monthly installments at 0% interest — no financing charges, no credit check. Payment processing fees may apply. Our standard plan splits the fee across the season, with auto-draft supported through PlayMetrics. Custom payment schedules are available on request.

Rec Soccer and Adult League fees are paid in full at registration (the amounts are small enough that installment plans don't make sense).

Separate costs like uniform kit, league fees, and tournament entries follow their own payment timelines and are communicated up front.

Yes. Every kid in our community deserves the chance to play — regardless of race, gender, creed, or income. To request financial aid, log in to PlayMetrics, navigate to Club Programs in the left-hand menu, click the Financial Aid tab, then click Request Financial Aid. All inquiries are confidential. Questions? Email admin@ahunited.com.

Rec Soccer practice cadence varies by age: U4 meets once a week on Saturdays; U5–U15 meet twice a week (one weekday + Saturday); U16–U19 meet once a week on Mondays. Tribe Soccer teams meet 2–3 times per week plus Saturdays (with occasional Sunday games). Competitive travel teams practice 2–3 times per week and attend 4–6 tournaments per season across Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and regional events.

It depends on age. U9–U12 competitive teams are organized by home city — Kingsport-based players train and play home games at Eastman Park, Johnson City players at Winged Deer Park. Younger players stay close to home. Starting at U13, teams combine players from both cities to build stronger, deeper rosters. Home venue (Eastman or Winged Deer) is set flexibly based on roster geography and field availability. Rec Soccer (all ages) remains at Eastman Park in Kingsport.

Johnson City FC and Tri-Cities United are combining into Appalachian Highlands United starting with the 2026-27 season. This means more players, stronger teams, better coaching depth, and a unified pathway from grassroots to elite. For a detailed breakdown of what the merger means for current and prospective players, read the full merger FAQ.

Our competitive teams play in state leagues under US Club Soccer and/or Tennessee State Soccer Association affiliations, with select teams competing at regional levels. Specific league placements vary by age and skill level and are finalized after evaluations. Details on each team's competitive pathway are shared with families during team placement.

Every player who wants to play has a home at AH United. If a player isn't selected for a competitive team, we'll help place them in our recreational program or connect them with supplemental training opportunities to continue developing. The goal is growth — not elimination.

AH United runs on the efforts of volunteers — team managers, board members, tournament volunteers, and community partners. All on-field volunteers must complete the US Soccer Safe Soccer Clearance Program annually. To volunteer as a coach, sign up during registration or email admin@ahunited.com.

Rec Soccer: Players may make one mutual friend request during registration. Multiple friend requests will be ignored, and the friend requested must also list your player. We make every effort to honor these requests, but with high registration numbers it isn't always possible.

Competitive and Tribe: No teammate or coach requests. Teams are set by our coaching staff based on evaluations, age group, and player development needs. This protects the integrity of the evaluation process and the balance of each team.

Adult League: Players may register as a full team or a small group by providing a team name.

Parents may request their child play up one age group by written request. The request is evaluated by the relevant Age Group Coordinator with input from the Director. If approved, the player is transferred to the new age group. Per US Youth Soccer Association regulations, players cannot play in age groups younger than their true age.

Rec Soccer: athletic wear, socks, shin guards, soccer cleats, a soccer ball, and a water bottle. Team jersey is provided by the first game day.

Tribe Soccer: uniform kit (ordered separately), black shorts, black and white socks, shin guards, cleats, ball, water bottle.

Competitive: full club uniform kit (ordered separately, includes jersey, shorts, socks, and training top), shin guards, cleats, soccer ball, and water bottle. Kit details and ordering instructions are shared with families at team placement.

Adult Rec: athletic wear, cleats, shin guards with socks. Jerseys are agreed on by the team.

Ball sizes: Size 3 for U4–U8, Size 4 for U9–U12, Size 5 for U13+.

