1. WHAT IS THE USYS PROGRAM?

U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America’s youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition. USYS has a current registration of more than 3 million players between the ages of five and nineteen and is recognized as a leader in youth sports organizations. U.S. Youth Soccer is the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the governing body for soccer in the United States. All USYS Stuttgart players are eligible to try-out for the USYS Europe Olympic Development Program (ODP) and possible selections for USYS Regional Teams which are feeders to the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams.

2. WHY IS USYS IN EUROPE?

The U. S. Youth Soccer membership is divided into four regions: East (Region I), Midwest (Region II), South (Region III) and West (Region IFV). USYS is made up of 55 State Associations; one in each state and two each in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. USYS Europe caters to U.S. players overseas and is its own Region. USYS Stuttgart is a USYS Europe District comprised primarily of U.S. players.

3. WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF PLAY WITH USYS STUTTGART?

USYS Stuttgart is an invite program with selections resulting from an evaluation process to identify players who demonstrate a developed level of playing ability technically, tactically, physically, and mentally. These players are placed into appropriate age group competitive teams which train together under contracted professional international coaches focused on player development. 

4. DOES USYS STUTTGART PLAY IN THE GERMAN LEAGUES?

Yes. Placing U-9 through U-15 teams into competitive leagues which advance and relegate teams based on results ensures players are in the optimal playing environment for their development. USYS Stuttgart is an officially recognized U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Private Organization providing advanced youth soccer development in Stuttgart. It is also an official German “Verein” (Club) in the Württemberg Football Association or “WFV” playing under the club name “USYS Academy Stuttgart e.V”.

5. DO I NEED A “GERMAN PLAYER CARD” TO PLAY IN USYS STUTTGART?

Yes, all U-7 through U-15 players need a player card. The German Football Association (DFB) is very strict about players ONLY playing for one club team at a time. There are two annual opportunities to transfer player cards between German clubs in January and July. New players to USYS Stuttgart who do not have a player card elsewhere in Germany may apply for a new player card at any time. Club player cards issued by U.S. states are not utilized in Germany, but the state soccer association will need to verify a player’s status as part of the process to receive a German player card.

6. IS IT HARD TO GET A GERMAN PLAYER CARD? 

It can be a difficult task to do on your own, but USYS Stuttgart contracts with a “Jugendleiter” or “Youth Manager,” who handles the transactions. He serves as a one-stop-shop for our club players requesting WFV player cards by submitting all the paperwork into the German system. This ensures players cards are processed properly and returned in minimal time.

7. WHAT ABOUT PLAYERS AGED 15 AND UP?

For high school age players, we have a HS program that focuses on preparing players for high school tryouts in March by training from September through February. The players also receive separate professional-level physical conditioning training in the spring. The program does not play in the German leagues and does not require player cards. It focuses on group tactical training and tests development through friendly matches against German teams.

8. DO USYS STUTTGART TEAMS TRAVEL TO TOURNAMENTS?

Yes. Tournaments are a staple of our playing opportunities throughout the season with teams traveling within Germany as well as in Europe. This is one of the most amazing opportunities about being in Europe; getting to play internationally and gaining experience in different styles of play. USYS Europe also hosts an indoor and an outdoor tournament each year that bring together other USYS District teams to play each other.

9. HOW OFTEN IS THE TRAINING?

U-7 through U-15 players train twice a week on weekdays; U-7s for 60 minutes and U-9-U15 for 90 minute sessions. Winter sessions are indoors for shorter periods of time but still twice a week. German league games are normally played on weekends, but make up games can also be scheduled during the week. Additional goalkeeper training and technical training sessions with specialized coaches are also available.

10. WHERE IS THE TRAINING?

U-7 through U-15 players train at TSV Hildrizhausen, which is approx. 6 miles southwest of the Böblingen/Sindelfingen area (Herrenberger Straße 60, 71157 Hildrizhausen). TSV Hildrizhausen offers excellent , lighted grass fields, a club house and restaurant. The HS program trains at KV Plieningen, approx. 2.5 miles north of Stuttgart Airport (KV Plieningen, Im Wolfer 32, 70599 Stuttgart) and offers grass and turf lighted fields, a club house and restaurant.

11. WHO ARE THE TEAM COACHES?

USYS Stuttgart teams are coached by professionally trained coaches contracted through ProSoc Academy. All coaches speak English. Coaches provide age appropriate training in a structured, progressive system as players advance through age groups.

12. DO YOU SELECT EVERYONE FOR THE PROGRAM?

No. Evaluations afford coaches the ability to select players who demonstrate developed skills, positive attitudes, and great effort. We will not select or place a player in an advanced playing environment if the player hasn’t demonstrated ability for continued growth at a higher level of play. This is unfair to the player if they are not ready to play in this environment and negatively impacts their desire to play long term.

13. HOW MANY PLAYERS DO YOU TAKE?

There is no exact set number of selections by USYS coaches going into evaluations. If the player demonstrates the ability, we make every effort to find a place for them in the program, e.g., if enough prospects are available we may create multiple teams within the same age group.

14. HOW DO YOU EVALUATE PLAYERS?

Evaluations are normally done through two phases during a session. The first is a subjective technical evaluation designed to give a qualitative value to the player’s technical ability. The second is centered on small sided games providing coaches a quantitative player evaluation in a playing environment.

15. DO I NEED TO ATTEND MULTIPLE DAYS OF EVALUATIONS?

No. All new players, regardless of age, must attend an evaluation. If a player cannot attend one of the scheduled evaluations, please contact us and we will make alternate arrangements. ALL U-19 players (Girls and Boys) must attend team tryouts to determine if they are ready technically, tactically, and physically to enter the U-19 program focused on 11v11 tactics and speed-of-play.

16. CAN MY CHILD “TRY-OUT” TO PLAY IN ANOTHER AGE GROUP? (AKA “PLAY UP”)

No. All new players try-out for selection in their age group only. USYS has endorsed the USSF mandate regarding age group placement based on dates of birth after 1 January for each birth year. USYS Stuttgart utilizes two-year age groups of U-7, U-9, U-11, U-13, & U-15. The U-19 age group is for Varsity-level high school players. The USSF mandate is designed to place players in the appropriate developmental environment for their age. After try-outs, however, a coach may determine that the player’s ability exceeds ALL other players in their age group to such a level that they cannot effectively develop in their age group. Such an evaluation will be made without regard for any particular team desires or family desires and based solely on what is best for the continued development of the player. Exceptions to “play up” are generally very rare. WFV allows certain ages to play across ages with girls on boys teams or co-ed teams. These are handled on a case-by-case basis and closely discussed with the family to get the player in the right playing pool. A player who later decides to leave the program as a result of not being approved to “play-up” does not constitute grounds for a refund from USYS Stuttgart. Normal refund policies apply.

17. WHICH AGE GROUP IS MY CHILD IN?

Under 7 (U7) – DOB between 1 January 2017 and 31 Dec 2018 (Bambini)

U9 – DOB between 1 January 2015 and 31 Dec 2016 (F Junioren/innen)

U11 – DOB between 1 January 2013 and 31 Dec 2014 (E Junioren)

U13 – DOB between 1 January 2011 and 31 Dec 2012 (D Junioren)

U15 – DOB between 1 January 2009 and 31 Dec 2010 (C Junioren)

High School Program, i.e, U19, DOB between 1 January 2005 and 31 Dec 2008 (B & A Junioren)