This is pretty much the same drill for all paying clubs especially as the kids get older. There are established teams with a few spots available on each team because of kids that leave or to replace kids that didn't perform well. Even the clubs that call themselves "not for profit" are charging for tryouts where there are only a few spots available. With Express the odds for making a team are worse because so many people come to the tryouts because they want to play for Express. The other clubs would take the same money if they had the turnout. Express does a great tryout and has many paid evaluators that they have to compensate. Many of the "not for profits" have parent coaches evaluating and they are still charging something, many $50 and up.

It's pretty simple, kids have to stand out to take a spot from an existing player at any of these tryouts. Express is harder because there are more kids at the tryout. If they do something to get noticed, they will have their choice of clubs even if there are 100 kids at the tryout.