Age Groups & Birth Years

U.S. Youth Soccer organizes age groups by birth year. Catasauqua Youth Soccer Association, EPYSA, and the leagues we participate in also follow these guidelines.

Seasons are specified from Fall to Spring, and age group placement is determined based on the child’s birth year and the year of the Spring season.

U6 Intramural Program

CYSA’s U6 Program is for children who’s birth year falls into the U5 and U6 age groups for the Spring season year. E.g. for the 2020-2021 season, a child born in 2015 (U6) or 2016 (U5) can play in our U6 Program.

Following this pattern, children born in 2017 (U4) are technically too young. However, if you child excels in physical activities and can follow directions exceptions can be made. We do prefer that a child that young has a familiar adult volunteer that can serve as a coach or assistant coach on their team.

U7-U19 Recreational Program

CYSA’s Recreational Program is for children who’s birth year falls into the U7 through U19 age groups for the Spring season year. E.g. for the 2020-2021 season, a child born any time in 2002 through 2014 can play in our Recreational Program.

However, due to our smaller size, and annual registrations from other members of our recreational league, we may group players into two year bands. E.g. for the 2020-2021 season, our youngest age group may be U8, which will be made up of players in the U7 and U8 age groups, meaning birth years from 2013 through 2014.

Additionally, as the age group increases our likelihood of fielding a team decreases as most players tend to leave club teams for middle school and high school teams. If you have questions about team availability, please feel free to Contact Us.

U9-U19 Travel Program

CYSA’s Travel Program is for players looking for a higher level of completion than is offered by the Recreational Program. Travel teams tend to be tightly grouped around an individual year with exceptional, younger players playing up if spots are available. CYSA fields Travel teams when there are interested players and coaches. If you have questions about team availability, please feel free to Contact Us.

Roster Limits, Players on Field, and Ball Sizes

U7-U8: max 12 players, 6v6, size 3 ball
U9-U10 (NVYSL): max 16 players, 8v8, size 4 ball
U9-U10 (Travel): 10-12 players, 7v7, size 4 ball
U11-U12 (NVYSL): max 18 players, 9v9, size 4 ball
U11-U12 (Travel): 12-16 players, 9v9, size 4 ball
U13+ (NVYSL): max 15 players, 7v7, size 5 ball
U13+ (NVYSL): max 22 players, 11v11, size 5 ball
U13+ (Travel): 14-22 players, 11v11, size 5 ball

Last updated 4/14/2021

Season & Birth Year to Age Group Chart