Understanding U.S. Soccer Age Group Changes for the Upcoming Season
Starting when teams form in Spring of 2026, U.S. Soccer will require youth soccer leagues, clubs and teams to shift away from the current calendar-year system (where players are grouped strictly by birth year) and return to a traditional school-year format.
Under this approach, age groups will once again follow the familiar August–July cutoff, similar to how teams were structured in the United States almost a decade ago. This update is intended to better align players with their academic peers and create a more developmentally consistent experience across youth soccer.
This page explains the new age group definitions and date ranges, describes how this may affect team placement and tryouts, and emphasizes that the club will support families through the transition. Coaches and directors will be available before tryouts to discuss the changes.
Changes for the 2026/2027 Season
| Age Group | Birthdate Range | Game Format |
|---|---|---|
| U8 | August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019 | 4v4 |
| U9 | August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018 | 7v7 |
| U10 | August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017 | 7v7 |
| U11 | August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016 | 9v9 |
| U12 | August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015 | 9v9 |
| U13 | August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014 | 11v11 |
| U14 | August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013 | 11v11 |
| U15 | August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012 | 11v11 |
| U16 | August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011 | 11v11 |
| U17 | August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010 | 11v11 |
| U19 | August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2009 | 11v11 |
Example: A player born on September 15, 2012 and is currently a U14 will again be a U14 in the 2026/27 seasonal year; a player born July 26, 2012 and is a current U14 will be a U15 under the new seasonal year age group.
We're here to support your family
As youth soccer shifts back to school-age groupings, we want families to know that MIFC will guide your family through the transition as best we can. Coaches will be available to meet with families ahead of tryouts to discuss each player’s individual situation and share what we believe is the best developmental path forward.
General Guidance on Age Groups
Our position is that players should be placed with their appropriate school-age peer group, as this typically provides the greatest developmental and social benefits. That said, a small number of players may continue with an older group based on their contributions and talent within top teams.
Team Placement Remains Merit-Based
Tryouts are an important part of team selection, but they are not the only factor. For players already in the club, coaches consider the full year of performance, effort, and development leading into tryouts. For new players, tryouts are key, as they provide our staff the opportunity to evaluate players they have not previously coached. If a player chooses, based on consultation with coach and club, to pursue the older age group, they will need to earn their spot based on merit—just as they would in any other year.
Focused on the Right Fit
Above all, our goal is to help every player land in an environment where they can grow, thrive, and feel confident. We’ll provide clarity, options, and steady support to make this transition as smooth and positive as possible.
More Information From Washington Youth Soccer
https://washingtonyouthsoccer.org/resources/age-group-formation/
Frequently Asked Questions
These frequently asked questions were developed through extensive discussions among our club directors and informed by insights gathered from parent focus groups, ensuring they reflect both club priorities and family perspectives.
Are there any exceptions to the new age group structure?
Yes. While MIFC & Eastside FC West will implement the new school-year age groups across the club, there are two limited situations where a player may be placed in an older age group and allowed to play with an older grade. These exceptions are intentional and designed to support player development, continuity, and long-term success.
1. Players already playing with their school classmates
In some cases, the new guidelines would place a player into a younger age group even though they are already in an older school grade and have been training and competing with that peer group. For these players, remaining with their classmates can support confidence, social comfort, and consistency in their development environment. This exception helps avoid unnecessary disruption for players who are already well-established within an older cohort.
2. High performers aged below cutoff
Some players who are key contributors on a team which they will age below may be considered to play up when it is determined that the higher level of challenge better supports their development. These decisions are made thoughtfully, in consultation with the player and family, and are guided by our coaches based on performance, readiness, and long-term growth—not simply age or short-term results. Importantly, no player will be required to play with an older grade; top players may always choose to play in their newly defined age group if that is the best fit for them.
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In all cases, exceptions are limited and handled individually. Our goal is to balance alignment with U.S. Soccer’s guidelines while making development-focused decisions that put players in the best environment to thrive. If you believe your child may fall outside of these two situations, we encourage you to reach out and start a conversation with our coaching staff. While exceptions are limited, we’re always open to thoughtful discussions centered on what’s best for a player’s development.
What if teams are separated, and there are not enough players to form distinct age group teams?
MIFC plans team formation with a focus on supporting our players and maintaining appropriate roster sizes and competitive environments. Each team and age group will be analyzed individually to determine viability, and best pathway options for the players in the pool.
That said, team creation is not unlimited. Teams are formed based on the number of players who attend tryouts and the overall quality, balance, and sustainability of each group.
How will players be evaluated if there are coaching changes or a player moves to a different age group?
We understand that coaching changes—or a player moving into a different age group—can naturally raise questions about how well a coach knows each player. We have thoughtful processes in place to ensure evaluations are fair, informed, and consistent.
Player assessments are never based on a single coach’s perspective. Our coaching staff stays in close communication throughout the year, with current and incoming coaches sharing feedback, evaluations, and observations as part of an ongoing player-pool assessment. This helps create continuity and a shared understanding of each player’s development, strengths, and areas for growth.
In addition, players will have opportunities to train together in group sessions with others in their prospective age group in the months leading up to tryouts. These sessions allow coaches to see players in a shared environment and give players time to become familiar with new coaches and teammates. More details on these sessions will be shared soon.
Our goal is to reduce uncertainty and create multiple touchpoints—well before tryouts—so every player is known, supported, and evaluated within the full context of their development.
How will this affect the way teams are named?
With the updated age group structure, teams will now include players from two different birth years. To keep team names clear and consistent, we’ll likely indicate both years in the team name while keeping the familiar format for gender and level.
Before and After example of likely team name changes:
Before: G15 Maroon (U11) – Girls team for players born in 2015
After: G15/16 Maroon (U11) – Girls team for players born in 2015 and 2016
The familiar “U” naming convention (e.g., U13, U15) will also remain in use for age-specific contexts, so families and players will still see it in schedules, communications, and tournament listings.
What will happen with jersey numbers in the new age groups?
With the new two-year age group cycle, all players will be required to purchase new uniforms. Because of changes to rosters and age groups, some players may move to a team where other players previously had their same historical number.
We’ve developed a fair and equitable approach for assigning numbers, and details will be shared with families prior to tryouts.
