AYSO Alliance

What is the AYSO Alliance program?

The purpose of the AYSO Alliance program is to support AYSO player development to the highest levels of play. The AYSO Alliance program is an opportunity for high performance AYSO teams to play in external club soccer circuits. Teams register in both AYSO and the local club organization such as US Club or US Youth Soccer, and play against other Alliance and/or external club teams. Travel is required.

Alliance was developed primarily for two main environments:

1. An AYSO Region that does not have enough neighboring competition, so they can play at a competitive level in a local club circuit.
2. A particular EXTRA or Tournament team has outperformed its competition, and wants to graduate to a higher level of club play.

Each AYSO Alliance program will operate in the best interest of the local Area and Regions with an emphasis on the player pathway and creating a positive learning environment for our players and coaches. The program will serve as an entry point for players into external competition circuits. AYSO Alliance teams represent the National Program in their local Alliance circuit and in inter-state tournaments.

Player Eligibility

Players are selected through open tryouts, typically held in February or December, depending on the age group. Club league rules dictate when tryouts can occur. All players must be nine years old by December 31st of the upcoming season to be eligible to participate in the Alliance program.  

How is Alliance different than EXTRA?

EXTRA is an internal gaming circuit that consists of only AYSO teams. EXTRA requires some travel but teams compete within a specific AYSO Section or group of Sections (i.e. SCEDSL).

Alliance is designed to plug competitive AYSO teams into external club gaming circuits. They may only play outside club teams for the duration of their season but can enter AYSO Open Invitational tournaments.

Regional, Area, and Section Logistics

It is highly recommended that Alliance is run at the Section level to ensure a consistent experience for all players. Operating guidelines and directives fall under the authority of the AYSO Area or Region Alliance Director and are outlined below. Note that AYSO cannot control or be responsible for external playing circuit rules, requirements or decisions.

Though some procedures may differ from Section to Section, there are the general requirements for Alliance programs:

1. Players and Coaches must be registered AYSO Affinity platform and US Youth Soccer or US Club Soccer. For example, in Section One, Alliance players and coaches register with CalSouth.
2. Coaches must be submit a Volunteer application each year and be fully certified as a volunteer with AYSO.
3. Coaches must be registered and certified with US Soccer and hold age-appropriate coaching licenses as well as AYSO coaching certifications.
4. Players will need both AYSO and state-certified ID Cards.
5. Regions, Areas, or the Section will need to create an Alliance Club, with the intention of registering teams to a local club league or circuit. Coaches will need to register their individual teams to that Alliance Club.
6. Regions will need to provide the minimum number of teams (usually 5 or 6) to construct a "club" for league registration, but that can be supplemented with Area and/or Sectional management. In some states, the state soccer association may allow individual teams to register for state-run leagues.
7. Leagues often have specific scheduling requirements, such as consecutive home games to accommodate referees.
8. Team application must be completed by May for the following Fall season, and submitted to the Section/Area/Region Alliance President.

Starting-up and Maintaining an Alliance Program

Any person or Region interested in starting an AYSO Alliance program MUST:

• Be approved by the local Area Director and Section Director, who will communicate with AYSO Office who will assist in establishing the program in compliance with expected standards and expectations. The AYSO Alliance Program Section Director Checklist is the place to start for all Sections or Areas looking to formalize existing Alliance programs or to form new ones. As each club league has different requirements, this document should be modified as needed. Alliance Directors can use the State Association Contacts as a starting place to identify possible leagues in which Alliance teams could play.
  • Considerations for acceptance include: being based in geographical Areas where there are supporting Regions, sufficient field requirements, demand for club soccer and availability of a club gaming circuit.
• Complete an AYSO Alliance Application to request approval.
• Agree to all standards/expectations to ensure quality programming and AYSO representation. Additionally, Section Directors must be listed as a contact with the state organization.
• Pay the Alliance Team Fee as set by Region/Area/Section (see financial section).
• This is a Region/Area/Section program, and all teams from the same Region should wear the same color/style of uniform within that Area/Section and will bear the AYSO Alliance logo on the chest.  Uniform colors in the ALLIANCE program may differ from program to program.
• Apply for reapproval every three (3) years.

Other Forms

Sections are encouraged to thoroughly vet all prospective Alliance coaches to ensure they are not only exceptional coaches, but that they are committed to following AYSO's Six Philosophies and align with AYSO's values. A Coach Review application form can be adapted to the Region/Area/Section's needs.

The Alliance Coach Verification Form allows Alliance program administrators to verify that Alliance coaches are aware of their responsibilities.

The Regional Commissioner Verification Form ensures Regional Commissioners understand and agree with what they are required to host Alliance programs.