Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read parts of this very long thread, and realize that i may be opening an issue, but figured I'd ask. We are in the process of relocating back to the area -- moving to Mantua -- and my youngest daughter (2004) is very, very, very into soccer. She's been with a great club & coach in Southern California for the last three years, but they haven't been able to provide much info on east coast soccer clubs. For parents of soccer girls the same age, if she gets offers from CCL, ECNL, and DA teams, which would you all recommend she take? We're hoping to have her spend time in May with some of the clubs I've seen talked about on this board -- BRYC, FCV, etc -- and I realize she may not get offers from everyone she sees. But as a parent of a child who, at least now, has pretty serious soccer aspirations, what would you do if a range of offers comes through?

For the coming season DA rosters are pretty much filled up by now.

There is always room for a truly outstanding prospect.

That is a very true statement. DS is only at U11, but I am seeing the top teams always make room for strong players, often at the cost of existing players. So when people talk about loyalty to the clubs, think about how the clubs show no loyalty to the families. DCU is notorious for this and I'm sure Arlington isn't far behind.

[Anonymous]

Spirit Virginia offers are being sent out.

That U14 team is going to be awesome, but they may have complaints about the players' ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just read parts of this very long thread, and realize that i may be opening an issue, but figured I'd ask. We are in the process of relocating back to the area -- moving to Mantua -- and my youngest daughter (2004) is very, very, very into soccer. She's been with a great club & coach in Southern California for the last three years, but they haven't been able to provide much info on east coast soccer clubs. For parents of soccer girls the same age, if she gets offers from CCL, ECNL, and DA teams, which would you all recommend she take? We're hoping to have her spend time in May with some of the clubs I've seen talked about on this board -- BRYC, FCV, etc -- and I realize she may not get offers from everyone she sees. But as a parent of a child who, at least now, has pretty serious soccer aspirations, what would you do if a range of offers comes through?

My daughter is an 04 also. Generally the most serious kids want to play at the highest level possible at which they can get quality playing time. This is the first full year for 04's full participation in DA and ECNL, so its an important point in a serious player's youth career. As has been said, although the truly great players will always rise to the top, the morass that is youth soccer in the DC area can sometimes block or obscure the talents of the good but not yet great. In this environment, getting in early at the right level can be important. So if she is serious, I would make contact with all the clubs that are geographically accessible from my new home. Even if she could not get to DA team tryouts (Spirit, FCV, VDA), which are for the most part in the past at this point, I would make contact now which may allow her an opportunity to be seen when she can be there. ECNL is the next highest level option after DA, and I would anticipate those tryouts (Mclean, BRYC, I think are the only two now right?) to start in late April or May. After that, there are a few comparable leagues... NPL, CCL, EDP among them. NCSL(used to be WAGS) div 1 might be comparable to some of these teams also. Competition at these levels can be pretty good, but is generally more spotty that DA will have (I hope), or ECNL has right now. To answer your original question, if my serious about soccer daughter had multiple offers, I would try to determine what represents the best combination of development opportunity which includes competitive level, likely playing time, coaching, location, etc. Only your family can evaluate that part since there are so many factors. I'm not familiar with the Mantua area but it does seem that BRYC ECNL would be an excellent target to evaluate early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read parts of this very long thread, and realize that i may be opening an issue, but figured I'd ask. We are in the process of relocating back to the area -- moving to Mantua -- and my youngest daughter (2004) is very, very, very into soccer. She's been with a great club & coach in Southern California for the last three years, but they haven't been able to provide much info on east coast soccer clubs. For parents of soccer girls the same age, if she gets offers from CCL, ECNL, and DA teams, which would you all recommend she take? We're hoping to have her spend time in May with some of the clubs I've seen talked about on this board -- BRYC, FCV, etc -- and I realize she may not get offers from everyone she sees. But as a parent of a child who, at least now, has pretty serious soccer aspirations, what would you do if a range of offers comes through?

My daughter is an 04 also. Generally the most serious kids want to play at the highest level possible at which they can get quality playing time. This is the first full year for 04's full participation in DA and ECNL, so its an important point in a serious player's youth career. As has been said, although the truly great players will always rise to the top, the morass that is youth soccer in the DC area can sometimes block or obscure the talents of the good but not yet great. In this environment, getting in early at the right level can be important. So if she is serious, I would make contact with all the clubs that are geographically accessible from my new home. Even if she could not get to DA team tryouts (Spirit, FCV, VDA), which are for the most part in the past at this point, I would make contact now which may allow her an opportunity to be seen when she can be there. ECNL is the next highest level option after DA, and I would anticipate those tryouts (Mclean, BRYC, I think are the only two now right?) to start in late April or May. After that, there are a few comparable leagues... NPL, CCL, EDP among them. NCSL(used to be WAGS) div 1 might be comparable to some of these teams also. Competition at these levels can be pretty good, but is generally more spotty that DA will have (I hope), or ECNL has right now. To answer your original question, if my serious about soccer daughter had multiple offers, I would try to determine what represents the best combination of development opportunity which includes competitive level, likely playing time, coaching, location, etc. Only your family can evaluate that part since there are so many factors. I'm not familiar with the Mantua area but it does seem that BRYC ECNL would be an excellent target to evaluate early.

