Bethesda Soccer On Way Down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree but tell me another option? At least it’s an ECNL club. For a serious girl in, say, Rockville, there is nothing else. It’s not right considering all the options in NVA.

You’re falling into the trap of the name. Even if you’re “serious” and BSC is an ECNL club, you’re not benefiting, and in fact your inflated dues for lower teams help pay JC, and also KL and SC salaries and travel to do ECNL. I agree that BSC has too much a monopoly on the top tier in MoCo but there’s also too many people who don’t realize that lower down it’s nothing special at all. And BSC doesn’t care, really. I know it’s easy to say on an anonymous board and you can take it with a grain of salt or trust me, but they don’t give two sh*ts about below second team (and even that is second fiddle). The first team coaches or age directors don’t know anybody on the third team at all. JC doesn’t even know what coaches or teams exist beyond the top tier.

Here’s two to consider. Potomac and MSI travel (completely revamped last year and already putting out some solid teams). Heck, even Brit Am is starting to put together more competitive teams. There’s others too.

You can ask around if you want more data. Ask about third team players who have moved up to ECNL. Ask around current u12 and up parents. Once you hit u13 it is nearly impossible to move up even from RL. New players come from the outside. At u13 tryout year, they’ll sometimes take top 2s to fill out 11v11, sometimes not, depends on the year and roster size. If you’re not a top player on 2 by u12 it’s nearly a done deal. If you’re content playing RL, you’ve got a good chance being a strong 3 player at younger ages.

There’s nothing wrong with staying at BSC if you don’t mind paying and you like the coach and your DD is happy. Just don’t be naive that you’re getting anything other than the BSC name on the jersey as a lower team.

She said serious. Non of those options you mentioned are even close to the top level of BSC teams. All clubs list ECNL in their names at the pre-ECNL ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree but tell me another option? At least it’s an ECNL club. For a serious girl in, say, Rockville, there is nothing else. It’s not right considering all the options in NVA.

You’re falling into the trap of the name. Even if you’re “serious” and BSC is an ECNL club, you’re not benefiting, and in fact your inflated dues for lower teams help pay JC, and also KL and SC salaries and travel to do ECNL. I agree that BSC has too much a monopoly on the top tier in MoCo but there’s also too many people who don’t realize that lower down it’s nothing special at all. And BSC doesn’t care, really. I know it’s easy to say on an anonymous board and you can take it with a grain of salt or trust me, but they don’t give two sh*ts about below second team (and even that is second fiddle). The first team coaches or age directors don’t know anybody on the third team at all. JC doesn’t even know what coaches or teams exist beyond the top tier.

Here’s two to consider. Potomac and MSI travel (completely revamped last year and already putting out some solid teams). Heck, even Brit Am is starting to put together more competitive teams. There’s others too.

You can ask around if you want more data. Ask about third team players who have moved up to ECNL. Ask around current u12 and up parents. Once you hit u13 it is nearly impossible to move up even from RL. New players come from the outside. At u13 tryout year, they’ll sometimes take top 2s to fill out 11v11, sometimes not, depends on the year and roster size. If you’re not a top player on 2 by u12 it’s nearly a done deal. If you’re content playing RL, you’ve got a good chance being a strong 3 player at younger ages.

There’s nothing wrong with staying at BSC if you don’t mind paying and you like the coach and your DD is happy. Just don’t be naive that you’re getting anything other than the BSC name on the jersey as a lower team.

She said serious. Non of those options you mentioned are even close to the top level of BSC teams. All clubs list ECNL in their names at the pre-ECNL ages.

Again, the question was third team and below. You have no idea what you’re talking about if you think Bethesda’s bottom teams are more “serious” than some other local options.

Literally my entire post was about NOT the top teams at BSC. You missed the entire point of the post. SMH.

There is no local club that can compete with BSC ECNL teams. None. Not disputing that.

But BSC doesn’t care about lower teams and if you think all the players are “serious” think again. Many low BSC teams practice less, get worse fields, and struggle with attendance because parents sign up for the name and not commitment. They’re often begging for guests for the lower teams for YDP ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree but tell me another option? At least it’s an ECNL club. For a serious girl in, say, Rockville, there is nothing else. It’s not right considering all the options in NVA.

