Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I can find an honest poll about how many parents do travel soccer because they think their kid will be the next Messi or expect him to become pro or even get a scholarship. I know I don't. Just because my son isn't born of professionals or isn't of Latin decent, he shouldn't try? My son loves soccer. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford travel soccer and supplemental training. If he's willing to work hard at it and continues to improve and love it, I'll support him whether he ends up in SFL, ODSL, NCSL, CCL, DA, HS team, College, or whatever. I really don't want to hear the...your kid won't be pro so why do the little things matter. They matter because I know that I'm trying to do the best for my kid because he's trying his best.

I've seen a few polls suggesting a lot of parents are indeed delusional. But not a majority or anything close to it.

And while this board isn't always a ever-flowing fountain of wisdom, I think most of the people knowledgeable enough to be posting here have done the math. They know college scholarships are rare, and they know most of them are partial.

(One thing I admit that hadn't occurred to me -- for some parents, soccer is a way of giving their kids an *admissions* edge. Not a scholarship. Ivy League schools don't give scholarships -- technically -- but being an athlete certainly helps kids get in. And maybe the 25th player on UVA's roster isn't getting money to go, but at least he or she got into UVA. Sure, that's STILL a small number of kids, but it's something that I hadn't thought about it until I got here.)

Look, music lessons are expensive, too. But my granddad told my dad that there's no such thing as wasted money on sports and music, and I believe it. (Personally, I came far closer to "going pro" in music than in sports!) These are enrichment activities.

That said, $3K seems pricey to me unless your kid has a realistic shot at college soccer. Most programs I know are in the $1.8-$2.5K range.

[Anonymous]

It seems like a few threads are mentioning the same thing about spending $2-3k for a spot on the D/E/F teams of large clubs and how it's not worth it so I'm posting this multiple times. Well my DS plays on a team with Cougars Youth Club (Falls Church) and yes they play in ODSL but the competition has been good so far and what we pay sure beats the $2-3K at these larger clubs. I'm very happy with their coaching and what they are trying to do as a small club. Their development group is small but they are trying to form competitive teams at the younger age groups and are looking for players. From what I've seen the coaches really focus on technique with the young kids. If anything you'll get the same or better experience for a reasonable price. The link to try-outs is http://www.cougarsyouthclub.org/#!blank/i0zly . Give it a try.

[Anonymous]

as far as the German / European players there odds are the same 99% are not going pro.. and from your post your kids should have more of an advantage being the come from good athletic genetics.. if we had a better Development program in the USA totally funded and not forced to charge players to play. we would be a top tier force. And many of these parents who live in a drem world of their own because the can pay for their child to play for an ELITE travel team. would be quickly humbled as most of them would be devastated the little Jonny isn't good enough to play ELITE and many of the true talented kids would be developed regardless if the parents have the money to buy the label of Elite.. also a fully funded system would be able to pay for the best coaches .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:as far as the German / European players there odds are the same 99% are not going pro.. and from your post your kids should have more of an advantage being the come from good athletic genetics.. if we had a better Development program in the USA totally funded and not forced to charge players to play. we would be a top tier force. And many of these parents who live in a drem world of their own because the can pay for their child to play for an ELITE travel team. would be quickly humbled as most of them would be devastated the little Jonny isn't good enough to play ELITE and many of the true talented kids would be developed regardless if the parents have the money to buy the label of Elite.. also a fully funded system would be able to pay for the best coaches .

I don't disagree with you at all. My own kids always comment that the children not in any program in our County they play against in pick up are better than any kid on the top teams in their Club. There are a few success stories in this Country, but they had parents that were former high level players that knew the system and were able to shadow and protect their kids and, most importantly, train them partially outside of this Country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I can find an honest poll about how many parents do travel soccer because they think their kid will be the next Messi or expect him to become pro or even get a scholarship. I know I don't. Just because my son isn't born of professionals or isn't of Latin decent, he shouldn't try? My son loves soccer. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford travel soccer and supplemental training. If he's willing to work hard at it and continues to improve and love it, I'll support him whether he ends up in SFL, ODSL, NCSL, CCL, DA, HS team, College, or whatever. I really don't want to hear the...your kid won't be pro so why do the little things matter. They matter because I know that I'm trying to do the best for my kid because he's trying his best.

