New for Fall 2026 ~ Age Group Change
Starting this Fall, MYS is transitioning to a grade-aligned (August–July) age grouping. In previous seasons, players were placed on teams based on their birth year (January–December). Beginning Fall 2026, age group placement will align more closely with school grade, using an August 1–July 31 birthdate range.
This change follows the national age group realignment adopted across youth soccer starting with the 2026-2027 season. Visit the Age Group Change information section of our website to learn more about what this means for your player.
U3-U4 Mini Kickers Parent & Player Program
The MYS U3–U4 Parent & Player Soccer Program is a recreational, development-oriented program for young soccer players to enjoy with their family. In each session, players and parents engage in fun soccer activities led by trained McLean Youth Soccer staff coaches. These activities take place in a circle formation.
During the program, each player will have fun while developing balance, coordination, and social skills. This is not a program where parents simply watch from the sidelines. Parents or guardians will actively participate in the sessions alongside their player.
An adult must accompany each player throughout the program. There are eight sessions per season which are held on Saturdays (subject to weather conditions). Each player will receive a t-shirt as part of their registration.
FAQs
What should the players and parents wear and bring?
- Dress appropriately for changing weather conditions.
- Bring plenty of water.
- Bring a size two soccer ball with your player's name on it.
- We recommend the players wear cleats or turf shoes.
- Shin guards are recommended.
- Adults should come in comfortable footwear suitable for moving and dribbling a ball.
Will players be placed on a team or play in actual structured games?
There are no actual teams formed and no structured games will be played. Each player will be playing in the same group each week and have the same staff coach leading the activities.
Can I leave my player at the session?
One adult must participate with each child for the entirety of each session. If a parent needs to step away for a moment, they must have another adult assume responsibility for their player. Each parent's full attention should be devoted to their player and the session.
Can parents bring their other children to the sessions?
As long as parents can give their full attention to the player, other children may come and watch. Parents are going to be playing along, so babies in arms will present difficulties. If a player has an older sibling, they may be allowed to fill in for a parent during the session as long as the parent is present.
I have twins. May I participate with both of them?
Yes, a parent can participate with both of their twins. But it is generally better for all if there is one adult per player.
U5-U6 Kickstart Program
U5-U6 Kickstart Program
MYS is one of 18 clubs nationwide participating in the US Youth Soccer Game Format Project of 3v3 games. This game format supports greater individual skill development and decision-making. Player enjoyment increases with both more touches on the ball and more opportunities to score. At these age groups, parents' perception of their child's experience with soccer is more positive in 3v3 and 2v2 formats compared with 4v4 or larger game formats.
U5 (Pre-K Aligned) Format:
- Practices begin the week of August 31 – September 4.
- Saturday Morning Games – Teams meet for 3v3 games using small-sided, continuous play for 45 minutes. Head and assistant coaches from both teams organize restarts and substitutions.
- Teams practice for 60 minutes once during the week with their volunteer head coach and assistant coach. Practice schedules depend on coach and field availability.
- Players will need to bring a size 3 ball.
- Coaches can also choose to have their once weekly practice be part of the MYS U5–U8 Rec Academy — on a turf field with equipment and professional MYS staffing support.
U6 (Kindergarten Aligned) Format:
- Practices begin the week of August 31 – September 4.
- Saturday Morning Games – Teams meet for 3v3 games using small-sided, continuous play for 45 minutes. Head and Assistant coaches from both teams organize restarts and substitutions.
- Teams practice for 60 minutes once during the week with their volunteer head coach and assistant coach. Practice schedules depend on coach and field availability.
- Players will need to bring a size 3 ball.
- Coaches can also choose to have their once weekly practice be part of the MYS U5–U8 Rec Academy — on a turf field with equipment and professional MYS staffing support.
U7-U8 Academy Program
The McLean Youth Soccer U7 (1st Grade Aligned) program has Rec Academy available for coaches who choose for their team to be part of the program. The program follows an "academy" style format where every other week MYS staff coaches run the sessions alongside MYS volunteer coaches and provide guidance as needed.
The U7–U8 Academy is an inclusive program that allows young soccer players of all levels to develop their skills and passion for participation in the sport. The program aims to prepare players for future travel or recreational programs while also providing guidance to volunteer coaches for seasons.
U7 (1st Grade Aligned) Format:
- Teams practice for 60 minutes once per week.
- All practices are led by volunteer coaches.
- Players will need to bring a size 3 ball.
- Coaches can also choose to have their once weekly practice be part of the MYS U5–U7 Rec Academy — on a turf field with equipment and professional MYS staffing support.
- On Saturdays, two MYS teams play side-by-side 4v4 games using a continuous play model. These games are supervised by volunteer coaches.
U8 (2nd Grade Aligned) Format:
- Teams practice for 60 minutes once per week.
- All practices are led by volunteer coaches.
- Players will need to bring a size 3 ball.
- On Saturdays, two MYS teams play side-by-side 4v4 or 5v5 games using modified restarts with sideline kick-ins & kickoffs, but a majority of restarts are continuous play with a coach rolling in a new ball. Games are supervised by volunteer coaches.
- Parent volunteers help set up and take down portable goals for games.
U9-U10 Program
The McLean Youth Soccer U9-U10 (3rd & 4th Grade Aligned) program offers a fun and friendly, team-oriented program focusing on age-appropriate skill development. MYS Professional Technical Staff visit games to offer enhanced coaching education and support for volunteer coaches.
U9-U10 Format:
- Age Groups are U9 Girls, U9 Boys, U10 Girls, and U10 Boys.
- Teams practice for 60 or 75 minutes once per week with their volunteer coach.
- On Saturdays, each team plays a 7v7 game against another MYS team in their age group.
- Parent volunteers help set up and take down goals used for 7v7 games.
- The Goalkeeper position is introduced and multiple players will rotate playing goalkeeper each team, each game.
- Referees will be assigned, or in the event of no assigned referee attending, a volunteer parent will referee.
U11-U19 NCSL Recreation Program
MYS recreation players ages U11–U19 play on MYS teams that participate in the National Capital Soccer League Recreation (NCSL Rec) level league (formerly known as SFL) in Northern Virginia. No tryouts are required or permitted.
During the Fall and Spring seasons, NCSL Rec provides scheduling services to between 450 and 500 teams representing almost 30 different clubs.
To find out more about the NCSL Rec, visit the website HERE and click on the Recreation tab.
U11-U19 Format:
- Teams practice for 60 or 75 minutes once per week with their volunteer coach.
- On Saturdays and/or Sundays (primarily Saturdays), each team plays one game against another team in the Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C. area in their age group.
- Away games can be played outside of McLean and Fairfax county.