Taking Soccer Back from the insanity of the ECNL, ENPL, DA, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will not change the system in your lifetime so think outside the box. Our DC, very elite player by every measure, found alternatives outside this system driven by the packs of lemmings and sheep that perpetuate the industrial soccer complex. If you look hard enough, you can find great ways to enjoy the sport and get the added benefit of time back, money back, and all the other things that will open up for your DC. Most parents psychologically can't come to terms with not doing every possible thing for DC to ensure he/she has a future D1 option, even though they should all be smart and educated enough to know that the likelihood is very low, and if it is, it will not be at one of the D1 schools with good soccer programs. Parents willing to pay for every agility training, camp, private, etc. due to the FOMO love to rationalize how much "DC just loves soccer." Now it is DA or ECNL at all cost, with thousands of dollars and games up to 500 miles away, for players that parents surely know are above average at best, just like the multitude of others at all the "elite" clubs in the DMV. You can't change this system, but you can find options outside of it once you drop the charade that your elite DC is so elite that he/she needs this system to be happy. Look around a little more and it will all be OK.

Agreed.

We have enough history in the sport to see---even the very best--look back and question what the worth was. Giving my kids a chance to excel and get incredible exercise/fitness and passion does not require us doing these out of state weekly drives. It just doesn't.

Life is short. I don't want their entire childhood to be missing out on other things in life. Look, if my kids had the talent potential of Pulisic--I would definitely nurture it---but they have to have that passion themselves as well. There's a difference between loving the sport and feeling like you can't breathe without the sport. The latter required by the best. My kids love the sport, but they also love many other things. They don't wake up with the ball, go outside with the ball every day there isn't a practice, every single minute of a weekend, etc. Until they are doing that, I am not driving 6 hours for weekend games.

If your child is doing that and has exceptional genetics, have at it. BUt, 99.99% of players in the DMV aren't there.

+1
I can count on one hand the # of kids I've seen with both that level of genetics + singular love for the ball ... Parents are reluctant to really accept how average their "elite" ECNLer is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will not change the system in your lifetime so think outside the box. Our DC, very elite player by every measure, found alternatives outside this system driven by the packs of lemmings and sheep that perpetuate the industrial soccer complex. If you look hard enough, you can find great ways to enjoy the sport and get the added benefit of time back, money back, and all the other things that will open up for your DC. Most parents psychologically can't come to terms with not doing every possible thing for DC to ensure he/she has a future D1 option, even though they should all be smart and educated enough to know that the likelihood is very low, and if it is, it will not be at one of the D1 schools with good soccer programs. Parents willing to pay for every agility training, camp, private, etc. due to the FOMO love to rationalize how much "DC just loves soccer." Now it is DA or ECNL at all cost, with thousands of dollars and games up to 500 miles away, for players that parents surely know are above average at best, just like the multitude of others at all the "elite" clubs in the DMV. You can't change this system, but you can find options outside of it once you drop the charade that your elite DC is so elite that he/she needs this system to be happy. Look around a little more and it will all be OK.

Agreed.

We have enough history in the sport to see---even the very best--look back and question what the worth was. Giving my kids a chance to excel and get incredible exercise/fitness and passion does not require us doing these out of state weekly drives. It just doesn't.

Life is short. I don't want their entire childhood to be missing out on other things in life. Look, if my kids had the talent potential of Pulisic--I would definitely nurture it---but they have to have that passion themselves as well. There's a difference between loving the sport and feeling like you can't breathe without the sport. The latter required by the best. My kids love the sport, but they also love many other things. They don't wake up with the ball, go outside with the ball every day there isn't a practice, every single minute of a weekend, etc. Until they are doing that, I am not driving 6 hours for weekend games.

If your child is doing that and has exceptional genetics, have at it. BUt, 99.99% of players in the DMV aren't there.