You’re falling into the trap of the name. Even if you’re “serious” and BSC is an ECNL club, you’re not benefiting, and in fact your inflated dues for lower teams help pay JC, and also KL and SC salaries and travel to do ECNL. I agree that BSC has too much a monopoly on the top tier in MoCo but there’s also too many people who don’t realize that lower down it’s nothing special at all. And BSC doesn’t care, really. I know it’s easy to say on an anonymous board and you can take it with a grain of salt or trust me, but they don’t give two sh*ts about below second team (and even that is second fiddle). The first team coaches or age directors don’t know anybody on the third team at all. JC doesn’t even know what coaches or teams exist beyond the top tier.

Here’s two to consider. Potomac and MSI travel (completely revamped last year and already putting out some solid teams). Heck, even Brit Am is starting to put together more competitive teams. There’s others too.

You can ask around if you want more data. Ask about third team players who have moved up to ECNL. Ask around current u12 and up parents. Once you hit u13 it is nearly impossible to move up even from RL. New players come from the outside. At u13 tryout year, they’ll sometimes take top 2s to fill out 11v11, sometimes not, depends on the year and roster size. If you’re not a top player on 2 by u12 it’s nearly a done deal. If you’re content playing RL, you’ve got a good chance being a strong 3 player at younger ages.

There’s nothing wrong with staying at BSC if you don’t mind paying and you like the coach and your DD is happy. Just don’t be naive that you’re getting anything other than the BSC name on the jersey as a lower team.

She said serious. Non of those options you mentioned are even close to the top level of BSC teams. All clubs list ECNL in their names at the pre-ECNL ages.

Again, the question was third team and below. You have no idea what you’re talking about if you think Bethesda’s bottom teams are more “serious” than some other local options.

Literally my entire post was about NOT the top teams at BSC. You missed the entire point of the post. SMH.

There is no local club that can compete with BSC ECNL teams. None. Not disputing that.

But BSC doesn’t care about lower teams and if you think all the players are “serious” think again. Many low BSC teams practice less, get worse fields, and struggle with attendance because parents sign up for the name and not commitment. They’re often begging for guests for the lower teams for YDP ages.

happens at every club that has a high level team on boys and girls side. The parents chose to go to BSC, just like in NoVA where the parents want to play for Arlington even if it means the 2, 3 or 10th team.

[Anonymous]

So let’s say your kid is female and U14. They live in MoCo and play RL. Where else could you go besides BSC?

[Anonymous]

FC Frederick, SAC/BA, Juventus, OBGC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So let’s say your kid is female and U14. They live in MoCo and play RL. Where else could you go besides BSC?

Virginia

[Anonymous]

The name is part of the draw, but it's also the other players and the coaching. Bethesda's second and third teams routinely beat the top teams from some of the other clubs mentioned here. Even if a kid has accepted that they probably won't make an ECNL team, they still need to determine whether they are better off on a first team at a club without ECNL or on a lower team at Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So let’s say your kid is female and U14. They live in MoCo and play RL. Where else could you go besides BSC?

Virginia

My point exactly. It’s really unfortunate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So let’s say your kid is female and U14. They live in MoCo and play RL. Where else could you go besides BSC?

All depends how far your are willing to drive AND if you think your child is going to want to play High School. Also, how high is your child aiming post High School. D1, D2, D3, etc.

League Tier List by College Placement (Girls):
1. ECNL (Bethesda, Pipeline, MD United)
2. Girls Academy (Baltimore Armour, Baltimore Celtic, Coppermine)
3. ECRL (Bethesda, Pipeline, MD United) + ODP
4. USYS + ODP + High School

I didn't include Virginia only because of High School, I feel it way too much try and do High School Combined with Fall Club Soccer. You are just asking for a serious injury...

If no High School, Virginia has many options, once again pending how long you want to fight rush hour on the Beltway. Fairfax Union and Arlignton are closest but some families have been going to NVA lately as well. Also, SYC having GA now is another option. VRSC is also an option if you want to drive.

I've been in your shoes before. My advice rather than pay the money is to stick with a Club like FCGB and get the best training, if not better than Bethesda, if your DD is not on the ECNL level. Also do ODP and hope your child excels in High School too. That is building an attractive resume and probably spending less money than even playing ECRL. If your child isn't at least a starter on an ECNL team, it's going to be very tough play D1 so why bother spending all the time and money when you can concentrate on a top quallty DII or DIII school if your child wants to take the next step. Not to mention, your child doesn't have to experience the rediculous delusional ECNL parents and coaches and the pressure of worrying about their roster spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So let’s say your kid is female and U14. They live in MoCo and play RL. Where else could you go besides BSC?

