Rec Soccer
Youth & DevelopmentRecreational soccer; generally less competitive, community-based leagues focusing on participation.
Related Terms in Youth & Development
Golden Age of Learning
The age range of roughly 9 to 12 years old, considered the optimal window for players to acquire technical skills.
Guest Player
In youth soccer, a player who plays for a team in a tournament that they are not permanently rostered on.
USYS (US Youth Soccer)
The largest youth sports organization in the US, administering state associations and the ODP system.
Featured Clubs
Latest Youth Soccer News and Articles
The U.S. Girls Youth Soccer Pyramid: A Parent's Guide to League Tiers in 2025/2026
November 6, 2025
Play Club Soccer Staff
A parent's guide to understanding the tiered leagues in U.S. girls' youth soccer, from ECNL to recreational leagues.
Guide to the New MLS Next Divisions: MLS Next Homegrown and MLS Next Academy Divisions Explained
August 2, 2025
Play Club Soccer Staff
A clear breakdown of the different divisions within MLS NEXT, explaining the homegrown player rule and the academy structure.
Youth Soccer Birth Year vs School Year Change Explained
August 1, 2025
Play Club Soccer Staff
The age group cut-off date is moving from a January 1st birth year to an August 1st school year system.