Searching for a Good U9 Travel Program

[Anonymous]

We have multiple kids in various sports and while our oldest is doing well and enjoying his travel soccer team, our younger son is on a U9 team in the same club and having a not-so-great experience. He thrives based on encouragement and so far, the coaching has been extremely impersonal. It’s also clear that the coach plays favorites, but we expected that. We don’t put too much stake in it all at this age and don’t need anything super intense, but also recognize that these are formative years in a sport that he considers his favorite. Are there any U9 travel teams in the area you’ve had a positive experience with? A coach that wants to actually form a relationship and help the kids grow without too many politics?

[SoccerRef]

Anonymous wrote:We have multiple kids in various sports and while our oldest is doing well and enjoying his travel soccer team, our younger son is on a U9 team in the same club and having a not-so-great experience. He thrives based on encouragement and so far, the coaching has been extremely impersonal. It’s also clear that the coach plays favorites, but we expected that. We don’t put too much stake in it all at this age and don’t need anything super intense, but also recognize that these are formative years in a sport that he considers his favorite. Are there any U9 travel teams in the area you’ve had a positive experience with? A coach that wants to actually form a relationship and help the kids grow without too many politics?

Where are you?

[Anonymous]

Sorry, didn’t think to include that - were in Vienna (but our club is not VYS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have multiple kids in various sports and while our oldest is doing well and enjoying his travel soccer team, our younger son is on a U9 team in the same club and having a not-so-great experience. He thrives based on encouragement and so far, the coaching has been extremely impersonal. It’s also clear that the coach plays favorites, but we expected that. We don’t put too much stake in it all at this age and don’t need anything super intense, but also recognize that these are formative years in a sport that he considers his favorite. Are there any U9 travel teams in the area you’ve had a positive experience with? A coach that wants to actually form a relationship and help the kids grow without too many politics?

Most clubs' coaches at younger age levels don't age up with the kids, so if you want a team that might offer a chance to build a long-term relationship with the coach (and his teammates), you might need to seek out parent-led travel teams and/or you should beging asking clubs about the longevity of their coaching staff and how long coaches stay with their groups (e.g. 1 year, 2, 3, until they graduate).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, didn’t think to include that - were in Vienna (but our club is not VYS)

Look at the non-ECNL/MLS next team clubs. They may provide better development. You should expect to have a new coach every two years. That way your kid sees different ways to play the game. Also, if you're not happy with the coach they change every two years.

[Anonymous]

In that age from Vienna I would go to mclean. I would avoid Vienna, even though it may look appealing for the convenience. McLean gives a decent blend of convenience, several levels of play, better coaching, and typically a good development plan. Arlington is likely too far from Vienna at this age. Great Falls/Reston is a little farther than McLean but hit or miss on coaching and don’t have the same depth for appropriate levels of play. I wouldn’t bother with FPYC or BRYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have multiple kids in various sports and while our oldest is doing well and enjoying his travel soccer team, our younger son is on a U9 team in the same club and having a not-so-great experience. He thrives based on encouragement and so far, the coaching has been extremely impersonal. It’s also clear that the coach plays favorites, but we expected that. We don’t put too much stake in it all at this age and don’t need anything super intense, but also recognize that these are formative years in a sport that he considers his favorite. Are there any U9 travel teams in the area you’ve had a positive experience with? A coach that wants to actually form a relationship and help the kids grow without too many politics?

Most clubs' coaches at younger age levels don't age up with the kids, so if you want a team that might offer a chance to build a long-term relationship with the coach (and his teammates), you might need to seek out parent-led travel teams and/or you should beging asking clubs about the longevity of their coaching staff and how long coaches stay with their groups (e.g. 1 year, 2, 3, until they graduate).

Yes, and we know ours won’t age up with our son, so we can always just suck it up and get through this year. But coming off of a year off from soccer due to Covid, I quickly saw my son’s excitement to play turn into disappointment in that his coach just doesn’t seem to connect to the boys. So if we could potentially switch to a new team that he actually enjoys, I think it could make a difference for him. Doesn’t need to be a relationship so to speak, just a rapport really where he’d feel engaged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, didn’t think to include that - were in Vienna (but our club is not VYS)

Look at the non-ECNL/MLS next team clubs. They may provide better development. You should expect to have a new coach every two years. That way your kid sees different ways to play the game. Also, if you're not happy with the coach they change every two years.

