What ages and program levels does PAYSA offer?Recreational soccer serves about ages four through eleven with co-ed Minis for the youngest players and graded recreational teams above that. Travel soccer generally covers U9 through U14 with a higher practice-and-game commitment and games around southern Maine. Winter footskills and futsal, plus Spring Skills sessions, fill the calendar between outdoor seasons. Premier-level year-round clubs are separate partner organizations PAYSA can help families explore.
About
Portland Area Youth Soccer Association (PAYSA) is a volunteer-run nonprofit that brings soccer to more than one thousand local children each year across the Portland, Maine, area. Programming stresses fun, growth, and skill development over trophies: recreational levels avoid formal standings, and younger recreational games stay small-sided so players get more touches and build confidence.
Recreational soccer
The recreational pathway welcomes boys and girls from about ages four through eleven, with no tryouts. Teams form after registration closes from sign-ups and volunteer coach availability. Age bands include co-ed U6 Minis (four- and five-year-olds in Saturday-morning clinic-style blocks), then graded divisions through about sixth grade with weekday practices plus weekend games as players mature. Recent fall fees were $85 for the Minis program and $105 for U7 through U12 recreational divisions, with a size 3 ball and program shirt provided for Minis; older divisions typically use size 3 or 4 balls depending on the team level. Home games use Portland-area fields; when Dougherty Field was closed for a multi-year renovation, fall Minis and recreational play shifted to Payson Park Multipurpose Field and Talbot fields—confirm each season’s field plan with the club.
Travel soccer
Travel suits players roughly U9 through U14 who want a fuller commitment and stronger competition around southern Maine. Volunteer licensed coaches lead teams that usually train twice weekly from mid-August with league play starting in late August. A typical season includes about six league games (often Sundays, home and away), two tournaments, extra friendlies, and either a season-ending festival for younger travel groups or playoffs leading toward state championship play for older groups. U9–U11 travel is treated as developmental without formal standings; U12–U14 play is scored for seeding in the state tournament. Each spring the club runs evaluations to place players; new players register before their evaluation date and returning players meet a separate registration deadline in early June in recent cycles. Travel registration fees have recently been $255 for U9–U11 plus uniform items and $275 for U12–U14 plus uniform items, with a required jersey purchase during signup and options for shorts and socks. Families facing hardship can request financial assistance through the club’s assistance process.
Winter, spring, and premier pathways
Winter programming emphasizes footskills, agility, and indoor futsal between outdoor seasons. Spring Skills runs about six to eight weeks of weekly training focused on technique, control, and tactical awareness. Families seeking a year-round premier or academy experience work with separate partner clubs; PAYSA can point interested players toward those options even though it does not run premier teams itself.
Mission and how to reach the club
PAYSA aims to give age-appropriate experiences that grow skill, understanding, and love for the game while teaching sportsmanship, respect for officials and opponents, fairness, and fitness. Rostering rules emphasize participation and balanced teams where numbers allow. The mailing address is PO Box 3205, Portland, ME 04104. For recreational questions email paysa@paysasoccer.com; for travel, travel@paysasoccer.com; for registration and payment, reg@paysasoccer.com; for financial assistance and outreach, outreach@paysasoccer.com; coaching questions go to coachdir@paysasoccer.com.
Explore more teams
Compare Portland Area Youth Soccer Association with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader Maine programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Where do PAYSA recreational teams play?Home recreational play uses Portland-area fields. During Dougherty Field’s multi-year renovation, fall Minis and recreational games were held at Payson Park Multipurpose Field and Talbot fields; field assignments can change by season, so families should confirm the current map with the registrar.
When are travel evaluations and registration deadlines?Player evaluations for travel happen each spring. Recent cycles asked new players to finish travel registration before early-June evaluation dates and returning players to register by a deadline right after those weekends. Exact dates move every year—email travel@paysasoccer.com or reg@paysasoccer.com for the upcoming schedule.
