Question 1

Why is it changing?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Are there any exceptions to the new age group structure?

Accepted Answer

Yes, while Valor Soccer 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- Some top contributors/starters on A teams

Some players who are key contributors on A teams 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.

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

Question 3

What if players are moved into a younger age group and there aren't currently enough teams to support everyone?

Accepted Answer

Valor Soccer plans team formation with a focus on supporting our competitive-level players and maintaining appropriate roster sizes and competitive environments. As age groups rebalance under the new formation structure, additional teams may be formed at certain age groups when there is sufficient depth to support a true competitive experience.

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.  For players currently rostered on Valor Soccer competitive teams, there is a strong likelihood that an appropriate placement will continue to be available, provided they attend tryouts and meet team standards. As always, final team formation depends on tryout participation and evaluations.

Question 4

How will players be evaluated if there are coaching changes or a player moves to a different age group?

Accepted Answer

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.

Our goal is to reduce uncertainty and create multiple touchpoints so every player is known, supported, and evaluated within the full context of their development.

Question 5

How will this change affect the way teams are named?

Accepted Answer

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 keep the familiar format for gender and level, while dropping the birth year.

Before and After example of team names: 
 • Before: G10 (U16) GA Aspire- Elite girls team for players born in 2010
 • After: G U17 GA Aspire- Elite team for players born in 2010 & 2009

Additional identifiers like Elite, Gold, Black, Grey, Select, etc. will stay the same.

Question 6

Will this impact college recruiting?

Accepted Answer

This change will not negatively impact college recruiting. College coaches evaluate players based on their performance, development, and potential, not the exact age grouping of their club team.

For players already in the club, their body of work over the previous year; training, games, tournaments, and coach feedback, will continue to be the primary factor in college recruiting exposure. For new players, tryouts provide the opportunity to demonstrate skills and fit within the club environment.

Additionally, Valor Soccer will continue to provide structured recruiting support through workshops, panels and guidance for players and families. The new age group system may actually provide more consistent training and development opportunities by balancing teams across two birth years, helping players continue to grow in a competitive and supportive environment.

Question 7

What will happen with jersey numbers int he new age groups?

Accepted Answer

Since we are within the same playing cycle, numbers will be staying the same with minimal overlap. New players will be assigned available numbers.

Understanding U.S Soccer Age Group Changes for the Upcoming 2026/27 Playing Cycle

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.

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.

New Age Alignment for the 2026/27+ Playing Cycles

*Grade of Most Players at Tryouts. Some players may not align, see FAQs below for questions.

Calculation Tool

We're Here to Support Your Family

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

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

For more information: https://washingtonyouthsoccer.org/resources/age-group-formation/

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