Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on whether the development/experience is better at McLean/Vienna travel U9 vs Arlington ADP?
Depends what you're looking for... ADP is great for a kid who loves soccer and wants to improve and just have fun without so much pressure/commitment. There are 2 pro-lead sessions per week (vs. 3 for travel) but still plenty of opportunity to develop (especially if they play/practice at school, in the backyard, wherever they can get more touches and ball skill). That schedule is more manageable if you are multi-sport and/or have other extracurriculars.
Can't speak to Vienna but for U9 travel at McLean we found the kids were basically internalizing their parents' unhealthy cutthroat attitudes... trash-talking their own teammates, etc. to try and establish pecking order. Also parents yelling at refs or the other teams' parents on the sidelines. It was gross, and the antithesis of what youth sports should be. I doubt Arlington travel is any better than McLean in this regard, but switching over to ADP didn't have those same issues for us (and a lesser level competition, sure, but it's still much closer to travel skill-level and development than it is to rec skill-level). That healthier environment rekindled our kid's love of the game before it was too late, and they then moved back to a travel team after ADP... a bit older and thicker skin to deal with the travel culture.
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