Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

MIRA MESA SOCCER

Mira Mesa Soccer Core Program

⚽ 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.

What Makes Core Unique?

🌟 AYSO’s Core Program is built on six philosophies that shape every aspect of the experience:

Everyone Plays – Every child plays at least 50% of every game.
Balanced Teams – Teams are rebuilt every season to ensure fair, competitive play.
Open Registration – No tryouts or cuts. Every child is welcome.
Positive Coaching – Coaches build confidence, not pressure.
Good Sportsmanship – Respect for others is always part of the game.
Player Development – Focus on learning, effort, and progress at every age.

core seasons

Mira Mesa Soccer Core runs two seasons each year:
🟦 Fall: August–November *
🟩 Spring: March–May
*Fall regional Playoffs are typically in December, while All Stars are in January.
Sectional and State Playoffs usually end in February/ March

The Bigger Picture: Why Core Matters

📈 Core isn’t just rec soccer, it’s a foundation.

Every game teaches players:

How to support teammates
How to bounce back from mistakes
How to think, move, and work as part of a team
How to lead, listen, and grow

The structure may change with each age group, but the mission stays the same: developing confident, capable players who love the game.

Registration Listing

2025 Fall Soccer

Thank you for choosing AYSO! The division for the Fall season are based on birth year and are as follows:

U4 (Playground) -2022 and must be 3 years old by September 1

U5 (Schoolyard) -2021

U6 - 2020

U8 - 2019/2018

U10 - 2017/2016

U12 - 2015/2014

U14 - 2013/2012

U16 - 2010/2009

U19 - 2008/2007

Fall Teams are formed based on the number of available volunteer coaches . If you are thinking about being a coach for the first time, please let our coach administrator, Scott Potter, know as we have all the resources to get you started. Scott can be reached at [email protected].

The AYSO Fall program is for players ages 3-18 and focus on development of fundamental soccer skills during the 10 week season.
Players U4 will have a playground format with an Activity Coordinator in collaboration with parent/guardian.
Players U5-U6 will have a schoolyard Jamboree, group session on Friday evenings and or Saturday mornings in coordination with parent/guardian volunteers.
Players U8- U19 will have formed teams and will have a minimum of 1 day practice a week, determined by the coach, and a match on Saturday mornings with start time 8am-12pm.
Registration includes a uniform kit, a basic photo package, the non-refundable items National Fee of $25 and a service fee of $2.75. Should you need to cancel registration, you must request a refund prior to the start of the first practice/game of the season by submitting a refund form which can be found on the Region website under "Region Documents."

Volunteers are Welcome & always needed:

U6 and up divisions are in need of a volunteer coach and a referee, please consider volunteering.
Coaches, assistant coaches, referees and team parents must sign up online at www.miramesaayso.org as a volunteer, and are required to complete the AYSO Safe Haven, CDC Concussion, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest courses online at AYSOU. Referees must be trained and coaches must also complete their division specific coaching license through AYSOU.