956205398 · CA ↑ parent cluster ·
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AMERICAN YOUTH SOCCER ORGANIZATION

CA · EIN 956205398 · $65.7M rev · operational · www.ayso.org
profile

American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is a national nonprofit delivering youth soccer programs across the United States. It serves over 400,000 players through 850 local volunteer-run Regions, emphasizing child development, safety, and inclusion. AYSO's model centers on six core philosophies including Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, and Positive Coaching, ensuring a fun, family-friendly environment for children of all abilities.

activities · 29

what they do

direct service · 25
  • AYSO EXTRA Competitive Program Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Provides a tryout-based, competitive soccer program (AYSO EXTRA) with balanced teams selected through fair evaluations, requiring that all players participate in at least 50% of each game and offering advancement opportunities through All Star teams, tournaments, National Open Cup, National Games, and travel teams.
  • AYSO EXTRA Competitive Soccer Program Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Operates a try-out based, internal gaming-circuit program (AYSO EXTRA) that allows players to refine soccer skills in a more competitive environment, with requirements that all players participate in at least 50% of each game and are selected through fair evaluations to ensure balanced teams. Participants can advance to All Star events, tournaments, National Open Cup, National Games, and travel teams.
  • AYSO EXTRA Competitive Soccer Program Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Operates a try-out based, internal gaming-circuit program (AYSO EXTRA) for players seeking a more competitive environment, ensuring all team members play at least 50% of each game and are selected through fair evaluations to maintain balanced teams. Participants can advance to All Star teams, tournaments, National Open Cup, National Games, and travel teams.
  • AYSO EXTRA competitive play program Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Provides a try-out based, competitive soccer program (AYSO EXTRA) for players seeking to refine skills in a more structured environment. Teams maintain competitive balance through open evaluations, and all players are guaranteed at least 50 percent playing time per game. Participants are eligible for All Star events, tournaments, National Open Cup, National Games, and travel teams.
  • AYSO Playground and Schoolyard Jamboree Programs Early Childhood Soccer Introduction
    Runs the Schoolyard Jamboree and Playground programs for 4-5-year-olds that emphasize foundational soccer and movement skills in a low-pressure, developmentally appropriate environment using 3v3 gameplay and structured 60-minute sessions.
  • Community Soccer Clinics and Events Youth Soccer Clinics and Community Events
    Hosts community soccer clinics and events that introduce soccer programming, health and safety education, and family activities, such as a four-day clinic series that enrolled over 300 new players and engaged hundreds of students and family members.
  • Community soccer clinics and events Youth Soccer Clinics and Community Events
    Hosts community-based soccer clinics and events that introduce new players to the sport, including multi-day clinics that have enrolled over 300 new participants. Events also include health and safety education and family activities, engaging hundreds of students and family members.
  • Core Youth Soccer Program (Ages 6–19) Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Operates a primary youth soccer program for children and youth aged 6 to 19, structured around a school-year age matrix with an August 1 cutoff for division placement, and guided by six core philosophies including Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, and Positive Coaching. Ensures every player participates in at least half of every game.
  • Core Youth Soccer Program (Ages 6–19) Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Operates a primary youth soccer program for players aged 6 to 19 across 850 local Regions in the U.S., serving over 400,000 players annually, with a commitment to the Everyone Plays® philosophy ensuring each child plays at least half of every game.
  • EPIC Program for Individuals with Disabilities Adaptive Sports Programs for Youth with Disabilities
    Provides the EPIC program for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, using trained coaches and buddy assistants to support skill development, social engagement, and inclusive participation in soccer activities.
  • EPIC Program for Players with Disabilities Adaptive Sports Programs for Youth with Disabilities
    Runs the EPIC (Exceptional Players In Communities) program for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, utilizing trained coaches and buddy assistants to support skill development, social engagement, and inclusive soccer participation.
  • EPIC Program for Players with Disabilities Adaptive Sports Programs for Youth with Disabilities
    Provides the EPIC (Excellence, Participation, Inclusion, and Community) program for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, using trained coaches and buddy assistants to support skill development, social engagement, and full participation in soccer activities.
  • EPIC program for individuals with disabilities Adaptive Sports Programs for Youth with Disabilities
    Runs the EPIC (Excellence, Participation, Inclusion, Community) program for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, using trained coaches and buddy assistants to support skill development, social engagement, and inclusive participation in soccer activities.
  • Kickstart Program for Young Children Early Childhood Soccer Introduction
    Offers an entry-level soccer program called Kickstart designed to introduce young children to soccer through fundamental motor skills development, delivered in non-traditional spaces such as gyms or multipurpose rooms using small activity grids. Sessions are led by certified Activity Leaders and involve collaboration with parents or guardians.
  • Kickstart Program for Young Children Early Childhood Soccer Introduction
    Offers an entry-level soccer program called Kickstart designed for children aged 3-5, focusing on fundamental motor skills through soccer-based activities in non-traditional spaces such as gyms or multipurpose rooms, using small activity grids and certified Activity Leaders.
  • Kickstart Program for Young Children Early Childhood Soccer Introduction
    Offers an entry-level soccer program called Kickstart, designed to introduce young children to soccer through fundamental motor skills development in non-traditional spaces such as gyms and multipurpose rooms using small activity grids. Sessions are up to 60 minutes long and include rest breaks.
  • Kickstart and Schoolyard Jamboree programs for young children Early Childhood Soccer Introduction
    Offers entry-level soccer programs for children aged 3–5, including Kickstart and Schoolyard Jamboree, focused on developing fundamental motor and soccer skills in a low-pressure environment using small-sided (3v3) games and activity grids in non-traditional spaces such as gyms or multipurpose rooms. Sessions last up to 60 minutes and involve collaboration with parents or guardians.
  • National Network of Local AYSO Regions Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Operates 850 local programs (Regions) across the United States, collectively engaging over 400,000 players and 100,000 volunteers in youth soccer programming and community events.
  • National Network of Local Soccer Regions Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Operates 850 local programs (Regions) across the United States, engaging over 400,000 players and 100,000 volunteers in youth soccer activities, supported by standardized age eligibility using an August 1 cutoff date.
  • Schoolyard Jamboree for 4-5 Year Olds Early Childhood Soccer Introduction
    Runs the Schoolyard Jamboree program for children aged 4–5, focusing on foundational soccer and movement skills in a low-pressure environment using a 3v3 game format to support age-appropriate learning and engagement.
  • Schoolyard Jamboree for Ages 4-5 Early Childhood Soccer Introduction
    Runs the Schoolyard Jamboree program for 4-5-year-olds that focuses on foundational soccer and movement skills in a low-pressure environment using a 3v3 game format to support age-appropriate learning and engagement.
  • Youth Soccer Clinics and Community Events Youth Soccer Clinics and Community Events
    Organizes youth soccer clinics and community events that include soccer programming, health and safety education, and family activities, such as a four-day clinic series that enrolled over 300 new players and served hundreds of students and family members.
  • Youth Soccer Clinics and Community Events Youth Soccer Clinics and Community Events
    Organizes youth soccer clinics and community events that include soccer programming, health and safety education, and family activities, such as a four-day clinic series that enrolled over 300 new players and engaged hundreds of students and family members.
  • Youth Soccer Program for Ages 6–19 Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Operates a primary youth soccer program for children and adolescents aged 6 to 19, grounded in the Everyone Plays® philosophy, which ensures that every child participates in at least half of every game, promoting inclusion and balanced team development.
  • Youth soccer program for ages 6–19 with balanced teams and guaranteed playing time Youth Competitive Soccer Programs
    Operates a core youth soccer program for players aged 6 to 19 across 850 local Regions in the United States, serving over 400,000 players and 100,000 volunteers. The program enforces the Everyone Plays® philosophy, ensuring each child participates in at least half of every game, and uses a school-year age matrix with an August 1 cutoff to determine divisions.
capacity building · 4
  • Volunteer Certification and Training Youth Program Volunteer Certification
    Requires all volunteers to complete Safe Haven certification courses and job-specific training to ensure qualified leadership across all AYSO programs, promoting safety, positive coaching, and operational consistency.
  • Volunteer Training and Certification Youth Program Volunteer Certification
    Requires all volunteers to complete Safe Haven courses and job-specific training to become certified, ensuring trained leadership across all programs and regions.
  • Volunteer Training and Certification Youth Program Volunteer Certification
    Requires all volunteers to complete Safe Haven training and role-specific certification to ensure safety, program quality, and alignment with AYSO’s core philosophies.
  • Volunteer certification and training Youth Program Volunteer Certification
    Requires all volunteers to complete Safe Haven courses and role-specific training to become certified, ensuring qualified leadership across all programs and regions.
strategies · 28

