LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — At 8 p.m. on a Sunday, most people are winding down.
But 30 soccer players at Red Rose Arena in Lancaster County must notch things up to an elite level for a tryout with the Harrisburg Heat.
"If they can play, you move them on. If it's one, it's one. If it's zero, it's zero. But you don't know who's going to go," claimed Heat Head Coach Pat Healey. "You're just trying to find guys or good soccer players who want to learn, want to get better and move them to the next level because this isn't the test. The test is next week."
The test Coach Healey is talking about is training camp with the actual Heat players.
But before they can step on that turf, they have to step up and impress Harrisburg's high-ups, as word of a tryout with a pro team casts a pretty wide net.
"We have a guy that we like and showed off very well from Indiana. Sometimes your network draws to other people. We've had guys from Chicago sign. We've had guys from Buffalo. We've had guys from pretty much everywhere," laughed Healey.
With some of the talent that the players in purple have had over the years, it's a strong network, filled with references for former college, club, and pro players who are eager for the chance to prove themselves.
"We do a good job networking to get some players that we wouldn't normally reach sometimes, but this is a time that they can come in," said Healey.
In the past, Harrisburg has signed a player from the combine that is now an all-star in the league. The turnaround for players who find out they're getting an invite to the training camp is a lot like the pace of indoor soccer.
"It's quick," Healey said. "A lot of guys we talk to right after. For some, you know, I have a nice little hour ride so I can make those phone calls, but a lot of guys know by the end of the night."
After all, all players and coaches around the Major Arena Soccer League are feeling the heat, with the season kicking off next month.