I should add I have straight A students that come to academics very easily. If my kid were a very poor student and soccer was the only true passion---the only way to get into college or reason to want to go to college (as was for my sibling) I might be nurturing it anyway I could. I don't believe my sibling would have lasted at a 4-year university of gotten into one without the sport.

You and the PPs are the perfect pair.
Rather than lecturing us about our kids who are "missing out on other things in life" (they are doing fine, thank you), could you please enlighten us by answering the PP's question and tell us where your "very elite" (sic) players play?
If you are not ready to do it, please stop belittling other people's kids. [/quote

I think the post was about how to take back the game as in it will happen when parents like you stop worrying about finding that "elite" thing. Many kids are smarter then you think and wouldn't feel belittled by that post... bet they suspect that they are not that elite anyway, but go with the flow of the parents and cash. i think he said his kid was NOT pulisic .... Pulisic is elite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will not change the system in your lifetime so think outside the box. Our DC, very elite player by every measure, found alternatives outside this system driven by the packs of lemmings and sheep that perpetuate the industrial soccer complex. If you look hard enough, you can find great ways to enjoy the sport and get the added benefit of time back, money back, and all the other things that will open up for your DC. Most parents psychologically can't come to terms with not doing every possible thing for DC to ensure he/she has a future D1 option, even though they should all be smart and educated enough to know that the likelihood is very low, and if it is, it will not be at one of the D1 schools with good soccer programs. Parents willing to pay for every agility training, camp, private, etc. due to the FOMO love to rationalize how much "DC just loves soccer." Now it is DA or ECNL at all cost, with thousands of dollars and games up to 500 miles away, for players that parents surely know are above average at best, just like the multitude of others at all the "elite" clubs in the DMV. You can't change this system, but you can find options outside of it once you drop the charade that your elite DC is so elite that he/she needs this system to be happy. Look around a little more and it will all be OK.

Agreed.

We have enough history in the sport to see---even the very best--look back and question what the worth was. Giving my kids a chance to excel and get incredible exercise/fitness and passion does not require us doing these out of state weekly drives. It just doesn't.

Life is short. I don't want their entire childhood to be missing out on other things in life. Look, if my kids had the talent potential of Pulisic--I would definitely nurture it---but they have to have that passion themselves as well. There's a difference between loving the sport and feeling like you can't breathe without the sport. The latter required by the best. My kids love the sport, but they also love many other things. They don't wake up with the ball, go outside with the ball every day there isn't a practice, every single minute of a weekend, etc. Until they are doing that, I am not driving 6 hours for weekend games.

If your child is doing that and has exceptional genetics, have at it. BUt, 99.99% of players in the DMV aren't there.

I should add I have straight A students that come to academics very easily. If my kid were a very poor student and soccer was the only true passion---the only way to get into college or reason to want to go to college (as was for my sibling) I might be nurturing it anyway I could. I don't believe my sibling would have lasted at a 4-year university of gotten into one without the sport.

You and the PPs are the perfect pair.
Rather than lecturing us about our kids who are "missing out on other things in life" (they are doing fine, thank you), could you please enlighten us by answering the PP's question and tell us where your "very elite" (sic) players play?
If you are not ready to do it, please stop belittling other people's kids. [/quote

I think the post was about how to take back the game as in it will happen when parents like you stop worrying about finding that "elite" thing. Many kids are smarter then you think and wouldn't feel belittled by that post... bet they suspect that they are not that elite anyway, but go with the flow of the parents and cash. i think he said his kid was NOT pulisic .... Pulisic is elite.

