Suburban Friendship League --- has this league been absorbed into the NCSL?

[Anonymous]

I'm the parent of a child who is "graduating" from Arlington's ADP program (which extends only through age 12) and looking for a new landing spot next year. My son wants to play at a level above rec, but isn't interested in the 3-day-per-week practice regime of most travel clubs. I was advised to look into the "Suburban Friendship League", and found this web page:

https://www.sflsoccer.org/ " target="_new" rel="nofollow"> https://www.sflsoccer.org/

If I understand correctly, this league no longer exists, and its component teams have either broken up or shifted into the NCSL. Is my understanding correct?

A follow-up question: does the NCSL accept independent teams, or must all teams be affiliated with a large parent soccer club? I know enough kids that have the same basic approach to soccer as my son that I think we would have the critical mass to assemble an independent team. This might be more interesting and rewarding than going through an established organization. Some of the parents have extensive soccer backgrounds, so I believe we could do a half-decent job of coaching (although probably not as good as a pro coach). But the team's objective would be quite modest: to compete decently at the lower levels of the NCSL.

[Anonymous]

NCSL has a rec side and a travel side.

The old SFL teams are playing on the *rec* side.

You want to start your own VISTA team if you want to play on the NCSL travel side, but you have to have access to your own practice field space.

[Anonymous]

You can't put in an independent team. You have to be affiliated with a league already admitted to NCSL or go the vista route.

What's wrong with just playing Arlington rec soccer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NCSL has a rec side and a travel side.

The old SFL teams are playing on the *rec* side.

You want to start your own VISTA team if you want to play on the NCSL travel side, but you have to have access to your own practice field space.

I'm trying to find the VISTA website. It seems like it should be easy, but I'm coming up empty. If you have the URL, can you please share it?

[Anonymous]

I don't think they have a website. You may have to call or email.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think they have a phone number either.

[Anonymous]

The ncsl will have a contact number for them, email the admin

[Anonymous]

The MSI Classic league model is what you are looking for (lots of parent run teams there, and MSI gets you the permits for practice and schedules games and refs) but I’m sure much too far for you. I’m not sure the equivalent in VA, I thought ADP was similar but didn’t realize you could age out).

[Anonymous]

It would be almost impossible to do this in Arlington you would have to be willing to rent a field an hours drive away for practice and games. There is no field space in Arlington or in the close in suburbs. Look at how hard it is for an established club like FCV to get fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be almost impossible to do this in Arlington you would have to be willing to rent a field an hours drive away for practice and games. There is no field space in Arlington or in the close in suburbs. Look at how hard it is for an established club like FCV to get fields.

You could practice obscenely early before the field permits start like 630 am on Saturday or Sunday but you have to share the field with random pick up players.