2025 Nation's Capital Cup: Greetings from Pittsburgh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

The Nation's Capital Cup is a well-run event. This year, the two Arlington 2016 Pre-A teams are traveling to a tournament in NC instead (and I think a few of the other teams are playing in the Bethesda event that same weekend). The McLean and SYC teams will no doubt rep the DMV area well, though. Good luck!

There’s pre-A for 2016?????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

Really????? I knew Baltimore and DC burbs have a pretty competitive youth soccer scene, but I didn’t think Northern Virginia specifically had a ‘national’ reputation, at least not one that was any more notable than other metro areas.

How do ppl know about these things? Or is this just based off older kids and where college recruiters go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

Really????? I knew Baltimore and DC burbs have a pretty competitive youth soccer scene, but I didn’t think Northern Virginia specifically had a ‘national’ reputation, at least not one that was any more notable than other metro areas.

How do ppl know about these things? Or is this just based off older kids and where college recruiters go?

So, maybe it was a little bit of a stretch using the "national reputation" term. After all, I don't have the slightest idea of what states like California and Texas think about Northern Virginia soccer. I can however promise you that those of us in Pittsburgh know, and respect the hell out of the youth soccer scene in your area. I do think a lot of it has to do with parents of older girls who have already played your teams before. Lol....I feel like our parents have been talking about this tourny since early Sep. I kept hearing "wait until we head to Virginia and play some top notch competition....then we'll see how good we are"

Below is just two articles I found about soccer in your area

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/womens-girls-soccer-ecnl-northern-virginia/

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1995/07/28/virginia-gets-more-than-its-share-of-kicks/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

Really????? I knew Baltimore and DC burbs have a pretty competitive youth soccer scene, but I didn’t think Northern Virginia specifically had a ‘national’ reputation, at least not one that was any more notable than other metro areas.

How do ppl know about these things? Or is this just based off older kids and where college recruiters go?

So, maybe it was a little bit of a stretch using the "national reputation" term. After all, I don't have the slightest idea of what states like California and Texas think about Northern Virginia soccer. I can however promise you that those of us in Pittsburgh know, and respect the hell out of the youth soccer scene in your area. I do think a lot of it has to do with parents of older girls who have already played your teams before. Lol....I feel like our parents have been talking about this tourny since early Sep. I kept hearing "wait until we head to Virginia and play some top notch competition....then we'll see how good we are"

Below is just two articles I found about soccer in your area

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/womens-girls-soccer-ecnl-northern-virginia/

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1995/07/28/virginia-gets-more-than-its-share-of-kicks/

The Beadling and Riverhound teams we’ve played on the girls side in higher tourney brackets over the years have seemed pretty competitive to me but I imagine the competition in western Pa (where I grew up) might drop off a bit faster than NoVa after that. But that’s just speculation; I only know the Pgh teams I’ve seen here have been pretty strong, don’t know the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

Really????? I knew Baltimore and DC burbs have a pretty competitive youth soccer scene, but I didn’t think Northern Virginia specifically had a ‘national’ reputation, at least not one that was any more notable than other metro areas.

How do ppl know about these things? Or is this just based off older kids and where college recruiters go?

Alexandria

[Anonymous]

Nation's Cup is NOT a high level tournament. It does not draw the top teams from the area. I think the closest tournament to experience that would be Jefferson Cup. Nation's Cup is a decent tournament, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't travel from Pittsburgh for it to test my team against club's B and C teams. Even WAGS stinks anymore. Doesn't seem like Bethesda Cup is pulling in the top teams anymore either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

The Nation's Capital Cup is a well-run event. This year, the two Arlington 2016 Pre-A teams are traveling to a tournament in NC instead (and I think a few of the other teams are playing in the Bethesda event that same weekend). The McLean and SYC teams will no doubt rep the DMV area well, though. Good luck!

There’s pre-A for 2016?????

