2025 Nation's Capital Cup: Greetings from Pittsburgh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

You are kidding, right? They are 9. Many won't be playing by 12.

Wow, this is absurd.

Mother of more than one divison 1 player.

And no one like you, congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nation's Cup is NOT a high level tournament. It does not draw the top teams from the area. I think the closest tournament to experience that would be Jefferson Cup. Nation's Cup is a decent tournament, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't travel from Pittsburgh for it to test my team against club's B and C teams. Even WAGS stinks anymore. Doesn't seem like Bethesda Cup is pulling in the top teams anymore either.

Such a lukewarm take. At u8-u11/12, it’s WAGS in the fall and Jeff Cup in Spring. In OP’s age group, WAGS had the top 2 ranked teams in Va and MD, top ranked team from GA, and a probable top team from NC, and another from FL. That’s about as good as it gets at this age so spare the nonsense ECNL/GA, the older age groups were weak nonsense. Thats a quality competition at that age.

Beyond those two, it’s basically tourneys like these, Bethesda has a number of solid teams for an end of season tourney, Capital Cup is a little smaller than usual but a tourney with the #2 ranked team in PA and the #1 in VA is pretty much a solid weekends worth of games at this age to wrap up the season.

OP, see how your weekend goes, and if a measuring stick is your goal against the teams you’re playing consider Jeff Cup in March if you make the semis, for sure if you make the finals.

Thanks for the insight!!! I'm pretty sure we are doing the Jefferson Cup in March. I know Riverhound teams have done it in the past and I'm pretty sure our coach mentioned something about doing another cup the weekend before because he felt like "it would be a good tune up for the Jefferson Cup". I'm almost positive I heard him say this.

Relatedly, keep an eye on the Spirit this weekend. If they win, they’re hosting a semifinal game the same weekend that may work with your game schedule for a fun team outing.

[Anonymous]

Is this a club soccer parent manager AI agent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

You are kidding, right? They are 9. Many won't be playing by 12.

Wow, this is absurd.



Mother of more than one divison 1 player.

Haha....yeah you are right....what was I thinking. Because our girls are only 9 we all should have just kept them in their local in-house leagues and had them continue to play against girls picking flowers during the game because nothing matters until they are 16 I'm so "absurd" for being excited about our girls having the chance to play against some other really good teams. I'm sure that makes me a psycho-sports Dad.

In reality, I found this board by accident but enjoyed reading through some of the posts. I simply thought it would be nice to leave a comment on the fact that our parents think really highly of the soccer in Northern Virginia because I thought it would be really flattering for all of you to hear. That's all. I wasn't trying to turn 9 year old soccer into the World Cup. Just wanted to have a friendly discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nation's Cup is NOT a high level tournament. It does not draw the top teams from the area. I think the closest tournament to experience that would be Jefferson Cup. Nation's Cup is a decent tournament, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't travel from Pittsburgh for it to test my team against club's B and C teams. Even WAGS stinks anymore. Doesn't seem like Bethesda Cup is pulling in the top teams anymore either.

Such a lukewarm take. At u8-u11/12, it’s WAGS in the fall and Jeff Cup in Spring. In OP’s age group, WAGS had the top 2 ranked teams in Va and MD, top ranked team from GA, and a probable top team from NC, and another from FL. That’s about as good as it gets at this age so spare the nonsense ECNL/GA, the older age groups were weak nonsense. Thats a quality competition at that age.

Beyond those two, it’s basically tourneys like these, Bethesda has a number of solid teams for an end of season tourney, Capital Cup is a little smaller than usual but a tourney with the #2 ranked team in PA and the #1 in VA is pretty much a solid weekends worth of games at this age to wrap up the season.

OP, see how your weekend goes, and if a measuring stick is your goal against the teams you’re playing consider Jeff Cup in March if you make the semis, for sure if you make the finals.

Thanks for the insight!!! I'm pretty sure we are doing the Jefferson Cup in March. I know Riverhound teams have done it in the past and I'm pretty sure our coach mentioned something about doing another cup the weekend before because he felt like "it would be a good tune up for the Jefferson Cup". I'm almost positive I heard him say this.

Thanks for the insight!!! I'm pretty sure we are doing the Jefferson Cup in March. I know Riverhound teams have done it in the past and I'm pretty sure our coach mentioned something about doing another cup the weekend before because he felt like "it would be a good tune up for the Jefferson Cup". I'm almost positive I heard him say this.

Relatedly, keep an eye on the Spirit this weekend. If they win, they’re hosting a semifinal game the same weekend that may work with your game schedule for a fun team outing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nation's Cup is NOT a high level tournament. It does not draw the top teams from the area. I think the closest tournament to experience that would be Jefferson Cup. Nation's Cup is a decent tournament, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't travel from Pittsburgh for it to test my team against club's B and C teams. Even WAGS stinks anymore. Doesn't seem like Bethesda Cup is pulling in the top teams anymore either.

Such a lukewarm take. At u8-u11/12, it’s WAGS in the fall and Jeff Cup in Spring. In OP’s age group, WAGS had the top 2 ranked teams in Va and MD, top ranked team from GA, and a probable top team from NC, and another from FL. That’s about as good as it gets at this age so spare the nonsense ECNL/GA, the older age groups were weak nonsense. Thats a quality competition at that age.

