⚽ Real Soccer, Real Fun from Age 5 to 18

The AYSO Mira Mesa Core Program is where it all begins, and where players stay, grow, and thrive. It's community soccer grounded in six guiding philosophies, designed to develop not just players, but great teammates, leaders, and people.

Whether your child is just starting out or already soccer-obsessed, Core offers a fun, structured, and supportive environment to play the game they love.

🧒 Core Divisions by Age

Every division has age-appropriate rules and field sizes to help kids build confidence and skills. Here’s what to expect by age group:

🔹 6U – 8U (Ages 5–8)

Format: 5 vs. 5
Goalkeepers: No
Field Size: ~20–25 yards wide x 35–40 yards long
Ball Size: 3
Game Length: 2 x 20-minute halves (6U), 2 x 25-minute halves (8U)
Referees: Coaches serve as refs
Travel: No — all games are local

Overview:
This is where players learn the fundamentals—dribbling, passing, shooting, teamwork—on small fields with fewer players so they stay involved. There are no official standings or scores. The focus is on fun and foundational skills.

🔹 10U (Ages 9–10)

Format: 7 vs. 7
Goalkeepers: Yes
Field Size: ~35–45 yards wide x 55–65 yards long
Ball Size: 4
Game Length: 2 x 25-minute halves
Referees: Certified youth/adult referees
Travel: Yes — home and away games in Area 11R (Poway, Scripps, RB, etc.)

Overview:
At 10U, players begin formal soccer rules like offside and goalkeeping. They start to learn positions, tactics, and field awareness, while still rotating through roles. Referees are introduced, and games are played both at home and away against neighboring AYSO regions.

🔹 12U (Ages 11–12)

Format: 9 vs. 9
Goalkeepers: Yes
Field Size: ~50 yards wide x 80 yards long
Ball Size: 4
Game Length: 2 x 30-minute halves
Referees: Certified referees
Travel: Yes — circuit play continues across Area 11R

Overview:
Games become more strategic and positional, with more players, more space, and longer halves. Players continue rotating through positions but begin to specialize more. The pace of play increases, and so does players’ understanding of team tactics and game flow.

🔹 14U (Ages 13–14)

Format: 11 vs. 11
Goalkeepers: Yes
Field Size: Full-size field (typically 60–70 x 100–110 yards)
Ball Size: 5
Game Length: 2 x 35-minute halves
Travel: Yes — regional play across San Diego County

Overview:
This is full-field soccer with a full team of players in each position. Strategy becomes more advanced, and players apply years of development to play structured, competitive matches. Ideal for players who want to stay active and improve, whether or not they play club or high school soccer.

🔹 16U (Ages 15–16)

Format: 11 vs. 11
Field Size: Full-size
Ball Size: 5
Game Length: 2 x 40-minute halves
Travel: Yes — home and away games

Overview:
Players at this age are typically confident and experienced. Matches follow high school-level rules and structure, but with the supportive, inclusive tone of AYSO. For many players, this is a way to stay involved with soccer without the pressure or commitment of competitive leagues.

🔹 19U (Ages 17–18)

Format: 11 vs. 11
Field Size: Full-size
Ball Size: 5
Game Length: 2 x 45-minute halves (90 minutes)
Travel: Yes — local circuit

Overview:
19U is the final stop in the Core journey. These players play real, competitive soccer in a fun and flexible setting—perfect for those wrapping up their youth soccer experience or just wanting to keep playing for the love of the game.

✅ Ready to Register?

👉Click here to register your player now

Spots go fast—especially in 6U–10U.

Still have questions? Email us and we’ll help you find the right division and get your child in the game.