Talk to me about Bethesda SC Boys

[Anonymous]

Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

Why? You're just another paying parent. If you're not on the top team, stay where you are at. It doesn't make a difference. Coaching is all the same. Also, they over rostered the top 08 boys team so expect some to play on the second team.

[Anonymous]

What are your son’s goals for soccer, OP? It’s rare for a BSC green player to play in college on a varsity team, though plenty play college club soccer which is really fun and can be competitive. BSC green would offer fine preparation for that and is a nice complement to HS soccer. Good players on Blue with good academics likely have a shot at a variety of D3 schools.

In our experience there are definitely some crazy parents on the MLSNext sidelines, but most parents on the boys Blue teams have been chill, and we’ve overall enjoyed our time at the club though I could list scores of things they could improve. It looks like Bill Moravek is the blue coach for ‘08? He’s kind of a yeller and pretty intense, but we’ve always liked him.

[Anonymous]

Green is not a ticket to college, and probably not even a ticket to HS varsity. You are paying the fees for the club's overhead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are your son’s goals for soccer, OP? It’s rare for a BSC green player to play in college on a varsity team, though plenty play college club soccer which is really fun and can be competitive. BSC green would offer fine preparation for that and is a nice complement to HS soccer. Good players on Blue with good academics likely have a shot at a variety of D3 schools.

In our experience there are definitely some crazy parents on the MLSNext sidelines, but most parents on the boys Blue teams have been chill, and we’ve overall enjoyed our time at the club though I could list scores of things they could improve. It looks like Bill Moravek is the blue coach for ‘08? He’s kind of a yeller and pretty intense, but we’ve always liked him.

Hi - OP here. Thanks for the reply. That's helpful - how long have you been at BSC?

DS is likely not even D3 college soccer material. He's focused right now on just improving his skills and progressing through the JV and Varsity teams in HS. He's got to prove himself there before thinking about college. A college club team sounds like something he would enjoy to keep playing the game he loves.

The coaching at our current club was decent a year ago, but that coach moved on and the club has pretty much abandoned the 08 and 07 age groups as a result this fall (not even 1 day of training which I understand is what 08 Blue and Green do because of the HS season) and their communication has been horrible. DS needs consistent coaching & training and playing in a competitive league. And it would be nice to have coaches that communicate with us parents. If BSC can provide that, then it is a significant improvement from where we are at now.

I saw the comment about "over-rostered the "top 08 boys team." That is a concern - we've had that experience before and it was painful. Is this true for BSC 08 boys? Is it a common practice at BSC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your son’s goals for soccer, OP? It’s rare for a BSC green player to play in college on a varsity team, though plenty play college club soccer which is really fun and can be competitive. BSC green would offer fine preparation for that and is a nice complement to HS soccer. Good players on Blue with good academics likely have a shot at a variety of D3 schools.

In our experience there are definitely some crazy parents on the MLSNext sidelines, but most parents on the boys Blue teams have been chill, and we’ve overall enjoyed our time at the club though I could list scores of things they could improve. It looks like Bill Moravek is the blue coach for ‘08? He’s kind of a yeller and pretty intense, but we’ve always liked him.

Hi - OP here. Thanks for the reply. That's helpful - how long have you been at BSC?

DS is likely not even D3 college soccer material. He's focused right now on just improving his skills and progressing through the JV and Varsity teams in HS. He's got to prove himself there before thinking about college. A college club team sounds like something he would enjoy to keep playing the game he loves.

The coaching at our current club was decent a year ago, but that coach moved on and the club has pretty much abandoned the 08 and 07 age groups as a result this fall (not even 1 day of training which I understand is what 08 Blue and Green do because of the HS season) and their communication has been horrible. DS needs consistent coaching & training and playing in a competitive league. And it would be nice to have coaches that communicate with us parents. If BSC can provide that, then it is a significant improvement from where we are at now.

I saw the comment about "over-rostered the "top 08 boys team." That is a concern - we've had that experience before and it was painful. Is this true for BSC 08 boys? Is it a common practice at BSC?

