Junior Select Introduces 19 Teams to the Rush Pathway This Fall

Rush Soccer's newest Select program will introduce younger players from five regions to new teammates, different coaches, and the broader Rush pathway.

For a young soccer player, joining a team filled with unfamiliar faces can take some adjustment. The expectations are different, the coaching voices are new, and finding chemistry with teammates doesn't happen overnight. Those challenges are part of the experience Rush Soccer hopes to introduce through its new Junior Select program.

Launching this fall, Junior Select will bring together 19 teams from five sub-regions, giving younger players an earlier introduction to the Rush Select pathway and a chance to compete alongside players from other Rush clubs.

"The primary goal of Junior Select is to introduce younger players to the Rush Select pathway and give them a Rush National experience earlier in their development," said Jacob Lissek of Rush Select.

The inaugural program includes teams from the Northwest, Central Midwest, Upper Midwest, East Central, and Southeast regions. The process began with local sub-regional tryouts, where coaches evaluated players while introducing families to the Select pathway.

For those participating, the experience will involve adjusting to unfamiliar teammates, learning from different coaches, and competing in a new environment. It will also introduce players to Rush traditions, chants, and Core Values that connect clubs throughout the organization.

"We want players to understand that they are part of something bigger than just their local club and begin building connections with players and coaches from across their region," Lissek explained.

Those relationships could become increasingly valuable as players progress through future Rush Select programs.

The opening event takes place November 6-8 at the Midwest Junior Championships for the Central Midwest region. The Upper Midwest and East Central regions follow November 13-15 at the Midwest November Cup and Adidas Clash.

Gulf Coast Juniors hosts the Southeast region December 4-6, with the Northwest concluding the inaugural schedule at the Next Gen Cup on December 12-13.

For Rush Select, the first season will also be a chance to learn. Organizers plan to evaluate the identification process, event structure, and overall player experience before making adjustments for future years.

With 19 teams participating in its debut, Junior Select offers an early look at how Rush can connect younger players across its regional network. The coming events will provide the first real opportunity to see how that vision translates onto the field.

Learn more about our Jr. Select & Rush Select programs by visiting: https://www.rushsoccer.com/rush-select