IMPORTANT UPDATE to YOUTH SOCCER AGE GROUPS
Read on for everything you need to know about the Birth Year to Seasonal Year (Aug 1 – July 31) Registration Transition
What's changing?
Beginning with the 2026–2027 season, U.S. Soccer has approved a new way to group players by age.
At the February 2025 U.S. Soccer Youth Council meeting, the three national youth soccer organizations — US Youth Soccer (USYS), AYSO, and US Club Soccer — agreed to move from calendar birth year age groups to a Seasonal Year age group system.
Under this new system, players will be grouped by birthdates from August 1 to July 31, instead of January 1 to December 31.
When does the change happen?
2025–2026 Season
- No changes
- Players will continue to be grouped by calendar birth year (January 1 – December 31)
2026–2027 Registration
Registration opens May 1, 2026
This is when the new Seasonal Year age groups begin
2026–2027 Season and Beyond
The Seasonal Year system (August 1 – July 31) will be fully in effect
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR LAKE COUNTRY FOOTBALL CLUB
Starting with the 2026–2027 season, LCFC will place players based on the Seasonal Year age grouping, not calendar birth year.
This aligns our club with national standards used across U.S. Soccer.
Please scroll below for additional details.
| Age Group | Birth Date |
|---|---|
| U5 | August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022 |
| U6 | August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021 |
| U7 | August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020 |
| U8 | August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019 |
| U9 | August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018 |
| U10 | August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017 |
| U11 | August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016 |
| U12 | August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015 |
| U13 | August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014 |
| U14 | August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013 |
| U15 | August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012 |
| U16 | August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011 |
| U17 | August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010 |
| U18 | August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009 |
| U19 | August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008 |
What's Changing?
For the 2026-2027 seasonal year and beyond, LCFC will use the Seasonal Year age grouping August 1st – July 31st (instead of the Birth Year). This means players will be grouped based on their Seasonal Year rather than their Birth Year.
Who made this change?
In early 2025, the governing bodies of soccer in the US – USYS, US Club, and US Soccer – made the decision to shift to the August 1-July 31 age group.
Why the change from Birth year to Seasonal year?
Per US Soccer, this change ensures that all players, both competitive and recreational, have a greater opportunity to play with their friends from school. By aligning with the Seasonal Year, US Soccer is fostering stronger team chemistry, a better player experience, and a more inclusive playing environment!
This change also significantly reduces “trapped players”. A “trapped player” plays in an older soccer age group than their school grade – for example 6th grade Fall birthdays playing with 7th grade Spring birthdays. These players become “trapped” when their teammates transition to high school soccer, leaving the younger player without a club team for half the year.
What does this mean for LCFC?
The 2025/2026 season will be the last one in which WYSA (LCFC’s governing body) will register players by their Birth Year. All age groups will stay with their birth year for the 2025/2026 season and move to seasonal registration for the 2026/2027 season.
Will registration now be based on my child’s school grade level?
Not exactly. Age groups will still be based on birth date, not school grade. What is changing is the birth date cutoff:
- Old system: January 1 – December 31
- New system: August 1 – July 31
This means players are grouped by their Seasonal Year birth range, even if their school grade does not match most players in that age group.
Important to know:
If your child is in a grade level that is ahead of or behind their age group, they will still play in the age group that matches their birth date, not their grade.
Example:
A player with an August birthday will fall into the younger age group, even though many classmates may be in the next grade level. This is because the cutoff date is July 31.
Under the new age group structure, my player does not move up. Does this mean they have to repeat an age group?
The updated age group structure is designed to better align soccer age groups with school-year cutoff dates, ensuring players are grouped more closely with their classmates and peers. While it may appear that some players are “repeating” an age group, this realignment simply adjusts the calendar to match the school year. In fact, the additional time in an age group can be highly beneficial – it allows players to further develop their skills, confidence, and leadership before moving to the next level.
Players with birthdays in August through December will not be affected by the change, as they will remain in their current age group for 2026/2027. For example, a player with an October 2016 birth date (current U10) will remain a U10 for the 2026/2027 season.
Will my player be allowed to ‘move up’ with their friends/current teammates if they fall into the lower age group?
We generally encourage players to participate within their designated age group to ensure appropriate development, competition balance, and alignment with the new age group cutoff dates. However, we understand every circumstance is different. Requests for players to “play up” with an older age group will be reviewed on an individual basis and considered in collaboration with directors, coaches and Club leadership.
What will LCFC's policy on playing up an age group be for the 2026/2027 season and beyond?
LCFC U5-U15 Recreational (non tryout based) players will form teams based on the new seasonal year structure.
For U11-U19 Competitive players (this includes U10 players trying out for U11 the following year), we will adhere to our current policy for players playing up an age group.
- The family must submit a request to info@lakecountryfc.com to have their player try out an age group older by May 15th, 2026
- Request approved by Club Director based on current coach recommendation along with the player’s physical, psychological, technical, and tactical skills (based on the players at the older age group.) The Club Director will evaluate the player prior to tryouts either at their current team practice or game.
- If approved, the player must attend both tryout nights for the older age group and their own age group.
- The player must fall within the top 5 of the older age group to be placed in the older age group.
Is there anything coaches should be aware of with this change?
Coaches may find more success in bringing new players to their teams that are classmates of their current players. It is highly encouraged for coaches within the same club to collaborate with each other to consider which players may potentially be adjusting to a new team with new teammates
Will LCFC try to keep 2025/2026 U5-U15 recreational teams intact for the 2026/2027 season?
Recreational teams are formed new each season, including the 2026–2027 season.
Just like in past fall seasons — regardless of the age-group changes — teams are created based on:
- The number of registered players
- Age group (U level) and gender
- Overall program needs
Teams are assigned by the Recreational Director.
Team or coach requests can be submitted during registration. While LCFC will do its best to consider these requests, they cannot be guaranteed.
When will 2026/2027 player placement take place?
Information on registration and tryouts will be published in early 2026
I have more questions: who should I contact?
We are here to help every family understand the new seasonal year registration. Recognizing that change can be difficult, and that families may have additional questions, please direct further questions to our Club Director, Matt Drago, at matt@lakecountryfc.com or fill out one of our contact forms.