Eugene Metro FC is committed to providing the best possible development environment for our players, and we want to keep you informed about a significant change coming to youth soccer age group registration starting with the upcoming 2026-2027 season.
After extensive feedback from clubs, coaches, parents, and players across the country, US Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, and AYSO have decided to shift from the current calendar birth year system (January 1 – December 31) back to a seasonal system (August 1 – July 31). This change aims to better align soccer teams with school grade levels, allowing more players to compete alongside their classmates and reducing the challenges faced by “trapped players” (those whose birthdays cause them to be separated from grade-level peers at key transition points like 8th grade or high school senior year). In order to be eligible to participate in US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer leagues and competitions, Eugene Metro FC must be compliant with this change.
The 2025-2026 season will remain under the current birth year rules. In our annual tryouts in May of 2026, we will form teams with the new August 1 – July 31 cutoff to ensure compliance with ECNL, GA and OYSA and all larger youth soccer organizations (US Soccer, US Club, US Youth)
How This Affects EMFC Teams by League
EMFC competes in a variety of leagues, and listed below is a breakdown of how the age group change will impact leagues and age groups for the 2026-2027 season and beyond:
What This Means for Your Player
- Players born August 1 – December 31 will generally “move down” an age group.
- Players born January 1 – July 31 will generally “move up” an age group.
- Teams will now span two calendar birth years (e.g., a U12 team might include players born August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015, plus any approved play-up/play-down exceptions).
Age Group Chart 2026/2027 Season
| Age Group | Birth Date Range (2026-27 Season) | EMFC Team Name | Gender | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U19 | Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 2009 | EMFC 2008 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U17 | Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010 | EMFC 2009 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U16 | Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011 | EMFC 2010 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U15 | Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012 | EMFC 2011 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U14 | Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013 | EMFC 2012 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U13 | Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014 | EMFC 2013 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U12 | Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015 | EMFC 2014 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U11 | Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2016 | EMFC 2015 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U10 | Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017 | EMFC 2016 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U9 | Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 2018 | EMFC 2017 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U8 | Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 2019 | EMFC 2018 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
| U7 | Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 2020 | EMFC 2019 | B/G | ECNL/RL/GA/Aspire/OYSA |
Why is this change happening?
What is changing?
Starting with the 2026-27 season, youth soccer will move from the current calendar-year (January-December) model to a seasonal-year (August-July) model for age grouping.
Current System: Birth year (January 1 – December 31)
New System: Seasonal year (August 1 – July 31) U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO agreed to this change based on extensive research and feedback.
When exactly does this change take effect?
The new August 1 – July 31 system starts with the 2026-2027 seasonal year (fall 2026 tryouts and registration). The entire 2025-2026 season remains under the current birth year rules.
What are the primary benefits for the new age group cut offs?
Social Development: Aligning age group cut-offs with school calendars groups most players with their classmates, helping build stronger bonds and relationships on and off the field which will positively impact the overall player experience and social aspect of the game.
Increased Continuity and Age Appropriate Opportunities for All Players: Aligning with the school calendars and grouping more players with their classmates works in both directions.
- Reduces the number of “trapped” players who are forced to play in an older age group due to discrepancies between soccer age cut-offs and school year cut-offs. (These are players who are in 8th grade when the majority of their teammates are in 9th grade.) “Trapped” players experience disruptions in their 8th grade year while older teammates play high school in the winter, and again their senior year when the majority of their team graduates and they move to a younger team for
their final season. - Reduces the number of “force ups.” These are players who are forced to play up in an older soccer age group against their biological age if they want the experience of playing with their classmates
While there is no way to completely eliminate instances of trapped players and force-ups, the August 1 – July 31 is the most effective way to reduce these structural frictions and ensure greater continuity, fair opportunities, and age-appropriate experiences in youth soccer. It places more players in the right place, at the right time, with the right teammates, resulting in both performance enhancing benefits and a more joyful and socially empowering experience.
What if my player “repeats” an age year?
Some players will remain in the same age band during this transition year, this is normal and can be beneficial:
– More touches on the ball
– Right-sized fields
– Improved 11v11 readiness
– Physical and emotional confidence for later developers
Do players try out only in their true age group?
Players may attend any tryout with the permission of Director (as long as they are age-eligible), but the club will place each player in the most appropriate group based on developmental needs. We strongly encourage all players to try out in their true age group first. Directors may pre-approve players for evaluation with an older group.
What is the club’s play-up policy under the new cutoff?
We know some players, especially those with August or early-September birthdays, may not align perfectly with their grade level because school districts may have different cut offs. Our directors will review each situation case by case to find the best developmental and social fit for each player. The goal is always to keep kids challenged and comfortable, whether that means staying with classmates or training within their natural age group. Below are some thoughts:
- Currently your player is young on his/her birth year team playing with or against players 7-8 months older. In the grade year, playing up will make your child potentially playing with or against kids 12 to 13 months older. It will change most likely which level of team your player will be placed.
- If an August or early September birthday aligns with new age group and grade, we do recommend that players stay with it to avoid awkward situations in 8th grade or in Senior year.
What if my player’s birth date and school grade don’t align?
Our approach remains case-by-case. Play-up requests are reviewed by the head coach and club directors, considering:
– Technical and tactical ability
– Physical readiness
– Social and emotional maturity
Our philosophy remains the same: most players develop best in their true age group. On our most competitive teams, we form the strongest possible age-specific pools. On our least competitive teams, placement may occasionally reflect family or community factors.
Will players with summer birthdays who started school later miss their senior season?
No. They will still be able to play their senior year. At the older levels, U18 and U19 teams are combined, ensuring that players with summer birthdays who started school later still have a place to compete through graduation. For example, players born in July 2009 who are currently sophomores will be U18 in 2026–27, but since that league combines U18/19, they will play their senior year with full eligibility.
How can parents help their players prepare for tryouts?
Tryouts can be stressful, we understand and empathize. The benefit of being part of Eugene Metro FC is that evaluations are ongoing throughout the year, not limited to two days of tryouts.
If your child has an off day, our staff already has the previous year’s training and game observations to consider. Our coaches have been in your child’s shoes; we value care, compassion, and fairness in every placement decision.
Will I need to buy a new uniform?
No, unless you are a new player to the club. This change happens in the middle of our two-year uniform cycle. We are entering the second year of a our two-year kit, so only new players will purchase a new uniform for the 2026–27 season.
What about jersey numbers?
We assigned last year’s numbers in groups based on birthdays and we hope to have eliminated most jersey conflicts. Once we have formed our new teams we will assign new and open numbers to to brand new players.
