2026/2027 Age Group Formation Update

Beginning with the 2026/2027 season, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO will move to an August 1–July 31 age group formation cycle. This change aligns players with their school-year peers, supports social development, improves team chemistry and retention, and helps reduce “trapped” players. The update returns youth soccer to the pre-2017 school-year model and is designed to be more inclusive while increasing participation.

What This Means

• All Bavarian United Rec, Academy, Premier, and MLS NEXT Academy Division teams formed for 2026/2027 will use August 1–July 31 birthdates
• Players may play up when allowed; playing down is not permitted in USYS competitions
• U18 and U19 remain combined as U19
• Duplicate jersey numbers are allowed in WYSA leagues; unique numbers are required for Presidents Cup and National Championships

2026 New Referee Course



This course is for first-time, officially licensed referees (not the Bavarian United Junior Referee Program for in-house recreational games). It includes online modules plus a 3-hour on-field session, costs $75 ($24 extra if 18+ for a background check), and licenses are valid through 2026. WYSA participants who complete the course may receive a $40 reimbursement. 

Register at US Soccer Learning Center. Full details below.

2026 Spring Only Recreational Program Registration

Registration for new players in spring-only recreational soccer is now open! Players will either join new teams or be added to existing teams with available roster spots. Training runs from mid-April through early June, with practices typically starting a week or two before games, depending on the weather.

Spring 2026 (weather permitting):

• Coach Meeting: March 24
• Training: Begins on April 6
• Friday Night Lights: April 17 U6-U8 teams play at Bavarian United Soccer Complex
• League Games: April 18 - June 6
• Memorial Day Weekend: No training/games
• Coach: Volunteer parent
• Cost: $335 ($210 program dues + $125 volunteer dues)
• Uniform Included: jersey/shorts/socks (parents provide cleats and shin guards)

Bavarian United Boys Spring Cup

May 1-3, 2026

The Bavarian United Boys Spring Cup emphasizes player development, sportsmanship, and fair play for U8-U10 teams. To keep the focus on growth and enjoyment, no standings or playoffs will be recorded. U11-U12 teams will compete in a traditional tournament format, complete with playoff rounds and awards for finalists. Teams are placed in balanced brackets by age and ability, with each team guaranteed a minimum of three games.

Friday matches are reserved for local teams only.

With three turf fields available, the club is well equipped to adjust schedules and keep games moving in the event of inclement weather.

Divisions & Fees

U8 | $375

4v4, 20-minute halves, no goalkeepers

U9-U10 | $450

7v7, 25-minute halves

U11-U12 | $600

9v9, 30-minute halves

2026 Spring and Summer Camps and Clinics

• First Touch Soccer School: A fun, confidence-building introduction to soccer focused on fundamental skills.
• Technical Development Clinic: High-intensity training to elevate technical ability and decision-making.
• NexGen Player Development Summer Camp: Advanced supplemental training for committed players led by Nick Anguil-Andriacchi.
• Bavarian United SC Summer Camp: A fun, skill-building camp for players of all levels.
• Bavarian United SC Striker & Keeper Camp: Position-specific training for strikers and goalkeepers.
• Bavarian United SC Girls Preseason Camp: High-level preseason training for Academy and Premier Program girls.

MLS ID Clinics

March 7, and April 11, 2026

MLS NEXT ID Clinics are 90-minute training sessions led by Bavarian United SC’s MLS NEXT staff, designed to evaluate players for placement and interest in the 2026 - 2027 competitive season. Players should arrive ready to train with cleats, shin guards, and water.

Winning Ways App

Before winter break, Bavarian United launched the Winning Ways app as a club-wide investment in player development. The platform encourages growth beyond team training through fun, self-directed challenges that build skill, confidence, creativity, and a love for the game. Winning Ways is for all players, recreation through competitive, and supports a strong culture of individual development across the club.

• Webinar Recording: Watch the Winning Ways Webinar to learn how the app works.
• Need Login Help? If you missed your username/password email, complete the Google Form to have your Winning Ways login re-issued.

Team Rehab Free Injury Screen

Team Rehabilitation, Bavarian United’s sports medicine partner, provides injury care, prevention, and is offering free injury screenings.

Licensed Athletic Trainer Career Opportunity

Partner Job Alert

Team Rehab is a network of therapist-owned outpatient physical therapy clinics in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Georgia.

Our mission is to provide the best outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. We want our patients to enjoy therapy and experience clear improvements in their health. Our clinics receive the highest levels of patient satisfaction and our patients receive the best objectively measurable outcomes. Our strategy, based on excellent quality and patient satisfaction, is gaining momentum. Since opening our first clinic in 2001, we have grown across Michigan and into Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Georgia. We continue to open additional clinics in order to make physical, occupational and speech therapy even more accessible to our patients, their friends and their families.

The Common Standards all Team Rehabilitation Employees are held to include:

• Never say anything disrespectful about any group, whether they are formally protected by law or not.
• Never use language that another member of staff or patient finds offensive.
• No pictures, signs or the like that a patient or another member of staff finds offensive.
• No discrimination in hiring, training or promotion based on race, religion, national origins, weight, family status, sexual orientation, etc. None. Never. Ever.

Team Rehab believes that employing the best people will provide the best therapy and service to our patients. Because of this, Team Rehab offers:

• Competitive Pay
• Benefits for Both Full and Part Time Employees!
• Low Cost Medical Plan!
• Monthly Bonuses
• 401(k) Match
• Excellent Educational Incentives!
• Generous PTO
• Profit Sharing
• Mentorship

$27 - $37 / hour

Looking Ahead

Additional details on the following programs and events will be shared in upcoming newsletters:

• Bavarian United AGM
• Upcoming volunteer opportunities include Spring Clean Up, Adult Game Ball Runner, and Open House/Tryouts