Website Manager

We are... FC United

PROJECTED SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR 'AGE GROUPS'


AGE GROUP CHANGE GUIDE


 

What is changing related to age groups within the US Youth Soccer system?

Beginning with the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 season, US Youth Soccer will transition to an August 1-July 31 age group system. This means your child's primary age group will be determined by how old they are on August 1st of each season, rather than the current January 1st cutoff.

This change tends to better align soccer with the school year calendar and youth soccer programs across the country.



Primary Factors for the Change

This change is being implemented across US Youth Soccer and other national organizations to better align soccer with the school year. It allows more players to participate with their classmates and school friends, which research shows improves social development and player retention.

This actually returns us to the system used before 2017, that many of us preferred.


 

  • Playing with school friends: Your child can play soccer with the same kids they see in the classroom.
  • Better social connections: Help cultivate stronger friendships both on and off the field.
  • Age-appropriate development: Players compete with peers at similar developmental stages based on school grade.
  • Enhance enjoyment and engagement: Playing with classmates tends to help keep kids better engaged in the sport.



The School Year Calendar v Birth Year Calendar

The school year model better aligns with academic calendars, supports social development among peers, and improves player retention by allowing teammates to progress together through both school and soccer.

 



When will this change take effect?

The new age group system will begin with the 2026-2027 season. Your child will continue in their current age group through the end of the 2025-2026 season and then transition going into the fall of 2026.




                      Age Group Matrix


Projected League(s)Age GroupBirthdate StartBirthdate End
Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)
               Iowa Soccer League (ISL)              Club Development League (CDL)
19UJuly 31, 2009
17UAug. 1, 2009July 31, 2010
16UAug. 1, 2010July 31, 2011
15UAug. 1, 2011July 31, 2012
14UAug. 1, 2012July 31, 2013
13UAug. 1, 2013July 31, 2014
Eastern Iowa Soccer League (EIYSL)        Iowa Soccer League (ISL)12UAug. 1, 2014July 31, 2015
11UAug. 1, 2015July 31, 2016
10UAug. 1, 2016July 31, 2017
9UAug. 1, 2017July 31, 2018
FC United Pre Academy8UAug. 1, 2018July 31, 2019
7UAug. 1, 2019July 31, 2020
FC United Little Strikers6UAug. 1, 2020July 31, 2021
5UAug. 1, 2021July 31, 2022
4UAug. 1, 2022July 31, 2023






Click on the link below to learn more about the switch to School Year Calendar Age Group Formation in 2026-2027.

 

How the School Year Calculation Works

To calculate your player's soccer age, determine if they fall within the birthdate ranges listed as reflected below or 


For Example: In the 2026-2027 seasonal year, if your child is born in October 2016, they fall within the school year range of August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017. That would place them in the U10 age group for the 2026-2027 season.



Benefits & Drawbacks

 


Benefits

·       Club Development Alignment - At FC United, we view this change as an opportunity to strengthen our player pathways. Aligning by school year supports our holistic development approach - connecting social, academic, and athletic environments so that players can grow together on and off the field.

 

·       Social/Team Connection - With teams/players having more social alignment with school age/year, the ability for better social connection within teams will be improved, and minimizes situations of teams having unique/differing dynamics due to team make-up previously between two different years in school age to now be more aligned to one.

 

·       “Late Bloomer” Effect – The re-alignment will help reduce the dynamic of having players who are in growth stages that are more like others in their grade, rather than a other athletes who are a grade older.



·       Minimize the “trapped player” effect - This change will reduce the number of players who are “trapped”, meaning that a disproportionate number of players are essentially left behind as some enter 9th grade. This will help both the experience level for previously impacted players, as well as the logistics for the club in creating/managing these teams.

 

·       Recruitment Opportunities – This will allow players pursuing collegiate opportunities to showcase themselves against fellow graduates and allow us to align our College Advisory Program by providing recruitment guidance/support collectively to all team members, with more common graduation year, rather than to teams comprised of players split between 11th grade and 12th grade.




Drawbacks

·       Re-alignment of Rosters – This change will likely cause some expected roster shifts

·       Re-alignment of Team Management – This change will likely cause some expected organizational changes to team management and platfors such as TeamSnap.

·       Uniform Numbers – While we may have a few incidental overlaps that will need to be resolved, our teams are generally prepared for this shift. Currently all of our players born on even years (ie 2012, 2014, 2016, etc) have even numbers. Our players born in odd year, conversely have odd numbers. This shift will not materially impact entire teams, but may impact some players who could be playing up (or down) with other rosters.

·       Uniform Numbers Resolution – As a general rule, should there be a uniform number conflict, the uniform number priority will be issued to the most tenured player.

 

While we understand that the transition will bring some additional adjustments, we are confident that we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that our families, players and coaches are informed and well-prepared for the changes ahead.

 

The impact to My Child

 

Will my child be affected by this change?

