Player Placement

Real Colorado Club Update: Youth Soccer Age Group Change (Fall 2026)

We understand the upcoming shift from birth year to school year alignment has raised questions for many families, especially as players think ahead to next year. As previously shared, Real Colorado will align with a nationwide change to youth soccer age groups beginning in Fall 2026, transitioning from a birth year model to one that more closely reflects the school calendar with the goal of increasing participation for all players. (see the age group chart here)

Key points to know:

• This change begins Fall 2026 (it is not immediate).

• For our competitive and elite programs, the Spring 2026 season remains important for competition, development, and growth. The players who improve the most between now and tryouts will be best positioned for fall placement.

• For Recreational families, the focus for Spring 2026 is a positive spring season with teammates and friends and learning to love the sport!

• This is a governing body decision, designed to better align players with school peers and reduce “trapped player” situations where player loss rates are the highest.

• Real Colorado will approach this transition the same way we approach everything: development, accountability, and competitive standards.

Player placement is never simple, but we will ensure the process is clear, transparent, and communicated well in advance.  Families can expect consistent answers and no surprises.

Each program has created a transition timeline and calendar of opportunities, including Spring evaluation opportunities as necessary and the Fall 2026 age group ID days/tryouts, so families understand the process and what to expect.

Thank you for being a part of Real Colorado and supporting your player or players experiences.

Fall 2026 Age Group Transition: Player Placement Guide for Recreational Families  

To: All Real Colorado U7 and Older Recreational Families  (download full .pdf. here)

As a follow-up to our recent club wide communication regarding the nationwide change to youth soccer age groups (August 1–July 31), which begins in Fall 2026. We are excited to share the official schedule for our Age Group ID Days and 2026–2027 Junior Academy Tryouts. Please note that if you are currently playing in our recreational program, we will continue to have recreational teams in all age groups U5 through High School.   While the ID Day and Tryout schedules do not pertain to families who continue to play recreational, there is other information in this letter that you may find helpful.  If you have any questions after reading this letter, please reach out directly to the Real Colorado Recreational Staff listed below.  

• U4 and U5 Boys and Girls – Sara Connolly - Registrar 

• U6 and U7 Boys and Girls – Theresa Echtermeyer – Director of Recreational 

• U8 and Older Boys Recreational – Chris Higbee

• U8 and Older Girls Recreational – Olivia Divine

• U8, U9, U10 Boys Junior Academy – Matt Brennan

• U8, U9, U10 Girls Junior Academy – Sean DeDycker 

This message includes:

• Information about Age Group ID Days 

•  Pre-Tryout information for U8 Players 

• Real Colorado’s Development & Placement Philosophy for 2026–2027 

• Links with more information about ID Day Dates and Junior Academy Tryout Dates.  

• NEW: 2026-2027 Age Group Chart 

All information in this communication will also be housed on the Real Colorado website on the Recreational/Junior Academy pages, including a Q & A section.  These pages will be updated as more information becomes available. 

 AGE GROUP ID DAYS (SPRING 2026)

Purpose:  Age Group ID Days allow players to train within their NEW Fall 2026 age groups, meet new teammates, and provide staff with critical evaluation opportunities ahead of official tryouts. These sessions are development-focused and are not final tryouts. We have ID days available throughout March, April and May. We encourage players to attend as many ID days as possible.  Players are required to sign up for the dates they plan to attend. It is particularly important that you register for each individual date, so we can ensure we have appropriate number of coaching staff for each date.  Each ID Day will be run by our Junior Academy Directors, Recreational Directors and our Junior Academy Team Coaches.    

See the dates below. 

 JUNIOR ACADEMY TRYOUT INFORMATION

Junior Academy Tryouts will be in May 2026. Each tryout will directed by our Junior Academy Directors, Staff Coaches and JA Team coaches. If you are unable to attend tryouts but are interested in being placed on a Junior Academy team for the Fall 2026/Spring 2027 seasons you should contact your JA Director.

Real Colorado Junior Academy Tryout Dates and Registration Link:

Junior Academy Evaluation Factors

Players will be evaluated on: 

• Technical quality and decision- making

• Athleticism, mentality, and engagement

• Progress shown during Spring 2026 and ID Days

• Readiness, coachability, love for the game and being a good teammate.

• Fit within their newly designated age groups 

Placement decisions are made by our Directors of Coaching and Program Directors, with clear and timely communication with families. 

REAL COLORADO’S APPROACH TO 2026–27 PLAYER PLACEMENT

Many families ask: “Will my player be forced to move to the younger age group, or is there flexibility to stay with an older team?” 

 EVERY PLAYER BENEFITS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THEIR NEW PROPER AGE GROUP.

This provides:

• Proper alignment with developmental peers.

• Better long-term pathways.

• A more balanced and competitive environment. 

The only exception that exist are for players in the younger birthyear, but are in the appropriate grade with their current team. They are encouraged to continue with thier grade. See our FAQ’s for examples.

TOP PERFORMING PLAYERS MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN/PLAY WITH THE OLDER AGE GROUP OR NEXT TEAM UP, WITH RECOMMENDATION FROM THEIR JA DIRECTOR.

Training “Up” will be determined by:

• Performance

• Maturity/Readiness

• Long-term development goals. 

Keep in mind: The “older” age group is now, on average, six months older than before, creating a bigger physical, emotional, and developmental jump. 

OUR HISTORY PROVES THIS APPROACH WORKS.

Real Colorado has produced professional players and U.S. Youth/Senior National Team players who never played up a year. They followed a developmentally sound pathway and thrived. 

Conversely, we have also seen players who played on the older team struggle later when transitioning back to their proper age group. 

The lesson: Development is accelerated by mastering each phase, not skipping it. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO FAMILIES

• Transparent communication

• Thoughtful evaluations

• Long-term development focus

• Placement decisions that support: Players → Teams → Programs → Club

U8 PRE TRYOUT CAMP – For players born August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019

Pre-Tryout camp is designed to prepare players for the U8 age group tryouts.   This is a fantastic opportunity for players to get more comfortable with the tryout environment and for the U8 Junior Academy coaching staff to get to know all the players.   Players will be introduced to 5v5 and 7v7 play as this will be the format for the U8 tryouts.  

• U8 Pre-Tryout Camp Dates and Registration Link:  Register Here

2026-2027 YOUTH PLAYER AGE DIVISIONS

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.  Our goal is to provide a positive and safe environment where children can enjoy their soccer journey with their friends and teammates.  Thank you for choosing Real Colorado.  

We look forward to supporting your player throughout a strong spring season and during the 2026–27 transition. 

Can out-of-club players attend Junior Academy ID Days before May 1?
While we always want to encourage families to speak ahead of time to the current club, the simple answer is yes. Players from outside of Real Colorado are allowed to attend our Junior Academy ID Days. The recent CSA May 1 rule does not apply to U10 and younger age groups. That rule only applies to U11 and older, so our Junior Academy ID Days remain open for both current Real Colorado players and players from other clubs who would like to be evaluated.