Currently, soccer age group birth year is based upon a calendar year without regard for player school grade.  Beginning in Spring, 2026 U.S. Soccer has mandated that youth teams be formed based upon an August through July soccer season year instead.  ​

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We are here to support your player and family needs as best we can as we shift back to age groupings more closely related to school academic year.  Our goal will be to roster teams in the best fit for both individual players and their teams while maintaining consistency in the process across sister clubs within the EYSA as well as the leagues in which our teams compete.

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Recreational (U5-U18):  Historically, our recreational players are rostered based upon many criteria, with preference given to returning players, players at-age, player neighborhood, "buddy" requests, etc. with the intent of keeping local kids together with their teammates, friends, neighbors and classmates.  Our rec teams play in three different "Leagues":  Intra-club for our Micro program (U5-U7), within the EYSA League for our MOD program (U8-U12), and within WYS League Washington for our U13 and older players.  Because the selection process is not merit-based, and the age groups are spread across multiple programs, there is more flexibility for discretionary placement of players on teams to support year-over-year roster continuity.  

 

Club Select (U9-U18):  Players eligible for a given age group will have birth dates within U.S. Soccer designated ranges tabulated below, and team selection as always will be merit-based, requiring evaluation at one or more tryout sessions.  Current rules regarding players playing up in age are documented on the EYSA website, but generally play-up players need to be selected into the first team's core starting lineup to be offered a position; second teams will not have play-up players.  However, there may be exceptions to the play-up rule granted to returning players during this transition to provide the opportunity for player/team continuity.

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Playing down in age:  No play downs in age are allowed.  

 

August birth dates:  The Issaquah School District school academic year follows September 1 - August 31 which does not align with the U.S. Soccer mandate.  Recreational players with August birthdates will have the option to play up 1 year or at age and Select players will have the option to tryout at age or up 1 year.  An additional exception is made for high school ages where more than 1 year play up is allowed.