Hi! I want to try out for my high school’s soccer team this spring. There are three teams–the freshmen team, JV, and Varsity. Because of my age, I would have to make the JV team to be able to play. In other words, I’m not a freshman. I have played soccer for 6 years, so I do have experience. However, I am very out of shape right now and my ball skills aren’t too fabulous. They never have been. My fortes are speed and aggressiveness. I am currently in a league playing for my parish, so I will be fully in shape by November, when we end. What can I do, starting now, to become a better player AND prepare myself for Spring tryouts? Also, what can I do over the winter to stay in shape?
When I say "become a better soccer player," what I mean is, how can I improve my stamina, speed, and ball skills?

Thanks a bunch!

I need to get some new outdoor soccer shoes for my first year of varsity. I was going to look at Soccer Center Ohio, but it recently closed down because of the economy.

Does anyone know a good soccer shop around Cleveland?

What is a better or more competitive playing level? What do you think about the levels of play at high school soccer (jv or varsity), MAPLE league, MASC league, ODP, District Selects, in-town (or city) soccer, and travel soccer?? And what do you think about the way each of the different levels rain at?