[7] AYSO was established as a non-profit soccer organization in Torrance (a suburb of Los Angeles, California) at Jefferson Elementary School in 1964[8] with nine teams.
[9][10] AYSO is headquartered in Torrance, California, and has developed local programs known as "Regions" in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The organization is run primarily by volunteers at its constituent local levels, with approximately 20 paid employees at its national headquarters.
Notable players who started their careers in AYSO programs include Landon Donovan, Carlos Bocanegra, Julie Foudy, Eric Wynalda, Shannon Boxx, Brian Ching, Alex Morgan, Kristen Graczyk, Natasha Kai, and Amy Rodriguez.
[12] However, they are given significant autonomy in management of their operations, as long as they are in compliance with AYSO's Bylaws, National Rules and Regulations, and Policy Statements.
In addition, some regions administered directly by the national office, particularly those outside the United States, are part of the so-called "Section 99".
They provide workshops, training seminars, motivational speakers, a vendor show, and a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among AYSO volunteers and staff.
The 2013 EXPO was held in Washington D.C.[16] AYSO EPIC (formerly known as VIP, Very Important Player) offers children and young adults with disabilities the opportunity to play soccer at their own pace.
Since 1991, AYSO has helped regions and areas establish these programs for players whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams.
AYSO was co-founded by Hans Stierle and Bill Hughes with the support of Ted McClean, Ralph Acosta and Steve Erdos in 1964.
The first AYSO league started with nine teams, and stressed Open Registration: "Anyone can sign up; you do not need to belong to one of the ethnic clubs."
This had a slightly perverse effect, as some weaker players who formerly played every minute were forced to the bench by the newly arrived stars.