At what age to make the move from Classic/ Select/ Rec to Travel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also a huge factor is when the parents are ready for the commitment- in regards to $$$$, time, travel, etc. Increase in practice nights per week, expectations for practices/indoor play all winter long, double the amount of tournaments, etc etc.

This is a great point. Sadly I was never able to fully support DS's short-lived travel career as a single mom. I just couldn't make late-night practices and long-distance driving work with two younger siblings at home (or in the car.) If I had known to find a high-level classic or even rec team, he'd probably still be playing.

Totally different deal with the youngest, whose older siblings are independent and are totally content to fend for themselves (i.e. have mom off their backs) while I drive their sister around the DMV.

Thanks for the reply- and let it be known, there is NOTHING wrong with keeping your child at a select or rec team. Those clubs tend to have the talent and competition as well.
Too many parents get in the mindset of "I (yes, I, I I) want everyone else to see that my child is on a top team". THAT mindset is counter productive in many instances.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the above.

Travel should start at u14. I have seen kids come in from classic at u13/u14 and develop under great coaching to ECNL/DA.

I still say that a good classic coach at u12 is better than being on the B team at a large club like Bethesda or Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above.

Travel should start at u14. I have seen kids come in from classic at u13/u14 and develop under great coaching to ECNL/DA.

I still say that a good classic coach at u12 is better than being on the B team at a large club like Bethesda or Potomac.

This is a blue unicorn. Good luck finding one that fits your DC’s gender and age group.....and has a roster opening.

[Anonymous]

My DD played Select until switching at U13 to a travel team. She was behind in foot skills but has caught up to the players that started travel before her...it took two years and extra training. I would move to travel earlier if I had to do it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above.

Travel should start at u14. I have seen kids come in from classic at u13/u14 and develop under great coaching to ECNL/DA.

I still say that a good classic coach at u12 is better than being on the B team at a large club like Bethesda or Potomac.

I agree travel should not start till after u14, but that’s not how it is. Can you give some name of kids who have come over from classic and play on DA or ECNL? Are there a lot of them? I have never seen it or heard of it.

[Anonymous]

you should be able to make the move to U18/U19 and you should be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above.

Travel should start at u14. I have seen kids come in from classic at u13/u14 and develop under great coaching to ECNL/DA.

I still say that a good classic coach at u12 is better than being on the B team at a large club like Bethesda or Potomac.

This is a blue unicorn. Good luck finding one that fits your DC’s gender and age group.....and has a roster opening.

This MSI Classic poster is getting really annoying. You keep posting the same thing. The U11 and U12 MSI Classic teams I have seen with volunteer coaches are terrible, not much better than rec. I believe you once found a unicorn but don't assume everyone else will find them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is MSI academy substantively different / better from other Moco travel options?
Or were you just recommending it because they draw from the classic league?

I’m recommending cause I know that Coach AJ is looking to add to his roster. He’s a good seasoned coach, very calm and never yells at any of his players. He draws players from various different clubs including Classic. There are a few former BSC players on his team as well. Also, he’s completely against parents yelling directions to the players during the game.

And if your DD is joining travel soccer for the first time, NCLS League that MSI Academy U12 plays in is most appropriate. Limited travel within DC area, home games at SoccerPlex.

But, please don’t take my word on it. Email him to get your DD to participate in a few practices so your DD can get a better feel how she fits/likes the coach and the other players. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

Tryouts this month: https://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=902827

P.S. The tryouts are not cattle calls, just regular training sessions with a few extra kids. Seems highly sane, all things considered.

Anyone attended MSI U12 Girls Academy tryouts yet? If so, any feedback you can provide? I’m about to register my DD and is interested your opinion.

[Anonymous]

2175$ !!!!!!!!! For what?! 2 nights training and a low level league (NCSL) are you parents really ok with this? This is highway robbery why is the fees so high check out other clubs that actually do more training and puts your daughter in a better league.

At this point if your in Moco I would go to Virginia for clubs I still can't believe that price for what you get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2175$ !!!!!!!!! For what?! 2 nights training and a low level league (NCSL) are you parents really ok with this? This is highway robbery why is the fees so high check out other clubs that actually do more training and puts your daughter in a better league.

At this point if your in Moco I would go to Virginia for clubs I still can't believe that price for what you get.

How much is it in Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2175$ !!!!!!!!! For what?! 2 nights training and a low level league (NCSL) are you parents really ok with this? This is highway robbery why is the fees so high check out other clubs that actually do more training and puts your daughter in a better league.

At this point if your in Moco I would go to Virginia for clubs I still can't believe that price for what you get.

This fee includes 4 tournament.

The closest Virginia club to MSI is McLean: http://www.mcleansoccer.org/home.php?layout=1077161

McLean’s fee is $2,022 annually for U9-U12 but does not include tournament entrance costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the above.

Travel should start at u14. I have seen kids come in from classic at u13/u14 and develop under great coaching to ECNL/DA.

I still say that a good classic coach at u12 is better than being on the B team at a large club like Bethesda or Potomac.

If you wait until U14 to go travel, the kid will not make a top team at Bethesda or Potomac and will be far behind almost all U14 travel players.