Play for two local travel teams

[Anonymous]

At the younger ages, anybody ever play/practice with their primary team and then guest (play only) on a second local travel team (not rec) in a different league?

I know a few people who do this in other states and I know one of the local MLS Next club has a Pre-MLS team playing in both EDP and NCSL in the same season.

Wanting to see if any DMV parents have any experience with this. We are willing to pay commensurate fees to the 2nd team as a game-day only guest player. Additionally, we want everything fully disclosed.

[Anonymous]

I believe that is possible, as a parent you own your players card. You should have the right to do that. Just make sure it's ok with both clubs. Sometimes the Tech Director doesn't like it or is afraid you will leave the primary club for the secondary club...but if everyone buys in, you should be fine.

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure they have to be carded under 2 different organizations (USYS and US Club)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe that is possible, as a parent you own your players card. You should have the right to do that. Just make sure it's ok with both clubs. Sometimes the Tech Director doesn't like it or is afraid you will leave the primary club for the secondary club...but if everyone buys in, you should be fine.

You don’t own your player card. The club owns it and doesn’t have to give it to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe that is possible, as a parent you own your players card. You should have the right to do that. Just make sure it's ok with both clubs. Sometimes the Tech Director doesn't like it or is afraid you will leave the primary club for the secondary club...but if everyone buys in, you should be fine.

You don’t own your player card. The club owns it and doesn’t have to give it to you.

Nope, the family owns it. You have to contact the state association if there is a disagreement with your club. Every family can hold their digital card/ paper copy and play for another club. You just can’t transfer clubs until contract dues are paid. That’s 2 different issues: guest playing vs transferring. But there is grey area with the leagues also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure they have to be carded under 2 different organizations (USYS and US Club)

How do you find out who a club is affiliated? I assume a few clubs in the MD State cup are USYS.

I went to the US Club Soccer and found a club listed that is also USYS so confused.

The club websites do not mention affiliation. Is there an easier way to determine affiliation?

[Anonymous]

So a kid that attends the practice for 2nd club might not get to play or gets less playing time because your kid plays in the game but doesn’t have to practice?
Seems rude.
Might be allowed but that doesn’t mean you should do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure they have to be carded under 2 different organizations (USYS and US Club)

How do you find out who a club is affiliated? I assume a few clubs in the MD State cup are USYS.

I went to the US Club Soccer and found a club listed that is also USYS so confused.

The club websites do not mention affiliation. Is there an easier way to determine affiliation?

It can be team specific (within the clubs), but if the team is playing in the ECNL league then I am pretty sure they are US Club.

[Anonymous]

We’ve done it a couple times - once in house and once for a team that approached us needing guests on a long term basis.

In house it was totally fine - just guesting for a different level/age group. For another club was a little stickier. Our primary team coach didn’t love it, but it was allowed and there were underlying reasons for the coaches to be willing to collaborate.

[Anonymous]

In Virginia, they don't allow guest players for league play, so you would need to be rostered on both teams. For tournaments guest players, most require the player and the team to have players cards from the same governing organization

Not sure on the rules for Maryland or DC

[Anonymous]

This is how you mentally burn out your kid and physically put them at risk for more injuries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is how you mentally burn out your kid and physically put them at risk for more injuries.

It’s funny. Indistinctly remember playing ALL DAY on the weekends!

This narrative in the US has to stop.

Kids burn out when they TRAIN every day and THE PARENTS push their kids when the kid doesn’t really love it.

In most countries, players internationally play 2h+ EVERY DAY. We do not have organic free play in this area which is why our kids burnout. They are cone drilled to death.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a kid that attends the practice for 2nd club might not get to play or gets less playing time because your kid plays in the game but doesn’t have to practice?
Seems rude.
Might be allowed but that doesn’t mean you should do it.

As a parent who has been on the side of my kid being and working hard at practice and 2-3 kids coming in and playing high number of minutes on weekends but not being reliable - it causes team cohesion issues kids are resentful when the guest player doesn’t show up and they have to play with their teammate and it doesn’t allow kids to bond with each other.

Other parents know that the guest is loyal to team 1 first but the team 2 coach is hoping the kid helps them win games and the kid will eventually switch.

While you are doing what you think is best for your kid put yourself in the situation on the other side.

Tournaments when short kids I am all for and realize this is where it makes the most sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is how you mentally burn out your kid and physically put them at risk for more injuries.

It’s funny. Indistinctly remember playing ALL DAY on the weekends!

This narrative in the US has to stop.

Kids burn out when they TRAIN every day and THE PARENTS push their kids when the kid doesn’t really love it.



In most countries, players internationally play 2h+ EVERY DAY. We do not have organic free play in this area which is why our kids burnout. They are cone drilled to death.

Kids in Italy train and play less then travel teams in the USA. When they are 12 is when they Italian kids really ramp up!!