AYSO National

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American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is a non-profit organization that provides youth soccer programs for participants all over the U.S. and internationally in the Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. Consisting of over 50,000 teams and 500,000 players nationwide ages 3-18, AYSO is one of the leading youth soccer organizations in the world. It is often called “the biggest soccer club in the world.”

AYSO's Vision is to provide world class youth soccer programs
that enrich children's lives (to be the nationally recognized youth soccer program of choice).

AYSO's Mission is to develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs which promote a fun,
family environment based on AYSO's Six Philosophies.

The mission is accomplished by providing these essential services:

Coaching and referee programs including quality delivery systems
Quality administrative and operating systems with a support network
Strong financial position
Special network for volunteers, supported by a national staff
Program research and development

AYSO's Six Philosophies are living tenets that separate it from other sports organizations:

Everyone Plays®
Our program's goal is for kids to play soccer so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least 50 percent of every game. It's no fun to spend the game on the bench...and that's no way to learn soccer!

Balanced Teams
Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible because it's more fun and a better learning experience when teams of similar ability play. It allows for each player to gain the experience of a wide variety of teammates of different skill levels.

Open Registration
Our program is open to all children between 4 and 19 years of age who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing. There are no elimination try-outs and nobody gets cut.

Positive Coaching
Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment for the players and leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players. A coach can be one of the most influential people in a child's life, so AYSO requires they create a positive experience for every boy and girl.

Good Sportsmanship
We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and our program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.

Player Development
We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.