I did not come up with the "very elite" concept (I would never say that my kid is elite), I was just quoting from the first post ("Our DC, very elite player by every measure").
There is no question that the two posters shared an holier-than-thou/full-of-oneself edge that warranted my common reply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will not change the system in your lifetime so think outside the box. Our DC, very elite player by every measure, found alternatives outside this system driven by the packs of lemmings and sheep that perpetuate the industrial soccer complex. If you look hard enough, you can find great ways to enjoy the sport and get the added benefit of time back, money back, and all the other things that will open up for your DC. Most parents psychologically can't come to terms with not doing every possible thing for DC to ensure he/she has a future D1 option, even though they should all be smart and educated enough to know that the likelihood is very low, and if it is, it will not be at one of the D1 schools with good soccer programs. Parents willing to pay for every agility training, camp, private, etc. due to the FOMO love to rationalize how much "DC just loves soccer." Now it is DA or ECNL at all cost, with thousands of dollars and games up to 500 miles away, for players that parents surely know are above average at best, just like the multitude of others at all the "elite" clubs in the DMV. You can't change this system, but you can find options outside of it once you drop the charade that your elite DC is so elite that he/she needs this system to be happy. Look around a little more and it will all be OK.

Agreed.

We have enough history in the sport to see---even the very best--look back and question what the worth was. Giving my kids a chance to excel and get incredible exercise/fitness and passion does not require us doing these out of state weekly drives. It just doesn't.

Life is short. I don't want their entire childhood to be missing out on other things in life. Look, if my kids had the talent potential of Pulisic--I would definitely nurture it---but they have to have that passion themselves as well. There's a difference between loving the sport and feeling like you can't breathe without the sport. The latter required by the best. My kids love the sport, but they also love many other things. They don't wake up with the ball, go outside with the ball every day there isn't a practice, every single minute of a weekend, etc. Until they are doing that, I am not driving 6 hours for weekend games.

If your child is doing that and has exceptional genetics, have at it. BUt, 99.99% of players in the DMV aren't there.

I should add I have straight A students that come to academics very easily. If my kid were a very poor student and soccer was the only true passion---the only way to get into college or reason to want to go to college (as was for my sibling) I might be nurturing it anyway I could. I don't believe my sibling would have lasted at a 4-year university of gotten into one without the sport.

You and the PPs are the perfect pair.
Rather than lecturing us about our kids who are "missing out on other things in life" (they are doing fine, thank you), could you please enlighten us by answering the PP's question and tell us where your "very elite" (sic) players play?
If you are not ready to do it, please stop belittling other people's kids.

No one’s belittling other people’s kids fool. You’re belittling the poster and asking them to throw out personal info on here, which isn’t really needed to get the point they’re trying to make.

[Anonymous]

Seriously,without nitpicking about who is elite and what the end game is, does anyone has any ideas for a non-elite but very competent player who loves soccer? For kids who don't live and breathe soccer every moment but who are willing to put in hours a week to get better just because they want to improve? Where do kids who love to train go to play at a reasonable level with other like minded players without having to travel all over or serve as pawns in a club's march toward youth soccer domination? The team doesn't have to be the best, just decent. preferably with coaches committed to the players on the team (i.e. not shopping for players from other clubs to make the team better/win more). What are the options?

Is anyone starting a movement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously,without nitpicking about who is elite and what the end game is, does anyone has any ideas for a non-elite but very competent player who loves soccer? For kids who don't live and breathe soccer every moment but who are willing to put in hours a week to get better just because they want to improve? Where do kids who love to train go to play at a reasonable level with other like minded players without having to travel all over or serve as pawns in a club's march toward youth soccer domination? The team doesn't have to be the best, just decent. preferably with coaches committed to the players on the team (i.e. not shopping for players from other clubs to make the team better/win more). What are the options?

Is anyone starting a movement?

Middle/High school soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously,without nitpicking about who is elite and what the end game is, does anyone has any ideas for a non-elite but very competent player who loves soccer? For kids who don't live and breathe soccer every moment but who are willing to put in hours a week to get better just because they want to improve? Where do kids who love to train go to play at a reasonable level with other like minded players without having to travel all over or serve as pawns in a club's march toward youth soccer domination? The team doesn't have to be the best, just decent. preferably with coaches committed to the players on the team (i.e. not shopping for players from other clubs to make the team better/win more). What are the options?

Is anyone starting a movement?

