Michigan Soccer Training
Team Sheet
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U13+
The full field, the full seventeen Laws, and — at U13 — the start of every national platform's age groups. From here the rulebook is IFAB's, with youth modifications limited mostly to game length and substitutions.
New for 2026–27 · Age groups changed
For the first time since 2016–17, age groups are built on the school calendar again. US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and AYSO all moved team formation from birth year (Jan 1 – Dec 31) to school year (Aug 1 – Jul 31), starting with the 2026–27 registration year. ECNL and ECNL-RL, Girls Academy, National 1 and MSPSP all follow it.
Born Jan 1 – Jul 31
Nothing unusual. Your player moves up one age group this season, the same as any other year.
Born Aug 1 – Dec 31
Your player stays in the same age group for 2026–27 instead of moving up — a one-time effect of the switch. This is the group that gets confused, and the reason for the change: they now play with their grade.
The exception: MLS NEXT is split
MLS NEXT did not move as one league. The Allstate Homegrown Division stayed on birth year (Jan 1 – Dec 31), to stay aligned with FIFA and the youth national teams. The Academy Division moved to school year with everyone else. That means a Michigan club running teams in both divisions is operating two different age calendars in the same building — and a player can be U15 in one and U16 in the other.
If your club plays MLS NEXT, ask which division a specific team is in before you assume a birth year. Homegrown vs Academy Division →
2026–27 age groups
| Group | Born between |
|---|---|
| U13 | Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014 |
| U14 | Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013 |
| U15 | Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012 |
| U16 | Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011 |
| U17 | Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010 |
| U18 | Aug 1, 2008 – Jul 31, 2009 |
| U19 | Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 2008 |
High school soccer is unaffected — MHSAA has always run on grade and eligibility, not birth year. Rec leagues set their own windows, so confirm with your club. Sources: US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer age-group decisions, the MLS NEXT age group update, Girls Academy's seasonal-year announcement, and MSYSA's 2026–27 registration notice.
National platforms begin here: MLS NEXT, ECNL, GA, N1, and MSPSP all start their age groups at U13.
New for 2026-27: age groups are built on the school year (Aug 1 - Jul 31) again, not birth year. MLS NEXT's Homegrown Division is the one holdout still on birth year.
Substitution rules become competition-specific — the same player can live under three different sub regimes (club league, showcase, high school) in one year.
High school soccer adds MHSAA's own rulebook: 18-contest limits, mercy rules, and the Limited Team Membership rule.
DOGSO red cards
Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is a sending-off even in youth games — the last-defender tactical foul now has real consequences.
Dissent
Referees at this level are instructed to card dissent early. Teams that learn to play through decisions win more games than teams that argue them.
Sideline note
From U13 on, the rules your player lives under depend on the competition patch on their sleeve. When in doubt, the league handbook — not the loudest parent — is the authority.