Moving to Area with U11

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

My U11 son has played against that Bethesda team and they are the real deal for that age. It will be fun to watch what happens with that team if they continue to develop and stay together. The coach was very good as well. I know you said Pipeline was a little further, but we have always been impressed with them as well. They appear to have a good thing going up there and now that they have ECNL I think that will help them keep kids together better. Some of the Pipeline kids would go over to Baltimore Armour when they had DA and a partnership with SAC. Not sure what happens now that the partnership is over, but Armour puts out some very solid teams/kids at the older ages. Their latest recruiting class was insane, but could be a holdover of being the only old DA nearby. I've honestly never been very impressed with SAC at the younger ages. Their U11 team is good from what I know so you should be fine, but it's more hit or miss. SAC is also a massive organization. Not saying that is necessarily a bad thing, but they seem to have less focus at the younger ages and really start to care once the kids hit the Armour ages. Just my impression and from what I have heard from parents I know with kids there. I think they just started accumulated talent because they were the only DA in the area so talent just flocked there naturally. Time will tell if that continues.

My recommendation if your kid is good enough and has the drive to succeed would be to take a look at Bethesda first and get a sense of the coaches and how your son stacks up there. If it doesn't seem like a good fit go take a look at Pipeline, go do the drive during practice time though, and see how you like it there. The drive alone may turn you off or may not. We have a couple friends at the older and younger ages and they love it there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

I'm not really objecting - just though the poster's comment was somewhat odd. In the same breath he said his son was good enough to play for a team and also that he had never seen that team play. I didn't even say he was wrong - in fact I explicitly allowed that he might be correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

My U11 son has played against that Bethesda team and they are the real deal for that age. It will be fun to watch what happens with that team if they continue to develop and stay together. The coach was very good as well. I know you said Pipeline was a little further, but we have always been impressed with them as well. They appear to have a good thing going up there and now that they have ECNL I think that will help them keep kids together better. Some of the Pipeline kids would go over to Baltimore Armour when they had DA and a partnership with SAC. Not sure what happens now that the partnership is over, but Armour puts out some very solid teams/kids at the older ages. Their latest recruiting class was insane, but could be a holdover of being the only old DA nearby. I've honestly never been very impressed with SAC at the younger ages. Their U11 team is good from what I know so you should be fine, but it's more hit or miss. SAC is also a massive organization. Not saying that is necessarily a bad thing, but they seem to have less focus at the younger ages and really start to care once the kids hit the Armour ages. Just my impression and from what I have heard from parents I know with kids there. I think they just started accumulated talent because they were the only DA in the area so talent just flocked there naturally. Time will tell if that continues.

My recommendation if your kid is good enough and has the drive to succeed would be to take a look at Bethesda first and get a sense of the coaches and how your son stacks up there. If it doesn't seem like a good fit go take a look at Pipeline, go do the drive during practice time though, and see how you like it there. The drive alone may turn you off or may not. We have a couple friends at the older and younger ages and they love it there.

I'm not overly familiar with all of the local U11 teams, but here's a little input on SAC/Bethesda/Pipeline from someone who has had a kid in 2 out of the 3.

First off, what the poster above said is accurate. I'll expand a little.

The big advantage to SAC is the facility. I think it's fair to say that it's the nicest club based facility in MD. Soccerplex is larger/better, but doesn't belong to one club. The SAC complex tends to draw a lot of people into the club at the younger ages. As teams age onto full field, though, most practices and many games tend to move to local high schools and parks - which I frankly prefer as the parking at SAC is awful (if you go on a weekend, park in the gravel lot and walk the 3 minutes). The facility, though nice, does lose it's luster a little once you have sat in the parking lot for 40 minutes trying to get out. SAC has some good coaches, but it's inconsistent. The SAC U11 top team coach is good, and has coached that team since they formed. Not sure what happens when they transition to Armour, as he is not a current Armour coach. If your son is on the top team or a better player on the second team they will have a good shot at making Armour in the younger ages. The older ages obviously get more competitive, and even though the partnership with Pipeline broke down Armour is still attracting some very good players from outside the club. From Olney it's a straight shot up 108, with the only real traffic on the route being Clarksville.

Bethesda has some very good coaches, I think more consistent across age groups than SAC. They don't have a facility, so practices/games are at high schools, etc. I don't think that's a bad thing generally, but it can get cramped with 3 or 4 teams sharing a field sometimes. Also a pretty easy drive from Olney, especially if you are near 200 and don't mind paying the toll (this of course depends on where practice is, but 200 often worked out well for me).

Pipeline has some good coaches too. As a whole I'd put the coaching above SAC, below Bethesda. Of course every age group is different. I'm not too familiar with all the fields Pipeline uses, but I think they often use Baltimore Poly high school, which is probably an hour from Olney with no traffic. Once Covid is over and normal rush hour resumes - even if reduced due to more WFH - I wouldn't even consider that drive 3 or 4 days a week.

I'd recommend Bethesda, then SAC/Armour. If your son wants to move to Pipeline once he is older - these teams all seem to love poaching from one another (especially SAC/Armour and Pipeline).

[Anonymous]

I can second the parking situation at SAC. We have played there several times for normally scheduled games as well as tournaments. It's a nightmare. The facility is incredible with several very nice fields, but that parking is insane. Some tournaments you have to park on the main road leading into the complex and it is a hike to almost all of the fields, god forbid a field at the back of the complex which is probably close to 3/4 mile walk. We got stuck in the main parking lot trying to find a spot one year, dropped off our son so he could be on time (30 mins before game), and barely made kickoff. I'm assuming parking is tough for practices as well, but not to the level of games/tournaments.