No movement needs to be started, it is called NCSL, ODSL or certain divisions of EDP. NPL and CCL certainly have some out of town games but they are fine options depending on your threshold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously,without nitpicking about who is elite and what the end game is, does anyone has any ideas for a non-elite but very competent player who loves soccer? For kids who don't live and breathe soccer every moment but who are willing to put in hours a week to get better just because they want to improve? Where do kids who love to train go to play at a reasonable level with other like minded players without having to travel all over or serve as pawns in a club's march toward youth soccer domination? The team doesn't have to be the best, just decent. preferably with coaches committed to the players on the team (i.e. not shopping for players from other clubs to make the team better/win more). What are the options?

Is anyone starting a movement?

No movement needs to be started, it is called NCSL, ODSL or certain divisions of EDP. NPL and CCL certainly have some out of town games but they are fine options depending on your threshold.

Try NCSL, maybe a medium to smaller club. It really will come down to the coach, regardless of your player’s level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will not change the system in your lifetime so think outside the box. Our DC, very elite player by every measure, found alternatives outside this system driven by the packs of lemmings and sheep that perpetuate the industrial soccer complex. If you look hard enough, you can find great ways to enjoy the sport and get the added benefit of time back, money back, and all the other things that will open up for your DC. Most parents psychologically can't come to terms with not doing every possible thing for DC to ensure he/she has a future D1 option, even though they should all be smart and educated enough to know that the likelihood is very low, and if it is, it will not be at one of the D1 schools with good soccer programs. Parents willing to pay for every agility training, camp, private, etc. due to the FOMO love to rationalize how much "DC just loves soccer." Now it is DA or ECNL at all cost, with thousands of dollars and games up to 500 miles away, for players that parents surely know are above average at best, just like the multitude of others at all the "elite" clubs in the DMV. You can't change this system, but you can find options outside of it once you drop the charade that your elite DC is so elite that he/she needs this system to be happy. Look around a little more and it will all be OK.

Agreed.

We have enough history in the sport to see---even the very best--look back and question what the worth was. Giving my kids a chance to excel and get incredible exercise/fitness and passion does not require us doing these out of state weekly drives. It just doesn't.

Life is short. I don't want their entire childhood to be missing out on other things in life. Look, if my kids had the talent potential of Pulisic--I would definitely nurture it---but they have to have that passion themselves as well. There's a difference between loving the sport and feeling like you can't breathe without the sport. The latter required by the best. My kids love the sport, but they also love many other things. They don't wake up with the ball, go outside with the ball every day there isn't a practice, every single minute of a weekend, etc. Until they are doing that, I am not driving 6 hours for weekend games.

If your child is doing that and has exceptional genetics, have at it. BUt, 99.99% of players in the DMV aren't there.

I should add I have straight A students that come to academics very easily. If my kid were a very poor student and soccer was the only true passion---the only way to get into college or reason to want to go to college (as was for my sibling) I might be nurturing it anyway I could. I don't believe my sibling would have lasted at a 4-year university of gotten into one without the sport.

You and the PPs are the perfect pair.
Rather than lecturing us about our kids who are "missing out on other things in life" (they are doing fine, thank you), could you please enlighten us by answering the PP's question and tell us where your "very elite" (sic) players play?
If you are not ready to do it, please stop belittling other people's kids. [/quote

I think the post was about how to take back the game as in it will happen when parents like you stop worrying about finding that "elite" thing. Many kids are smarter then you think and wouldn't feel belittled by that post... bet they suspect that they are not that elite anyway, but go with the flow of the parents and cash. i think he said his kid was NOT pulisic .... Pulisic is elite.

I did not come up with the "very elite" concept (I would never say that my kid is elite), I was just quoting from the first post ("Our DC, very elite player by every measure").
There is no question that the two posters shared an holier-than-thou/full-of-oneself edge that warranted my common reply.