Hear, hear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like a few threads are mentioning the same thing about spending $2-3k for a spot on the D/E/F teams of large clubs and how it's not worth it so I'm posting this multiple times. Well my DS plays on a team with Cougars Youth Club (Falls Church) and yes they play in ODSL but the competition has been good so far and what we pay sure beats the $2-3K at these larger clubs. I'm very happy with their coaching and what they are trying to do as a small club. Their development group is small but they are trying to form competitive teams at the younger age groups and are looking for players. From what I've seen the coaches really focus on technique with the young kids. If anything you'll get the same or better experience for a reasonable price. The link to try-outs is http://www.cougarsyouthclub.org/#!blank/i0zly . Give it a try.

Thank you for sharing information about a small club. It's tough for those of us who are new to travel to keep track of the true range of opportunities out there when the big clubs garner most of the conversation and criticism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:as far as the German / European players there odds are the same 99% are not going pro.. and from your post your kids should have more of an advantage being the come from good athletic genetics.. if we had a better Development program in the USA totally funded and not forced to charge players to play. we would be a top tier force. And many of these parents who live in a drem world of their own because the can pay for their child to play for an ELITE travel team. would be quickly humbled as most of them would be devastated the little Jonny isn't good enough to play ELITE and many of the true talented kids would be developed regardless if the parents have the money to buy the label of Elite.. also a fully funded system would be able to pay for the best coaches .

I don't disagree with you at all. My own kids always comment that the children not in any program in our County they play against in pick up are better than any kid on the top teams in their Club. There are a few success stories in this Country, but they had parents that were former high level players that knew the system and were able to shadow and protect their kids and, most importantly, train them partially outside of this Country.

On the topic of the development system we have, and its shortcomings, I wish parents would give more thought to how to truly develop an elite player rather than assuming the answer is simply to get their kid into travel as soon as possible and work their way up through increasingly competitive organized leagues. Non-U.S. academies often require players to practice gymnastics, martial arts, and other sports within the academy context. Here we tend to just assume that early specialization in soccer is the best way to become elite, but soccer isn't figure skating. Clubs around here aren't going to level with parents and tell them that, well, at La Masia the kids sometimes play basketball, too. At least I haven't seen it. The story they sell is that year-round early specialization is the only path to elite development and performance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:as far as the German / European players there odds are the same 99% are not going pro.. and from your post your kids should have more of an advantage being the come from good athletic genetics.. if we had a better Development program in the USA totally funded and not forced to charge players to play. we would be a top tier force. And many of these parents who live in a drem world of their own because the can pay for their child to play for an ELITE travel team. would be quickly humbled as most of them would be devastated the little Jonny isn't good enough to play ELITE and many of the true talented kids would be developed regardless if the parents have the money to buy the label of Elite.. also a fully funded system would be able to pay for the best coaches .

I don't disagree with you at all. My own kids always comment that the children not in any program in our County they play against in pick up are better than any kid on the top teams in their Club. There are a few success stories in this Country, but they had parents that were former high level players that knew the system and were able to shadow and protect their kids and, most importantly, train them partially outside of this Country.

On the topic of the development system we have, and its shortcomings, I wish parents would give more thought to how to truly develop an elite player rather than assuming the answer is simply to get their kid into travel as soon as possible and work their way up through increasingly competitive organized leagues. Non-U.S. academies often require players to practice gymnastics, martial arts, and other sports within the academy context. Here we tend to just assume that early specialization in soccer is the best way to become elite, but soccer isn't figure skating. Clubs around here aren't going to level with parents and tell them that, well, at La Masia the kids sometimes play basketball, too. At least I haven't seen it. The story they sell is that year-round early specialization is the only path to elite development and performance.

Of course they won't, they'd be out of a job if they gave parents that message . They want parents to believe only their year round club training in the Elite league beginning at 7 is the only way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I can find an honest poll about how many parents do travel soccer because they think their kid will be the next Messi or expect him to become pro or even get a scholarship. I know I don't. Just because my son isn't born of professionals or isn't of Latin decent, he shouldn't try? My son loves soccer. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford travel soccer and supplemental training. If he's willing to work hard at it and continues to improve and love it, I'll support him whether he ends up in SFL, ODSL, NCSL, CCL, DA, HS team, College, or whatever. I really don't want to hear the...your kid won't be pro so why do the little things matter. They matter because I know that I'm trying to do the best for my kid because he's trying his best.