For some players, yes. Although most players will continue playing with their existing "birth year" groups, some players will reclassify into their "grade" group. This change is designed to enhance the social experience while maintaining our commitment to player development and fun.

The primary impact will be on players born between August 1 and December 31, who will shift to align with their school grade-level classmates.


How do I know my player’s age group for 2026-2027?

See the age group calculator available through US Soccer at  U.S. Soccer Age Group Formation Tool.

  • Players born between January 1-July 31 will continue playing with the same peer group based on their birth date.
  • Players born between August 1-December 31 may be reclassified to their 'grade' group, that is aligned with their scholastic calendar and birth date.
  • Some teams, both internal or Satellite teams,  may continue playing with their current peer group OR move to the younger peer group. The reality is that the vast majority of our satellite or non-travel teams are often comprised of multiple grades or birth years. (ie U13/14 or 7/8th Grade teams)



My child was born in August-December. What does this mean for them?

Children born in these months may be moved to a new age group to play with their school grade peers. For example, a child born in October 2017 who is currently playing with 2017 birth year players may shift to play with players born August 1, 2017-July 31, 2018, aligning them with their anticipated school grade in Fall 2026.



What if my child is currently playing with older players due to skill level?

We will work with families individually to ensure appropriate placement based on development and social needs.

Our program focuses on age-appropriate play while keeping the experiences rewarding and positive for our players. Players are not placed in older age groups solely based on skill. There are multiple factors that play a role in these decisions.



My child was held back or accelerated a grade in school. Will they play with their birth year or their school grade classmates?

We understand that some children are placed in grades that don't align with their birth date due to academic readiness, developmental considerations, or family decisions. In our program, we prioritize the social and developmental experience. If your child’s school grade placement differs from their birth date age group, we will work individually to determine the best placement that considers several factors. These factors include your child’s physical and social development, technical preparedness, cognitive preparedness, team composition, and other club developmental initiatives.



Will this affect my child's development or playing time?

Our program emphasizes various thresholds for playing time, as a function of their development, at various ages. 



How does this program registration?

Registration for the 2026-2027 season will be based on the new age group system. We will provide clear guidance and registration support to ensure players are registered for the updated correct age groups for their child.


Will practice schedules or locations change?

Practice schedules and our traditional outlines will remain the same throughout the spring season. The only changes will be at tryouts, however we will already be armed with plenty of information on our returning players as we evaluate any transitions. 

Players will be expected to attend their PROJECTED grade group tryout.


What about family requests to play with friends or siblings?

FC United will continue to consider reasonable requests that are determined to be in the best interest of the player. Do keep in mind that the most relevant consideration is player preparedness and placing players in the most viable development-appropriate situation. This means for training AND for games.


Will team sizes change?

Team sizes will remain consistent with our current standards appropriate for each age group.



Timeline and Communication


When will we know our child's specific team placement?

Team assignments for the 2026-2027 season will be communicated by early summer 2026 and following our team formation days. We will provide updates throughout spring and summer 2026 as we finalize rosters.


How will we keep you informed?

We will communicate through:

  • Regular email updates
  • "Town hall" meetings (zoom or Google meet)
  • Direct communication with families
  • Social media updates


Does this affect our registration fees?

Players will be expected to be registered within the age group with which they will be assigned as their primary training group and competition group.



Will coaches be informed on this transition?

Yes, all coaches will receive information about the age group change to ensure they can support players and answer parent questions effectively.




Who can I contact if I have specific questions about my child?

You can contact the Bill Ajram or designated appointed staff member

[email protected]
319-361-2551

What Parents Should Do



What do I need to do to prepare?

Here are the steps we recommend:

  1. Stay informed: Read our communications and check the dedicated webpage. 
  2. Attend a meeting: Join us for a parent information session in winter or spring 2026.
  3. Talk positively with your child: Frame the change as a greater opportunity to play with school classmates and to further expand their developmental opportunities.
  4. Register on time (or early!): Follow registration instructions for the 2026-2027 season.



Should I talk to my child about this change?

Yes, absolutely, but keep it simple and positive.

Focus on the positive aspects of this nation-wide migration and encourage them to continue to have fun of playing soccer with their peers. Emphasize that they'll continue learning, having fun, and playing the game they love. For most kids, the change will be relatively easy.




What if my child is anxious about potential changes to our team?

It's natural to feel uncertain about change. Reassure them of the following:

  • They'll still be playing with friends from the same school grade
  • They will still have opportunities to stay connected, through training and games, with their club mates. Our club often provides these opportunities, in fact those relationships and opportunities only increase as they get older.
  • The club and our coaches are focused on them and their development.
  • Continue to make friends who share a common passion for the sport.
  • That FC United will continue to support them with their development and their goals and objectives.


If you have concerns, please reach out to us directly so we can provide individual support and guidance.

Why the Change?

Why is this change happening?