What do recreational and travel programs cost?Recent fall recreational fees were $85 for U6 Minis and $105 for U7 through U12 divisions. Travel registration has been $255 for U9–U11 plus uniform costs and $275 for U12–U14 plus uniform costs, including a required jersey at signup with optional shorts and socks. Financial assistance is available for families who need it.
How does PAYSA approach player development and sportsmanship?Recreational play avoids formal standings so the focus stays on learning and fun, with small-sided games for younger ages. Travel adds structure and more competition while still following PAYSA development principles. The association emphasizes fundamentals, fair play, respect for officials and opponents, fitness, and rules that protect minimum playing time and roster balance.
How can families register, donate, or get help?Use reg@paysasoccer.com for registration and payment questions, paysa@paysasoccer.com for recreational programming, travel@paysasoccer.com for travel, outreach@paysasoccer.com for financial assistance and outreach, and coachdir@paysasoccer.com for coaching. The postal address is PO Box 3205, Portland, ME 04104. Donations, sponsorships, coaching, refereeing, volunteering, and board service all depend on community help; email paysa@paysasoccer.com for general questions or to ask about open board roles.
Other Clubs in Maine
Bangor Soccer Club
Bangor Soccer Club is a nonprofit youth soccer organization founded in 1993 serving the greater Bangor area with a Spring Recreation program from pre-K through U14 and a competitive Fall Travel program for U9–U14, plus registration and updates through PlayMetrics.
Bangor, Maine
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Cape Elizabeth Soccer Club
Cape Elizabeth Soccer Club runs volunteer-led house league for grades K–6 and Fall Classic travel for U9–U14 Cape residents under Soccer Maine, with spring Pine Tree play and summer skills options. Fall travel registration is $175 plus a subsidized uniform kit; house league is $65 including a team uniform.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
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Falmouth Youth Soccer Association
Falmouth Youth Soccer Association runs volunteer-led competitive travel teams for Falmouth residents from U9 through U14 under Soccer Maine, with fall outdoor play from late summer into November. Fall 2026 registration opens April 1 at 6 a.m.; fees are $160 for the first child and $130 for each additional player, plus a $40 Puma kit on a two-year cycle. The club also hosts the Falmouth Fall Classic each October.
Falmouth, Maine
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Lewiston Auburn Youth Soccer Association
Nonprofit youth soccer since 1979 for the Lewiston–Auburn area: Soccer Maine house league (U6–U12) and fall travel (U9–U14), spring middle-school house, GotSport registration, and registrar@laysa.org for questions.
Auburn, Maine
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NEFC Maine
NEFC Maine is New England Futbol Club’s Portland-area region: U9–U12 team focus from June 2024, Portland Sports Complex and Falmouth Community Park, Junior Academy and national pathways, FrontRush interested-player form, email updates@nefc.us.
Portland, Maine
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Scarborough Soccer Club
Scarborough Soccer Club is a nonprofit travel program for Scarborough youth, aligned with SoccerMaine and U.S. Youth Soccer. Sunday league play, spring evaluations and tryouts, home fields including Peterson and Springbok, and mail at P.O. Box 6796, Scarborough, ME 04074.
Scarborough, Maine
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Seacoast United Maine
Seacoast United Maine South serves southern Maine with Junior Academy and Futures youth training, Topsham Futures blocks, Portland-area facilities, and free U8–U18 tryouts in Gorham and Standish—email the girls or boys regional director to join.
Topsham, Maine
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Southern Maine FC
Southern Maine FC is a premier club in York County, Maine, with PreSelect (U7–U8) through Maine Premier teams (U9–U18), Futures leagues for PreK–2nd grade in Kennebunk, indoor winter training, camps, and a preschool outreach program. Free June tryouts; contact greg@southernmainefc.com or call +1 978-994-1853.
Kennebunk, Maine
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Yarmouth Colts Soccer
Yarmouth Colts Soccer runs fall travel soccer for Yarmouth youth from about third through eighth grade under Soccer Maine, with balanced teams in younger bands and May evaluations for U13 and U14. Early-bird registration is $150 per player in April, then $200 through mid-June; home games use Yarmouth school fields.
Yarmouth, Maine
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