Virginia

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So let’s say your kid is female and U14. They live in MoCo and play RL. Where else could you go besides BSC?

All depends how far your are willing to drive AND if you think your child is going to want to play High School. Also, how high is your child aiming post High School. D1, D2, D3, etc.

League Tier List by College Placement (Girls):
1. ECNL (Bethesda, Pipeline, MD United)
2. Girls Academy (Baltimore Armour, Baltimore Celtic, Coppermine)
3. ECRL (Bethesda, Pipeline, MD United) + ODP
4. USYS + ODP + High School

I didn't include Virginia only because of High School, I feel it way too much try and do High School Combined with Fall Club Soccer. You are just asking for a serious injury...

If no High School, Virginia has many options, once again pending how long you want to fight rush hour on the Beltway. Fairfax Union and Arlignton are closest but some families have been going to NVA lately as well. Also, SYC having GA now is another option. VRSC is also an option if you want to drive.

I've been in your shoes before. My advice rather than pay the money is to stick with a Club like FCGB and get the best training, if not better than Bethesda, if your DD is not on the ECNL level. Also do ODP and hope your child excels in High School too. That is building an attractive resume and probably spending less money than even playing ECRL. If your child isn't at least a starter on an ECNL team, it's going to be very tough play D1 so why bother spending all the time and money when you can concentrate on a top quallty DII or DIII school if your child wants to take the next step. Not to mention, your child doesn't have to experience the rediculous delusional ECNL parents and coaches and the pressure of worrying about their roster spot.

Not sure why i trust an anonymous board but honestly you sound like you know what you are talking about. So let’s say this: kid wants academic D3. Let’s say did ODP. Let’s say HS… even add varsity as a freshman. But not on ECNL1. Reasonable path to a very strong D3? Or a wild goose chase? And would you still recommend FCGB in that case?

[Anonymous]

^and no Virginia, simply too far and traffic, so sticking w MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So let’s say your kid is female and U14. They live in MoCo and play RL. Where else could you go besides BSC?

All depends how far your are willing to drive AND if you think your child is going to want to play High School. Also, how high is your child aiming post High School. D1, D2, D3, etc.

League Tier List by College Placement (Girls):
1. ECNL (Bethesda, Pipeline, MD United)
2. Girls Academy (Baltimore Armour, Baltimore Celtic, Coppermine)
3. ECRL (Bethesda, Pipeline, MD United) + ODP
4. USYS + ODP + High School

I didn't include Virginia only because of High School, I feel it way too much try and do High School Combined with Fall Club Soccer. You are just asking for a serious injury...

If no High School, Virginia has many options, once again pending how long you want to fight rush hour on the Beltway. Fairfax Union and Arlignton are closest but some families have been going to NVA lately as well. Also, SYC having GA now is another option. VRSC is also an option if you want to drive.

I've been in your shoes before. My advice rather than pay the money is to stick with a Club like FCGB and get the best training, if not better than Bethesda, if your DD is not on the ECNL level. Also do ODP and hope your child excels in High School too. That is building an attractive resume and probably spending less money than even playing ECRL. If your child isn't at least a starter on an ECNL team, it's going to be very tough play D1 so why bother spending all the time and money when you can concentrate on a top quallty DII or DIII school if your child wants to take the next step. Not to mention, your child doesn't have to experience the rediculous delusional ECNL parents and coaches and the pressure of worrying about their roster spot.

Not sure why i trust an anonymous board but honestly you sound like you know what you are talking about. So let’s say this: kid wants academic D3. Let’s say did ODP. Let’s say HS… even add varsity as a freshman. But not on ECNL1. Reasonable path to a very strong D3? Or a wild goose chase? And would you still recommend FCGB in that case?

Absolutely reasonable. Really only one issue which if the D3 school has finds or not. Many of the Academic D3 schools do not fund Soccer scholarships. They can find a way around through Academic Scholarships however. With that resume, I don’t see an issue with a good D3 school or D2. She will have make sure to be pro-active with the coaches. D2/D3 commits will have plenty of time to navigate. With a few exceptions, offers on those levels usually don’t happen until late Junior year to early Senior year.

Best follow on X for info is linked below:
https://x.com/imyouthsoccer?s=21

Or

https://x.com/imcollegesoccer?s=21

[Anonymous]

Congrats to DCUM on a helpful thread! Sincerely!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congrats to DCUM on a helpful thread! Sincerely!

I second this, fairly helpful with minimal snark