In 2016, U.S. Soccer launched a new initiative nationwide which changed the way soccer teams are formed in the country. Instead of forming teams by school year, U.S. Soccer made the decision to follow the rest of the world and form teams based on the player’s birth year, the year in which the player was born. For example, all players born in 2001 would be placed on teams together.
For the 2016-2017 season, Mustang Soccer implemented the player’s birth year to form teams in the competitive divisions (Elite, Premier, Academy) to be compliant with the U.S. Soccer mandate. It was determined that based on the club's player pool, many players who were on the younger side in the prior age group structure could play on the older side in the U.S Soccer age group structure. As a result, the transition to birth year age groups has enhanced the competitive divisions by having a positive impact on the players' competitive play. The recreational divisions (Rec, Rec Plus, U6 Ponies) were not impacted by the U.S. Soccer mandate last season.
This year, Mustang Soccer will not follow the player’s birth year model in the recreational program exactly like the competitive program as it may cause unnecessary disruption in these divisions. The club has adjusted the age group chart for Rec, Rec Plus and U6 Ponies to adopt the US Soccer mandate for the 2017-2018 season. These changes may allow players the opportunity to continue to play soccer with their classmates and provide players' flexibility in a playing environment to play in a higher or lower age group to develop and improve soccer skills.
It is important to understand that there are key components which dictate the U.S. Soccer age group mandate. When determining a players age group for a season, the format "U followed by age" means that "age and younger". For example, U6 should be read as 6 and younger. This also applies to the U7 and U8 age groups. The U10 and higher age groups are two (2) to three (3) year ranges when forming recreational teams. In addition, the year the competition ends for all competitivie and recreational divisions in a club should be used. Keep in mind, the end of season is not when the recreational season starts in August or ends in November.
Example: A player born in July of 2010 would technically be considered a U10 player. However, based on the age pure rule implemented by U.S. Soccer, that player would be allowed to play in either the U10 or U8 age group. If they choose to play in the U10 age group, 7v7 games will be played during the season. If they choose the U8 age group, they will continue to play New Ball format similar to last year in the U7 age group.
Below is an outline of the birth year chart for the 2017-2018 season:
AGE GROUP
BIRTH YEAR
*GRADE
U6
2012-2013
Preschool
U7
2011-2012
Kindergarten
U8
2010-2011
1st grade
U10 (U9/U10)
2008-2010
2nd grade and 3rd grade
U12 (11/U12)
2006-2008
4th grade and 5th grade
U14 (13/U14)
2004-2006
6th grade and 7th grade
U16 (U15/U16)
2002-2004
8th grade and 9th grade
U19 (U17/U18/U19)
1999-2002
10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade
*Grade player will be enrolled in at the start of the 2017-2018 school year.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the changes to the age groups for the upcoming season. Please contact the club registrar, Liz Granados by choosing one of the following:
Take a moment to read U.S. Soccer age group changes and Mustang Soccer levels of play sections below to determine which program your player may participate in before completing the registration process. The link to the online registration is located at the bottom of the page.
Mustang Soccer has implemented the age group changes in all programs (Competitive and Recreational)to be compliant with the U.S. Soccer mandate starting in the 2017 season.
Competitive Programs (Elite, Premier, Academy) will be based on the player's birth year - the year in which the player was born.
Recreational Programs (Rec, Rec Plus, U6 Ponies) will be based on an adjusted age group chart that may allow players the opportunity to continue to play soccer with classmates and provide players' flexibility in a playing environment to play in a higher or lower age group to develop and improve soccer skills.
Take a moment to read U.S. Soccer age group changes and Mustang Soccer levels of play sections below to determine which program your player may participate in before completing the registration process. The link to the online registration is located at the bottom of the page.
Who should register with the league?
EVERY PLAYER must register by age group, regardless of which division the player will participate in the upcoming season. Competitive players may wait to register until after they accept a position on a team.
NOTE: To take advantage of the early bird discount,competitive players should register prior to tryouts and before teams are formed.
2017 Registration Fees
Level of Play
Early Bird
Feb 1 - Feb 28
Regular
March 1 - June 15
Late
After June 15
Competitive Elite **
$300
$325
$400
Competitive Premier **
$300
$325
$400
Recreational Plus (RecPlus)***
$600
$625
$700
Recreational (Rec)
$300
$325
$400
U6 Ponies
$200
$200
$200
U7/U8 Academy***
$750
$775
$850
**Competitive (Elite/Premier) players pay Program and Team fees in addition to registration fees.
***Rec Plus and U7/U8 Academy players register one time ONLY. Program fees are included in registration fees.
When registering, In the Player, Selecting Competitive / Recreational Program section, please select ONE program type:
Option 1: Competitive Players - if you have attended or plan to attend a tryout for Elite or Premier, choose:
Option 2: Recreational Players - if you did NOT attend a tryout or you did attend a tryout but did not make a team for Elite or Premier, register as a Recreational Player
U.S. Soccer Age Group Changes
Mustang Soccer has implemented the age group changes in all programs (Competitive and Recreational) to be compliant with the U.S. Soccer mandate starting in the 2017 season. For an overview of the changes, see the information at the top of the page.