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.

named programs · 8

what they call their work

AYSO EPIC
Special program for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, providing a safe, fun soccer experience with trained coaches and buddy support.
AYSO EPIC Program
A specialized program for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, providing a safe and fun soccer environment with trained coaches, volunteers, and buddies to assist during games and promote skill development and self-esteem
Everyone Plays®
Ensures every player participates in at least 50% of each game, promoting inclusion and skill development for all children regardless of ability.
Kids Zone
A program designed to eliminate negative sideline behavior by encouraging parents and spectators to sign a pledge to uphold positive, respectful conduct during games and practices
Kids Zone®
Program designed to eliminate negative sideline behavior by encouraging parents to sign a pledge committing to positive, respectful conduct at games and practices.
Safe Haven
A child and volunteer protection program that includes volunteer screening, mandatory training and certification, and safety policies to ensure a safe environment for all participants
Safe Haven®
Child and volunteer protection program requiring background screening, training, and certification for all volunteers to ensure a safe environment.
Small-Sided Games
Age-appropriate soccer games with fewer players on the field to maximize ball touches and create a development-focused, fun learning environment for young players
relationships · 13

who they work with

  • AYSOVolunteers.org Partner — Collaborates with AYSOVolunteers.org to support volunteer needs and resources.
  • Aurora Public Schools Partner — Partnered with AYSO PLAY! for the 2024 Aurora Summer Kickoff event.
  • Colorado Soccer Foundation Partner — Co-hosted the 2024 Aurora Summer Kickoff event with AYSO PLAY!.
  • Iron Sharp Partner — Co-hosted the 2024 Aurora Summer Kickoff event with AYSO PLAY!.
  • Sator Soccer Partner — Collaborates to strengthen youth soccer goal infrastructure.
  • Sator Soccer Partner — Collaborates with Sator Soccer to strengthen youth soccer goal infrastructure.
  • Sator Soccer Partner — Collaboration to strengthen youth soccer goal infrastructure.
  • The Autism Community in Action (TACA) Partner — Collaborates to expand inclusive soccer education nationwide.
  • The Autism Community in Action (TACA) Partner — Partners to expand inclusive soccer education nationwide.
  • The Autism Community in Action (TACA) Partner — Partners with TACA to expand inclusive soccer education nationwide.
  • The Autism Community in Action (TACA) Partner — Partnership to expand inclusive soccer education nationwide.
  • U.S. Soccer Partner — Aligns age determination practices with U.S. Soccer guidelines.
  • U.S. Soccer Federation Partner — Engaged AYSO PLAY! to organize youth soccer events in Atlanta in conjunction with the announcement of its new headquarters.