Ocean City Nor'easters Soccer Team to Hold Tryouts at Rutgers-Camden

Ocean City, NJ -- The Ocean City Nor’easters soccer team will hold two tryouts over the next month, the team said on Thursday.

Tryouts will be held at Rutgers University-Camden in Camden, N.J. on Saturday, Dec. 19(Rain date: Sunday, Dec. 20) and Saturday, Jan. 2 (Rain date: Sunday, Jan. 3).

Each session will run from noon until 6 p.m., and each player will be guaranteed at least 90 minutes of evaluation. Specifics regarding times for each player will be provided 24 hours prior to the date of the tryout.

On Dec. 19, the newly-appointed head coach of the USL expansion side Bethlehem Steel FC, Brendan Burkewill be there to evaluate players. Prior to his new position with Bethlehem Steel, Burke was an assistant coach on the Philadelphia Union (MLS) staff from 2011-14, as well as the head coach of long-time Ocean City rival Reading United (PDL) from 2008-13 where he built the club into one of the best in North America.

Attending the tryout on Jan. 2 will be current Philadelphia Union assistant coach, BJ Callaghan. Prior to joining the Union Firstst Team, Callaghan worked as an integral part of their youth academy, in addition to his role as the associate head coach at Villanova University. Callaghan is an A-license coach who specializes in goalkeeper training.

Additional special guests subject to announcement at a later date.

“We are excited to be able offer local players the opportunity to not only be seen by one of the top PDL franchises but by some of the best professional coaches,” Ocean City Nor’easters General Manager Kevin Nuss said. “Brendan and BJ have a proven track record of finding undiscovered talent,”

While the Nor’easters roster is always filled with with top-level college talent from across the country and from around the world, there have been players who have emerged from open tryouts in recent years to make the team’s final roster.

Players who feel they have what it takes to play for one of the best PDL teams in the country should register today as there are limited tryout spots available.

Players will also be evaluated for the Nor’easters highly successful U-23 team, as well as the newly establish U-20 program.

Both the U-23 and U-20 teams will work closely with the PDL staff on a weekly basis. Training and matches for all three teams will take place exclusively in Ocean City.

More information about the U-23 team can be found at www.oceancityfc.com/u23, and for the U-20 program at www.oceancityfc.com/u20.

Interested players can apply and register online here. The tryout is limited to 80 participants, so all interested applicants are urged to apply no later than Dec. 16.

There is a registration fee of $45 for one session or $65 for both sessions, for all applicants who register by Dec. 16. Late applicants will only be reviewed upon availability. The late registration fee will be $65 for one session or $85 for both sessions. In-person registration will not be accepted.

Participates must be at least 18 years of age, due to Rutgers University policy.

All student-athletes must confirm eligibility to participate with their respective college, university or the NCAA.

Anyone interested in trying out or who has any questions should call 609-432-8371, email tryout@oceancityfc.com or visit www.oceancityfc.com/tryout.