I've seen a few polls suggesting a lot of parents are indeed delusional. But not a majority or anything close to it.

And while this board isn't always a ever-flowing fountain of wisdom, I think most of the people knowledgeable enough to be posting here have done the math. They know college scholarships are rare, and they know most of them are partial.

(One thing I admit that hadn't occurred to me -- for some parents, soccer is a way of giving their kids an *admissions* edge. Not a scholarship. Ivy League schools don't give scholarships -- technically -- but being an athlete certainly helps kids get in. And maybe the 25th player on UVA's roster isn't getting money to go, but at least he or she got into UVA. Sure, that's STILL a small number of kids, but it's something that I hadn't thought about it until I got here.)

Look, music lessons are expensive, too. But my granddad told my dad that there's no such thing as wasted money on sports and music, and I believe it. (Personally, I came far closer to "going pro" in music than in sports!) These are enrichment activities.

That said, $3K seems pricey to me unless your kid has a realistic shot at college soccer. Most programs I know are in the $1.8-$2.5K range.

I assume your kids are very young? Parents in our area (Bethesda) and I assume all the other local areas with a lot of disposable wealth and highly educated parents are absolutely obsessed with the prospect of a potential admissions boost by the time their kids graduate from middle school. True for sports other than soccer too, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I can find an honest poll about how many parents do travel soccer because they think their kid will be the next Messi or expect him to become pro or even get a scholarship. I know I don't. Just because my son isn't born of professionals or isn't of Latin decent, he shouldn't try? My son loves soccer. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford travel soccer and supplemental training. If he's willing to work hard at it and continues to improve and love it, I'll support him whether he ends up in SFL, ODSL, NCSL, CCL, DA, HS team, College, or whatever. I really don't want to hear the...your kid won't be pro so why do the little things matter. They matter because I know that I'm trying to do the best for my kid because he's trying his best.

Hear, hear.

I agree that it's puzzling to read so often that travel parents are motivated by the delusion that their kids will get a college scholarship through soccer. I'm sure they are out there somewhere, but I haven't met them in real life.

You seem to have the same approach to it as our family and most families we know. We are paying for travel soccer because the opportunity to master skills and play with and against similarly capable players gives them joy, and they want to be the best they can be. This is on top of all the other great life lessons all team sports teach. My kid who is a long shot to make his varsity HS team and has no desire to play anything other than intramural soccer in college gets as much pleasure and satisfaction from his club soccer experience as my child who is being recruited by D1 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:as far as the German / European players there odds are the same 99% are not going pro.. and from your post your kids should have more of an advantage being the come from good athletic genetics.. if we had a better Development program in the USA totally funded and not forced to charge players to play. we would be a top tier force. And many of these parents who live in a drem world of their own because the can pay for their child to play for an ELITE travel team. would be quickly humbled as most of them would be devastated the little Jonny isn't good enough to play ELITE and many of the true talented kids would be developed regardless if the parents have the money to buy the label of Elite.. also a fully funded system would be able to pay for the best coaches .

I don't disagree with you at all. My own kids always comment that the children not in any program in our County they play against in pick up are better than any kid on the top teams in their Club. There are a few success stories in this Country, but they had parents that were former high level players that knew the system and were able to shadow and protect their kids and, most importantly, train them partially outside of this Country.

On the topic of the development system we have, and its shortcomings, I wish parents would give more thought to how to truly develop an elite player rather than assuming the answer is simply to get their kid into travel as soon as possible and work their way up through increasingly competitive organized leagues. Non-U.S. academies often require players to practice gymnastics, martial arts, and other sports within the academy context. Here we tend to just assume that early specialization in soccer is the best way to become elite, but soccer isn't figure skating. Clubs around here aren't going to level with parents and tell them that, well, at La Masia the kids sometimes play basketball, too. At least I haven't seen it. The story they sell is that year-round early specialization is the only path to elite development and performance.

Of course they won't, they'd be out of a job if they gave parents that message . They want parents to believe only their year round club training in the Elite league beginning at 7 is the only way.

