Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CCL has Two National Champions this weekend! Loudoun U16B and McLean U15B and three Finalists: Loudoun U17B McLean U19G and BRYC U14G.

Mclean U17s (former national championship team) lost in first round of state cup. Both number 1 and 2 seeds in U16s also lost in first round. Are these aberrations/flukes or did the age group change really shake up a lot of the formerly top teams?

McLean's U17 team lost some of their top players to the Bethesda DA U16 team. If the roster for the team up on gotsoccer is accurate, it looks like McLean kept a large core group of the national championship team, with only a couple moving down to the 01 team. I imagine they'll rebound once they've had some more time together--their coach and many of the remaining players are very good.

They are 1-3 in CCL - not a good start. Arlington and BRYC are now the strength in the 00 Boys in CCL.

Who cares about the record. CCL is just about development and how the GK plays striker and vice versa and the only thing that matters are some tournaments and National Championships...at least that is what I learned on this board.

The best male '00 players aren't playing in the CCL. If you are really talented at the age---you are playing beyond CCL.

Generally true, but I've noticed that some kids stay with their home club until they are juniors or seniors before moving. I noticed over the last couple of years that a lot of kids from Arlington and Baltimore Celtic don't leave for DA until the U17/u18 age groups (U16 is '00 this year in DA). Most of the top teams at '00 do play in regional and national leagues though, so I'm not sure how seriously they take CCL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let's also not forget that statistics show the majority of kids quit the sport by age 13, so focusing on the "little kids" is entirely worthwhile if we are interested in improving their experience and keeping them in the sport longer. The elites make up a very small percentage of the overall participation, but they sure account for the majority of the hot air in this forum.

Well, what would you expect? It's a travel soccer thread, so it's going to attract a large number of people whose kids are involved in travel sports in an effort to become elite. You could start "A Rec Soccer around NOVA let's discuss" thread if you don't like the "hot air" here, but I doubt it would generate nearly the same amount of interest.

I think (hope?) most parents have pretty reasonable expectations for their travel kids. You do the math, and it's obvious that most travel players won't even make their high school teams.

Travel isn't just DA, ECNL and the top CCL clubs. It's the middling CCL clubs, VPL, NCSL and ODSL, too. There are far more people involved with them. The percentage of kids who can make Arlington's top team in a given age group is way, way lower than the percentage of parents in this thread who are debating the best way to get to MLS or at least UVA.

On another note -- +1 on Maryland driving. The trip back from the SoccerPlex down 270 is always amusing -- people in the right lane going 75, people in the left lane going 45, and anything in between.

VYS is one of those middling level clubs you refer to, yes? You think there has been more well-reasoned and thoughtful discussion here about VYS than there has about DA, ECNL or top CCL teams in the area? If you actually recall or wade back through the years of discussion, I think you'll find many posters are very invested in, and exercised about, their kids' soccer experiences, regardless of how elite the level. Seems pretty natural for any activity you are spending a huge amount of time and money on.

If you are spending "huge amount of time and money" on it and it isn't "elite" you are doing it wrong.

Really? So I wasted my time playing guitar and piano in high school? Or running -- I was a half-decent cross-country runner who went to running camps in the summer, but I didn't make the Olympics. Or reading?

Please. Kids activities are supposed to be inherently worthy in themselves. Not stepping stones to a partial scholarship to a D2 college with poor academics.

Yes, you likely wasted your parents money. I'm glad that you had fun though. Regardless, you entirely missed my point. My point is if you are doing things just for competitive fun one does not need to spend a small fortune to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CCL has Two National Champions this weekend! Loudoun U16B and McLean U15B and three Finalists: Loudoun U17B McLean U19G and BRYC U14G.

Mclean U17s (former national championship team) lost in first round of state cup. Both number 1 and 2 seeds in U16s also lost in first round. Are these aberrations/flukes or did the age group change really shake up a lot of the formerly top teams?

McLean's U17 team lost some of their top players to the Bethesda DA U16 team. If the roster for the team up on gotsoccer is accurate, it looks like McLean kept a large core group of the national championship team, with only a couple moving down to the 01 team. I imagine they'll rebound once they've had some more time together--their coach and many of the remaining players are very good.

They are 1-3 in CCL - not a good start. Arlington and BRYC are now the strength in the 00 Boys in CCL.

