Core Soccer
Ages 5–10
The heart of AYSO. Balanced teams, real games, and friendly coaching that builds the fundamentals — passing, dribbling, and teamwork.
- Everyone plays at least half
- Balanced teams each season
- Weekly practice + Saturday games
Fun, safe, and inclusive youth soccer for ages 5–18. No tryouts. No cuts. Everyone plays. Come build skills, friendships, and a whole lot of weekend memories.
Trusted by Central Coast families for 50+ years
From 6U Core Soccer to competitive 14U+, there's a perfect fit for your child.
Every coach, ref, and board member is a local volunteer. That could be you.
Good sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive coaching — the AYSO way.
Take 5 penalty kicks against our keeper. Beat the high score, then go show your parents what you've got. ⚽
👆 Tap a corner of the goal to shoot!
Parents: here's how to sign them up →
AYSO groups players by age so the game stays fun and fair. Not sure where your child fits? Use the division finder →
Ages 5–10
The heart of AYSO. Balanced teams, real games, and friendly coaching that builds the fundamentals — passing, dribbling, and teamwork.
Ages 11–14
Bigger field, full-sided play, and growing competition — while keeping the fun and fairness AYSO is known for.
Ages 15–18
Keep playing the game you love with friends. Flexible, fun, and a great way to stay active through the high-school years.
AYSO places players by age group (we call them "divisions"). Enter your child's birth year and we'll point you to the right one for the 2026–27 season.
Divisions use an Aug 1 cutoff. This is a guide — final placement is confirmed by the region at registration.
It takes about 10 minutes. Have your child's birth date and a payment method ready.
Set up a free family account on the AYSO registration portal — one login for all your kids.
Enter each child's info, pick the right division, and review the season details and fees.
Pay securely and you're done. We'll email you with team placement and the first practice details.
Spots are first-come, first-served and divisions can fill up. Lock in your child's place today.
🔒 Registration is handled securely on AYSO's official Sports Connect portal. You'll head there to finish — your spot is saved the moment you check out.
Cost should never keep a kid off the field — ask us about scholarships & financial assistance.
Here's the rhythm of a typical fall season. Exact 2026 dates are confirmed on the registration portal.
Sign up early for the best division availability and to help coaches plan teams.
Free certification clinics for new and returning volunteers. No experience required.
Teams are announced and weekly practices kick off. Meet your coach and teammates.
The whole region comes together for the first Saturday of games. Bring the family!
Weekly games run through the fall, with end-of-season celebrations to wrap it up.
Mud, goals, high-fives, and friendships that last. Here's what Saturdays look like.
Real parents, coaches, and kids from right here in the Five Cities.
AYSO is 100% run by parents and community members like you. You don't need to know a thing about soccer — we train you, we support you, and your kid will think you're a legend. Just a few hours can change a child's season.
Lead a team of eager kids with our ready-made practice plans. Free certification, big rewards.
~3–4 hrs/weekNo refs means no games. Learn to officiate with free training — a great way to learn the game and stay close to the action.
Flexible, paid clinicsKeep your team organized — snacks, communication, and game-day cheer. The glue that holds a season together.
~1 hr/weekHelp run the region — fields, Opening Day, picture day, and more. Use your skills off the field.
Seasonal / as-neededEvery volunteer is background-checked and trained at no cost — see exactly what's required →. Not sure where you'd fit?
For 60+ years, these ideas have made AYSO the friendliest place to play youth soccer in America.
Every player on the roster plays at least half of every game.
Teams are re-balanced each season so games stay fun and competitive.
No tryouts, no cuts. Every child who wants to play, plays.
Encouragement over criticism builds confidence and a love of the game.
Respect for teammates, opponents, and refs — win or lose.
Coaching and reffing focused on helping every player grow.
Fees vary by division and are shown during registration. AYSO is a nonprofit, so fees just cover uniforms, fields, insurance, and equipment. Financial assistance and scholarships are available — no child is turned away for cost. Reach out and we'll help.
Absolutely. The majority of our players are beginners. There are no tryouts and no cuts. Our volunteer coaches are trained to teach the basics in a fun, supportive way.
We provide a team jersey. Families provide soccer cleats, shin guards, a size-appropriate ball, and a water bottle. We'll send a full checklist after you register.
Typically one weekday practice and one Saturday game per week during the season. Younger divisions are shorter and lighter than the older ones.
You're not required to, but AYSO only runs because parents pitch in — and there are roles for every comfort level and schedule. Even one small job makes a season possible. See the roles →
At fields throughout the Five Cities area (Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Oceano, and Nipomo). Your specific field and time are shared once teams are formed.
Whether you're ready to register, want to volunteer, or just need to figure out where your child fits, we're happy to help.