Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part II

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I've found the happiest kids in soccer are the ones who have grown close with their teammates.

In 10 years, unless they're playing in the pros, they will have forgotten most of the games and practices. They'll remember their friends.

But this is Northern Virginia, where every parent thinks DC should be playing for DC United -- unless they're REALLY good, in which case maybe Manchester United or Juventus. So we see players literally go in circles -- Club A, Club B, Club C and back to Club A. Accomplishing ... what?

Agree in spirit. However, no club is loyal to a particular kid and most "normal" parents just want their kids to be happy playing soccer. As kids get shifted around, transitioned from A to B, to C or from B to A, replaced with or new players on their old teams, etc., the idea of growing close with your teammates is more of an aspiration than a reality. Nothing is certain. It is often the clubs who don't give kids the chance to develop relationships, not necessarily the parents. If an age group trained together as a pool, that would be one reason to stay at a club, regardless of team classification. But that's not the reality at most clubs. When a best friend gets moved up or down to a different team, is hard to maintain long term friendships when everyone is running all over the DMV area each weekend for games and tournaments. I would have loved for my kids to stay on the same team with their friends from U9 on a long term basis. Unfortunately, promotions, demotions, the calendar year age group change, and the need for clubs to attract outside players rather than to develop the players they have get in the way. It isn't always the parents who mess things up.

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I've found the happiest kids in soccer are the ones who have grown close with their teammates.

In 10 years, unless they're playing in the pros, they will have forgotten most of the games and practices. They'll remember their friends.

But this is Northern Virginia, where every parent thinks DC should be playing for DC United -- unless they're REALLY good, in which case maybe Manchester United or Juventus. So we see players literally go in circles -- Club A, Club B, Club C and back to Club A. Accomplishing ... what?

I totally agree!

[Anonymous]

I could probably figure this out by reading all 4000 pages of this thread but just curious where the Arlington Elite teams ended up going? I know a bunch of teams from the CCL moved to the ECNL but I don’t see them listed in the standings.

Very interesting thread by the way. You all should actually feel pretty lucky that you have all the options in a relatively close by vicinity. Politics runs rampant through every club but when you only have one CCL level option within a 75 mile area, you are forced to bend over and take what they give you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I've found the happiest kids in soccer are the ones who have grown close with their teammates.

In 10 years, unless they're playing in the pros, they will have forgotten most of the games and practices. They'll remember their friends.

But this is Northern Virginia, where every parent thinks DC should be playing for DC United -- unless they're REALLY good, in which case maybe Manchester United or Juventus. So we see players literally go in circles -- Club A, Club B, Club C and back to Club A. Accomplishing ... what?

Agree in spirit. However, no club is loyal to a particular kid and most "normal" parents just want their kids to be happy playing soccer. As kids get shifted around, transitioned from A to B, to C or from B to A, replaced with or new players on their old teams, etc., the idea of growing close with your teammates is more of an aspiration than a reality. Nothing is certain. It is often the clubs who don't give kids the chance to develop relationships, not necessarily the parents. If an age group trained together as a pool, that would be one reason to stay at a club, regardless of team classification. But that's not the reality at most clubs. When a best friend gets moved up or down to a different team, is hard to maintain long term friendships when everyone is running all over the DMV area each weekend for games and tournaments. I would have loved for my kids to stay on the same team with their friends from U9 on a long term basis. Unfortunately, promotions, demotions, the calendar year age group change, and the need for clubs to attract outside players rather than to develop the players they have get in the way. It isn't always the parents who mess things up.

This. Same Club---the team changed drastically each year and the different Colors don't mix at practice.

It is an antiquated concept that may work at very small Clubs, but not at the Big Clubs.

Then, there was that whole Birth year BS so kids in the same grade are split. My kid was a U11 and 90% of the team was a different birth year---so it was like starting all over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I've found the happiest kids in soccer are the ones who have grown close with their teammates.

In 10 years, unless they're playing in the pros, they will have forgotten most of the games and practices. They'll remember their friends.

But this is Northern Virginia, where every parent thinks DC should be playing for DC United -- unless they're REALLY good, in which case maybe Manchester United or Juventus. So we see players literally go in circles -- Club A, Club B, Club C and back to Club A. Accomplishing ... what?

Agree in spirit. However, no club is loyal to a particular kid and most "normal" parents just want their kids to be happy playing soccer. As kids get shifted around, transitioned from A to B, to C or from B to A, replaced with or new players on their old teams, etc., the idea of growing close with your teammates is more of an aspiration than a reality. Nothing is certain. It is often the clubs who don't give kids the chance to develop relationships, not necessarily the parents. If an age group trained together as a pool, that would be one reason to stay at a club, regardless of team classification. But that's not the reality at most clubs. When a best friend gets moved up or down to a different team, is hard to maintain long term friendships when everyone is running all over the DMV area each weekend for games and tournaments. I would have loved for my kids to stay on the same team with their friends from U9 on a long term basis. Unfortunately, promotions, demotions, the calendar year age group change, and the need for clubs to attract outside players rather than to develop the players they have get in the way. It isn't always the parents who mess things up.