Who cares about the record. CCL is just about development and how the GK plays striker and vice versa and the only thing that matters are some tournaments and National Championships...at least that is what I learned on this board.

The best male '00 players aren't playing in the CCL. If you are really talented at the age---you are playing beyond CCL.

Generally true, but I've noticed that some kids stay with their home club until they are juniors or seniors before moving. I noticed over the last couple of years that a lot of kids from Arlington and Baltimore Celtic don't leave for DA until the U17/u18 age groups (U16 is '00 this year in DA). Most of the top teams at '00 do play in regional and national leagues though, so I'm not sure how seriously they take CCL.

Exactly. My kid's CCL club views CCL games as glorified friendlies. USYS National League > Region 1 > State Cup > Showcase Tournaments > CCL games > 3x Weekly Practices

[Anonymous]

driving over 2 hours for a friendly sounds like a joke. I'm sure you could set-up some local friendlies against some local teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:driving over 2 hours for a friendly sounds like a joke. I'm sure you could set-up some local friendlies against some local teams.

This has been covered before and is really a dead horse. There is no gun to your head that makes you play in CCL or any league that requires "extensive" travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:driving over 2 hours for a friendly sounds like a joke. I'm sure you could set-up some local friendlies against some local teams.

This has been covered before and is really a dead horse. There is no gun to your head that makes you play in CCL or any league that requires "extensive" travel.

I wonder if there are people who write on every negative film review, "There is no gun to your head that made you watch this film!"

And in this case, with some parents who may indeed be making a judgment as to where to put their dollars, discussion of CCL is worthwhile. Some parents -- and, in my experience, some clubs and coaches -- apparently haven't gotten the memo that CCL games are just friendlies.

And asking why you're traveling four hours for a friendly is certainly a valid question. What's the benefit? Seriously, what is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let's also not forget that statistics show the majority of kids quit the sport by age 13, so focusing on the "little kids" is entirely worthwhile if we are interested in improving their experience and keeping them in the sport longer. The elites make up a very small percentage of the overall participation, but they sure account for the majority of the hot air in this forum.

Well, what would you expect? It's a travel soccer thread, so it's going to attract a large number of people whose kids are involved in travel sports in an effort to become elite. You could start "A Rec Soccer around NOVA let's discuss" thread if you don't like the "hot air" here, but I doubt it would generate nearly the same amount of interest.

I think (hope?) most parents have pretty reasonable expectations for their travel kids. You do the math, and it's obvious that most travel players won't even make their high school teams.

Travel isn't just DA, ECNL and the top CCL clubs. It's the middling CCL clubs, VPL, NCSL and ODSL, too. There are far more people involved with them. The percentage of kids who can make Arlington's top team in a given age group is way, way lower than the percentage of parents in this thread who are debating the best way to get to MLS or at least UVA.

On another note -- +1 on Maryland driving. The trip back from the SoccerPlex down 270 is always amusing -- people in the right lane going 75, people in the left lane going 45, and anything in between.

VYS is one of those middling level clubs you refer to, yes? You think there has been more well-reasoned and thoughtful discussion here about VYS than there has about DA, ECNL or top CCL teams in the area? If you actually recall or wade back through the years of discussion, I think you'll find many posters are very invested in, and exercised about, their kids' soccer experiences, regardless of how elite the level. Seems pretty natural for any activity you are spending a huge amount of time and money on.

If you are spending "huge amount of time and money" on it and it isn't "elite" you are doing it wrong.

Really? So I wasted my time playing guitar and piano in high school? Or running -- I was a half-decent cross-country runner who went to running camps in the summer, but I didn't make the Olympics. Or reading?

Please. Kids activities are supposed to be inherently worthy in themselves. Not stepping stones to a partial scholarship to a D2 college with poor academics.

Yes, you likely wasted your parents money. I'm glad that you had fun though. Regardless, you entirely missed my point. My point is if you are doing things just for competitive fun one does not need to spend a small fortune to do so.

If your point is that travel soccer at any level below, say, D2 NCSL should be a lot cheaper, OK. I could get on board with that.

Given that a lot of fees (particularly fields, which IIRC were jacked up this year) aren't really within our control, where do you cut? Parent coaches instead of pros? No overnight stays? No long trips?