The problem is that you think PPs are belittling players. That's where you stepped into it. Agree with PP that the folks with the wallets are to blame, not the players nor the clubs. Stop paying.

[Anonymous]

^^
The problem is that you think PPs are belittling players. That's where you stepped into it. Agree with PP that the folks with the wallets are to blame, not the players nor the clubs. Stop paying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously,without nitpicking about who is elite and what the end game is, does anyone has any ideas for a non-elite but very competent player who loves soccer? For kids who don't live and breathe soccer every moment but who are willing to put in hours a week to get better just because they want to improve? Where do kids who love to train go to play at a reasonable level with other like minded players without having to travel all over or serve as pawns in a club's march toward youth soccer domination? The team doesn't have to be the best, just decent. preferably with coaches committed to the players on the team (i.e. not shopping for players from other clubs to make the team better/win more). What are the options?

Is anyone starting a movement?

It exists. Just keep looking. I doubt many will post personal info/stories, but there are other options besides HS.

[Anonymous]

Sure, I have a solution. We've talked about this issue in many different threads, but probably in the most depth here: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/748637.page

My proposed solution is that ECNL, NPL, and CCL fold, either because their leadership realizes the harm that these leagues cause to parents and kids (through player pool dilution, needless expenditures of cash, and needless travel) or because parents pressure clubs to drop out of them. Then, we have one main local travel league, which could be NCSL or EDP, that tries to minimize travel at the youngest ages, one Region 1 league that starts somewhere in the U12 or U13 age range and accepts the best teams from the the local league (this will change each season) and one National League that you can qualify for the same way as the current USYSA National League. DA should continue more or less in it's current form for those who are very serious and are ok with skipping high school. Micro local leagues like ODSL, OBSL, or whatever can continue to exist if clubs have travel teams that they don't think are ready for the NCSL or EDP main local league, and we should all work to volunteer to make all the local rec leagues stronger and cheaper.

How we get there is a different matter, but that's my vision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will not change the system in your lifetime so think outside the box. Our DC, very elite player by every measure, found alternatives outside this system driven by the packs of lemmings and sheep that perpetuate the industrial soccer complex. If you look hard enough, you can find great ways to enjoy the sport and get the added benefit of time back, money back, and all the other things that will open up for your DC. Most parents psychologically can't come to terms with not doing every possible thing for DC to ensure he/she has a future D1 option, even though they should all be smart and educated enough to know that the likelihood is very low, and if it is, it will not be at one of the D1 schools with good soccer programs. Parents willing to pay for every agility training, camp, private, etc. due to the FOMO love to rationalize how much "DC just loves soccer." Now it is DA or ECNL at all cost, with thousands of dollars and games up to 500 miles away, for players that parents surely know are above average at best, just like the multitude of others at all the "elite" clubs in the DMV. You can't change this system, but you can find options outside of it once you drop the charade that your elite DC is so elite that he/she needs this system to be happy. Look around a little more and it will all be OK.

Agreed.

We have enough history in the sport to see---even the very best--look back and question what the worth was. Giving my kids a chance to excel and get incredible exercise/fitness and passion does not require us doing these out of state weekly drives. It just doesn't.

Life is short. I don't want their entire childhood to be missing out on other things in life. Look, if my kids had the talent potential of Pulisic--I would definitely nurture it---but they have to have that passion themselves as well. There's a difference between loving the sport and feeling like you can't breathe without the sport. The latter required by the best. My kids love the sport, but they also love many other things. They don't wake up with the ball, go outside with the ball every day there isn't a practice, every single minute of a weekend, etc. Until they are doing that, I am not driving 6 hours for weekend games.

If your child is doing that and has exceptional genetics, have at it. BUt, 99.99% of players in the DMV aren't there.

I should add I have straight A students that come to academics very easily. If my kid were a very poor student and soccer was the only true passion---the only way to get into college or reason to want to go to college (as was for my sibling) I might be nurturing it anyway I could. I don't believe my sibling would have lasted at a 4-year university of gotten into one without the sport.

