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.

Real Colorado Fall 2026 Competitive: ID Days, Tryouts & Player Placement Guide (.printable .pdf document)

Hello Real Colorado U11–U19 Competitive Families,

As a follow up to our recent club wide communication regarding the nationwide change to the new youth soccer age group (August 1–July 31) calendar beginning in Fall 2026, we are pleased to share the official schedule for our Age Group ID Days and 2026–27 Competitive Tryouts, along with important information to help players and families prepare for this change.

This message includes:

• Age Group ID Day Schedule

• What to Expect at ID Days

• Official Tryout Schedule (May 18-20)

• Real Colorado’s Key Evaluation Traits

• 2026–27 Placement Philosophy

• Key Dates for Families

• Reference to the NEW Fall 2026/Spring 2027 Age Group Chart

This page will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

AGE GROUP ID DAYS (SPRING 2026)

Purpose: Age Group ID Days give players the opportunity to train within their new Fall 2026 age groups, meet future teammates, and be evaluated in preparation for official tryouts. ID Days are development focused and are not final tryouts.

Group Structure: We will form initial groups to begin each Age Group ID Day. Based on evaluations, groups may adjust as we observe players. This is expected and part of the process. Exact initial groupings and fields to arrive at will be shared before the first session or via a follow up message.

WHAT TO BRING

• Real Colorado training kit

• Cleats, shin guards, and water

• A properly inflated and labeled ball

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Technical and functional training

• Small sided and full field match play - they will play a lot!

• Evaluations conducted by Directors, Program Directors, Staff, Team Coaches and Trainers

• Engagement with peers in their new age groups

REAL COLORADO’S KEY EVALUATION TRAITS

Across all programs, players are evaluated on:

• Technical quality & decision making

• Competitiveness, consistency, & game impact

• Progress shown during Spring 2026 and ID Days

• Leadership, attitude, & coachability

• Fit within their new age group environment

Placements are determined by Directors of Coaching, Program Directors and Team Coaches through a focused player-developmental approach.

REAL COLORADO’S PLACEMENT PHILOSOPHY FOR 2026–27

All Players Start in Their New Correct Age Group

This ensures:

• Proper developmental alignment

• Long term growth pathways

• Balanced and competitive teams

• Training Up / Playing Up

• Training and Playing Up includes both:

  • Training or playing games with the team above

  • For Boys Academy and Girls National players: participating with the year older training group

• Decisions are based on:

  • Performance

  • Maturity

  • Positional needs

  • Long term development goals

*Players and parents should expect that the “older” age group will now be on average six months older, making physical and developmental considerations more significant.

Consistent With Our Previous Messaging (HS Eligible Players Only)

Players entering the high school–aged cycle will have the ability to remain with their current age group if developmentally appropriate, but this does not guarantee placement on their current team.

We will ask these Real Colorado players to indicate their intentions by the designated deadline (see Key Dates below).

Why This Approach Works

Many Real Colorado professional players and national team players progressed without ever playing up a year, following a developmentally sound pathway that emphasizes mastery of each phase.

KEY DATES FOR PLAYERS AND PARENTS:

• Coach Assignments Announced: Early April

• HS Eligible Player Intent Deadline: May 1st

• Offers Sent: Within 24 hours of each age group’s final tryout

• Offer Acceptance Window: 24–48 hours

• Team Meetings & Uniform Fittings: Late May/Early June

To maintain accuracy and consistency, please refer to our Fall 2026/Spring 2027 Age Group Chart on the Real Colorado website to see the proper age group for your player.

A FINAL MESSAGE TO OUR FAMILIES

We understand families and players are deeply invested in this transition. While we prepare for the new age group structure, we also encourage everyone to stay focused on finishing the season strong, enjoy their teammates, and take pride in closing out the year together, especially with Real Cup, which we hope will be a fun and memorable celebration for every player.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. We look forward to supporting your player throughout an exciting spring season and during the 2026–27 transition.

Sincerely,

Shawn Comegys - Director of Coaching

This section will be updated as we identify informational gaps in the information we have provided.

The ID Days are for our competitive program only.

WHAT TO BRING

• Real Colorado training kit

• Cleats, shin guards, and water

• A properly inflated and labeled ball

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Technical and functional training

• Small sided and full field match play - they will play a lot!

• Evaluations conducted by Directors, Program Directors, Staff, Team Coaches and Trainers

• Engagement with peers in their new age groups

AGE GROUP ID DAY SCHEDULE

MONDAYS — Redstone Park

• U11 Boys ('16/'15) — 4:30–6:00pm

• U12 Boys ('15/'14) — 6:15–7:45pm

• Dates: 3/23, 3/30, 4/13, 4/20

WEDNESDAYS — Redstone Park

• U11 Girls ('16/'15) — 4:30–6:00pm

• U12 Girls ('15/'14) — 6:15–7:45pm

• Dates: 3/25, 4/1, 4/15, 4/22

FRIDAYS — Redstone Park

• U13 Girls ('14/'13) — 4:30–6:00pm

• U14 Girls ('13/'12) — 6:15–7:45pm

• U13 Boys ('14/'13) — 4:30–6:00pm

• U14 Boys ('13/'12) — 6:15–7:45pm

• Dates: 3/27, 4/3, 4/17, 4/24

SUNDAYS — Redstone Park Field 5 & 6

• U15–U16 Girls - 3:00pm

• U17-U19 Girls - 1:00pm

• Dates: 3/29, 4/19, 4/26

Age Group Eligibility

• U15 - August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012

• U16 - August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011

• U17 - August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010

• U18/19 - August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2009

MONDAYS — Heritage Park Stadium Turf

• U15 & U19 Boys - 5:00pm 

• U16 & U17 Boys - 7:00pm

• Dates: 4/13, 4/20

Age Group Eligibility

• U15 - August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012

• U16 - August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011

• U17 - August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010

• U18/19 - August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2009

For planning purposes only. Tryout registration will open prior to April 1st.

Location: Real Complex (unless noted otherwise)

Monday, May 18 — Real Complex

• U11 Girls ('16/'15): 4:30–6:00pm — Turf #1 + Grass

• U11 Boys ('16/'15): 6:15–7:45pm — Turf #1 + Grass

• U13 Boys ('14/'13): 4:30–6:00pm — Turf #2

• U13 Girls ('14/'13): 6:15–7:45pm — Turf #2

Tuesday, May 19 — Real Complex

• U12 Girls ('15/'14): 4:30–6:00pm — Turf #1 + Grass

• U12 Boys ('15/'14): 6:15–7:45pm — Turf #1 + Grass

• U14 Boys ('13/'12): 4:30–6:00pm — Turf #2

• U14 Girls ('13/'12): 6:15–7:45pm — Turf #2

Wednesday, May 20 — Time & Location TBD

• U15–U19 Girls

• U15–U19 Boys

Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) offers a league for players who are U15 players and cannot or choose not to play for their high school during this season. For these players, Real Colorado will offer teams for the boys in the Fall and girls in the spring to help ensure these players have teams to play on.

Questions can be directed to Desri Wessler.

South Tryout Competitive Tryout Schedule