[Anonymous]

No overnight stays? No long trips?

that would be a good start. Less tournaments, maybe keep it to an end of season tournament? Pro coaches should be should continue to be paid for their time and services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let's also not forget that statistics show the majority of kids quit the sport by age 13, so focusing on the "little kids" is entirely worthwhile if we are interested in improving their experience and keeping them in the sport longer. The elites make up a very small percentage of the overall participation, but they sure account for the majority of the hot air in this forum.

Well, what would you expect? It's a travel soccer thread, so it's going to attract a large number of people whose kids are involved in travel sports in an effort to become elite. You could start "A Rec Soccer around NOVA let's discuss" thread if you don't like the "hot air" here, but I doubt it would generate nearly the same amount of interest.

I think (hope?) most parents have pretty reasonable expectations for their travel kids. You do the math, and it's obvious that most travel players won't even make their high school teams.

Travel isn't just DA, ECNL and the top CCL clubs. It's the middling CCL clubs, VPL, NCSL and ODSL, too. There are far more people involved with them. The percentage of kids who can make Arlington's top team in a given age group is way, way lower than the percentage of parents in this thread who are debating the best way to get to MLS or at least UVA.

On another note -- +1 on Maryland driving. The trip back from the SoccerPlex down 270 is always amusing -- people in the right lane going 75, people in the left lane going 45, and anything in between.

VYS is one of those middling level clubs you refer to, yes? You think there has been more well-reasoned and thoughtful discussion here about VYS than there has about DA, ECNL or top CCL teams in the area? If you actually recall or wade back through the years of discussion, I think you'll find many posters are very invested in, and exercised about, their kids' soccer experiences, regardless of how elite the level. Seems pretty natural for any activity you are spending a huge amount of time and money on.

If you are spending "huge amount of time and money" on it and it isn't "elite" you are doing it wrong.

Really? So I wasted my time playing guitar and piano in high school? Or running -- I was a half-decent cross-country runner who went to running camps in the summer, but I didn't make the Olympics. Or reading?

Please. Kids activities are supposed to be inherently worthy in themselves. Not stepping stones to a partial scholarship to a D2 college with poor academics.

Yes, you likely wasted your parents money. I'm glad that you had fun though. Regardless, you entirely missed my point. My point is if you are doing things just for competitive fun one does not need to spend a small fortune to do so.

If your point is that travel soccer at any level below, say, D2 NCSL should be a lot cheaper, OK. I could get on board with that.

Given that a lot of fees (particularly fields, which IIRC were jacked up this year) aren't really within our control, where do you cut? Parent coaches instead of pros? No overnight stays? No long trips?

Just look for a nice team in ODSL or lower division NCSL. Or heaven forbid a "challenge" level rec team. Don't worry about extra clinics or camps and your wallet will feel better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:driving over 2 hours for a friendly sounds like a joke. I'm sure you could set-up some local friendlies against some local teams.

This has been covered before and is really a dead horse. There is no gun to your head that makes you play in CCL or any league that requires "extensive" travel.

I wonder if there are people who write on every negative film review, "There is no gun to your head that made you watch this film!"

And in this case, with some parents who may indeed be making a judgment as to where to put their dollars, discussion of CCL is worthwhile. Some parents -- and, in my experience, some clubs and coaches -- apparently haven't gotten the memo that CCL games are just friendlies.

And asking why you're traveling four hours for a friendly is certainly a valid question. What's the benefit? Seriously, what is it?

which goes to ask why the multiple leagues that separate local area clubs instead of one where all have the opportunity to compete against each other. These clubs want to be in top 1/2 of their respective leagues so they move to different ones constantly. Combine it all into 1 and have them really compete. All of this marketing of how CCL allows club to really develop is nothing but softening these players with no drive to really have a true need to compete on a week to week basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let's also not forget that statistics show the majority of kids quit the sport by age 13, so focusing on the "little kids" is entirely worthwhile if we are interested in improving their experience and keeping them in the sport longer. The elites make up a very small percentage of the overall participation, but they sure account for the majority of the hot air in this forum.

