One of the first questions I usually get from parents after they are through the basic differences between club soccer and recreational soccer is, “what’s different or how does the system work?”  There is no easy answer, as it is complicated by a fragmented hierarchy of organizations and control of soccer in the United States.  The US is a free market economy, so we can have lots of groups competing for a spot in the market.  The good news is that there is someone at the top of the pyramid, and everyone else just falls somewhere below.  In very general terms, and as it applies to youth soccer, the organization at the top is the US Soccer Federation then there are three main youth governing bodies, AYSO, US Youth  Soccer, and US Club Soccer. The chart below is a simplistic depiction.  

Each youth soccer governing body is organized slightly differently. Different organization structures are specifically designed to meet the individual needs and mission of its members. Please keep reading below for more details. They all have similar mission statements and objectives, even though they may cater to different groups or have different methods for achieving their goals.

US Club Soccer  

US Club soccer, like its name, is all about the clubs and then its member leagues.  There are a number of levels of US Club Soccer leagues, but that is for a different article. US Club Soccer’s foundation is its higher level leagues. The map below shows the 2021-2022 leagues.

Per the US Club Soccer website US Club Soccer is a National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization committed to the development and support of soccer clubs in the United States. Among US Club Soccer’s guiding principles:

• Clubs are the vehicle through which players are developed, and US Club Soccer should help facilitate club development throughout the country.
• Clubs and their leadership should be the primary decision-makers in the structure and organization of soccer.
• US Club Soccer should provide leadership and a vehicle for clubs and technical leaders to work together to elevate the game and player development environment.

US Youth Soccer

US Youth Soccer is very analogous to US Club Soccer, a bit older, larger, and currently providing more geographic coverage. USYS has a more traditional model of involving state based organizations.

Per the US Youth Soccer Website, US Youth Soccer is the largest youth sport organization in the country, it is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 3 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.

AYSO

Per its website, the  American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is a nonprofit and the oldest national youth soccer program in the United States. Beginning with only nine teams by a handful of soccer enthusiasts, AYSO was established in 1964 out of a garage in Torrance, California, in an effort to ensure that American kids have the opportunity to be introduced to the beautiful game of soccer.

Section

AYSO divides the country into 14 geographic Sections based on player population. Section Directors are responsible for activities in their respective Section, ensuring that Areas and Regions comply with all AYSO fundamentals and deliver quality programs.

Area

A group of AYSO Regions combined form an Area. AYSO has close to 100 Areas nationwide. Area Directors are trained to support and mentor each of their Regions. These Area Directors are ultimately responsible for the oversight of all activities within their Regions. 

Region

AYSO’s grassroots programs begin with a community-based league, called a Region. A Region can range in size from less than a hundred players to several thousand. The AYSO Regions are operated by a volunteer Regional Commissioner and a volunteer Regional Board.

AYSO does have traditional club teams as well, through their AYSO United Club arm.  These teams play and compete in US Club Soccer or USYS governed leagues.

So What Does it all Mean?

For the most part, if you are playing organized youth soccer, you are likely governed by one of these three bodies. On its face this may seem clear, but is complicated by the fact that many clubs have their own internal leagues, may be members of both USYS and US Club Soccer, and then additionally there may put their teams into different or multiple leagues.  The interchange of terms, leads to the same words often having multiple meanings all dependent on context. Of course none of this matters if you just love the game and want to play pick up soccer.

In a future article we will discuss the differences between the club and recreational soccer as well as the interplay of all of the different leagues out there. In the meantime, get those kids out there to play, with whatever organization fits for you!

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