This. My kid's best friend was on a different team at the same age group/same Club and they rarely saw each other. The player pool never mixed and they played in different leagues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live near the SoccerPlex in Boyds MD (near Germantown MD). My 11 year old daughter plays rec there, and she is ready to move up to something more competitive. Can anybody provide a list of select/club/travel teams that are in the general area. From the Internet, I have read about Potomac Soccer, MSI, Damascus Soccer, MD Rush Montgomery, SAM Select. Are there others in the nearby area (not interested in going to Virginia). Thanks.

The problem for her right now is that all the travel teams are set for the year. I recommend signing up for a futsal program during the year, like an actual training program with a real coach, to get her foot skills up and then try out in the spring. Potomac isn't bad. They play in the CCL. It's a good place to start.

I have a similar question, and I've only heard of Potomac and Bethesda as being the big names in Montgomery County. And people seem to indicate that Bethesda>Potomac. People have described MSI and SAM Select as less competitive. (We live far from Damascus so they aren't on my radar screen.) Also curious whether there are others we should be looking at in Spring.

[Anonymous]

there's one called Bordeux at the soccer plex

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there's one called Bordeux at the soccer plex

Is that the famous FC Girondins de Bordeaux?

[Anonymous]

It's the same one. I don't think it's famous though in the US, maybe in France.

[Anonymous]

Who exactly is responsible for these traveling kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who exactly is responsible for these traveling kids?

What on earth are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, much of this forum is VERY subjective. Any thought of someone posting a survey to get some facts from the various parents across NOVA? I would want to know gender/age group, practices per week, length of practices, when season started and ended, practices on turf, grass or mixed, how often were practices cancelled (slightly subjective), and price.

Many of us feel the grass is greener somewhere else....and it may be, but without the facts, it is hard to know this for sure.

There are so many variants, so many factors that constantly change from year to year, from club to club. We know so many folks who hop from club to club and all they do is exchange one problem for another. Unless you really think your child is in the 0.1 percent to play professional and you need DA-level, the grass is never greener, all the clubs (and leagues) are basically the same.

AMEN

No. We left a toxic club. Annoying, political parents and bad mouthing players. No transparency. No consistency in coaches or training. Prima Donna bratty kids. Two years+ at new Club and still loving it. I am no longer tense and sick to my stomach on the sidelines. It’s a great environment.

I have a friend that played pro that thinks 2 years max for any club. Most top players have been at several by the age of 16. Exposure to new things creates growth.

But, just because a player leaves a Club does not mean their parents think they are a superstar. I’ve seen players leave big clubs for what is considered on this Board “inferior” clubs for better coaching/development, not because a player didn’t make a certain color.

+1. Totally true. If you stay put, you don't grow. We turned down a top team at a top club so DC can play in a better environment. 2 years is max.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, much of this forum is VERY subjective. Any thought of someone posting a survey to get some facts from the various parents across NOVA? I would want to know gender/age group, practices per week, length of practices, when season started and ended, practices on turf, grass or mixed, how often were practices cancelled (slightly subjective), and price.

Many of us feel the grass is greener somewhere else....and it may be, but without the facts, it is hard to know this for sure.

There are so many variants, so many factors that constantly change from year to year, from club to club. We know so many folks who hop from club to club and all they do is exchange one problem for another. Unless you really think your child is in the 0.1 percent to play professional and you need DA-level, the grass is never greener, all the clubs (and leagues) are basically the same.

AMEN

No. We left a toxic club. Annoying, political parents and bad mouthing players. No transparency. No consistency in coaches or training. Prima Donna bratty kids. Two years+ at new Club and still loving it. I am no longer tense and sick to my stomach on the sidelines. It’s a great environment.

I have a friend that played pro that thinks 2 years max for any club. Most top players have been at several by the age of 16. Exposure to new things creates growth.

But, just because a player leaves a Club does not mean their parents think they are a superstar. I’ve seen players leave big clubs for what is considered on this Board “inferior” clubs for better coaching/development, not because a player didn’t make a certain color.

+1. Totally true. If you stay put, you don't grow. We turned down a top team at a top club so DC can play in a better environment. 2 years is max.

I don't know if I'd say you have to go, if development is solid. But for sure there is no reason to stay if it's not. These clubs have no problem with cutting a player if a better one comes along. So why then shouldn't parents also have no problem with cutting a club if a better one comes along?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely correct! Club loyalty is a joke and a myth --- they will cut your kid if they find a better one. Its your money, you should spend it how it best benefits your kid. If that means staying put, then do it. If it means moving on and then moving on again, do it.

[Anonymous]

CYA/ SYA Merger back on.