Thanks, I’ll look into some of those and maybe we’ll find a better fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have multiple kids in various sports and while our oldest is doing well and enjoying his travel soccer team, our younger son is on a U9 team in the same club and having a not-so-great experience. He thrives based on encouragement and so far, the coaching has been extremely impersonal. It’s also clear that the coach plays favorites, but we expected that. We don’t put too much stake in it all at this age and don’t need anything super intense, but also recognize that these are formative years in a sport that he considers his favorite. Are there any U9 travel teams in the area you’ve had a positive experience with? A coach that wants to actually form a relationship and help the kids grow without too many politics?

I assume your DS is at McLean, hence the issues. If you are not at McLean, then steer clear. Having already experienced the boys program at McLean U9-U12 I can confidently say they do not develop their talent and have poor coaches at that age group. Politics, favorites, yelling, belittling, you name it. I'd go to VYS at that age before McLean. Another option, which seems to match what you are looking for is Premier AC in Falls Church. That age group practices at Luther Jackson MS in Merrifield. The coaches are very supportive and move up with the team sometimes all the way. It's a smaller club and other coaches will get to know your son so it's a more personable experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In that age from Vienna I would go to mclean. I would avoid Vienna, even though it may look appealing for the convenience. McLean gives a decent blend of convenience, several levels of play, better coaching, and typically a good development plan. Arlington is likely too far from Vienna at this age. Great Falls/Reston is a little farther than McLean but hit or miss on coaching and don’t have the same depth for appropriate levels of play. I wouldn’t bother with FPYC or BRYC.

Good to know, thanks for all of this!

[Anonymous]

The coaches for the Red/White/Blue u9/u10 teams at Alexandria are great (I can't speak to the other teams as the coaches are new). They also stick with the team for 2 years before transitioning to a new coach at u11. It is always a stark difference between their coaching style and other teams we have played where the coaches are constantly screaming. It might be a bit far from Vienna though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have multiple kids in various sports and while our oldest is doing well and enjoying his travel soccer team, our younger son is on a U9 team in the same club and having a not-so-great experience. He thrives based on encouragement and so far, the coaching has been extremely impersonal. It’s also clear that the coach plays favorites, but we expected that. We don’t put too much stake in it all at this age and don’t need anything super intense, but also recognize that these are formative years in a sport that he considers his favorite. Are there any U9 travel teams in the area you’ve had a positive experience with? A coach that wants to actually form a relationship and help the kids grow without too many politics?

I assume your DS is at McLean, hence the issues. If you are not at McLean, then steer clear. Having already experienced the boys program at McLean U9-U12 I can confidently say they do not develop their talent and have poor coaches at that age group. Politics, favorites, yelling, belittling, you name it. I'd go to VYS at that age before McLean. Another option, which seems to match what you are looking for is Premier AC in Falls Church. That age group practices at Luther Jackson MS in Merrifield. The coaches are very supportive and move up with the team sometimes all the way. It's a smaller club and other coaches will get to know your son so it's a more personable experience.

+1

Parents/families that have multiple high performing kids in the program are definitely shown favoritism and even allowed to sway the decision making of the club. This is true of both the girls and boys side for U9-12. On top of that, the coaching is not great especially at the youngest years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The coaches for the Red/White/Blue u9/u10 teams at Alexandria are great (I can't speak to the other teams as the coaches are new). They also stick with the team for 2 years before transitioning to a new coach at u11. It is always a stark difference between their coaching style and other teams we have played where the coaches are constantly screaming. It might be a bit far from Vienna though.

Love the top boys coach for 9-10. Our kid played for him over several years. The 11/12 boys coach is awesome as well, one of the best in the area and recognized as such by VYSA. Vienna teaches top boy teams to play properly and they can transition to other teams that teach more tactically at younger ages, like Alexandria. Commute depends on where you live in Vienna. If next to tysons, it’s 20-25 minutes to most fields in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

If its development youre looking for. PAC is the club you want to check out in that area of VA.

[Anonymous]

I think with any club, the experience will vary based on specific team selection. Ask for DS to attend a few practices and feel it out.