U.S. Soccer Age Group Change – What It Means for Spokane Shadow

Monday, November 10, 2025

Change is coming to youth soccer nationwide, and we want to help you understand what it means.

Beginning with the 2026–27 season (this does not affect the current season), U.S. Soccer will shift from a birth-year system (January–December) to a school-year system (August–July) for forming teams.

This nationwide change, directed by U.S. Soccer and adopted by nearly every youth league across the country, is designed to better align youth soccer with the school calendar, keep most teammates together as classmates, reduce the “trapped player” issue, improve college identification for recruiters, and create a clearer, more consistent experience for players and families.

As with any transition, there will be questions and adjustments, and that’s okay. We’ll walk through this process together with care and clarity, making sure each player’s pathway stays centered on what matters most: their long-term growth, development, and enjoyment of the game.

Below you’ll find a FAQ explaining what’s changing, why it’s happening, and how Spokane Shadow will support families through it.

Even through shifts from our national organizations, our commitment stays the same. To serve Spokane players and families with consistency, care, and a focus on what matters most: character development through soccer and love for the game.

Go Shadow!

Spokane Shadow: 2026–27 Age Group Change FAQ

What is changing and when?
Beginning with the 2026–27 soccer season (this does not affect the current season), youth soccer nationwide will shift from a January 1–December 31 birth-year cutoff to an August 1–July 31 school-year cutoff.

This change applies to leagues in US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, GA, Aspire, and ECNL-RL programs.
The 2025–26 season will remain under the current birth-year system.

Why the change?
The switch back to school-year age groups is designed to:
– Increase participation at younger age levels.
– Keep more players in the game through middle and high school.
– Align with the national youth soccer season (August 1–July 31).
– Allow players to compete with classmates, strengthening friendships and team chemistry.
– Eliminate “trapped-player” issues that forced some 8th graders, whose peers had already moved to 9th grade, to split their soccer season together, as well as the senior-year disruption when trapped players finally return to play with their classmates.

Aligning teams with school calendars helps players grow socially and developmentally alongside their peers, creating a more positive and consistent experience on and off the field.

How will Spokane Shadow manage the transition?
Our directors have already begun auditing rosters to determine where each player will fall in the new structure and to guide decisions that best support both the individual and the team.

To ensure a smooth transition:
– We will host age-group training pools before tryouts, so players train and compete within their new age cohorts.
– Coaching assignments will be published earlier than usual.
– Our priority remains to form the most competitive teams at each age group, placing players where they can develop and succeed based on ability, commitment, and readiness.

When will coaching assignments be released?
We plan to finalize and publish assignments ahead of the usual timeline:
– Boys high-school age groups: January (ahead of February tryouts)
– All other groups: April (ahead of May tryouts)

What is the purpose of the Age-Group Training Sessions?
Age-group sessions give players the opportunity to:
– Train with the group they will try out with in 2026
– Build connections within their new age group
– Allow staff to evaluate players more thoroughly ahead of tryouts

Timeline:
– Boys high-school ages: January (ahead of February tryouts)
– All other groups: Mid- to late March

Schedules and details will be shared through your coach and PlayMetrics at the start of 2026.

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 (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?
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 neighborhood-based teams, placement may occasionally reflect family or community factors.

What if my player’s birthdate and school grade don’t align?
We know some players, especially those with August or early-September birthdays, may not align perfectly with their grade level because Spokane schools start around September 1.

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.

If your child’s birthdate and grade year don’t align, we encourage you to contact your director right away so they can conduct a proper audit.

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 will this reduce “trapped-player” issues?
The new cutoff nearly eliminates the problem.
Players will now progress with their classmates through both middle and high school, reducing the number of 8th graders whose teammates have already moved on to high-school soccer, and eliminating the senior-year disruption of returning to their class.

How can parents help their players prepare for tryouts?
Tryouts can be stressful, we understand and empathize.
The benefit of being part of Spokane Shadow 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.
We also design age-group sessions to provide more opportunities for every player to be seen and evaluated before tryouts.

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?
Yes. This change conveniently aligns with the end of our two-year uniform cycle.
We are entering the first year of a new two-year kit, so all players, new and returning, will purchase a new uniform for the 2026–27 season.

How do I check my child’s 2026–27 age group?
Please see this Table [+]

If you have further questions, please reach out to your program director.
We’re here to help make this transition smooth for every family.