What type of league should I be looking for?

[DMVMama86]

My son born 2015 loves soccer. We have been extended an invitation for Achilles FC travel team but due to both time and financial constraints won’t be able to pursue. What type of soccer provides real coaching (not by parents), still challenging and a lesser time commitment? We are in Brightwood.

[Mdmom22]

Try DeMatha FC (Hyattsville) and Brookland FC.

Probably a lesser time commitment (twice a week practice) but professional coaches. Their teams aren't the most competitive (lower levels of NCSL) but probably shouldn't care too much about that at that age.

May I ask how soon after you tried out at Achilles did you get the invitation?

Thanks!

[DMVMama86]

Mdmom22 wrote:Try DeMatha FC (Hyattsville) and Brookland FC.

Probably a lesser time commitment (twice a week practice) but professional coaches. Their teams aren't the most competitive (lower levels of NCSL) but probably shouldn't care too much about that at that age.

May I ask how soon after you tried out at Achilles did you get the invitation?

Thanks!

We are currently in their spring team so the invite was just extended.

[busymama]

Mdmom22 wrote:Try DeMatha FC (Hyattsville) and Brookland FC.

Probably a lesser time commitment (twice a week practice) but professional coaches. Their teams aren't the most competitive (lower levels of NCSL) but probably shouldn't care too much about that at that age.

May I ask how soon after you tried out at Achilles did you get the invitation?

Thanks!

We’re at Brookland FC and really like it. Tryouts are tomorrow but I’m happy to answer any questions.

[NosyParker]

You should look into Graspyouth soccer with Coach Sona. They train at Shepherd Park in DC.

[Mdmom22]

I thought of a couple more. Takoma Soccer and DCXI Project.

[SDSoccerDad]

Check out City SC, Coach Alex and Jason are former professionals and DC natives giving back now to kids throughout DMV to learn the game in a fun and competitive environment. They practice and play their home games at Edgewood Rec. NE DC The coaches are accessible on instagram.https://www.instagram.com/citysportingclub/

Tryouts are this week as well, but they are always open to new families training and learning about the City experience.

[Transplant_1]

FWIW, Achilles does an excellent job with technical skills development, esp. if on first team where Sal and Vinny concentrate more of their time, not so much the second team. I've found in my years, this is where other clubs don't do as well (the bigger, better known ones, not sure about the smaller ones.) My U14 son says that at tryouts he can tell the boys that have been at first team Achilles for a year or two during their elementary years (and then they, like him, leave for whatever reasons.)

[DMVMama86]

Transplant_1 wrote:FWIW, Achilles does an excellent job with technical skills development, esp. if on first team where Sal and Vinny concentrate more of their time, not so much the second team. I've found in my years, this is where other clubs don't do as well (the bigger, better known ones, not sure about the smaller ones.) My U14 son says that at tryouts he can tell the boys that have been at first team Achilles for a year or two during their elementary years (and then they, like him, leave for whatever reasons.)

Is there anyway to know who would be the coach ahead of registering? We have been training with them during the spring rec league and it has been less then expected. It’s 1 coach for 30 kids. I probably wouldn’t mind the investment if I knew we would have either Sal or Vinny as the coach.

[Transplant_1]

Just ask -- it's a fair enough question for any club -- which team level, and who will be the coach? It may be that they have done a better job, than when my son was there as middle elementary, to bring the good techincal training to the second team.

[Transplant_1]

Achilles is also doing their Friday night technical class on a pay for class basis, so maybe they are standardizing their style more, and perhaps they are doing a better job bringing it to their second team.

[Transplant_1]

How have you been training with them during spring rec league? They have a rec team? Or you've just been invited to their practices while on a separate rec league. If they observed your son and liked him enough to invite him to join the first team, I think that's a great opportunity. But, Sal and Vinny have a style... you'll figure out whether you like it or not over the course of the year, and if you don't you can leave, but at least you got a good year's worth of technical training.

[Mdmom22]

My understanding is that the academy (top) teams practice at the same time. While the B teams practice at a different time. If you have not seen Vince or Sal at a practice, it’s likely your child is practicing with the second team.

Before you register, ask which team your child is on. The academy teams will get Vince or Sal (depending on age group) and the second teams will get someone else.

[Transplant_1]

Agreed with all above. If you haven't seen Sal or Vinny at practice, you are not on the first team. But again, perhaps they are doing a better job passing on their training method to the second team.

[DMVMama86]

Mdmom22 wrote:My understanding is that the academy (top) teams practice at the same time. While the B teams practice at a different time. If you have not seen Vince or Sal at a practice, it’s likely your child is practicing with the second team.

Before you register, ask which team your child is on. The academy teams will get Vince or Sal (depending on age group) and the second teams will get someone else.

Is it worth the cost to be on the second team?