Best soccer club for boys U13-14?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to start a war, just reading this content here and have a hard time figuring out. We'll be moving to the area and I need to know the approximate ranking but it's not obvious to me from the discussions I've seen. I am asking about the top, academy level for U13/U14 boys. Thank you all!

Alexandria
Bethesda
SYC

Those are the strongest DMV-area clubs for boys at the U13 level (and up). Same for U14, but add DC United (which doesn't start until U14).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria is losing players for next year. If Virginia, go SYC. If Maryland, go Bethesda.

Why is ASA losing players?

Yeah, no. ASA does not invest in coaching.

How are the other local clubs investing in coaching in ways that Alexandria is not?
Please be specific with details.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria is losing players for next year. If Virginia, go SYC. If Maryland, go Bethesda.

Why is ASA losing players?

I think there’s at least 1 going to DC United on the current u13 team.

So you're calling a player getting a promotion to a professional academy a negative thing on Alexandria?

What are you even talking about? Someone asked why ASA was losing players. This was a possible reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to start a war, just reading this content here and have a hard time figuring out. We'll be moving to the area and I need to know the approximate ranking but it's not obvious to me from the discussions I've seen. I am asking about the top, academy level for U13/U14 boys. Thank you all!

Alexandria
Bethesda
SYC

Those are the strongest DMV-area clubs for boys at the U13 level (and up). Same for U14, but add DC United (which doesn't start until U14).

This. Maybe add Arlington, good coaches there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, serious answer is the MLS Next clubs for boys. Bethesda Soccer Club in Maryland and Alexandria Soccer Association in Virginia are probably the best for boys once you get to the U13/U14 level.

After that, you have Arlington ECNL and SYC MLSN teams to check out as well.

I would avoid the smaller clubs, like McLean, Great Falls or Vienna. They are good for some, but not top clubs for boys in the area.

Obviously we are not including DC United Academy, which is the best in the area but not realistic for most.

SYC has a better record.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to start a war, just reading this content here and have a hard time figuring out. We'll be moving to the area and I need to know the approximate ranking but it's not obvious to me from the discussions I've seen. I am asking about the top, academy level for U13/U14 boys. Thank you all!

Alexandria
Bethesda
SYC

Those are the strongest DMV-area clubs for boys at the U13 level (and up). Same for U14, but add DC United (which doesn't start until U14).

This. Maybe add Arlington, good coaches there.

Arlington 10B schooled at ECNL National

[Anonymous]

VDA is good for northwestern parts of NOVA. Lots of hate on here with respect to VDA but it’s a good program in spite of what hate is spewed their way.

[Anonymous]

OP you think your son is good enough for MLS Next?

[Anonymous]

SYC 2011 MLS Next posts all their game videos on YouTube. Their current coach has them playing the long ball. They can't connect the ball. Often they score only off free kicks. It was a great team that dominated the age group but then SYC decided to give it to JR who completed trashed the team and the club.

Anonymous wrote:Curious why some think Alexandria mlsn better than syc mlsn at u13 and U14. Coaching? Style of play? Kids development?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SYC 2011 MLS Next posts all their game videos on YouTube. Their current coach has them playing the long ball. They can't connect the ball. Often they score only off free kicks. It was a great team that dominated the age group but then SYC decided to give it to JR who completed trashed the team and the club.

Anonymous wrote:Curious why some think Alexandria mlsn better than syc mlsn at u13 and U14. Coaching? Style of play? Kids development?

Why? they win, attract more Americans, got more money, American youth soccer not about kids development but about making money. He is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to start a war, just reading this content here and have a hard time figuring out. We'll be moving to the area and I need to know the approximate ranking but it's not obvious to me from the discussions I've seen. I am asking about the top, academy level for U13/U14 boys. Thank you all!

Alexandria
Bethesda
SYC

Those are the strongest DMV-area clubs for boys at the U13 level (and up). Same for U14, but add DC United (which doesn't start until U14).

This. Maybe add Arlington, good coaches there.

Arlington 10B schooled at ECNL National

They still have good coaches though, especially in the u13-u17ish range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious why some think Alexandria mlsn better than syc mlsn at u13 and U14. Coaching? Style of play? Kids development?

Style of play. SYC (unfairly or not) has a reputation for relying too much on physicality to win. They win by stealing the ball because they can not play possession. They will just outrun and outmuscle everyone (they are on average bigger than any team in their age groups). They’ve got some great individual players who can dribble and score though. I don’t think that style of play is good for overall development especially at U13 or u14 but I’m sure many will disagree too.

This is so untrue. My kid played in the older SYC MLSNext age groups and their control and tactics and possession were fantastic.