You and the PPs are the perfect pair.
Rather than lecturing us about our kids who are "missing out on other things in life" (they are doing fine, thank you), could you please enlighten us by answering the PP's question and tell us where your "very elite" (sic) players play?
If you are not ready to do it, please stop belittling other people's kids.

I'm the second poster and I did not say my kids are 'very elite' or 'even elite'. They are decent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There has to be a better way for elite players to play against other elite players without traveling 200+ miles for a game. Between NoVA and MD, there are at least 20 competitive teams in every age category. The major clubs all field strong teams. McLean, Loudoun, Arlington, BRYC, FCV, Bethesda, SAC, MDUnited, Pipeline, Potomac, Frederick, etc. Complement that list with smaller clubs such as Rush, Baltimore Celtic, Baltimore Union, OBGC, ES Soccer Academy, Cerritos, OPSA, Navy Premier, etc.

Why have we allowed egos and various organizations to create separate and competing leagues so that we can spend entire weekends driving our DCs across regions to play amateur soccer?

How do we take the game back?

The problem is right in the bolder part. If you only want your “elite” kid to play with/against other “elite” kids, you need to cast a wider net. There are saner ways to participate in soccer, but it requires letting go of the need to establish your child as superior.

A bit condescending don't you think?

The truth is that there are very good reasons for seeking a high level of play for one's child. You know what one of the best reasons is? Because the child himself asks for it.

The difference in levels of play is even more obvious to the players than it is to us watching. They can feel it immediately when they step onto the field, even in practice. The ones who are good enough to hang at a higher level, usually want to play there because they know that's what will make them better. Believe it or not, most of the kids at that level are extremely self-motivated.

I'm not saying I disagree completely with the OP though. Below the DA (boys) and ENCL/DA (girls) levels, it makes little sense to travel on a regular basis for competitive games. Away trips for tournaments once or twice a year can be a fun experience for the kids, but it doesn't have to be crazy. At that level I think the OP is right - there are more than enough strong teams in and around the DMV to give each other an appropriate level of competition. It makes no sense to have McLean and BRYC's boys teams travel to North and South Carolina, while Pipeline and SAC teams are driving to NJ & PA, when they could all just play each other along with all of the other clubs mentioned.

If I were to draw it up from scratch, here's how I would do it:

1) Leave the boys DA as is. There is a need for it. It consolidates talent in very few clubs: 3-4 in this area instead of 20. This raises the day-to-day training environment for those players. When everyone on the team is outstanding, no one can relax or get complacent. It makes a difference. The trade-off to that talent consolidation though, is that those teams can no longer get much meaningful competition without traveling out of the area. DCU, BSC and Armour can't just play each other every weekend for a 10 month season, and there only so many 9-2, 6-0 and 6-1 games that are productive. There is a benefit to those teams traveling to play against the likes of NY Red Bulls, Philly Union, and PDA.

2) Disband the ECNL and expand the girls DA. There is no real need for two competing national leagues. All it does is dilute talent. The federation screwed this up when they initially launched the DA by making it only for boys. Leave it up to the clubs if they want to let their players play HS ball or not. That's not a hill worth dying on. Most probably won't, but there will be exceptions, and it will be OK (Malory Pugh).

3) Below that level, each region should have a single league, with divisions based on pro/rel, and no geographic overlap between leagues. Put an end to leagues competing in the same geographic area for teams at the same level, and you will solve the insane travel problem. Just for fun, there could be post-season inter-regional competitions between teams of similar levels from the different geographic leagues, culminating in a "national championship" tournament for the best teams. The proceeds from the inter-regional tournaments should be used to fund travel to the national championship tournaments for those teams who qualify.