Just one more note... you may want to get on the email newsletter for potomac soccerwire... this will give you links to most of the bigger clubs in the area, and generally they get the tryout postings as well. Start at soccerwire.com and click on the email newsletters link.

[Anonymous]

ID session info for BRYC
http://brycsoccer.com/ecnl

[Anonymous]

ID session info for BRYC
http://brycsoccer.com/ecnl

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ID session info for BRYC
http://brycsoccer.com/ecnl

What does this mean? Is this travel tryouts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ID session info for BRYC
http://brycsoccer.com/ecnl

What does this mean? Is this travel tryouts?

Yes. In their town hall, BRYC said they would hold ID sessions this spring during regular training nights instead of the traditional 2-3 tryout sessions at the end of the season. Players thinking about a move need to contact the DOC and set up a session since they will limit the number of outside players at each session.

I think there will still be traditional tryouts at the younger ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ID session info for BRYC
http://brycsoccer.com/ecnl

What does this mean? Is this travel tryouts?

Basically - This is not a normal tryout. Girls wanting to join will be invited to participate in a practice with the existing teams. They will limit the number of guests each week so that the practices will be relatively normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read parts of this very long thread, and realize that i may be opening an issue, but figured I'd ask. We are in the process of relocating back to the area -- moving to Mantua -- and my youngest daughter (2004) is very, very, very into soccer. She's been with a great club & coach in Southern California for the last three years, but they haven't been able to provide much info on east coast soccer clubs. For parents of soccer girls the same age, if she gets offers from CCL, ECNL, and DA teams, which would you all recommend she take? We're hoping to have her spend time in May with some of the clubs I've seen talked about on this board -- BRYC, FCV, etc -- and I realize she may not get offers from everyone she sees. But as a parent of a child who, at least now, has pretty serious soccer aspirations, what would you do if a range of offers comes through?

For the coming season DA rosters are pretty much filled up by now.

There is always room for a truly outstanding prospect.

That has always been true but that is the minimum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read parts of this very long thread, and realize that i may be opening an issue, but figured I'd ask. We are in the process of relocating back to the area -- moving to Mantua -- and my youngest daughter (2004) is very, very, very into soccer. She's been with a great club & coach in Southern California for the last three years, but they haven't been able to provide much info on east coast soccer clubs. For parents of soccer girls the same age, if she gets offers from CCL, ECNL, and DA teams, which would you all recommend she take? We're hoping to have her spend time in May with some of the clubs I've seen talked about on this board -- BRYC, FCV, etc -- and I realize she may not get offers from everyone she sees. But as a parent of a child who, at least now, has pretty serious soccer aspirations, what would you do if a range of offers comes through?

For the coming season DA rosters are pretty much filled up by now.

There is always room for a truly outstanding prospect.

That is a very true statement. DS is only at U11, but I am seeing the top teams always make room for strong players, often at the cost of existing players. So when people talk about loyalty to the clubs, think about how the clubs show no loyalty to the families. DCU is notorious for this and I'm sure Arlington isn't far behind.

At the DA level, loyalty to families doesn't really have a place. Theiir goal is putting together the best team possible, and it doesn't make sense to keep anyone who is not at the right level/can't help the team win. DA clubs spend a lot per each kid on the roster. That being said, some coaches and clubs are a bit more patient with kids who have potential than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ID session info for BRYC
http://brycsoccer.com/ecnl

What does this mean? Is this travel tryouts?

Basically - This is not a normal tryout. Girls wanting to join will be invited to participate in a practice with the existing teams. They will limit the number of guests each week so that the practices will be relatively normal.

boys also

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ID session info for BRYC
http://brycsoccer.com/ecnl

Interesting the way BRYC has chosen to set this up. No open tryouts with masses of girls. Probably favors the girls already at BRYC to some extent.

[Anonymous]

Interesting to hear girls DA tryouts are basically over. What about boys - particularly U15 and above? At the beginning of the year, our coach said that come spring he would make the necessary introductions to get our DS a DA tryout if DS was interested. Is this how it works and the only way to get a tryout? Are we too late for this now? The local DA websites are somewhat confusing for the uninitiated, especially about the upper ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spirit Virginia offers are being sent out.

That U14 team is going to be awesome, but they may have complaints about the players' ages.

Who is "they"? What do you expect the complaints to be?