Anonymous
03/01/2026 16:51
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Safety, fairness and national consistency is why grade isn't part of the actual rules for age groups
US Soccer calculator https://www.ussoccer.com/...calculator
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
Below is the same info. But I've removed July 31st because its not needed (leagues allow playing up) and added in grade and game type. This is the information that parents need. Its ironic that we're changing from BY to SY because of trapped players and grade in school. But US soccer wont include grade in school on its matrices.
11v11 = U18/U19 = 8/1/2007 + younger = Senior
11v11 = U17 = 8/1/2009 + younger = Junior
11v11 = U16 = 8/1/2010 + younger = Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = 8/1/2011 + younger = Freshman
11v11 = U14 = 8/1/2012 + younger = 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = 8/1/2013 + younger = 7th grade
11v11 = U12 = 8/1/2014 + younger = 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = 8/1/2015 + younger = 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = 8/1/2016 + younger = 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = 8/1/2017 + younger = 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = 8/1/2018 + younger = 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = 8/1/2019 + younger = 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = 8/1/2020 + younger = kindergarten
Anonymous
03/01/2026 16:49
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
What a bunch on nonsense. Nothing that Colorado wrote is in the rulebook. There are no rules about who can play up and which teams they can play up on.
Next you'll be saying that if you have brown hair or are left handed you cant play up.
Next you'll be saying that if you have brown hair or are left handed you cant play up.
Anonymous
03/01/2026 16:40
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Safety, fairness and national consistency is why grade isn't part of the actual rules for age groups
US Soccer calculator https://www.ussoccer.com/...calculator
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
US Soccer calculator https://www.ussoccer.com/...calculator
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
Anonymous
03/01/2026 16:39
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Colorado Rapids sums up why grade can't be the rule, fairness, safety and consistency.
Will players be organized strictly by their school grade? No. Players will be organized by "School-Year Age Groups" (August 1-July 31), not by their specific academic grade.
Here is the difference: While the new system will naturally align most players with their classmates, "Grade Level" is an academic designation that varies from family to family (due to children starting school early or late, repeating a year, or varying state enrollment dates).
"School-Year Age Groups" use a strict national birthdate range (August 1 to July 31). This ensures a nationwide consistent, fair, and objective standard for safety and competition, regardless of a player’s individual academic path.
Why are teams organized by the August 1–July 31 date range rather than strictly by "Grade Level"? While the new age group system is often referred to as "School Year" because it aligns better with school grades than the calendar year, we will use the nationwide age groupings of August 1st to July 31st date range for safety and fairness.
We cannot organize strictly by "Grade" because grade levels are variable, whereas birth dates are factual. Organizing strictly by grade can create significant risks:
The Age Gap Risk: Because kids start school at different ages, are held back, or skip grades, a single grade level can include children whose ages span 2+ years.
Physical Safety: We already see significant physical differences within a standard 12-month age gap. If we were to widen that window to 24+ months (as seen in strict grade-based grouping), the physical disparity becomes dangerous. A "held-back" 13-year-old competing against a young 11-year-old in the same grade poses a real safety concern.
Developmental Fairness: When age gaps widen beyond 12 months, the disparity in talent and physical maturity widens considerably. Keeping the grouping within the August 1–July 31 window ensures players compete with and against peers of similar physiological, emotional, and social maturity.
Will players be organized strictly by their school grade? No. Players will be organized by "School-Year Age Groups" (August 1-July 31), not by their specific academic grade.
Here is the difference: While the new system will naturally align most players with their classmates, "Grade Level" is an academic designation that varies from family to family (due to children starting school early or late, repeating a year, or varying state enrollment dates).
"School-Year Age Groups" use a strict national birthdate range (August 1 to July 31). This ensures a nationwide consistent, fair, and objective standard for safety and competition, regardless of a player’s individual academic path.
Why are teams organized by the August 1–July 31 date range rather than strictly by "Grade Level"? While the new age group system is often referred to as "School Year" because it aligns better with school grades than the calendar year, we will use the nationwide age groupings of August 1st to July 31st date range for safety and fairness.
We cannot organize strictly by "Grade" because grade levels are variable, whereas birth dates are factual. Organizing strictly by grade can create significant risks:
The Age Gap Risk: Because kids start school at different ages, are held back, or skip grades, a single grade level can include children whose ages span 2+ years.
Physical Safety: We already see significant physical differences within a standard 12-month age gap. If we were to widen that window to 24+ months (as seen in strict grade-based grouping), the physical disparity becomes dangerous. A "held-back" 13-year-old competing against a young 11-year-old in the same grade poses a real safety concern.
