The U.S. youth soccer structure is a multifaceted system designed to develop players from recreational levels to elite national teams. Understanding the different governing bodies, leagues, and levels of competition is crucial for navigating this landscape.
Amongst the various sporting and recreational opportunities your child will be exposed to early on, you will want to get them going in organized youth soccer if they show a particular penchant for soccer. There is no “rule” for the best age to do this, but in general, the earlier the better.
USYS is one of the largest and most prominent governing bodies for youth soccer in the United States. It operates through 55 state associations, each overseeing local leagues and competitions.
USYS offers a range of programs, including the Olympic Development Program (ODP), which identifies and develops players for national teams.
US Club Soccer is another major governing body, known for its National Premier Leagues (NPL) and the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).
US Club Soccer also runs player identification programs such as Player Development Programs (PDP) and the id2 National Identification and Development Program.
Other Organizations: American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and Soccer Association for Youth (SAY) focus more on recreational soccer but can also have travel teams competing in other leagues.
Dive deeper into the various levels of competition within youth soccer.