US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, American Youth Soccer Association, Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), Girls Academy, and MLS Next Academy Division have decided to move to an age group formation that changes from January 1-December 31 birth year player placement, to the school age group calendar of August 1-July 31 placement to better align players with their school grade peers. 


When does this change take effect?
 

The change will go into effect for the 2026-2027 season. There is no change during the remainder of the current 2025-2026 season. 



How do I know my player’s age group for 2026-2027?

 U.S. Soccer Age Group Formation Tool.



Why was August 1-July 31 chosen as the 'optimal' school calendar year birthdate range?

U.S. Soccer has established the August 1-July 31 birth-year period as the most widely adopted and consistent model across the country.

As a member club, we follow this national standard to ensure that our players are aligned with age groups used in leagues, tournaments, development pathways, and college recruiting across the U.S.

We recognize that there is no single, universal birth-date protocol used nationwide. Different organizations and school systems follow different calendars, which can understandably create confusion, including here in Iowa, where the school cutoff dates do not align with the youth soccer birth-year calendar.

We do understand that this may place some players - particularly those born in August and September - on teams with peers who may not match their school-grade peers. While this may feel unfamiliar at first, please know that this is a nationwide system and not a club-specific decision. All clubs in our preferred leagues follow the same structure, so the competitive balance should remains consistent.

Regardless of the competitive balance, our focus is on player development, and we will work to ensure every child is placed in an environment that fits their developmental needs and long-term growth, to the best of or ability. Socially, many players adjust quickly as they meet teammates across school boundaries, which is common throughout youth sports at this level. This is particularly accurate at a club like FC United, where playing, and training, across age groups up or down a year, has not been a rarity. If you have concerns about your child’s placement or need help understanding how the birth-year system applies to your player, we’re here to help.


Can a player play up an age group?

Yes, a player could discretionarily be placed in an alternate age group. This move is often temporary, based on the relative growth and experience of that player. The decision on player placement is made by the coaching staff and must be approved by the club's Technical Director or technical leadership with several factors in mind - player skill level, soccer maturity, current development level, anticipated future development level, player commitment, and our past experience with many other players who were in similar situations in prior years. We have the benefit of some data that has helped form current policies and procedures.

A player who is selected to play up for one season may continue to play up during additional seasons or be placed back with their appropriate peer group at some point at the discretion of the club and based on the needs of the player at that particular time.


Can a player try out for another age group?

As in previous years, any player wanting to attend a tryout with any other age group, must also attend the tryout for their stated age group.

Players must have pre-approval from the club's Technical Leadership to participate in a tryout, other than the one designated for their stated age group. Player development is unique to each player and decisions about playing up will be made by technical staff with discussions with the parent and player.




Can my child play in a younger age group?

From a compliance standpoint, players who were held back a grade in school are tied toe their projected age group based on their birth date.

However, although a player may not 'formally' compete in a younger age group within certain league(s) there are times where playing down will benefit some players in the short term. These decisions are managed on a case by case basis and these could include training with another age group and ultimately competing with another age group, with the consent of the league, event, and the careful consideration of the factors driving that decision.

Athletic development, as well as child development, can be very independent. Developing as a soccer player is not solely determined by relative age, it's determined a multitude of experiences and more highly impacted by the training environment, the curriculum necessary as a foundational building block for playing the sport, and a number of other factors including family support and encouragement.



Will my player or team be affected?

Players born in August through December may be more likely to shift age groups. Some team rosters will see some change with players staying at the stated level with their school aged peers or playing up. Players who stay at the stated age group per their birthdate have the benefit of gaining more confidence, leadership skills, and find themselves progressing on the same timeline as their school/grade peers.



Will tryout registration be based on a player’s school year or DOB?

Tryout registration will be based on a player’s date of birth and not their grade level in school. Players who have been held back a year in school will not be affected. Use the updated birth band to determine their projected tryout and player registration.

Any and all exceptions must be approved at the discretion of the club's technical development leadership.



Will tryouts for next season change?

Tryouts will be based on the August 1-July 31 age group formation and not by birth year.

Some current travel players will receive rolling offers and may be placed on rosters based on their performance and current as well as optimal developmental progress.

All players should attend their 'stated' and projected age group tryout. The club's technical leadership will make a determination on player placement following evaluations. More details about the tryout process will be communicated once they are finalized.




When will the projected 2026-2027 coaching slate be announced?

The goal is to announce the slate prior to official ID Sessions and before the start of the projected team formations in the spring. Typically, coaching assignments for oldest teams are announced first. 

 

**Updated 12/27/25**

Contact Us

FC United

8610 Milburn Rd NE 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52411

Phone: 319-361-2551
Email: [email protected]

FC United

8610 Milburn Rd NE 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52411

Phone: 319-361-2551
Email: [email protected]
Copyright © 2026 FC United  |  Privacy Statement |  Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy | 
  Login