Recreation Soccer Program
Soccer for every child in Arlington — from Kindergarten through High School, at every skill level.
Join the ProgramSoccer for Every Child in Arlington
With nearly 6,500 players each Fall and Spring, the Arlington Soccer Recreation League is the heart of youth soccer in our community — open to boys and girls from Kindergarten through High School, at every skill level. Whether your child is brand new to the game or already loves it, there's a place for them here.
For over 56 years, Arlington Soccer has built a tradition of community, inclusion, and fun on the field. Our 12 neighborhood clubs are each run by dedicated volunteers who keep the spirit of local soccer alive season after season.
Players are placed on teams within one of 12 neighborhood clubs based on elementary school enrollment or geographic location — building community bonds on and off the pitch.
Everyone is welcome regardless of soccer experience or family income. Financial Aid is available to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.
Teams are led by parent volunteers and dedicated community coaches who create a fun, educational atmosphere through organized practices and games.
Every player deserves the chance to learn and grow. Equal playing time is guaranteed for all participants — development matters more than the scoreboard.
How Teams Are Built
Neighborhood clubs · Grade & gender · Community-driven
Within each neighborhood club, teams are organized by grade level and gender — for example, 1st Grade Boys or 3rd Grade Girls. Club managers handle all the logistics.
- Each club manager organizes player placement, team rosters, and coach assignments
- Every club has its own name, colors, and culture built by long-time volunteers
- Teams are formed by current school grade and gender so players develop alongside peers
- At the high school level, a centralized rec league is run directly by Arlington Soccer
Age-Appropriate Play
| Grade Level | Format | Field Size | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 3 v 3 (No Goalkeeper) | Small | Fun & movement |
| 1st Grade | 4 v 4 (No Goalkeeper) | Small | Movement & basic skills |
| 2nd Grade | 6 v 6 (Introduces Goalkeeper) | Small–Medium | Goalkeeper introduced, teamwork |
| 3rd – 4th Grade | 7 v 7 | Medium | Positional awareness & passing |
| 5th – 6th Grade | 9 v 9 | Medium–Large | Tactical development |
| 7th – 8th Grade / High School | 11 v 11 | Full Size | Full game, adult rules |
Who Can Play
Kindergarten through High School · Grade-based placement · USYS & VYSA governed
Arlington Soccer Recreation is available for boys and girls from Kindergarten through High School, as permitted by the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA). Players are placed by current school grade so they participate alongside classmates and peers.
Open to boys and girls in Kindergarten through 12th grade. New players of all skill levels are welcome — including those who have never played before.
Players are placed based on their current school grade — not age — creating a fun, inclusive, and development-focused experience for every participant.
Per US Soccer, USYS, and VYSA rules, anyone classified as U-19 or above is not eligible to participate in youth soccer programs. This is a strict governing-body requirement — Arlington Soccer cannot grant exceptions.
Governing Bodies
Arlington Soccer Association is a member club of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) and US Youth Soccer (USYS), both governed by the United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer). ARL must comply with all rules set by these organizations.
Birth-Year Registration
As of August 1, 2017, US Soccer requires all youth players to register by birth year — not school grade. VYSA defines the registration year as September 1 through August 31.
How the U-19 Limit Works
A player who turns 19 years old in a given calendar year is classified as U-19 under VYSA, USYS, and US Soccer rules — and is not eligible to play, regardless of season or program.
The Arlington Soccer Board voted to no longer permit travel players to participate on rec teams at the 5th grade age group and higher, beginning Fall 2019. This came after months of deliberation by the Board, Rec Committee, Travel Program Committee, and Joint Program Committee.
- Rec soccer prioritizes development — travel player participation changes team dynamics and can create unevenly matched games
- At 5th grade and above, the skill gap between travel and rec players is more pronounced
- Adding rec to a travel player's schedule can impede performance and increase injury risk
- This aligns ARL more closely with other local rec programs
Coached by the Community
Parent volunteers · ASA support & resources · Positive environment
Unlike competitive programs, Arlington Soccer Recreation is coached entirely by volunteers — parents and community members who care about creating a great experience for every kid.
Individual clubs recruit and coordinate parent coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers. Each team has one head coach and one assistant.
Arlington Soccer provides guidance and educational resources for all volunteer coaches to ensure a positive, development-focused learning environment every season.
More Than Just Soccer
- Learning soccer fundamentals at every age
- Building teamwork and sportsmanship
- Encouraging physical activity and confidence
- Fostering inclusion and community connection
- Creating a safe, positive environment for every child
Play Where You Live
Players are assigned to one of 12 clubs based on their elementary school or location.
