The following information has been updated based on changes to the US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules (4/13/19).
In recognizing that youth soccer players today are often presented with opportunities to play with teams that are based outside of the state, Massachusetts Youth Soccer has eased its policy concerning out of state registration. If a player who resides in Massachusetts wants to play on a team that is based outside Massachusetts, he or she no longer needs to obtain a Release to Play Out of State from Massachusetts Youth Soccer (Mass Youth Soccer Policy). The player must be registered in the correct state per Rule 201, Section 1.
If a player who is NOT a Massachusetts resident wishes to play on a team that is based in Massachusetts or that plays in a Massachusetts-based league, he or she will need to obtain permission to play in Massachusetts from his or her home state youth soccer association before registering with the team based in Massachusetts with the exception noted below. The player must be registered in the correct state per Rule 201, Section 1.
Exception for New England states: Based on a March 2016 agreement between the New England State Associations affiliated with US Youth Soccer player release forms (as noted in Rule 201, Section 2) will no longer be required. The New England State Associations agree to the following:
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No longer require Player Release or Interstate Permission forms.
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No longer collect processing or associated release fees.
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Require resident clubs to register non-resident players with the club and state for proper State Association affiliation.
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Permit the use of non-resident tournament guest players without the need to register with the club’s state of residence. Proof of registration and affiliation status will be required for each non-resident guest player.
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State Associations will share rosters for all State Cup qualifying teams for the purpose of making sure players are not registered on more than one State Cup team in compliance with the National Championships Policy – Section Subpart B – Teams and Players. All breaches of Team and Player Rules will be dealt with in accordance with National Championships Policy – Rule 225.
If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Woo at rwoo@mayouthsoccer.org or 978-466-8812
Updated 6.24.19
US YOUTH SOCCER POLICY ON PLAYERS AND PLAYING RULES (Updated 4/13/19)
PART II—PLAYER AND ROSTERING REQUIREMENTS
Rule 201. PLAYER REGISTRATION
Section 1. A youth player must register each seasonal year in the State Association in which he or she resides with his or her parent or parents or guardian or guardians, or, for a student in residence at a boarding school, college, or university, the player may register in the state in which the boarding school, college, university, or division of the college or university is located. Any other questions of residency may be determined by the State Association in which the player is registered to vote or holds a current driver’s license.
Section 2. (a) Any youth player wishing to play on a team of a member of a State Association other than the State Association where the player is registered, will receive a written release from the State Association where the player is registered. (b) A State Association may waive the provisions to register a player as provided by Section 1 of this rule and release a player as provided by clause (a) of this section by providing notice of waiver to another State Association. (c) The State Association where the youth player is registered must promptly grant the youth player a release or a waiver for no additional fee. (d) A release or a waiver must be obtained each seasonal year.
Section 3. A youth player is registered for a seasonal year from the moment the player or the player’s representative executes the registration form and pays the appropriate fees.