Developmental Fairness: When age gaps widen beyond 12 months, the disparity in talent and physical maturity widens considerably. Keeping the grouping within the August 1–July 31 window ensures players compete with and against peers of similar physiological, emotional, and social maturity.
Anonymous
03/01/2026 16:28
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Grade doesn't equate perfectly (=) to birthdates. Always been the problem. Age based is not grade based. Kids go to school at different times, get held back, bounce grades and sometimes go to schools without grades. Birthdays are factual.
I agree grade in school is a variable. But this doesnt mean its something you can ignore. Grade in school exists and parents need a way associate it with level played in club. You could label it "likely grade in school" or "estimated grade in school"
Anonymous
03/01/2026 16:23
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Leagues based the SY rule on DOB not DOB plus grade.
Making charts to change things to the way you want things doesn't work.
Sept. kids not the oldest, August kids are.
It's over.
Im providing factual data in an aligned format. You dont like it because you know that once people associate club level with grade in school. Which everyone will do because it plays a role in college recruiting. That Aug parents will choose to play their kid on the correct grade in school team.
11v11 = U18/U19 = 8/1/2007 + younger = Senior
11v11 = U17 = 8/1/2009 + younger = Junior
11v11 = U16 = 8/1/2010 + younger = Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = 8/1/2011 + younger = Freshman
11v11 = U14 = 8/1/2012 + younger = 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = 8/1/2013 + younger = 7th grade
11v11 = U12 = 8/1/2014 + younger = 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = 8/1/2015 + younger = 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = 8/1/2016 + younger = 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = 8/1/2017 + younger = 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = 8/1/2018 + younger = 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = 8/1/2019 + younger = 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = 8/1/2020 + younger = kindergarten
Anonymous
03/01/2026 16:04
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Leagues based the SY rule on DOB not DOB plus grade.
Making charts to change things to the way you want things doesn't work.
Sept. kids not the oldest, August kids are.
It's over.
Making charts to change things to the way you want things doesn't work.
Sept. kids not the oldest, August kids are.
It's over.
Anonymous
03/01/2026 15:54
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Not the same as the below at all.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This is correct. And US Soccer has the correct calculator https://www.ussoccer.com/ecosystem-review/player-registration/age-group-calculator
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
Below is the same info. But I've removed July 31st because its not needed (leagues allow playing up) and added in grade and game type. This is the information that parents need. Its ironic that we're changing from BY to SY because of trapped players and grade in school. But US soccer wont include grade in school on its matrices.
11v11 = U18/U19 = 8/1/2007 + younger = Senior
11v11 = U17 = 8/1/2009 + younger = Junior
11v11 = U16 = 8/1/2010 + younger = Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = 8/1/2011 + younger = Freshman
11v11 = U14 = 8/1/2012 + younger = 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = 8/1/2013 + younger = 7th grade
11v11 = U12 = 8/1/2014 + younger = 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = 8/1/2015 + younger = 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = 8/1/2016 + younger = 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = 8/1/2017 + younger = 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = 8/1/2018 + younger = 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = 8/1/2019 + younger = 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = 8/1/2020 + younger = kindergarten
US Soccer has the correct calculator https://www.ussoccer.com/...calculator
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
Anonymous
03/01/2026 15:53
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Grade doesn't equate perfectly (=) to birthdates. Always been the problem. Age based is not grade based. Kids go to school at different times, get held back, bounce grades and sometimes go to schools without grades. Birthdays are factual.
Anonymous
03/01/2026 15:51
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:This is correct. And US Soccer has the correct calculator https://www.ussoccer.com/ecosystem-review/player-registration/age-group-calculator
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
Below is the same info. But I've removed July 31st because its not needed (leagues allow playing up) and added in grade and game type. This is the information that parents need. Its ironic that we're changing from BY to SY because of trapped players and grade in school. But US soccer wont include grade in school on its matrices.
11v11 = U18/U19 = 8/1/2007 + younger = Senior
11v11 = U17 = 8/1/2009 + younger = Junior
11v11 = U16 = 8/1/2010 + younger = Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = 8/1/2011 + younger = Freshman
11v11 = U14 = 8/1/2012 + younger = 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = 8/1/2013 + younger = 7th grade
11v11 = U12 = 8/1/2014 + younger = 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = 8/1/2015 + younger = 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = 8/1/2016 + younger = 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = 8/1/2017 + younger = 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = 8/1/2018 + younger = 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = 8/1/2019 + younger = 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = 8/1/2020 + younger = kindergarten
Anonymous
03/01/2026 15:50
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:This version was tighter.
