I grew up playing AYSO and for a completely volunteer ran soccer organization I highly recommend La Mesa AYSO.
People don't realize the time that goes into a completely VOLUNTEER program where no one is paid, no coaches, no referees, not the commissioner. Fees go to field maintenance, field paint, goals, field repair (most are on school grounds and get beat by the schools and AYSO pays for it), uniforms for kids (yes unfortunately sometimes a kid gets a small/large size), bathrooms, AYSO insurance.
Yes sometimes AYSO relies on parents to step up and coach a team. AYSO provides all the training and other AYSO parents/board members are willing to help out any time. They say it takes a village to raise your kids, well, you are sometimes part of the village.
There is no other experience like AYSO. If you read the mission statement, Everyone Plays means that your kid is guaranteed to play at least 1/2 of a game. (You go to other leagues/clubs and your kid may sit the whole game). It also means that we allow any kid from 4-18 to play. The only catch is to maintain rosters/insurance there is a registration deadline.
My son has played 7 years here and he has NEVER had a friend drop off a team. He even had a buddy, break his leg (outside of soccer), and this kid was back playing before the season was over.
I highly recommend AYSO if you are looking for a recreational league that welcomes everyone (even people with disabilities) where it is completely volunteer ran. AYSO is affordable (even more if you do early registration) and far cheaper than any other clubs. read more