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U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) collectively announced a major update to age group formation that will take effect beginning with the 2026–27 seasonal year. This change moves away from the current calendar-year (January–December) model and returns to a seasonal-year (August–July) model for age grouping for most soccer programs.
To be eligible to participate in U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and ECNL league play and competitions, FC DELCO must be compliant with this change. We understand that transitions like this can bring questions and concerns, and we want to assure you that our staff is already working through the details to develop the best processes to support players and families.
What is changing?
As of the 2026–27 season, age groups will be defined by a seasonal model that starts on August 1 and ends on July 31 of the following year.
Age groups are currently defined by a birth year model that starts on January 1 and ends of December 31 of the same year. This was mandated by U.S. Soccer in 2017 to align with FIFA international standards.
MLS Next Homegrown teams will continue to define age groups according to the calendar year (January-December) model.
Who is making this change and why?
The largest youth soccer governing bodies (i.e., U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and AYSO) agreed to move to the seasonal or ‘school year’ model and align youth soccer with the academic calendar.
This structure better supports player development and team formation by aligning age groups with graduation year. Better alignment with school-grade peers will also reduce the number of ‘trapped’ players and improve the college recruiting process.
Who will be affected?
MLS Next Academy Division, ECNL, ECNL Regional, NAL and USYS Pre-Academy teams will shift to seasonal (August-July) age group formations.
MLS Next Homegrown will remain with the birth year (January-December) age group model.
As a result of this change, team formation will look different for the 2026-27 year. Many players will remain with the same teammates and classmates with whom they currently play. Some players born later in the year (August-December) may repeat an age group in a manner that aligns them more closely with school peers.
Technical staff will take individual player development needs into consideration when considering age group placement. We are working diligently to ensure a smooth transition for the 2026-27 season.
The chart below shows age group definitions for all programs except MLS Next Homegrown.
| Season | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
| Age Group | Birthdates | Birthdates | Birthdates |
| U7 | AUG 1, 2019 - JULY 31, 2020 | AUG 1, 2020 - JULY 31, 2021 | AUG 1, 2021 - JULY 31, 2022 |
| U8 | AUG 1, 2018 - JULY 31, 2019 | AUG 1, 2019 - JULY 31, 2020 | AUG 1, 2020 - JULY 31, 2021 |
| U9 | AUG 1, 2017 - JULY 31, 2018 | AUG 1, 2018 - JULY 31, 2019 | AUG 1, 2019 - JULY 31, 2020 |
| U10 | AUG 1, 2016 - JULY 31, 2017 | AUG 1, 2017 - JULY 31, 2018 | AUG 1, 2018 - JULY 31, 2019 |
| U11 | AUG 1, 2015 - JULY 31, 2016 | AUG 1, 2016 - JULY 31, 2017 | AUG 1, 2017 - JULY 31, 2018 |
| U12 | AUG 1, 2014 - JULY 31, 2015 | AUG 1, 2015 - JULY 31, 2016 | AUG 1, 2016 - JULY 31, 2017 |
| U13 | AUG 1, 2013 - JULY 31, 2014 | AUG 1, 2014 - JULY 31, 2015 | AUG 1, 2015 - JULY 31, 2016 |
| U14 | AUG 1, 2012 - JULY 31, 2013 | AUG 1, 2013 - JULY 31, 2014 | AUG 1, 2014 - JULY 31, 2015 |
| U15 | AUG 1, 2011 - JULY 31, 2012 | AUG 1, 2012 - JULY 31, 2013 | AUG 1, 2013 - JULY 31, 2014 |
| U16 | AUG 1, 2010 - JULY 31, 2011 | AUG 1, 2011 - JULY 31, 2012 | AUG 1, 2012 - JULY 31, 2013 |
| U17 | AUG 1, 2009 - JULY 31, 2010 | AUG 1, 2010 - JULY 31, 2011 | AUG 1, 2011 - JULY 31, 2012 |
| U18 | AUG 1, 2008 - JULY 31, 2009 | AUG 1, 2009 - JULY 31, 2010 | AUG 1, 2010 - JULY 31, 2011 |
| U19 | AUG 1, 2007 - JULY 31, 2008 | AUG 1, 2008 - JULY 31, 2009 | AUG 1, 2009 - JULY 31, 2010 |
What competitions does this affect?
The change will apply to all USYS-sanctioned leagues, tournaments and Cup competitions as well as to US Club-sanctioned leagues and competitions (ECNL and ECNL Regional leagues). It will not apply to MLS Next Homegrown activities which will remain based on birth year age group formations.
How is FC DELCO preparing?
Our club leadership and coaching staff are currently (1) reviewing all current rosters and birthdates to project how the shift will affect teams at each level; (2) designing a process for new school year team tryouts and evaluations for the 2026-27 season; (3) operating our 2026 Summer Select program using the new age group definitions; and (4) communicating clearly and early so all families know the timeline and rationale involved.
If you have any questions please reach out to your current coach or program director.
What’s next?
We appreciate a transition like this can bring questions and concerns. Our leadership has been working through details to develop the best processes to support players and families.
We are continuously monitoring updates from U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer to ensure we remain compliant with the new rules.
We will share more information, timelines, and next steps as they become available. In the meantime, please know that we are committed to providing the best experience for our members and helping every player continue to grow, develop and thrive within FC DELCO.
A Note for Interested ECNL Players:
Tryouts are club neutral and all players are welcome. Due to an ECNL/ECRL TRYOUT RULE, if you play on a current U13-U19 ECNL or ECNL REGIONAL team (born August 1, 2007 to July 31, 2013) other than FC DELCO, you will need written permission from your club to tryout for those teams prior to May 1. Without written permission, you cannot try out until May 1 or later. The only exception to this rule is if you were born after July 31, 2013, in which case you can try out for the Rising U13 and U12 age groups.
** Tryout Registration for the ’26/’27 season is Open with Dates Coming Soon. Click HERE TO REGISTER **
Boys Tryouts and Girls Tryouts Schedules will be posted soon.
If you’re a young goalkeeper, there is no better place to train and grow! In fact, our goalkeepers have the opportunity to train an additional two times per week!
** Tryout Registration for the ’26/’27 season is Open with Dates Coming Soon. Click HERE TO REGISTER **