Competitive Programs (Elite, Premier, Academy) will be based on the player's birth year - the year in which the player was born. For additional information, click here.
Recreational Programs (Rec, Rec Plus, U6 Ponies) will be based on an adjusted age group chart that may allow players the opportunity to continue to play soccer with classmates and provide players' flexibility in a playing environment to play in a higher or lower age group to develop and improve soccer skills. For additional information, click here.
Mustang Soccer Levels Of Play
Competitive Elite: This program is for players with advanced competitive soccer skills and represents the highest level of commitment.
Level of play: Most Competitive
Birth years: 2010 through 1999
Tryouts: January to May depending on age group
Coaching: Professional Mustang Soccer coach
Season begins: April
Travel: Extensive. Within and outside the Bay Area and may include out of state travel
Fees: Elite Program and Team fees range from $1800 to $2950. Uniforms, travel expenses and registration fee are not included.
Elite players must register and pay registration fee within one (1) week after team placement.
Competitive Premier: This program is for players with competitive soccer skills and represents a high level of commitment.
Birth years: 2011 through 1999
Playing Level: Competitive
Tryouts: April to May depending on age group
Coaching: Volunteer partnered with a professional Mustang Soccer trainer for weekly training
Season Begins: June or July depending on age group
Travel: Limited to State Cup games and tournaments. League games are played within the Bay Area
Fees: Premier Program and Team fees range from $625 to $900. Uniforms, travel expenses and registration fee are not included.
Premier players must register and pay registration fee within one week after team placement.
Recreational Plus: This program is for players of any soccer skill level who want advanced training and professional instruction.
Age Group: 2010 through 2004 (U9 to U14)
Playing Level: Advanced Recreational
Tryouts: None
Coaching: Volunteer with professional Mustang Soccer trainer weekly
Season Begins: August
Tournaments: Pre-season Jamboree, mid-season Saddleback Tournament and end of season Dick King Tournament
Season ends: November
Travel: Limited to Danville and Alamo areas
Team Formation: Based on school/zone codes
Recreational: This program is for players of any soccer skill level.
Age Group: 2012 through 1999 (U7 to U19)
Playing Level: Recreational
Tryouts: None
Coaching: Volunteer
Season Begins: August
Tournaments: End of season Dick King Tournament
Season Ends: November
Travel: Limited to Danville and Alamo. Older age groups may travel within the Tri-Valley area
Team Formation: Based on school/zone codes
U6 Ponies:This program provides a positive introduction to the game of soccer for our youngest players with some basic rules and lots of interactive play time. Teams meet one a week for one (1) hour on the weekends for a practice (warm up) and game.
Age Group: 2013 through 2012 (U5 to U6)
Playing Level: Recreational
Tryouts: None
Coaching: Volunteer
Season Begins: August
Season Ends: November
Team Formation: Based on the school/zone codes
U7/U8 Academy:This program is an alternative to recreational soccer for our younge players. There are no teams and trainging focuses on drills and 4v4 games.
Birth years: 2011 through 2010
Playing Level: Advanced Developmental Training
Tryouts: None. Preview is held in May to determine if players soccer skill level is developmentally ready for advanced training and if your child enjoys this different format
Coaching: Professional Mustang Soccer coaches
Season Begins: July
Season Ends: December
Travel Expectations: Limited - may include play dates within the Tri-Valley area.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the 2017 soccer season and/or registration. Visit our website at www.mustangsoccer.com or email the club registrar, Liz Granados at liz@mustangsoccer.com
Early Bird Discount: A $25 discount will be applied to your registration fees if you register by February 28th.
Sibling Discount: There is a $25 discount on 3rd & subsequent registrations in the same family. You DO NOT need to register all your player’s in one online session to receive the discount, as long as the last name and home address of all the siblings are the same.
Refund Policy: Below is the refund policy to request the base registration fee:
Refund Request Submission Dates Refund Policy
February 1st to June 15th
100% less $50.00 admin fee
After June 15th
No refunds (exception for season ending injury or relocation less $100.00 admin fee*)
*must be accompanied by a doctor’s note or relocation verification
Note: Full refunds will be issued to players who registered after June 15th if placement on a team does not occur.
Refund Request Procedures Refund requests must be submitted by email to liz@mustangsoccer.com or mailed to:
Mustang Soccer League 4680 Camino Tassajara
Danville, CA 94506
Attn: Registrar/Refunds
Please include player’s name, age group, division & contact phone no. Informing your coach or a board member is not an acceptable substitute for submitting a refund request online or through the mail. The date the communication is received by the office will count as the refund date.
