OTHELLO — The City of Othello Parks and Recreation is getting prepared to host another season of youth soccer in fall 2026. With the registration deadline set for Aug. 9 at 11:59 p.m., the league hopes to bring in as many young athletes as possible. 

“All of our sports do serve the elementary level kids, because anything after that they are already participating in school sports,” said Valerie Hernandez, Othello Park and Recreation Coordinator. “All of our sports they’re run by volunteer parents.” 

Fall soccer is set to begin play Sept. 22 and run through Oct. 15 with games being played Tuesdays and Thursdays. Game times will be determined by division and registration numbers and announced once teams have been formed.  

Those registering for the league should note that fees must be paid in full at the time of registration, and all outstanding balances must be paid before participating in any city sports programs. 

The fall soccer season serves as the second of two seasons that the city hosts yearly with the first being held in the spring, said Hernandez. The soccer league is run through MLS GO, which is Major League Soccer’s recreational youth soccer program. 

Divisions for the league are based on a player’s grade level for the 2026-27 school year, with Pre-K. a minimum of age four, and Kindergarten level starting together, first and second grade playing together, third and fourth grade playing together, and fifth and sixth grade playing together. 

For Ages Pre-K through second grade, the divisions are entirely Co-Ed as both boys and girls will play alongside each other. Hernandez said last spring there was enough participation that allowed the older players to have separate boys and girls divisions, with the hope being to repeat that for this fall. 

“We usually have about 300-plus kids sign up each season,” she said. “Soccer is one of our most popular in this area.” 

Participation in the youth program has also begun to show direct growth as they head into middle school and high school programs, said Hernandez.  

“It’s actually been really good,” she said. “We’ve been getting a lot more kids turning out, but we do like to also be the feeder to the older competitive teams too. So once these kids go through our program, they seem to be filtering into the competitive travel teams, is what the trend is in this area.” 

The city sports programs also require sufficient volunteer coaching along with participant involvement to operate. 

Sign-ups for volunteering will also close at the same deadline as player registration, said Hernandez. Those who wish to volunteer will need to go through a background check process and take some online course training ahead of the season. 

“It’s usually really fun and there’s not too much competitiveness. It’s really just including everyone,” said Hernandez. “If you’re the type of person who wants to give back to the community and just help out kids learn the basics, it’s quite simple to do that and it’s enjoyable.” 

    Boys from opposing teams compete for possession of the ball during a previous youth soccer season.
  

    A girl from an Othello soccer team leads the charge as she pushes toward the goal with the city’s youth soccer league.
  

    One of the boys from an Othello youth soccer team sends the ball flying across the field.
  

    Coaches gather their youth team together for a huddle during a game.