I'll let you sit with what Messi said recently: kids should not be taught 1 touch, no more than 2 in the early years. He was not taught this and experimenting with the ball and trying things out are critical in player development. I find it telling he's saying this now that he's in the US and it's probably being shoved down his own kid's heads at the US academy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to start a war, just reading this content here and have a hard time figuring out. We'll be moving to the area and I need to know the approximate ranking but it's not obvious to me from the discussions I've seen. I am asking about the top, academy level for U13/U14 boys. Thank you all!

Alexandria
Bethesda
SYC

Those are the strongest DMV-area clubs for boys at the U13 level (and up). Same for U14, but add DC United (which doesn't start until U14).

This. Maybe add Arlington, good coaches there.

Arlington 10B schooled at ECNL National

They still have good coaches though, especially in the u13-u17ish range.

Coaches are good, but the teams/players are weak. I think on the boys side a big part is they keep the same kids from Ulittles all the way up, many no longer belong there.

Alexandria also falls off at the upper age levels for the same exact reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious why some think Alexandria mlsn better than syc mlsn at u13 and U14. Coaching? Style of play? Kids development?

Style of play. SYC (unfairly or not) has a reputation for relying too much on physicality to win. They win by stealing the ball because they can not play possession. They will just outrun and outmuscle everyone (they are on average bigger than any team in their age groups). They’ve got some great individual players who can dribble and score though. I don’t think that style of play is good for overall development especially at U13 or u14 but I’m sure many will disagree too.

This is so untrue. My kid played in the older SYC MLSNext age groups and their control and tactics and possession were fantastic.

I'll let you sit with what Messi said recently: kids should not be taught 1 touch, no more than 2 in the early years. He was not taught this and experimenting with the ball and trying things out are critical in player development. I find it telling he's saying this now that he's in the US and it's probably being shoved down his own kid's heads at the US academy.

I think people assume teaching possession means ur teaching them how to quickly pass. That is not true at all. U cannot teach possession without ball mastery, which includes dribbling, etc. and yes, quick passes especially under pressure. Coaches and clubs are assuming kids have ball mastery to teach possession and they do not. Possession means the ability to do many things with the ball (not just quick passes), and to ur point, knowing when to be creative with the ball, and being unpredictable, all under pressure. A team that plays quick passes or boots the ball all the time shows that their players don’t have the technical skills to execute more creative plays or to use them under pressure.

When I watch a team play, for me, the best players are the one who are able to do many things with the ball under pressure, regardless of position And that includes syc players who can dribble and shoot the ball while being chased and attacked on all sides. Can they do other things? Probably but their style of play won’t showcase it.

Maybe SYC kids are playing better at older ages but at U13-U14, I do not think the proper development is happening. It’s unfortunate bc there is a lot of talent and heart on those teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious why some think Alexandria mlsn better than syc mlsn at u13 and U14. Coaching? Style of play? Kids development?

Style of play. SYC (unfairly or not) has a reputation for relying too much on physicality to win. They win by stealing the ball because they can not play possession. They will just outrun and outmuscle everyone (they are on average bigger than any team in their age groups). They’ve got some great individual players who can dribble and score though. I don’t think that style of play is good for overall development especially at U13 or u14 but I’m sure many will disagree too.

This is so untrue. My kid played in the older SYC MLSNext age groups and their control and tactics and possession were fantastic.

I'll let you sit with what Messi said recently: kids should not be taught 1 touch, no more than 2 in the early years. He was not taught this and experimenting with the ball and trying things out are critical in player development. I find it telling he's saying this now that he's in the US and it's probably being shoved down his own kid's heads at the US academy.

I think people assume teaching possession means ur teaching them how to quickly pass. That is not true at all. U cannot teach possession without ball mastery, which includes dribbling, etc. and yes, quick passes especially under pressure. Coaches and clubs are assuming kids have ball mastery to teach possession and they do not. Possession means the ability to do many things with the ball (not just quick passes), and to ur point, knowing when to be creative with the ball, and being unpredictable, all under pressure. A team that plays quick passes or boots the ball all the time shows that their players don’t have the technical skills to execute more creative plays or to use them under pressure.

When I watch a team play, for me, the best players are the one who are able to do many things with the ball under pressure, regardless of position And that includes syc players who can dribble and shoot the ball while being chased and attacked on all sides. Can they do other things? Probably but their style of play won’t showcase it.

Maybe SYC kids are playing better at older ages but at U13-U14, I do not think the proper development is happening. It’s unfortunate bc there is a lot of talent and heart on those teams.

100% the best compliment my kids got from a European coach was that they know when to pass vs when to dribble and most American kids do not.