The Montana State Spring League (“MSSL”) is operated by Montana Youth Soccer each spring season. It is a state-wide competitive program that offers 10U-19U teams the highest level of league soccer each spring in Montana. Teams have the opportunity to participate in one of four divisions: Academy (10U-12U), Classic, Select or Premier. Division placements are based on gender, age and competitive strength.
(please check weekly for any changes)
At the conclusion of the MSSL season, participating teams qualify for one of three Montana State Tournaments: the Montana State Cup, the Montana Cup or the Montana Showcase.
There are 3 designated team divisions in Montana Youth Soccer to try and create the best Fair and Equitable Play environment for all teams competing across the state: Classic, Select, and Premier. It is the coaches/clubs discretion of what division to register a team with the intent of Fair and Equitable Play. The below division guidelines are simply that, guidelines that may assist a coach/club in determining the best division to register their team(s). Divisions are not applicable to Club hosted Tournaments, on State Hosted tournaments in which divisions are enacted in the League (i.e. Spring League).
Classic: A team might fit best in the Classic Division if the team is/has:
Largely co-ed,
Many players new to the game of soccer,
Many players are considered beginning players in regards to skills development,
Players span a large age range (more than 2 age groups),
Wide range of skills across the team (beginner/advanced),
Team is small in quantity, with a high number of games potentially played with no subs or under max players on field (reduce to equate rule in effect as classic division team),
Often built on registrations and not tryouts,
Limited soccer opportunities for year-round play (i.e. no school program, no club fall program, etc.).
Select: A team might fit best in the Select Division if the team is/has:
Mostly single gender,
Most players are not new to the game of soccer,
Most players have skills ranging from intermediate to advanced,
Mostly a single age group,
Most players are in a similar developmental stage in regards to skills and knowledge,
A full/near full team/game roster (if roster numbers are low, understand Select does not implement the reduce to equate rule),
Many times, built on tryouts,
Multiple soccer opportunities for year-round play (i.e. school soccer, fall club soccer, summer camps, etc.).
Premier: A team might fit best in the Premier Division if the team is/has:
The best players in the club, and comparatively among other clubs’ select teams,
Advanced skill level,
Meets all higher requirements by USYS, USSF, etc. for premier level teams,
Attends the President’s Cup or Regionals based on standings from the State Cup.
Beginning with the 2026–27 seasonal year, USYS and MYSA will move from the current calendar-year birth grouping (January 1–December 31) to a school-year age matrix using an August 1–July 31 cutoff. This change is intended to better align players with their school-grade peers and allow more players to participate alongside classmates and friends. For example, players born August 1, 2014–July 31, 2015 will be eligible for U12 during the 2026–27 season.
| 2026–27 Age Group | Eligible Birthdate Range |
|---|---|
| U6 | Aug. 1, 2020–July 31, 2021 |
| U7 | Aug. 1, 2019–July 31, 2020 |
| U8 | Aug. 1, 2018–July 31, 2019 |
| U9 | Aug. 1, 2017–July 31, 2018 |
| U10 | Aug. 1, 2016–July 31, 2017 |
| U11 | Aug. 1, 2015–July 31, 2016 |
| U12 | Aug. 1, 2014–July 31, 2015 |
| U13 | Aug. 1, 2013–July 31, 2014 |
| U14 | Aug. 1, 2012–July 31, 2013 |
| U15 | Aug. 1, 2011–July 31, 2012 |
| U16 | Aug. 1, 2010–July 31, 2011 |
| U17 | Aug. 1, 2009–July 31, 2010 |
| U18 | Aug. 1, 2008–July 31, 2009 |
| U19 | Aug. 1, 2007–July 31, 2008 |