Birth year to grade year

OVERVIEW

As we look ahead to the Fall 2026 season, we want to share some important updates regarding team formations. As you may be aware, US Soccer has been researching the impacts of changing the current team registration structure from its current birth year process to a school calendar year (August 1st-July 31st) process. 

This change is not a new approach by US Soccer. U.S. Soccer announced a similar change from school-year (August–July) to birth-year (January–December) team registration in 2015, with the new system taking effect starting in the 2016–2017 season.

Now, ten years later, they are reverting back to how it used to be. You can read more about this change here: https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/2025/06/10/updated-decision-on-age-group-formation/

Why the Changes?

We are updating our structure to stay fully compliant with the governing bodies, league guidelines, and national standards.

By organizing teams in this new format, we will be better equipped to provide consistent, challenging competition. This will help players grow technically, tactically, socially, and mentally while giving each team the best chance to succeed within their league and tournament play.

Other Benefits

Trapped Players: By aligning players in their school-grade rather than their birth year, it removes the Trapped Player season. A "trapped player" in youth soccer is a player, often an 8th grader, who is on a club team whose season doesn't align with their high school grade teammates, leaving them without a place to play with their friends or peers.

Social Benefits: Players in the same social circles and experiencing the same social and physical developments creates a social overlap. This overlap creates stronger camaraderie and makes soccer more fun socially, which often keeps kids in the sport longer. 

College Recruiting Practices: We also recognize that many of our athletes have aspirations of playing at the collegiate level. By aligning teams more closely with league and competitive structures, players will have greater exposure to college coaches and showcases. This streamlined approach supports the recruitment process and enhances opportunities for our players to be seen.

Looking Forward:

We know change can bring questions, and we’re here to walk through this together. Over the coming months we’ll share more details and hold meetings to answer any questions you may have.

Overview:

Missouri Rush Soccer Club is adopting the age-group formation structure across all levels of play. There may be some environments where teams can/want to remain intact within this realignment. As we start the alignment process, communication will be shared as our goal is to remain transparent throughout this process. 

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our club. These updates are all about helping your player enjoy the game, grow with their teammates, and reach their potential.