Funny how DD's soccer coach puts on his "earnest face" and tells her it's time to get serious and quit lacrosse, but the lax coaches think soccer helps her footwork and explosiveness. Different cultures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I can find an honest poll about how many parents do travel soccer because they think their kid will be the next Messi or expect him to become pro or even get a scholarship. I know I don't. Just because my son isn't born of professionals or isn't of Latin decent, he shouldn't try? My son loves soccer. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford travel soccer and supplemental training. If he's willing to work hard at it and continues to improve and love it, I'll support him whether he ends up in SFL, ODSL, NCSL, CCL, DA, HS team, College, or whatever. I really don't want to hear the...your kid won't be pro so why do the little things matter. They matter because I know that I'm trying to do the best for my kid because he's trying his best.

I've seen a few polls suggesting a lot of parents are indeed delusional. But not a majority or anything close to it.

And while this board isn't always a ever-flowing fountain of wisdom, I think most of the people knowledgeable enough to be posting here have done the math. They know college scholarships are rare, and they know most of them are partial.

(One thing I admit that hadn't occurred to me -- for some parents, soccer is a way of giving their kids an *admissions* edge. Not a scholarship. Ivy League schools don't give scholarships -- technically -- but being an athlete certainly helps kids get in. And maybe the 25th player on UVA's roster isn't getting money to go, but at least he or she got into UVA. Sure, that's STILL a small number of kids, but it's something that I hadn't thought about it until I got here.)

Look, music lessons are expensive, too. But my granddad told my dad that there's no such thing as wasted money on sports and music, and I believe it. (Personally, I came far closer to "going pro" in music than in sports!) These are enrichment activities.

That said, $3K seems pricey to me unless your kid has a realistic shot at college soccer. Most programs I know are in the $1.8-$2.5K range.

I assume your kids are very young? Parents in our area (Bethesda) and I assume all the other local areas with a lot of disposable wealth and highly educated parents are absolutely obsessed with the prospect of a potential admissions boost by the time their kids graduate from middle school. True for sports other than soccer too, of course.

A bit unique to Bethesda and also unique to parents that have no idea what it's like to play on a college scholarship and the sacrifices it takes.

Traveling and training really killed the college experience and very hard with a STEM major like mine at a top school.

I don't want my kids to follow that route (unless it's their own burning desire) because I know firsthand that it's not all it's cracked up to be.

I am in the camp if it helps get my kid into an Ivy or equivalent who cares about scholarships to shitty academic schools.

I know many kids that used it to get in (my niece and nephew) but dropped the sport after the first year.

Lots of non-athletes living vicariously through their kids. Those are the ones delusional enough to think a $50k investment in a sport is worth $2k(tops) a year for 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I assume your kids are very young? Parents in our area (Bethesda) and I assume all the other local areas with a lot of disposable wealth and highly educated parents are absolutely obsessed with the prospect of a potential admissions boost by the time their kids graduate from middle school. True for sports other than soccer too, of course.


A bit unique to Bethesda and also unique to parents that have no idea what it's like to play on a college scholarship and the sacrifices it takes.

Traveling and training really killed the college experience and very hard with a STEM major like mine at a top school.

I don't want my kids to follow that route (unless it's their own burning desire) because I know firsthand that it's not all it's cracked up to be.

I am in the camp if it helps get my kid into an Ivy or equivalent who cares about scholarships to shitty academic schools.

I know many kids that used it to get in (my niece and nephew) but dropped the sport after the first year.

Lots of non-athletes living vicariously through their kids. Those are the ones delusional enough to think a $50k investment in a sport is worth $2k(tops) a year for 4 years.

From your response, you sound the Bethesda (or McLean, or NW DC) parents I am talking about. Most of them could not care less about their kids getting scholarships, because they have plenty of money, both for travel soccer fees and their kids' educations. They just hope that their kid's sports ability will end up being a hook for admission to the Ivy league or other top academic schools. Most of them would be OK with the idea of their kids dropping the sport once they got to college, especially if it interfered with academics.

[Anonymous]

Speaking of NW DC, DC Stoddert will have its try-outs next week.
We had a really good experience there, with the focus really on developing the kids rather than winning.
As a coach put it, contrary to some other more competitive clubs, they are not looking for the stringer/taller/most athletic players that will bring them immediate wins, as "all the players eventually grow and those with superior technique, decision-making and mental strength will emerge as the better players" in later years.

[Anonymous]

Anyone had experience going to Joga soccer club?