US Youth Soccer

Charleston, SC & Plano, TX (April 24, 2026)

US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, in conjunction with the South Texas Champions League and the South Texas Youth Soccer Association, are clarifying the National 1 League competition pathway for the 2026-27 season and their intentions for defined pathways in the future.

South Texas Champions League, which operates East and West Divisions within its competition, is an approved National 1 League operator in the inaugural 2026-27 season. One of the strengths of the N1 platform is its connectivity in the youth soccer ecosystem, inclusive of the ECNL Regional League, as well as localized competition and state associations. To that effect, US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer are committed to defining pathways into National 1 League from those local competitions and state associations, regardless of membership affiliation.

This includes the Western District Designated Operators Association (WDDOA) and Eastern District Players League (EDPL) and creating a potential pathway into N1 for the 2027-28 season. Pathways are an important way to grow the game and create clarity for parents and families. US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer wish all these leagues and entities well over the remainder of this season, the 2026-27 season and beyond, and are always supportive of collaborative efforts – nationally, regionally and locally.

FRISCO, Texas (March 5, 2025) –  US Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, and American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), today announced that they have agreed to adopt the seasonal year age group formation cycle for its players starting with each’s 2026-27 season. USYS Board Chair Tina Rincon, US Club Soccer CEO Mike Cullina, and AYSO National President Doug Ryan made the announcement. 

The cycle, which will run from September 1 to August 31, represents the opportunity for more players in the each’s system to play club-based soccer with their classmates. 

Rincon, Cullina, and Ryan offer the following statement: 

 “The three organizations coming together to put our nation’s youth soccer players first is a positive move. Soccer, regardless of the level of competition, is meant to be fun – and it is more fun when players can play with their friends and classmates. This decision is the right move for the millions playing in each of our respective systems and we are thrilled to establish this standard and find common ground.” 

The decision stems from a U.S. Soccer Federation policy put in place late in 2024 empowering member organizations to be the decision-maker on the registration choices for leagues and competitions that they sanction and/or run. 

Rincon, who also serves as the U.S. Soccer Youth Council Chair, detailed the following on behalf of the council: 

 “We are excited that the three largest member organizations have aligned to make a decision that will bring the youth soccer landscape together, rather than further fracturing it. We received input from a variety of sources that helped us reach this decision and meet our goal of increasing participation in our sport. We look forward to continuing to work with other member organizations to make the best choices for youth soccer players and continue collaborating with clubs and leagues to ensure a smooth transition next year.” 

The three organizations’ registration parameters will not change for next season (2025-26) and will affect rostering beginning in August 2026. 

Aligning with the school-year calendar is a return to a policy in place prior to a 2016 U.S. Soccer decision to move to birth-year registration (January 1 – December 31). The change was made in effort to align with international soccer standards. 

Youth players born before September 1 will have the opportunity to play up with older age groups in accordance with their club’s governance. 

U.S. Soccer performed an assessment of available data (e.g., 2020 U.S. Census & National Center for Education Statistics) and qualitative feedback and determined that September 1 represents most school districts’ calendars (~68%) across the country. 

Announced on Friday, November 22nd, South Texas’ own, Silvia Robles, was selected as the Recreational Girls Coach of the Year!!

Silvia was the South Texas Award winner at the Summer 2024 Member Symposium and was selected from a regional selection committee from US Youth Soccer.

About Coach Robles: Coach Silvia has been a massive support to Del-Rio Laughlin Youth Soccer Association’s development and recruiter for girls to their program. With Silvia’s encouragement and recruitment of females, Del-Rio Laughlin YSA was able to grow their program to have an all-female 11U division. Coach Silvia was also instrumental in laying the groundwork for Del Rio’s first ever all female travel team.

Coach Silvia can often be found playing indoor and outdoor soccer with local Women’s leagues. When she is not coaching or playing, she is also serving the local league as a certified referee. Silvia has served as a referee for DRLYSA for 2 years, she has grown to love it.  Additionally, Silvia is currently pursuing her D Coaching license. When Silvia is not involved in some aspect of soccer, she enjoys her family time and running. She continues to be a positive role model not only in her actions but in her passion for remaining healthy and active.

US Youth Soccer will highlight the national award winners, as well as this year’s Hall of Fame inductees and Dr. Thomas Fleck Award recipient, at its January awards luncheon on Thurs., Jan. 9, 2025, in Chicago at the United Soccer Coaches Convention. Tickets for the event – Afternoon of Accolades | The USYS Awards Luncheon – are available by contacting the US Youth Soccer offices in Frisco.

For more the full announcement of all National Award Winners, view the USYS News Announcement