Yes, 2 pre-A teams for 2016

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

Arlington is headed to N.C for a tournament. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nation's Cup is NOT a high level tournament. It does not draw the top teams from the area. I think the closest tournament to experience that would be Jefferson Cup. Nation's Cup is a decent tournament, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't travel from Pittsburgh for it to test my team against club's B and C teams. Even WAGS stinks anymore. Doesn't seem like Bethesda Cup is pulling in the top teams anymore either.

Such a lukewarm take. At u8-u11/12, it’s WAGS in the fall and Jeff Cup in Spring. In OP’s age group, WAGS had the top 2 ranked teams in Va and MD, top ranked team from GA, and a probable top team from NC, and another from FL. That’s about as good as it gets at this age so spare the nonsense ECNL/GA, the older age groups were weak nonsense. Thats a quality competition at that age.

Beyond those two, it’s basically tourneys like these, Bethesda has a number of solid teams for an end of season tourney, Capital Cup is a little smaller than usual but a tourney with the #2 ranked team in PA and the #1 in VA is pretty much a solid weekends worth of games at this age to wrap up the season.

OP, see how your weekend goes, and if a measuring stick is your goal against the teams you’re playing consider Jeff Cup in March if you make the semis, for sure if you make the finals.

Relatedly, keep an eye on the Spirit this weekend. If they win, they’re hosting a semifinal game the same weekend that may work with your game schedule for a fun team outing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

You are kidding, right? They are 9. Many won't be playing by 12.

Wow, this is absurd.

Mother of more than one divison 1 player.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

You are kidding, right? They are 9. Many won't be playing by 12.

Wow, this is absurd.

Mother of more than one divison 1 player.

Just so you know...the fact that you are a mother of more than one division 1 player doesn't make your opinion any better than anyone else's. My wife is a mother of one D1 player and one D3 player and she doesn't know S. and even if you PLAYERD D1...25 years ago, your opinion isn't any better than anyone elses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nation's Cup is NOT a high level tournament. It does not draw the top teams from the area. I think the closest tournament to experience that would be Jefferson Cup. Nation's Cup is a decent tournament, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't travel from Pittsburgh for it to test my team against club's B and C teams. Even WAGS stinks anymore. Doesn't seem like Bethesda Cup is pulling in the top teams anymore either.

Such a lukewarm take. At u8-u11/12, it’s WAGS in the fall and Jeff Cup in Spring. In OP’s age group, WAGS had the top 2 ranked teams in Va and MD, top ranked team from GA, and a probable top team from NC, and another from FL. That’s about as good as it gets at this age so spare the nonsense ECNL/GA, the older age groups were weak nonsense. Thats a quality competition at that age.

Beyond those two, it’s basically tourneys like these, Bethesda has a number of solid teams for an end of season tourney, Capital Cup is a little smaller than usual but a tourney with the #2 ranked team in PA and the #1 in VA is pretty much a solid weekends worth of games at this age to wrap up the season.

OP, see how your weekend goes, and if a measuring stick is your goal against the teams you’re playing consider Jeff Cup in March if you make the semis, for sure if you make the finals.

Relatedly, keep an eye on the Spirit this weekend. If they win, they’re hosting a semifinal game the same weekend that may work with your game schedule for a fun team outing.

Sorry I wasn't focused on the U8 to U12 brackets. Do they even have a U8 division? lol.

[Anonymous]

Then why are you commenting on a post about a u10 tournament just to crap on someone excited to bring their kids to our area? Yall are insufferable.

And no there is typically no u8 but many of the larger clubs have a team playing a year up in almost all of the tournaments mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then why are you commenting on a post about a u10 tournament just to crap on someone excited to bring their kids to our area? Yall are insufferable.

And no there is typically no u8 but many of the larger clubs have a team playing a year up in almost all of the tournaments mentioned.

I felt like the post transitioned to...is Nation's Cup a good representation of the best teams in our area. I didn't realize the post was strictly about the best U10 teams in the area. Sorry!