All NSSA teams (and the majority of teams across the United States) will move from Birth Year Age Group Formations (January 1st-December 31st) to School Year Age Group Formations (August 1st-July 31st).   

This change will go into effect beginning with the 2026-27 soccer season.  The current year (2025-26) will remain unchanged.  The official start date of the new Age Group Mandate will be August 1st, 2026.  For NSSA the change will go into effect during tryouts in July, 2026.

No.  The decision was indirectly made for us by both US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer choosing to change from Birth Year to School Year Age Groups.  TCSL is a member of US Club Soccer and MYSA is a member of US Youth Soccer.  So, both of the local organizations we use made the change and if we want to participate in their leagues or tournaments we have to make the change too.  

Yes.  The vast majority of soccer across the United States is played under the umbrellas of US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO).  All three of these organizations are making the change to School Year Age Groups and if teams want to play in their leagues they must adopt the changes too.

Yes.  The vast majority of soccer across the United States is played under the umbrellas of US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO).  All three of these organizations are making the change to School Year Age Groups and if teams want to play in their leagues they must adopt the changes too.

Parents and guardians can use the table at the top of the try-out page to determine their player’s new age group.

Fortunately, we have several NSSA staff members who previously weathered the age group change in 2016. We will use those experiences to ensure NSSA is ready to meet this new challenge and opportunity.  We have looked through our current rosters and bookmarked all of our players that will be affected by this new change.  Over the next several months our staff will make decisions on where we think those players would be best served to play next year.

No.  We have never held to that policy and will not do so now.  We have players currently that play outside their age group because it is in the best interest of the player and the team.  We will continue to allow exemptions to the new Age Group Mandate if it makes sense for all involved.

Exemptions will be considered for newly displaced Academy Black players that show they can still make the Academy Black team an age group up and compete at that level.

Ex.  A 2013 Academy Black player would be placed on the 2014 Academy Black team based on the new Age Group Mandate.  If, in the opinion of the club, that player shows they can still compete at the Academy Black level with their former team an exemption will be considered.

Exemptions will be considered if a player’s birth date now places them in an age group that does not line up with their school year.  

Ex.  A 2012 Select player has an August birthdate and the new Age Group Mandate places them on a team in a younger age group but this now has them playing with players in the grade below them.  In order to keep those players on teams with other players in their own grade an exemption will be considered.

Once NSSA staff has looked over all players that will be moved to a new age group based on the Age Group Mandate and our recommendations have been sent to the families we will send a survey through Playmetrics asking what each individual families preferences are.  Those that are requesting to play in an age group outside of what they have been assigned will be reviewed by the NSSA staff and a decision will be made.  All potential exemptions must be reviewed BEFORE tryouts.  

Yes.  It has always been our policy that players can try out at older age groups but they must meet the criteria outlined above.  

Yes.  Even if you have asked for an exemption and it has been granted players must attend a tryout at their own age group.  Granted exemptions are NOT guarantees of placement.  Players must still attend tryouts and be placed on a team.

No.  Players can still not play down an age group.  Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this rule.

NSSA knew of the upcoming age group change before our uniform cycle started this season.  As a result we were able to go through and identify individual players that may move age groups.  Where possible those players do not have duplicate numbers.  For the few that are still affected, NSSA will either organize a jersey exchange or will replace the jersey.  There will be no extra cost to the families.

Feel free to contact Executive Director Brady Hicks with questions @ Brady.Hicks@NSSAsoccer.org 

Tryouts in Summer 2024 will be for team placement for the full year including (2024 Fall Competitive Season, 24-25 Winter Training (and leagues) and 2025 Spring/Summer Competitive Season.  This will include league play in September and October, indoor training November - April and league play May through July. Once your player is placed on a team in August, the commitment is for the 2024-2025 season. 

Players unable to attend tryouts must still complete and pay for Tryout Registration to indicate that they wish to petition for a roster spot. Details about Missing Tryouts will be found within the registration including, what dates player is missing and why. 

A position on a specific team is not guaranteed. However, the Director of Coaching will be notified that even though your child was not at tryouts they are still interested in playing for NSSA. Players will be placed on a team based on their ability level. 

Players are strongly encouraged to attend both days of tryouts. If player is unable to attend 1 day, please complete the Missing Tryouts Portion of the Registration including which day will be missed and the reason for missing.

Any player currently playing outside of their current birth year who would like to be considered for a different birth year should coordinate a try-out plan with the Director of Coaching.  Most players are still required to try-out with their actual birth year both days.

Players should bring shin guards, cleats and plenty of water. A tryout shirt is included in the tryout fee and must be worn to both sessions. 

Notification of placement for teams will be made approximately 48 hours after the final tryout date for a given birth year. An email invitation including team plans and approximate fees will also go out to each team.

Our teams participate in both Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL) and National Premier League (NPL).  The league a team is placed in is based on the following criteria: competitive level and geography of opponents.

NSSA’s teams are formed after tryouts and include a Fall Season for U8-U14 teams. Fall league play is a limited season with 6 league games primarily falling on weekends. 

We recognize that some players cannot commit fully to the fall season because of other activities.  The expectation for fall is to communicate very early with the coach and manager about games or practices you will miss and to make as many as you can. In the event of short rosters, teams can seek play-­‐ups to ensure an adequate bench of players. NSSA reserves the right to restructure teams based on specific team needs for fall only if rosters need balancing.

PLEASE NOTE: this will not affect U15 – U18 players as TCSL do not offer Fall league play for these ages.

The 2024-2025 Competitive Season Registration will open after tryouts have been completed and team invitations are made. Players have 48 hours to respond and register to reserve a team roster slot for your child via the NSSA site using PlayMetrics. Please note, after 48 hours NSSA reserves the right to offer the roster spot to another player. If you delay registration, the spot may no longer be available.)

IMPORTANT NSSA requires an initial payment of $250 that represents a commitment to the club and to the team for the full year. This payment binds the player to NSSA for the 2024-2025 season.  This payment is non-­‐refundable and financial assistance cannot be applied.  

In order to accept your player’s roster invitation on a team, NSSA requires an initial payment for the 2024-2025 season. Historically, “verbal commitments” after tryout dates have not always resulted in paid registrations so many teams were left with short rosters. Under this system, teams will have their rosters confirmed and in place much earlier.  This also makes planning for events such as winter training and league play much more predictable for the club, coaches and managers.

NSSA provides a payment plan through our web platform. If you choose, the total fee (less the initial commitment fee) can be divided into eight even payments from September through April. Full payment of club and team fees are required in order for the player to be eligible to participate in league play.  The club holds the right to hold a player pass in the event of late payments.

The NSSA Financial Assistance Policy is available. Application for assistance must be submitted and approved prior to registration.