Age Group Shift Fall 2026 TRAVEL FAQ

US Soccer has announced a new birth year cutoff that will change how age groups are defined across the country, including at all the local soccer clubs. This change will impact team groupings, particularly for new players with birthdays from August through December. Please see the FAQ below abut our Travel Program Groupings for the upcoming Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 season. 

Please note NO CHANGE will take place for Spring 2026. Your player is still on the same team through June 2026.

Will my child be forced to change teams in the Fall?
No. No player currently on a Town of Poughkeepsie travel team will be forced to change teams due to the birth year change.

Does my child still need to attend tryouts to stay on their current team?
Yes. Similar to all previous years, all players, including those wishing to remain on their current team, must still attend tryouts and earn a roster spot through the normal evaluation process. Tryouts will be held in late April and early May and information about that will be posted to our website and sent through your coach in the next few weeks.

My child has a birthday between August and December. Does anything change for them?
No. It is highly recommended that the player tries out with their current team. 

If my child tries out for their current team, are they guaranteed a spot?
No. As with all of our travel teams, roster spots are earned through the standard tryout and evaluation process.

How will new players that aren't part of an existing team be placed?
Players who are new to Town of Poughkeepsie travel and trying out for the first time will try out according to their official age group under the new US Soccer birth year structure. Please see the bottom of this page for an age group chart.

How will new teams be formed for the Fall?
Any new teams formed beginning with the Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 season will be formed according to the new US Soccer age groupings seen at the bottom of this page

Who can I contact with questions?
Families with questions about their player’s specific situation are encouraged to speak with their coach or email info@topsc.org for guidance.

*Note that school grade is only there as a helpful guide, and is NOT used for placement. Only Birthdate matters