How were some players at the soccer try-outs were different from those Paul had met at Erik's football tryouts on August 23rd?

I'm not sure what you mean about the players. Soccer tryouts are held September 1st. Notably, there is a large sprectrum of talent.... some of the players are really good..... others not so good. The biggest difference between football tryouts and soccer tryouts is that boys went home feeling pretty bad if they didn't make the football team. Soccer tryouts, however, were a far more positive experience, as everyone made the team.