Well, what would you expect? It's a travel soccer thread, so it's going to attract a large number of people whose kids are involved in travel sports in an effort to become elite. You could start "A Rec Soccer around NOVA let's discuss" thread if you don't like the "hot air" here, but I doubt it would generate nearly the same amount of interest.

I think (hope?) most parents have pretty reasonable expectations for their travel kids. You do the math, and it's obvious that most travel players won't even make their high school teams.

Travel isn't just DA, ECNL and the top CCL clubs. It's the middling CCL clubs, VPL, NCSL and ODSL, too. There are far more people involved with them. The percentage of kids who can make Arlington's top team in a given age group is way, way lower than the percentage of parents in this thread who are debating the best way to get to MLS or at least UVA.

On another note -- +1 on Maryland driving. The trip back from the SoccerPlex down 270 is always amusing -- people in the right lane going 75, people in the left lane going 45, and anything in between.

VYS is one of those middling level clubs you refer to, yes? You think there has been more well-reasoned and thoughtful discussion here about VYS than there has about DA, ECNL or top CCL teams in the area? If you actually recall or wade back through the years of discussion, I think you'll find many posters are very invested in, and exercised about, their kids' soccer experiences, regardless of how elite the level. Seems pretty natural for any activity you are spending a huge amount of time and money on.

If you are spending "huge amount of time and money" on it and it isn't "elite" you are doing it wrong.

Really? So I wasted my time playing guitar and piano in high school? Or running -- I was a half-decent cross-country runner who went to running camps in the summer, but I didn't make the Olympics. Or reading?

Please. Kids activities are supposed to be inherently worthy in themselves. Not stepping stones to a partial scholarship to a D2 college with poor academics.

Yes, you likely wasted your parents money. I'm glad that you had fun though. Regardless, you entirely missed my point. My point is if you are doing things just for competitive fun one does not need to spend a small fortune to do so.

If your point is that travel soccer at any level below, say, D2 NCSL should be a lot cheaper, OK. I could get on board with that.

Given that a lot of fees (particularly fields, which IIRC were jacked up this year) aren't really within our control, where do you cut? Parent coaches instead of pros? No overnight stays? No long trips?

Just look for a nice team in ODSL or lower division NCSL. Or heaven forbid a "challenge" level rec team. Don't worry about extra clinics or camps and your wallet will feel better.

Not necessarily but the decision of PP between $3k for CCL or $2k for a top NCSL/whatever is a good one as paying $3+ for friendlies makes no sense when there is plenty of good competition around

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:driving over 2 hours for a friendly sounds like a joke. I'm sure you could set-up some local friendlies against some local teams.

This has been covered before and is really a dead horse. There is no gun to your head that makes you play in CCL or any league that requires "extensive" travel.

I wonder if there are people who write on every negative film review, "There is no gun to your head that made you watch this film!"

And in this case, with some parents who may indeed be making a judgment as to where to put their dollars, discussion of CCL is worthwhile. Some parents -- and, in my experience, some clubs and coaches -- apparently haven't gotten the memo that CCL games are just friendlies.

And asking why you're traveling four hours for a friendly is certainly a valid question. What's the benefit? Seriously, what is it?

which goes to ask why the multiple leagues that separate local area clubs instead of one where all have the opportunity to compete against each other. These clubs want to be in top 1/2 of their respective leagues so they move to different ones constantly. Combine it all into 1 and have them really compete. All of this marketing of how CCL allows club to really develop is nothing but softening these players with no drive to really have a true need to compete on a week to week basis.

Compete for what? At any given age CCL only accounts for 18 teams per gender in the DC Metro area. What is your problem? There are LOTS of teams not affiliated with CCL. CCL is not this huge marketing machine and is a relatively small piece of the local soccer landscape but you certainly have it against this league for whatever damage they must have done to you.

Im sure there are teams in your CCL club that you could put your kids on if you think the league sucks so bad. Please just explore that option and stfu.

[Anonymous]

explore all options

[Anonymous]

*yaaaawwwn*
Again look at the state cup for males and the older age groups...... CCL teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:*yaaaawwwn*
Again look at the state cup for males and the older age groups...... CCL teams

yaaaaaawwwwwnnn

Again, no ECNL or DA teams in State Cup.

But your point is besides the point. This isn't about who's dick is bigger. Simply focus on the what is the right environment for your kid. If that is DA or ODSL nobody cares.