Age Group Change

Age Group Matrix

FAQ’s


Q - What is changing and when?

A - Age groups will shift to a school year cut off (Aug 1-July 31). Currently age groups are bound by birth year (January 1-December 31). This will take effect at the start of the 2026-2027 competitive season. More specifically, the age group change will take effect starting at tryouts in 2026.


Q - Who decided this? 

A - United States Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, and AYSO decided to align age group cut offs for the upcoming 26-27 season. 


Q - Why does this affect Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL)?

A - TCSL is governed by US Club Soccer. Therefore, TCSL is mandated to implement the new Aug 1st cut off for the upcoming 26-27 Season. 


Q - Why is this change happening? 

A #1 - Changing the age group cut-off to Aug. 1 is the most effective way to reduce the number of "trapped players"—those whose soccer age group is older than their school year. These players face fewer competition opportunities and disrupted training, particularly in 8th grade when their peers are in high school, and again four years later when older high school players are moved into their age group. (US Club Soccer)


A #2 -  An Aug. 1 age group cut-off best aligns soccer age groups with school year ages, maximizing the number of players who participate in soccer programs with their school-year friends. This alignment has a positive correlation with increased numbers of youth players entering and staying in the sport. (US Club Soccer)



Play Up Policy


Being able to “play up” is a privilege that is earned. No one is guaranteed a roster spot on an older team. Please review Boreal FC’s “play up” policy below. 


#1 - A player's opportunity to "play up" to an older age group is contingent upon the roster size of both their current age group and the older group, ensuring it is a practical fit for the age groups structure.


For example, a player is a repeat U13 player (born between 8/1-12/31, 2013). The U13 player wishes to play U14. The U13 age group has 30 players (2 teams of 15) and the U14 age group has 40 (2 teams of 20).


In this example, moving a U13 player up would not be logistically sound.


#2 - Boreal FC will form teams based on consistent skill levels to ensure they perform appropriately.


For Example, 7 players from the 2010 (U16) team were born between August 1st-December 31st, 2010. This has caused the U17 team in the 26–27 season to be less competitive.


In this example, the club reserves the right to keep a select group of players as “play ups”. This policy will be utilized primarily at the older age groups.


#3 - If the first two policies are not applicable, individual examples will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 


#4 - Any player attempting to “play up” must attend tryouts, no exceptions. These players will be expected to participate both in their age group and the older age group. 


Girls - You must contact Johnson@borealfc.com, Klink@borealfc.com, & Cowie@borealfc.com


Boys - You must contact Johnson@borealfc.com, Gubara@borealfc.com & Lynch@borealfc.com