YOUTH PLAYER AGE DIVISIONS/BIRTH YEAR AND SEASON MATRIX

Season	2026-27
Birthyear
2021-2022	U5
2020	U6
2019	U7
2018	U8
2017	U9
2016	U10
2015	U11
2014	U12
2013	U13
2012	U14
2011	U15
2010	U16
2009	U17
2008	U18
2007	U19

UNDERSTANDING THE U.S. SOCCER AGE GROUP CHANGES FOR THE UPCOMING 2026-2027 PLAYING CYCLE

Beginning with the new 2026-2027 playing cycle, which start Fall '26, U.S. Soccer is requiring all youth soccer leagues, clubs and teams to shift away from the current calendar-year system (Jan 1 - Dec 31) and return to a traditional school-year format (Aug 1 - Jul 31), similar to how teams were structured 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 as a whole.

GRADE	AGE GROUP	BIRTHDATE
12th Grade	U19	August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2009
11th Grade	U17	August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
10th Grade	U16	August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
9th Grade	U15	August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
8th Grade	U14	August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
7th Grade	U13	August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
6th Grade	U12	August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
5th Grade	U11	August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
4th Grade	U10	August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
3rd Grade	U9	August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
2nd Grade	U8	August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
1st Grade	U7	August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
Kindergarten	U6	August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
Pre-K	U5	August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022

WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY
We know the transition back to school-age groupings brings concern and confusion for a lot of families. We're here to help. Please reach out if you'd like to discuss your players' individual situation.

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. However, a small percentage of players may continue with an older group based on their contributions and talent within top teams.

SELECT 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 Coaching Team the opportunity to evaluate players they have not previously coached. If a player chooses to pursue the older age group, based on consultation with coach and club, 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 for every player to be on a team where they can grow, thrive, and feel confident. We'll provide clarity, options, and steady support to make this transition and smooth and positive as possible.

MORE INFORMATION FROM WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER
For more information: https://washingtonyouthsoccer.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is it changing?
U.S. Soccer is making this transition to better align age groups with school year peers, however, depending on when birthdays fall, there will be some exceptions to this. This playing cycle change will also reduce "trapped player" challenges, improve efficiency in college recruiting, and create a more consistent long-term player development pathway. 

Q: Are there any exceptions to the new age group structure?
Yes, while CFSC 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 with an older grade. These exceptions are intentional and designed to support player development, continuity, and long-term success. 

Exception 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. 

Exception 2- Advanced rec players
Some advanced rec players 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; advanced players may always choose to play in their newly defined age group if that is the best fit for them. 

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 team. While exceptions are limited, we're always open to thoughtful discussions centered on what's best for a player's development.