We use these guidelines when making cancellation calls: sessions may be rescheduled or canceled if the forecast wind chill is below 40°F, or if rain is expected with wind chill below 45°F. Drizzle or light rain will not automatically cancel a session. Decisions are based on the Weather Channel hourly forecast. Cancellations are communicated through PlayMetrics and posted on Facebook when time permits. Dress in layers.

Refund requests are considered on a case-by-case basis for illness or injury, unexpected life circumstances (such as job relocation), or a first-week misjudgment of level of play. Requests made more than 3 weeks into a season, or after a player has been terminated for a behavior violation, are not considered. To start a refund request, email recdir@ahunited.com.

Competitive club fees reflect a season-long commitment — they fund coaching contracts, league registrations, and facility bookings that are finalized at the start of the year. As a result, competitive fees are generally non-refundable once the season begins.

Refunds are considered only in exceptional circumstances (serious injury, family relocation, or similar) and require approval by the Board of Directors. If approved, refunds are pro-rated based on the time remaining in the season and costs already committed on behalf of the player.

To submit a refund request, email admin@ahunited.com with your player's name, team, and the reason for the request.

All registration, team assignments, schedules, and team communication happen through PlayMetrics. Players and coaches are typically assigned to teams 1–2 weeks after assessments. Check your PlayMetrics communication settings — it's our primary channel for updates.

School soccer can make scheduling challenging for senior players, so our schedules are built around it. Boys and Virginia Girls teams begin training in July, with their primary competitive season running through February. Tennessee Girls teams begin training following the conclusion of the school season in late October and compete through May. These adjusted schedules let our teams participate in leagues, tournaments, and college showcases during key recruiting periods while balancing school commitments.

Competitive teams must be formed early to register for leagues, tournaments, and college showcases. Waiting until after the school season could limit roster availability and prevent teams from participating in certain events. Uniforms and other administrative requirements also need to be completed well in advance so players are registered and ready for competition.

Please contact the club and we'll arrange an evaluation opportunity. Acceptance onto a team will depend on roster space and team needs at that time. Email admin@ahunited.com.

State policies and family choices can reduce the number of club players available for games when school soccer is in season. Students may continue practicing with their club team during this period, and the club continues offering technical training for players not participating in school soccer (or those wanting extra training). Teams with enough active players may also keep competing in leagues and tournaments. Because Virginia girls' high school soccer is played in the spring while Tennessee girls compete in the fall, there are opportunities for combined teams to participate during each state's school season.

TSSAA, the governing body for Tennessee high school soccer, and some local schools limit the availability of Tennessee high school players during their school season. These rules may prevent certain club players from competing with their club team while their high school season is underway. Successful off-season participation requires clear, early communication with coaches about potential conflicts. Families should anticipate a modest additional cost to cover increased training and competition entry fees, and participation is determined case-by-case in coordination with the Director of Soccer, coaching staff, players, and families.

With scheduled evaluations now complete for 2026-27, email admin@ahunited.com and a member of our staff will reach out to schedule an individual evaluation that works for your family. Acceptance onto a team depends on roster space and team needs.

Schedules vary by team based on age group, competitive level, coach recommendations, and player interest. Teams pursuing college recruiting opportunities will typically attend multiple showcase events throughout the season.

Absolutely. While showcase opportunities are available for players interested in collegiate soccer, our senior programming supports a variety of goals — player development, competition, fitness, friendships, and continued enjoyment of the game.

We understand many senior athletes play school soccer, other sports, and have additional school activities. That said, club soccer is a team commitment requiring significant planning, scheduling, travel, and financial investment from all families. Frequent absences or ongoing conflicts can impact training quality, roster availability, and the experience for the whole team. Players anticipating conflicts — such as multiple sports during the club season — should discuss them with the Director of Soccer and their coach so roster planning and expectations can be managed. AHU supports school soccer programs and encourages families to make the best decisions for those programs; academic commitments like band and choral concerts should also remain priorities. Clear, early communication with coaches about conflicts is extremely important.