Bethesda Cup

[Anonymous]

My U17 son played in this tournament. Two games at the SoccerPlex (grass and turf). One game at an area HS (turf). All three matches were very competitive (i.e., evenly matched). No issues with the schedule, the fields, the refereeing, or the competition.

Sure, the temps this weekend and the winds Sunday were fierce. However, my son's teams have played in colder, winder, and wetter weather this time of year.

Not driving to another state and paying for a hotel room was a bonus.

[Anonymous]

Stop sandbagging, Bethesda Staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop sandbagging, Bethesda Staff.

Sorry but we’re not. BSC Tournament is the best and only worthwhile tournament in MOCO. I don’t want to drive far.

Hated it when they did it at Muldoon but loved it when they did it at Soccerplex this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My U17 son played in this tournament. Two games at the SoccerPlex (grass and turf). One game at an area HS (turf). All three matches were very competitive (i.e., evenly matched). No issues with the schedule, the fields, the refereeing, or the competition.

Sure, the temps this weekend and the winds Sunday were fierce. However, my son's teams have played in colder, winder, and wetter weather this time of year.

Not driving to another state and paying for a hotel room was a bonus.

Same with my U17 son and I completely agree about not having to drive and get a hotel room. My only quibble was his last game of the tournament, it was originally Sunday early afternoon, pushed back to Sunday late afternoon, and cut down to 20 min. halves. Complete waste of time, warm-ups were longer than the actual game. He was also disappointed when the schedule was changed and he didn't have time to reach out to a couple of college coaches who were interested in watching him play that day.

[Anonymous]

I'm joining this convo late... I don't see the tournament going with later start times (9am) because it would be one less game a day. Weather conditions will likely be a factor next year, meaning could be more of the same. Soccerplex is fantastic, and the turf fields they can pick are at minimum good enough. They could expand the venues in order to get more turf fields from high schools (with lit fields). It definitely was hard for 11v11 20' halves. Regardless, still a big venue and will be next year.

[Anonymous]

Personally I think full-side, full-length tournaments are annoying. It's a waste of two days for three games of meh competition. I much prefer 7-aside tournaments where kids get about the same amount of game time but against a wider variety of opponents and styles, along with a shortened game time which forces more aggressive play. It's also easier to do in 1/2 of a day instead of a full day (hate the 9 am and 2 pm start times for a tournament).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm joining this convo late... I don't see the tournament going with later start times (9am) because it would be one less game a day. Weather conditions will likely be a factor next year, meaning could be more of the same. Soccerplex is fantastic, and the turf fields they can pick are at minimum good enough. They could expand the venues in order to get more turf fields from high schools (with lit fields). It definitely was hard for 11v11 20' halves. Regardless, still a big venue and will be next year.

I believe they do use HS turf fields (RM, WJ & Wooton HS). But for the showcase games, it’s much easier for the college scouts/coaches to be at Soccerplex where they can watch multiple games without need to drive from one HS to another HS.

[Anonymous]

"Grass fields for an “elite” tournament is embarrassing."

Which is why the World Cup is always played on grass. LOL