Fall Soccer

Friend Requests – Fall 5U to 7U - We permit “friend requests” and try to the best of our ability to meet them, in our fall U5 to U7 program. Scores and standings are not kept in these programs, and any competitive imbalances are to be managed by the coaches by sharing players, reducing/increasing numbers on the field, etc. We understand at the younger ages, being comfortable in a team setting is just as important as competitive balance.

Player Draft – Fall 8U to 19U– In our fall program, every year since 2010, we have a player “draft” based on player ratings where the coach chooses his/her team including their assistant coach and players. We also balance first and second year players between the teams, and distribute referees across the teams. This has created tremendous balance for the teams in these divisions. Although score differentials may vary from game to game, and other factors come into play such as injuries and coaching, we have found that many teams can and do have a legitimate chance to compete for region championships every year. This is AYSO Balanced teams and more fun for all! Although we don’t use friend requests in this team formation, coaches do get to pick their teams, and the kids are at an age where they can more comfortably make new friends.

The season usually starts near the end of August and plays through the middle of November.

Team Formation Guidelines

The purpose of All-Stars is to provide players that have demonstrated superior skills, effort, attitude, team play and commitment the opportunity to continue to develop their skills in a more competitive environment against teams with similar skills. 

All-Stars is open to players in 8U, 9U, 10U, 12U and 14U who played in Region 889's Fall Season.  Players participating in our Extra Program are not eligible to participate in All-Stars.

Spring Program: 

In our spring program, which is “Area 11L” (South County) play for U8 and up, we allow coaches/teams from fall to continue to spring. However, recruiting of players from other fall teams is discouraged! To complete rosters, the spring coordinator will merge fall teams, and add players to round out rosters. Balanced Teams is accomplished through “Flighting,” meaning teams are assigned to competitive brackets of similar ability, re-flighted at midseason to correct any irregularities, and re-flighted once again for the Spring Tourney.

Also, Region 889 has the highest spring participation in Area 11L (South Orange County) every year because we try to place all kids, rather than run a “Spring Select” program that many regions do where only the stronger players are encouraged to continue on more competitive teams. Thus, we have made a decision to be inclusive of all players in our region, and although flighting is used, we do need to distribute players of varying ability to some extent in order to remain competitive, and hence why recruiting is discouraged.

2024 Spring/Fall Girls Teams:

Girls 2016 - U09 - Saul Barragan - [email protected] 
Girls 2015 - U10 - Kevin Kruer - [email protected] 
Girls 2014 - U11 - NO TEAM
Girls 2013 - U12 - NO TEAM
Girls 2012 - U13 - NO TEAM  
Girls 2011 - U14 - NO TEAM
Girls 2010 - U16 - NO TEAM

2024 Spring/Fall Boys Teams:

Boys 2016 - U09 - Randy Gordon - [email protected]
Boys 2015 - U10 - Scott Newman - [email protected]
Boys 2014 - U11 - Mark Mann - [email protected]
Boys 2013 - U12 - NO TEAM
Boys 2012 - U13 - NO TEAM
Boys 2011 - U14 - NO TEAM

If interested in trying out for the Extra teams (2024 Spring & Fall), please pre-register at:

http://www.matchtrak.com/889/main.nsf/extra-player?openform 

What is AYSO EXTRA?

The AYSO Extra/Flex program provides a more challenging and competitive level of play for those players who possess the appropriate interest, skills, and abilities.  The program is geared toward an affordable and competitive soccer experience aimed at developing players for that may have an interest in playing for their high school or a gold level club team.
 
EXTRA is designed to enhance each player's experience and individual growth through the game of soccer while retaining the spirit and organization of AYSO.
 
The program includes current U8 up to U13 players who are selected by way of a tryout process that evaluates fundamental soccer skills, which include:
Defending • Attacking • Speed • Ball Control •  Game Knowledge • Attitude


PLAYER/PARENT COMMITMENT
All players will be asked to declare their commitment level to the program and that will also be a factor in final player selection. Club soccer players active on a club team are not allowed to participate in this program due to AYSO EXTRA Program National Guidelines. 
 
SEASON LENGTH
The Extra/Flex Teams will play both the spring and fall seasons, typically starting earlier than the recreational program teams.
 
COST OF PROGRAM
The Registration Fee for AYSO Extra is the same as the Fall Primary Program, plus an additional fee for custom uniforms, exclusive EXTRA training and any tournament fees.
 
PLAYING CIRCUIT
Our EXTRA program is administered at the SECTION level with a gaming circuit that includes AYSO AREA’s Z, E, K, L and Q.  Older divisions may play teams ranging from Cypress to down to San Clemente. In the lower age divisions like U9, games typically take place in South Orange County (Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita).
 
REGION 889 COACHING STAFF
All Region 889 coaches have gone through advanced training with certification levels above the age group they are coaching.
 
The Region also includes support from experienced trainers throughout the season that have a goal to improve the individual soccer skills of all players.
 
SUMMARY BENEFITS OF PROGRAM
The benefits of the Extra program include:
- Advanced competition of play amongst teams in Orange County
- Lower cost compared to Club programs
- Coaching certification equivalent to Club
- Coaching and team continuity
- Tournaments, camps, and clinics
- Local neighborhood/community field use
 
For questions, please contact Dinny To
 
AYSO Region 889
EXTRA Coordinator
Email:  [email protected]
 
 

 
 
The EPIC Program provides a quality soccer experience for 4-year-old children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams.  All EPIC  Players have the opportunity to play a minimum of one-half of each game. 
 
EPIC teams may include:
 
Players who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Amputees or players with conditions that impair their Mobility
Players who are Mentally or Emotionally challenged
Players with Autism
Players with Down syndrome
Players with Cerebral Palsy
 
Our EPIC Program will be held during our regular fall season.  EPIC helps more than just the players.  Buddies and other volunteers increase their appreciation and understanding of individuals with special needs. They find their lives greatly enriched by their involvement with their new VIP friends. For parents thinking they would never see their children playing a sport or making new friends, EPIC gives them joy and hope.  They are able to relax and enjoy watching their children having fun like other kids, perhaps for the first time.
 
 


We recognize that all children need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. The EPIC program offers that acceptance and carries our philosophy of Everyone Plays to new heights, giving everyone a chance to play.

EPIC teams may include those who are: Blind or visually impaired, amputees or conditions that impair mobility, mentally or emotionally challenged, autistic, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.

GOALS

Our goals for every participating player are: have fun playing soccer, understand the fundamentals of the game, learn teamwork and fair play, increase positive self-esteem, become more physically fit, meet and be comfortable with new people.

Kids with special needs are estimated to make up approximately 10% of the school-age population. Special schools and classrooms can isolate these children so the EPIC Program has been structured to integrate our special kids into the rest of AYSO by playing with their typical peers on the field.

Coaches and Buddies are needed!  Anyone age 12 and up can be a EPIC Buddy.
 
 
What is a EPIC Buddy?  A Buddy is a helper on the field who assists the EPIC player whose mobility is impaired.
 
A buddy can encourage a player and “feed” the ball to him/her
A buddy must accompany a player in a wheelchair – can propel the player safely and watch for other player
A buddy can help to monitor players for signs of fatigue, stress, overheating or conditions that compromise their safety
A buddy can make friends with the players and gain their confidence
A buddy can help to make players independent and also become supporters and friends.
 
 
AYSO provides Community Service credits for its volunteers!
 
 
We are looking for volunteers, buddies, and coaches to help run this program.
 
 
For more information, including registration information, please contact EPIC Regional Administrator Anand Rao at [email protected].