As we prepare for the upcoming Spring season and look ahead to Fall, we want to take the time to clearly explain an important nationwide change coming to youth soccer and how East Bay United Soccer Club is approaching it.

What Is the Age Group Realignment?

US Club Soccer has announced a return to school-year–based age groups, reverting to the pre-2017 age group chart. This means players will now be grouped based on their school year rather than calendar year of birth.

The goal of this change is to better align youth soccer with the school experience, allowing players to train and compete with classmates and peers they see every day. This approach is widely viewed as more developmentally appropriate and socially beneficial for players.

Who Will Be Impacted?

• U-6, Born between Aug 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021
• U-7, Born between Aug 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020
• U-8, Born between Aug 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019
• U-9, Born between Aug 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018
• U-10, Born between Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017
• U-11, Born between Aug 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016
• U-12, Born between Aug 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015
• U-13, Born between Aug 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014
• U-14, Born between Aug 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013
• U-15, Born between Aug 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012
• U-16, Born between Aug 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011
• U-17, Born between Aug 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010
• U-19, Born between Aug 1, 2007 – July 31, 2009

Who Will Be Impacted?

This change will affect all youth players, but it will be most noticeable for players born between August 1st and December 31st. Many of these players will remain in what feels like their current age group next season instead of moving up.

While change can feel stressful or uncertain, especially when teams and peer groups shift, this realignment is designed to create a more balanced and fair playing environment over the long term.

Effective date of Changeover

July 1st, 2026.  NorCal Summer League, Summer playdates and all subsequent competition will utilize the new Age Group Dates.

How is EBUSC Preparing?

To help players, families, and coaches adjust smoothly, EBUSC will begin to adopt the new age groups by inviting players into training environments that closely resemble what teams and groupings will look like in the Fall season.

*EBU may also host new age group training on Fridays during the Spring.

This early adoption allows:

• Players to socialize and train with their future age group teammates
• Coaches and staff to get familiar with all players ahead of tryouts
• Families to better understand how Fall team placement may look

Why do we support this change?

We strongly believe this realignment benefits our players in the long run. Not adopting the change could result in some teams consistently competing against players up to two years older, which presents challenges from both a safety and development standpoint.

Aligning age groups by school year promotes:

• Fairer competition
• Better physical and emotional development
• Stronger team cohesion
• Improved player retention and enjoyment
  
  

Flexibility & Individual Consideration

We understand that every player’s situation is unique. While we are adopting the new age group structure, individual cases will be reviewed thoughtfully, using common sense and the player’s best interest as our guiding principles.

Our priority remains the same: creating a positive, challenging, and supportive environment for every EBUSC player.  Regardless of the age group change our Mission (TO DEVELOP YOUTH PLAYERS & COACHES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL), Vision (TO BE THE PREMIER SOCCER CLUB FOR PLAYER AND COACH DEVELOPMENT) & Values (DIVERSITY, LEADERSHIP, GROWTH MINDSET & PLAYER PATHWAYS) remain the same.

Play-up Guidelines 

New Play-Up Guidelines-  Playing up will be permitted only in specific, clearly defined scenarios.

August & September Birthdays-  May tryout at the older age group if confirmed to be in the same school grade as that group.  Players may choose age-pure or play up.

Players Born in 2009-  Grandfathered under the current birth-year model and may try out to remain with current teams at U19.

ECNL-RL & NPL Team Status-  ECNL-RL and NPL team status will rise with the current team into the next age group.

ECNL-RL or NPL Players-  May tryout at the older age group if their new age-pure group does not offer access to ECNL-RL or NPL and the team’s league status has risen with the age group.

Developmental Play-ups-  Limited and by invitation only.  Players significantly above their age group may be approved through a formal review process and contacted prior to tryouts.

Post-Tryout Roster Needs-  Players not initially rostered at their age group may be invited to try out at the age group above only if roster needs exist.

Teams Staying Together- Teams may stay together as long as they play in the age group of their oldest player

Looking Ahead

We’re excited about the future and confident this transition will strengthen our club and player experience.

In the meantime, let’s focus on enjoying a fantastic Spring season together and don’t forget that Friday Footskills is open to all players U7–U19, offering an additional opportunity to train and grow.

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your trust and continued support.