PP here. We’ve been a BSC for over a decade with a top player (now playing D1), an average player who loved playing club in college, and our current one, a strong but not top player who may or may not have a shot at D3. Sorry to hear about your frustrations with your current club. I don’t know very much about the boys 08 age group but the HS age teams I know at BSC below the MLSNext level practice at least once and sometimes twice a week during HS season. Communication is coach-dependent, but we’ve been perfectly happy with my son’s coaches on that fron the last few years. BSC uses TeamSnap, which I think is a good platform.

In terms of over-rostering, that can definitely be a problem and it’s not fun if your kids ends up on the bench for large stretches of every game. I’d recommend that you or your son contact the coach of the blue team or age group director and ask if he can attend some practices. That is by far the best way to get a sense of a team, coach, and the right level for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

What is the appeal of playing in the NAL league against other 2nd, 3rd, 4th tier teams that requires excessive travel, time and expenses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

What is the appeal of playing in the NAL league against other 2nd, 3rd, 4th tier teams that requires excessive travel, time and expenses?

A very solid point. Though I will say that your pushing it to 3rd and 4th tier teams is a bit extreme. And most of the clubs are within an hour travel radius. FC Delco has a second team that will give almost every first team a match. But, I think the point you're trying to make is that a second team should not have to travel 3 hours for competition. And, you are correct in that. For that matter, neither should the majority of first teams. News Flash: Most of travel soccer is a pyramid scheme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your son’s goals for soccer, OP? It’s rare for a BSC green player to play in college on a varsity team, though plenty play college club soccer which is really fun and can be competitive. BSC green would offer fine preparation for that and is a nice complement to HS soccer. Good players on Blue with good academics likely have a shot at a variety of D3 schools.

In our experience there are definitely some crazy parents on the MLSNext sidelines, but most parents on the boys Blue teams have been chill, and we’ve overall enjoyed our time at the club though I could list scores of things they could improve. It looks like Bill Moravek is the blue coach for ‘08? He’s kind of a yeller and pretty intense, but we’ve always liked him.

Hi - OP here. Thanks for the reply. That's helpful - how long have you been at BSC?

DS is likely not even D3 college soccer material. He's focused right now on just improving his skills and progressing through the JV and Varsity teams in HS. He's got to prove himself there before thinking about college. A college club team sounds like something he would enjoy to keep playing the game he loves.

The coaching at our current club was decent a year ago, but that coach moved on and the club has pretty much abandoned the 08 and 07 age groups as a result this fall (not even 1 day of training which I understand is what 08 Blue and Green do because of the HS season) and their communication has been horrible. DS needs consistent coaching & training and playing in a competitive league. And it would be nice to have coaches that communicate with us parents. If BSC can provide that, then it is a significant improvement from where we are at now.

I saw the comment about "over-rostered the "top 08 boys team." That is a concern - we've had that experience before and it was painful. Is this true for BSC 08 boys? Is it a common practice at BSC?

PP here. We’ve been a BSC for over a decade with a top player (now playing D1), an average player who loved playing club in college, and our current one, a strong but not top player who may or may not have a shot at D3. Sorry to hear about your frustrations with your current club. I don’t know very much about the boys 08 age group but the HS age teams I know at BSC below the MLSNext level practice at least once and sometimes twice a week during HS season. Communication is coach-dependent, but we’ve been perfectly happy with my son’s coaches on that fron the last few years. BSC uses TeamSnap, which I think is a good platform.

In terms of over-rostering, that can definitely be a problem and it’s not fun if your kids ends up on the bench for large stretches of every game. I’d recommend that you or your son contact the coach of the blue team or age group director and ask if he can attend some practices. That is by far the best way to get a sense of a team, coach, and the right level for your kid.

OP here - Thanks! We are going to give that a shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

What is the appeal of playing in the NAL league against other 2nd, 3rd, 4th tier teams that requires excessive travel, time and expenses?

A very solid point. Though I will say that your pushing it to 3rd and 4th tier teams is a bit extreme. And most of the clubs are within an hour travel radius. FC Delco has a second team that will give almost every first team a match. But, I think the point you're trying to make is that a second team should not have to travel 3 hours for competition. And, you are correct in that. For that matter, neither should the majority of first teams. News Flash: Most of travel soccer is a pyramid scheme.

The MLS Next Affiliate teams are 2nd tier to the MLS Professional Academies.
The second team on a MLS Next Affiliate club would be 3rd tier.