Beyond those two, it’s basically tourneys like these, Bethesda has a number of solid teams for an end of season tourney, Capital Cup is a little smaller than usual but a tourney with the #2 ranked team in PA and the #1 in VA is pretty much a solid weekends worth of games at this age to wrap up the season.

OP, see how your weekend goes, and if a measuring stick is your goal against the teams you’re playing consider Jeff Cup in March if you make the semis, for sure if you make the finals.

Thanks for the insight!!! I'm pretty sure we are doing the Jefferson Cup in March. I know Riverhound teams have done it in the past and I'm pretty sure our coach mentioned something about doing another cup the weekend before because he felt like "it would be a good tune up for the Jefferson Cup". I'm almost positive I heard him say this.

Thanks for the insight!!! I'm pretty sure we are doing the Jefferson Cup in March. I know Riverhound teams have done it in the past and I'm pretty sure our coach mentioned something about doing another cup the weekend before because he felt like "it would be a good tune up for the Jefferson Cup". I'm almost positive I heard him say this.

Relatedly, keep an eye on the Spirit this weekend. If they win, they’re hosting a semifinal game the same weekend that may work with your game schedule for a fun team outing.

Thanks for the insight!!! I'm pretty sure we are doing the Jefferson Cup in March. I know Riverhound teams have done it in the past and I'm pretty sure our coach mentioned something about doing another cup the weekend before because he felt like "it would be a good tune up for the Jefferson Cup". I'm almost positive I heard him say this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

You are kidding, right? They are 9. Many won't be playing by 12.

Wow, this is absurd.



Mother of more than one divison 1 player.

Haha....yeah you are right....what was I thinking. Because our girls are only 9 we all should have just kept them in their local in-house leagues and had them continue to play against girls picking flowers during the game because nothing matters until they are 16 I'm so "absurd" for being excited about our girls having the chance to play against some other really good teams. I'm sure that makes me a psycho-sports Dad.

In reality, I found this board by accident but enjoyed reading through some of the posts. I simply thought it would be nice to leave a comment on the fact that our parents think really highly of the soccer in Northern Virginia because I thought it would be really flattering for all of you to hear. That's all. I wasn't trying to turn 9 year old soccer into the World Cup. Just wanted to have a friendly discussion.

Catch-22. You can’t have competitive youth soccer without the intensely focused parents that think like this.

Hope you guys have a good trip and the weather holds up. It always seems like this tournament is the weekend it turns into winter overnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello!!

I'm a parent of a 2016 girl from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set to come down for the Nation's Capital Cup. I just wanted to let you all know that all the parents of our girls have been raving about the soccer in your area and have glowing things to say about the level of play we are about to take part in. Our top team is in a bracket with McLean Green and SYC. We were curious however as to why the 2016 Arlington and Alexandria girls are not taking part in the competition. They have quite the reputation up here in Pittsburgh and we were hoping to see them. Any ideas as to why they won't be there? Thanks so much!! Can't wait to see how we stack up to the soccer in your area.

I think the Alexandria teams are playing in Bethesda Premier Cup.

Got it....thanks.

Oh well, The McLean and SYC teams will still be super-exciting to play against.

You’re talking about 9 year olds?

Yes, exciting in the sense that my daughter's team has really only played in a few local tournaments over the past couple of years. Even though it's only 9 year old soccer, our parents view Northern Virginia soccer almost like what people would think Canada is to hockey. It'll be neat to see how the girls stack up. Programs like Alexandria, Arlington, McClean, and SYC have a national reputation so it's a good early litmus test to see how our girls are progressing.

You are kidding, right? They are 9. Many won't be playing by 12.

Wow, this is absurd.



Mother of more than one divison 1 player.

Haha....yeah you are right....what was I thinking. Because our girls are only 9 we all should have just kept them in their local in-house leagues and had them continue to play against girls picking flowers during the game because nothing matters until they are 16 I'm so "absurd" for being excited about our girls having the chance to play against some other really good teams. I'm sure that makes me a psycho-sports Dad.

In reality, I found this board by accident but enjoyed reading through some of the posts. I simply thought it would be nice to leave a comment on the fact that our parents think really highly of the soccer in Northern Virginia because I thought it would be really flattering for all of you to hear. That's all. I wasn't trying to turn 9 year old soccer into the World Cup. Just wanted to have a friendly discussion.

Don’t worry, there’s just a species of trolls on this board invested in fighting over whether the top girls league, ECNL, or the new upstart GA is better, or why their club needs to go to MLSN4 bc that’s the pathway for their DS to make the pros, and no one who’s goal isn’t making the national team or at least pro leagues is playing serious soccer and so their opinion doesn’t matter.

The top local tournaments for girls in Va are the Jefferson Cup in Richmond in the spring and WAGS in early October. Those events have been undercut in recent years by the leagues—ECNL and GA—throwing competing showcases to try to bring some of that revenue in house. But none of that matters in the younger ages (c U12 and younger), where the competition is very strong and not diluted.

Does this mean that it’s like the World Cup? Of course not. But it’s no fun for anyone to go around a local league winning every game 10+ to 0. Nations Cup & Bethesda Premier Cup (latter likely on grass at younger ages) in the fall and the Virginian over Memorial Day do not draw from quite as big a geographic area but have solid regional competition at the younger ages too. Totally understand why you’d like to see your team in that environment and hope you have a good trip. While wins and losses at younger ages doesn’t necessarily correlate to individual development, playing more challenging opponents is essential to developing.