/1/2009 and younger = Senior
8/1/2009 and younger = Junior
8/1/2011 and younger = Sophmore
8/1/2012 and younger = Freshman
8/1/2013 and younger = 8th
8/1/2014 and younger = 7th
8/1/2015 and younger = 6th
8/1/2016 and younger = 5th
8/1/2017 and younger = 4th
8/1/2018 and younger = 3rd
8/1/2019 and younger = 2nd
8/1/2020 and younger = 1st
8/1/2021 and younger = kindergarten
Why are you intentionally trying to confuse people?
Below is the correct matrix. But I've removed July 31st because its not needed (leagues allow playing up) and added in grade and game type. This is the information that parents need. Its ironic that we're changing from BY to SY because of trapped players and grade in school. But US soccer wont include grade in school on its matrices.
11v11 = U18/U19 = 8/1/2007 + younger = Senior
11v11 = U17 = 8/1/2009 + younger = Junior
11v11 = U16 = 8/1/2010 + younger = Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = 8/1/2011 + younger = Freshman
11v11 = U14 = 8/1/2012 + younger = 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = 8/1/2013 + younger = 7th grade
11v11 = U12 = 8/1/2014 + younger = 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = 8/1/2015 + younger = 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = 8/1/2016 + younger = 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = 8/1/2017 + younger = 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = 8/1/2018 + younger = 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = 8/1/2019 + younger = 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = 8/1/2020 + younger = kindergarten
Anonymous
03/01/2026 15:49
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
This is correct. And US Soccer has the correct calculator https://www.ussoccer.com/ecosystem-review/player-registration/age-group-calculator
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
Anonymous
03/01/2026 15:48
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Always been correct, never been bastardized.
Fall 2026
Age Group Birth Dates
U3 August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024
U4 August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
U5 August 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
U6 August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021
U7 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020
U8 August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019
U9 August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
U10 August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017
U11 August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016
U12 August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015
U13 August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
U14 August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
U15 August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
U16 August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011
U17 August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010
U18 August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
U19 August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008
Nothing is bastardized
Below is the same info. But I've removed July 31st because its not needed (leagues allow playing up) and added in grade and game type. This is the information that parents need. Its ironic that we're changing from BY to SY because of trapped players and grade in school. But US soccer wont include grade in school on its matrices.
11v11 = U18/U19 = 8/1/2007 + younger = Senior
11v11 = U17 = 8/1/2009 + younger = Junior
11v11 = U16 = 8/1/2010 + younger = Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = 8/1/2011 + younger = Freshman
11v11 = U14 = 8/1/2012 + younger = 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = 8/1/2013 + younger = 7th grade
11v11 = U12 = 8/1/2014 + younger = 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = 8/1/2015 + younger = 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = 8/1/2016 + younger = 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = 8/1/2017 + younger = 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = 8/1/2018 + younger = 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = 8/1/2019 + younger = 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = 8/1/2020 + younger = kindergarten
Anonymous
03/01/2026 15:47
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
This version was tighter.
/1/2009 and younger = Senior
8/1/2009 and younger = Junior
8/1/2011 and younger = Sophmore
8/1/2012 and younger = Freshman
8/1/2013 and younger = 8th
8/1/2014 and younger = 7th
8/1/2015 and younger = 6th
8/1/2016 and younger = 5th
8/1/2017 and younger = 4th
8/1/2018 and younger = 3rd
8/1/2019 and younger = 2nd
8/1/2020 and younger = 1st
8/1/2021 and younger = kindergarten
/1/2009 and younger = Senior
8/1/2009 and younger = Junior
8/1/2011 and younger = Sophmore
8/1/2012 and younger = Freshman
8/1/2013 and younger = 8th
8/1/2014 and younger = 7th
8/1/2015 and younger = 6th
8/1/2016 and younger = 5th
8/1/2017 and younger = 4th
8/1/2018 and younger = 3rd
8/1/2019 and younger = 2nd
8/1/2020 and younger = 1st
8/1/2021 and younger = kindergarten
Anonymous
03/01/2026 15:46
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Its sad that you've lost the discussion on if Aug birthday players should play with their grade in school teams (they should).
So now you've resorted to posting incorrect information.
Truly pathetic.
So now you've resorted to posting incorrect information.
Truly pathetic.