Some MLS Next Affiliate teams are so weak compared to Red Bulls, Philly Union and DCU, they are two tiers down in reality. That would make their NAL team.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

What is the appeal of playing in the NAL league against other 2nd, 3rd, 4th tier teams that requires excessive travel, time and expenses?

A very solid point. Though I will say that your pushing it to 3rd and 4th tier teams is a bit extreme. And most of the clubs are within an hour travel radius. FC Delco has a second team that will give almost every first team a match. But, I think the point you're trying to make is that a second team should not have to travel 3 hours for competition. And, you are correct in that. For that matter, neither should the majority of first teams. News Flash: Most of travel soccer is a pyramid scheme.

The MLS Next Affiliate teams are 2nd tier to the MLS Professional Academies.
The second team on a MLS Next Affiliate club would be 3rd tier.

Some MLS Next Affiliate teams are so weak compared to Red Bulls, Philly Union and DCU, they are two tiers down in reality. That would make their NAL team.....

Let's get this straight...there are 30 MLS Academy teams in the nation - one in every metropolitan area for the most part. They largely are an all-star team that gets their pick of whatever kids they want in the area. And, since there is an emphasis on winning NOW, those kids are often very physically mature compared to their peers - not always. You're basically calling very skilled players shit because they can't compete with the 20 most advanced kids handpicked from the entire region? Get off your high horse, man. If your kid is on an MLS Next, ECNL or even NAL team at age 13, 14 or up - they are doing perfectly fine. Stop putting kids down for no reason. Your kid probably isn't the king of the block like you think he is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

What is the appeal of playing in the NAL league against other 2nd, 3rd, 4th tier teams that requires excessive travel, time and expenses?

A very solid point. Though I will say that your pushing it to 3rd and 4th tier teams is a bit extreme. And most of the clubs are within an hour travel radius. FC Delco has a second team that will give almost every first team a match. But, I think the point you're trying to make is that a second team should not have to travel 3 hours for competition. And, you are correct in that. For that matter, neither should the majority of first teams. News Flash: Most of travel soccer is a pyramid scheme.

The MLS Next Affiliate teams are 2nd tier to the MLS Professional Academies.
The second team on a MLS Next Affiliate club would be 3rd tier.

Some MLS Next Affiliate teams are so weak compared to Red Bulls, Philly Union and DCU, they are two tiers down in reality. That would make their NAL team.....

Let's get this straight...there are 30 MLS Academy teams in the nation - one in every metropolitan area for the most part. They largely are an all-star team that gets their pick of whatever kids they want in the area. And, since there is an emphasis on winning NOW, those kids are often very physically mature compared to their peers - not always. You're basically calling very skilled players shit because they can't compete with the 20 most advanced kids handpicked from the entire region? Get off your high horse, man. If your kid is on an MLS Next, ECNL or even NAL team at age 13, 14 or up - they are doing perfectly fine. Stop putting kids down for no reason. Your kid probably isn't the king of the block like you think he is.

+1000
Don't get all high and mighty because a kid is on an MLS Academy team at 13 years old. This country is full of kids who started out that way and got passed over by more hungry, skilled, later developing players. It's not about who is on top at the beginning. It's who is on top at the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

What is the appeal of playing in the NAL league against other 2nd, 3rd, 4th tier teams that requires excessive travel, time and expenses?

A very solid point. Though I will say that your pushing it to 3rd and 4th tier teams is a bit extreme. And most of the clubs are within an hour travel radius. FC Delco has a second team that will give almost every first team a match. But, I think the point you're trying to make is that a second team should not have to travel 3 hours for competition. And, you are correct in that. For that matter, neither should the majority of first teams. News Flash: Most of travel soccer is a pyramid scheme.

The MLS Next Affiliate teams are 2nd tier to the MLS Professional Academies.
The second team on a MLS Next Affiliate club would be 3rd tier.

Some MLS Next Affiliate teams are so weak compared to Red Bulls, Philly Union and DCU, they are two tiers down in reality. That would make their NAL team.....

Let's get this straight...there are 30 MLS Academy teams in the nation - one in every metropolitan area for the most part. They largely are an all-star team that gets their pick of whatever kids they want in the area. And, since there is an emphasis on winning NOW, those kids are often very physically mature compared to their peers - not always. You're basically calling very skilled players shit because they can't compete with the 20 most advanced kids handpicked from the entire region? Get off your high horse, man. If your kid is on an MLS Next, ECNL or even NAL team at age 13, 14 or up - they are doing perfectly fine. Stop putting kids down for no reason. Your kid probably isn't the king of the block like you think he is.

