Effective August 2017, the grouping of players will also change
nationwide, with encouraged adoption of best practices in August of
2016. U.S. Soccer will go back to calendar birth years to align with
international standards and Youth National Team programs.
US Youth Soccer will implement the best practice of calendar
year age grouping for player registration beginning with the 2016-2017
soccer year for US Youth Soccer programs and competitions.
Using the school calendar for age groups is practiced only in the
United States and Canada; as all other FIFA members go by the calendar
year.
Previously, age groups were determined based on players born between
Aug. 1 and July 31. The change to calendar year age groups will reflect
the calendar year, or Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Players are still allowed to
“play up” or play in an older age group.
US Youth Soccer, a respected leader in player development for more
than 40 years, has seen the evolution of the game and various changes.
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has used the birth year
for the grouping of players since it was established in 1977. In fact,
the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sport, awarded at
the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships also shows the history
of teams named for their calendar year age group.
Read more about the Player Development Initiative.
Calendar Year Age Matrix 2016-2025 [Download PDF]