I have seen all 3 teams play at various age groups over the years between two kids (not U11 unfortunately). Bethesda moved the ball around very well and actually played soccer every game. Same with Pipeline. The Pipeline teams have always seemed very well coached and drilled in playing the game. SAC has been a little hit or miss as others have noticed. I've never been impressed with their teams at the younger ages except maybe one. Not sure what happens when the top teams go to Armour, but they seem to have a good thing going there so that's something to think about. I would recommend, as others have, go talk to the coaches, see if you can get in on a session, and see how it works out. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those options assuming he is good enough. Be honest about that last part. If he is good enough, but at the bottom of those teams he may make it on the team, but may not get enough reps to continue improving. It's a delicate balance at U11 of playing with better players, but also being able to play in a game.

[Anonymous]

Do not waste your time driving all over the place. My suggest would be either one of the 3 clubs...Bethesda, Lions Soccer, SAC/BA. All 3 have the ability to help the continued development of your child.

I agree. Those are good clubs with good teams. Frankly, I find it ridiculous that some people are willing to drive 45 minutes each way three times a week to take a kid to soccer practice farther from home. I have a job and another kid, and no way am I doing that.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda Academy is the strongest. Only if you are on the very top team is it worth it---unless it's the closest Club.

Traffic in this area is outrageous (just wait until Covid peters out and more and more are on the road). Rush hour can start as early as 3pm and go until 7pm. Pick a Club that is convenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Do not waste your time driving all over the place. My suggest would be either one of the 3 clubs...Bethesda, Lions Soccer, SAC/BA. All 3 have the ability to help the continued development of your child.

I agree. Those are good clubs with good teams. Frankly, I find it ridiculous that some people are willing to drive 45 minutes each way three times a week to take a kid to soccer practice farther from home. I have a job and another kid, and no way am I doing that.

I get this and is very true, however, if you have a very talented and driven child it is a decision of what you are willing to sacrifice. We made the sacrifice and have a son playing in college (frankly at a school he probably couldn't have gotten into without soccer) because he loved to play and wanted to keep getting better. Did it suck for a couple years? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Absolutely. If he wasn't as driven, or as good, I would have never made that sacrifice. We have another child who didn't want to go down that path and plays on the local travel team in addition to other sports. He's perfectly content and I love the 10 minute drive to get him to practice. It all just depends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

I'm not really objecting - just though the poster's comment was somewhat odd. In the same breath he said his son was good enough to play for a team and also that he had never seen that team play. I didn't even say he was wrong - in fact I explicitly allowed that he might be correct.

I was actually wondering the same thing when I read. OP sounded confident without seeing the team play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda Academy is the strongest. Only if you are on the very top team is it worth it---unless it's the closest Club.

Traffic in this area is outrageous (just wait until Covid peters out and more and more are on the road). Rush hour can start as early as 3pm and go until 7pm. Pick a Club that is convenient.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

I'm not really objecting - just though the poster's comment was somewhat odd. In the same breath he said his son was good enough to play for a team and also that he had never seen that team play. I didn't even say he was wrong - in fact I explicitly allowed that he might be correct.

I was actually wondering the same thing when I read. OP sounded confident without seeing the team play.

I'm the OP. I understand the comments and wasn't trying to overly imply anything. I honestly don't know, but my son has played very well against teams that have done well against that Bethesda team and the others so while that is a bit of a stretch it's a close enough barometer for me. I was trying to avoid being a jackass and say how good my kid is, but thought saying something like top 5 on an EDP I team was good enough at U11. The real fact is he is undoubtedly top 2 in any game I have ever seen except for an off game here or there and would be surprised if a coach didn't pick him up. Can he definitely make any of these teams? I really don't know and only time will tell. I was simply asking what people thought of those organizations and figured I had to address his skill set in the initial post or I would get the comments of "your kid isn't good enough for any of those teams".

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful comments. Definitely a ton of really good information to consider so I appreciate your time to respond.

[Anonymous]

It has been a few years since we had a boy playing soccer, but back in the day OBGC (In Olney) had some strong teams coached by Pete Wood. Not sure if that’s still the case, but might be worth checking out in addition to BSC and the other top clubs PPs have discussed.

[Anonymous]

I am a happy Pipeline parent of an older player, but you do not want to drive from Olney to Baltimore four times a week, especially since half of those drives would be during rush hour. Bethesda or SAC would be far better choices from a commute perspective. All the Pipeline boys teams practice at Poly in Baltimore, and the performance center is another 15, 20 minutes further East.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

I'm not really objecting - just though the poster's comment was somewhat odd. In the same breath he said his son was good enough to play for a team and also that he had never seen that team play. I didn't even say he was wrong - in fact I explicitly allowed that he might be correct.

He's 10. It will all change in the next 5-6 years. The stars at U11 often aren't anything by U15.

Is he big for his age? That will get him a lot of attention in and of itself.

I mean--he isn't even playing 11 v 11 yet.
I was actually wondering the same thing when I read. OP sounded confident without seeing the team play.

I'm the OP. I understand the comments and wasn't trying to overly imply anything. I honestly don't know, but my son has played very well against teams that have done well against that Bethesda team and the others so while that is a bit of a stretch it's a close enough barometer for me. I was trying to avoid being a jackass and say how good my kid is, but thought saying something like top 5 on an EDP I team was good enough at U11. The real fact is he is undoubtedly top 2 in any game I have ever seen except for an off game here or there and would be surprised if a coach didn't pick him up. Can he definitely make any of these teams? I really don't know and only time will tell. I was simply asking what people thought of those organizations and figured I had to address his skill set in the initial post or I would get the comments of "your kid isn't good enough for any of those teams".

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful comments. Definitely a ton of really good information to consider so I appreciate your time to respond.