Many of you probably read all that and think it's impossible, but it's really not. The existing youth organizations (AYSO, USYSA and US Club) all fall under the umbrella of the US Soccer Federation. As we've seen in recent years, the federation can mandate change when it wants to (birth year, game format per age group, field dimensions). It just lacks the will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There has to be a better way for elite players to play against other elite players without traveling 200+ miles for a game. Between NoVA and MD, there are at least 20 competitive teams in every age category. The major clubs all field strong teams. McLean, Loudoun, Arlington, BRYC, FCV, Bethesda, SAC, MDUnited, Pipeline, Potomac, Frederick, etc. Complement that list with smaller clubs such as Rush, Baltimore Celtic, Baltimore Union, OBGC, ES Soccer Academy, Cerritos, OPSA, Navy Premier, etc.

Why have we allowed egos and various organizations to create separate and competing leagues so that we can spend entire weekends driving our DCs across regions to play amateur soccer?

How do we take the game back?

The problem is right in the bolder part. If you only want your “elite” kid to play with/against other “elite” kids, you need to cast a wider net. There are saner ways to participate in soccer, but it requires letting go of the need to establish your child as superior.

A bit condescending don't you think?

The truth is that there are very good reasons for seeking a high level of play for one's child. You know what one of the best reasons is? Because the child himself asks for it.

The difference in levels of play is even more obvious to the players than it is to us watching. They can feel it immediately when they step onto the field, even in practice. The ones who are good enough to hang at a higher level, usually want to play there because they know that's what will make them better. Believe it or not, most of the kids at that level are extremely self-motivated.

I'm not saying I disagree completely with the OP though. Below the DA (boys) and ENCL/DA (girls) levels, it makes little sense to travel on a regular basis for competitive games. Away trips for tournaments once or twice a year can be a fun experience for the kids, but it doesn't have to be crazy. At that level I think the OP is right - there are more than enough strong teams in and around the DMV to give each other an appropriate level of competition. It makes no sense to have McLean and BRYC's boys teams travel to North and South Carolina, while Pipeline and SAC teams are driving to NJ & PA, when they could all just play each other along with all of the other clubs mentioned.

If I were to draw it up from scratch, here's how I would do it:

1) Leave the boys DA as is. There is a need for it. It consolidates talent in very few clubs: 3-4 in this area instead of 20. This raises the day-to-day training environment for those players. When everyone on the team is outstanding, no one can relax or get complacent. It makes a difference. The trade-off to that talent consolidation though, is that those teams can no longer get much meaningful competition without traveling out of the area. DCU, BSC and Armour can't just play each other every weekend for a 10 month season, and there only so many 9-2, 6-0 and 6-1 games that are productive. There is a benefit to those teams traveling to play against the likes of NY Red Bulls, Philly Union, and PDA.

2) Disband the ECNL and expand the girls DA. There is no real need for two competing national leagues. All it does is dilute talent. The federation screwed this up when they initially launched the DA by making it only for boys. Leave it up to the clubs if they want to let their players play HS ball or not. That's not a hill worth dying on. Most probably won't, but there will be exceptions, and it will be OK (Malory Pugh).

3) Below that level, each region should have a single league, with divisions based on pro/rel, and no geographic overlap between leagues. Put an end to leagues competing in the same geographic area for teams at the same level, and you will solve the insane travel problem. Just for fun, there could be post-season inter-regional competitions between teams of similar levels from the different geographic leagues, culminating in a "national championship" tournament for the best teams. The proceeds from the inter-regional tournaments should be used to fund travel to the national championship tournaments for those teams who qualify.

Many of you probably read all that and think it's impossible, but it's really not. The existing youth organizations (AYSO, USYSA and US Club) all fall under the umbrella of the US Soccer Federation. As we've seen in recent years, the federation can mandate change when it wants to (birth year, game format per age group, field dimensions). It just lacks the will.

I don't disagree. I think if you can keep your kid playing competitively and getting enough challenge until they are age 14. Hold off on DA and you will have less years of serious driving up and down the coast and a far.

Prior to U15 there is no need for DA if you don't want to drive. That is a 14 year old. But, you will need to consider it by the time they are U15.