What in your response has anything to do with the facts of the club/team levels said in the statement you're responding to?
Is PA Classics on the same level as Philadelphia Union?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

What is the appeal of playing in the NAL league against other 2nd, 3rd, 4th tier teams that requires excessive travel, time and expenses?

A very solid point. Though I will say that your pushing it to 3rd and 4th tier teams is a bit extreme. And most of the clubs are within an hour travel radius. FC Delco has a second team that will give almost every first team a match. But, I think the point you're trying to make is that a second team should not have to travel 3 hours for competition. And, you are correct in that. For that matter, neither should the majority of first teams. News Flash: Most of travel soccer is a pyramid scheme.

The MLS Next Affiliate teams are 2nd tier to the MLS Professional Academies.
The second team on a MLS Next Affiliate club would be 3rd tier.

Some MLS Next Affiliate teams are so weak compared to Red Bulls, Philly Union and DCU, they are two tiers down in reality. That would make their NAL team.....

Let's get this straight...there are 30 MLS Academy teams in the nation - one in every metropolitan area for the most part. They largely are an all-star team that gets their pick of whatever kids they want in the area. And, since there is an emphasis on winning NOW, those kids are often very physically mature compared to their peers - not always. You're basically calling very skilled players shit because they can't compete with the 20 most advanced kids handpicked from the entire region? Get off your high horse, man. If your kid is on an MLS Next, ECNL or even NAL team at age 13, 14 or up - they are doing perfectly fine. Stop putting kids down for no reason. Your kid probably isn't the king of the block like you think he is.

+1000
Don't get all high and mighty because a kid is on an MLS Academy team at 13 years old. This country is full of kids who started out that way and got passed over by more hungry, skilled, later developing players. It's not about who is on top at the beginning. It's who is on top at the end.

No high level player starts at 13.
Academies across the world are filled with kids who don't make it to the highest ranks of professional soccer in the end. Do you want a stating the obvious award?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to make a jump to BSC for my U16 DS. Have reached out to the coaches who seem approachable. Really hoping DS can make 08 Blue and play in the new National Academy League, but, if not, is 08 Green actually worth it? And is the club full of a bunch of soccer-crazed parents who think their kid is the next Pulisic, or have they mellowed with age?

What is the appeal of playing in the NAL league against other 2nd, 3rd, 4th tier teams that requires excessive travel, time and expenses?

A very solid point. Though I will say that your pushing it to 3rd and 4th tier teams is a bit extreme. And most of the clubs are within an hour travel radius. FC Delco has a second team that will give almost every first team a match. But, I think the point you're trying to make is that a second team should not have to travel 3 hours for competition. And, you are correct in that. For that matter, neither should the majority of first teams. News Flash: Most of travel soccer is a pyramid scheme.

The MLS Next Affiliate teams are 2nd tier to the MLS Professional Academies.
The second team on a MLS Next Affiliate club would be 3rd tier.

Some MLS Next Affiliate teams are so weak compared to Red Bulls, Philly Union and DCU, they are two tiers down in reality. That would make their NAL team.....

Let's get this straight...there are 30 MLS Academy teams in the nation - one in every metropolitan area for the most part. They largely are an all-star team that gets their pick of whatever kids they want in the area. And, since there is an emphasis on winning NOW, those kids are often very physically mature compared to their peers - not always. You're basically calling very skilled players shit because they can't compete with the 20 most advanced kids handpicked from the entire region? Get off your high horse, man. If your kid is on an MLS Next, ECNL or even NAL team at age 13, 14 or up - they are doing perfectly fine. Stop putting kids down for no reason. Your kid probably isn't the king of the block like you think he is.

+1000
Don't get all high and mighty because a kid is on an MLS Academy team at 13 years old. This country is full of kids who started out that way and got passed over by more hungry, skilled, later developing players. It's not about who is on top at the beginning. It's who is on top at the end.

No high level player starts at 13.
Academies across the world are filled with kids who don't make it to the highest ranks of professional soccer in the end. Do you want a stating the obvious award?

There are professionals who can help you. Find one.