In both Competitive and Recreational Soccer, the play level is determined by age level (called U9, U10, U11, etc).

The age your player will be in the current year determines her soccer age. For example, if your daughter was born in December 2007, for the 2022-23 season, she is a U16 player. The soccer year includes two seasons: the fall season and the subsequent summer season, and kids "age-up" every fall.

For competitive soccer, players can play up, but will not be allowed to play in a younger age group. If your player was born on December 31st, and his best friend was born on January 1st, your player is too old to play in the best friend's age level.  The best friend can play up a year to be with your player, however.

To determine the right age group for your child, MYSA provides a birth-year chart, which you can also see on the right side of this page. When you register your child for an RSA season, you will enter your child's birth-date, and the league directors will assign your child to the correct age level.