ODP uses birth year. Club soccer uses the seasonal year.
- Club teams: starting with the 2026-27 season, club age groups follow the seasonal year, September 1 to August 31, so teams line up with the school year.
- ODP: age groups follow the calendar birth year, January 1 to December 31. ODP identifies players for the regional and national player pools, so it stays consistent with the international age system.
“US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO have agreed to adopt the seasonal year age group formation cycle for its players starting with each’s 2026-27 season. The cycle, which will run from September 1 to August 31…”
Joint announcement from US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and AYSO, March 5, 2025. Read the announcement
Looking for your player’s club age group? See the seasonal year age matrix.
The Olympic Development Program groups players by birth year, January 1 to December 31, the same way international soccer does. The youngest group, Pre-ODP, is developmental and has no tryout.
2026-27 ODP age groups (by birth year):
Born in 2008 or 2009: 19U
Born in 2010: 17U
Born in 2011: 16U
Born in 2012: 15U
Born in 2013: 14U
Born in 2014: 13U
Born in 2015: 12U
Born in 2016 or 2017: Pre-ODP (developmental, no tryout)