Affordable & Accessible
Designed to be within reach for every Arlington family
Program Fees
Per season- Registration:~$155 per season
- Arlington County Field Use Fee: Included
- Jersey:~$25–30
- Basic Equipment: Shin guards, socks (cleats optional)
Financial Aid
$105 reduction availableASA offers financial aid that reduces the registration fee by $105. Families qualify if they receive any of the following:
- Free or reduced school lunch
- SNAP or TANF benefits
- Medicaid
- Arlington County fee reduction programs
What Players Wear
50+ years of distinctive neighborhood club jerseys
For 50+ years, Arlington Soccer's 12 neighborhood clubs and their distinctive uniforms have been one of Rec Soccer's most recognizable features. Here's what players need by level:
Each elementary player wears their neighborhood club's jersey. Club-specific jerseys are required for Rec games and are a proud part of each club's identity.
Players receive a standardized middle school uniform with two jerseys: a Blue home jersey and a White away jersey.
High school players join the centralized Arlington Soccer high school rec league. Uniform details are provided at registration.
What Makes Rec Soccer Special
Community moments that have defined Arlington Soccer for generations
A free tournament open to all High School teams — held in the Fall only. A great way for older players to compete in a fun, low-pressure environment.
A beloved long-standing Rec tradition held on Mother's Day weekend. For 2nd grade and above, coaches and spectators stay silent during play — letting the kids communicate and lead on the field.
Note: Some teams may have more than one Sunday game. The calendar is provided for illustrative purposes only.
Schools & Team Names
Find your school to see which neighborhood club you'll join
| Arlington County School | Address | Team Name |
|---|---|---|
| Abingdon | 3035 S. Abingdon Street, Arlington, VA 22206 | South Arlington |
| Arlington Traditional | 1030 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA 22205 | Tornadoes |
| Ashlawn | 5950 N. 8th Road, Arlington, VA 22205 | Civitans |
| Barcroft | 625 S. Wakefield Street, Arlington, VA 22204 | Arlington Kiwanis |
| Barrett | 4401 N. Henderson Road, Arlington, VA 22203 | Arlington Kiwanis |
| Campbell | 737 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA 22204 | South Arlington |
| Cardinal | 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA 22205 | Tornadoes |
| Carlin Springs | 5995 S. 5th Road, Arlington, VA 22204 | Civitans |
| Claremont | 4700 S. Chesterfield Road, Arlington, VA 22206 | South Arlington |
| Discovery | 5241 36th Street North, Arlington, VA 22207 | Arlington Optimists |
| Drew | 3500 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22206 | South Arlington |
| Falls Church Schools | — | Falls Church |
| Fleet | 115 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22204 | Revolutionaries |
| Glebe | 1770 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207 | Arlington Optimists |
| Hoffman-Boston | 1415 S. Queen Street, Arlington, VA 22204 | Crystal City |
| Innovation | 2300 Key Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201 | Lightning |
| Jamestown | 3700 N. Delaware Street, Arlington, VA 22207 | PK |
| Key | 855 N. Edison Street, Arlington, VA 22205 | Arlington Kiwanis |
| Long Branch | 33 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington, VA 22201 | Revolutionaries |
| Montessori | 701 S. Highland Street, Arlington, VA 22204 | South Arlington |
| Nottingham | 5900 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA 22207 | Northwest Lions |
| Oakridge | 1410 S. Taft Street, Arlington, VA 22204 | Crystal City |
| Randolph | 1306 S. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22204 | Revolutionaries |
| Science Focus | 1501 Lincoln Street, Arlington, VA 22201 | Lightning |
| Taylor | 2600 N. Stuart Street, Arlington, VA 22207 | Arlington Aces |
| Tuckahoe | 6550 26th Street North, Arlington, VA 22213 | Northwest Lions |
Additional Schools
| School | Team Name |
|---|---|
| Home School | Placed based on Home Address |
| Congressional | Arlington Aces |
| Our Savior Lutheran | Arlington Kiwanis |
| Rivendall | Arlington Optimists |
| St. Ann's | Civitans |
| St. Agnes | PK |
| St. Charles | Arlington Kiwanis |
| St. Thomas Moore | Arlington Kiwanis |
Team Contacts
Have questions about your neighborhood club? Reach out directly to your club contact below.
| Team Name | Contact Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Aces | Erica Malouf | aces@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Arlington Kiwanis | Cindy Schaller | arlingtonkiwanis@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Arlington Optimists | Robbie Hammer | optimists@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Civitans | Julie Sepanik | civitans@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Crystal City | Ben Malakoff | crystalcity@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Falls Church | Jimmy Ruby | jruby@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Lightning | Rich Hung | lightning@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Northwest Lions | George Shirley | lions@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| PK | Ron Malachowski | pksoccer@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Revolutionaries | Nick Carrasco | revolutionaries@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| South Arlington | Trinh Lieu | southarlington@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| Tornados | Sam Watzman | tornados@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| High School (Girls) | John Mingus | hs_girls@arlingtonsoccer.com |
| High School (Boys) | Mauricio Coreas | hsboys@arlingtonsoccer.com |
For general questions about the Recreation Soccer Program, contact: recdirector@arlingtonsoccer.com
Ready to Play?
Registration opens each season for Fall and Spring. Join thousands of Arlington kids on the field.