Dear EMSSC Families,

As a competitive club, we are committed to providing the highest level of stability and continuity for our players. However, we must also align with the structure set forth by the national and state governing bodies, US Youth Soccer (USYS) and the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA).

We are releasing this statement to confirm that EMSSC will be implementing the mandated change to the age group cut-off dates for the upcoming 2026/2027 competitive season. Instead of age groups being determined by birth year, the updated birth range will be from August 1st – July 31st.

We understand that structural changes can sometimes be challenging, but we are confident that our club’s leadership and coaching staff will navigate this transition smoothly, ensuring the best possible environment for player development and team formation.

Despite these structural changes, our commitment to player evaluation and team formation remains constant. Just as we do every year, EMSSC will utilize information from tryouts in June to finalize and solidify all competitive teams. We will assess talent and team needs based on the new age groupings at that time.

We encourage all competitive families to review the new age guidelines and be prepared for these changes as we approach the tryout window. We appreciate your patience and trust as we continue to provide a high level competitive experience.

You find more information at our website regarding this change and we will continue to closely monitor any updates from the national and state level. Thank you for your continued support of EMSSC.