Soccer Coach in Northern VA - Ask me anything

[Anonymous]

We are currently overseas but relocating back to the DC area in the summer. My son (born 11/04) currently plays for the top team in the area on both the U12's and U14's -- which teams should we be looking at for him to play on? He wants to train frequently and play a lot! Also are there any good summer camps he could attend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are currently overseas but relocating back to the DC area in the summer. My son (born 11/04) currently plays for the top team in the area on both the U12's and U14's -- which teams should we be looking at for him to play on? He wants to train frequently and play a lot! Also are there any good summer camps he could attend?

It completely depends upon where you live. Practice at rush hour cold mean a 60min+ one-way trip several times a week (yes 20 mikes can take over 60 min in this area). Once you know your address --you can whittle it down from there.

[asksoccernova]

--- which is better next year, ECNL or Girls DA? My DD is a U14 in Arlington. thx

I don't know much about your daughter's age group, but I do know a little bit about the age group 1 year younger (I think they used to be called Sol before renaming the teams to the birth year)


Without any direct knowledge of your player, if she wants to reach the next level:

If she's on Blue, then she should be pushing herself to try and make White.
If she's on White, she should be pushing herself to make Red.
If she's on Red, then she should be pushing herself to make a team in the area that outplays Red (not just "has won games against Red", but "completely outplayed" Red.

It is hard to move up in the Arlington system unless you REALLY up your game during the off season, or you were right on the cusp of moving up already. That means training individually (or with a trainer) at a higher level of quality than what everyone else is doing.

The thing I've noticed with Arlington on the girls side is that girls selected for the travel teams sometimes believe they are the best players in the land, because they are sitting on top of a large player pyramid (18 or so house teams). Especially if they also play on an Arlington Rec team along with their friends / classmates and they score all of their team's goals every weekend.

I've seen players that believe that they are the best, and while they do have talent, do not maximize it, fix weak areas, and work on their own to develop it.

There are some Arlington teams that are great at the younger ages, but win so often that most of the players do not have what I'd call "drive" and work ethic by around 13. I am only thinking about a few examples that I know of firsthand, but obviously Arlington has a huge program and I'm sure every team and age group is different.



You would have to ask yourself if the team culture of your daughter's team is one where all the players are really making an effort to to get to the next level, or if they are just a pretty good team already and content with it.

ECNL or Girls DA?

I've watched a lot of youtube videos of ECNL and I am not at all impressed with the level of play. It looks like ODP, where a lot of good (skilled and physical) players are thrown together in a mix but do not know how to play as a unit. It seems overhyped as a marketing tool, but I think that hype is trying to make up for the lack of quality that its trying to mask over.

I think that the Girls DA has a lot of potential because it is going to be run by US Soccer people who don't care at all about marketing, just player development. It does not need to market itself and over hype/over promote itself, so the focus can be on the players instead of trying to hype it up.


If she isn't that satisfied with her team at Arlington, check out the Washington Spirit programs, they have talent ID days all year long for the girls DA program starting this fall.

If she likes her team, likes her coach, and is really improving as is, then just stay if its working!






We are currently overseas but relocating back to the DC area in the summer. My son (born 11/04) currently plays for the top team in the area on both the U12's and U14's -- which teams should we be looking at for him to play on? He wants to train frequently and play a lot! Also are there any good summer camps he could attend?


I would recommend the Elite Camp at Soccer Academy http://www.soccer-academy.com/youth-programs/elite-camp

There are a lot of camps in the area that I'm sure are decent, but this is the best one in my opinion for higher level players. I worked for Soccer Academy as a summer staff coach years ago (we're talking early 2000's) and to my knowledge there is nothing better in the DC area that is better quality for more advanced players. There might be elsewhere outside of DC metro that I'm unaware of, but if you want even a step up from the Elite Camp, I think you have to look to spend a week, 2 weeks, or a month overseas.

[Anonymous]

So what do you suggest for a u9 player who plays u10, but skill wise(touch, control, vision, etc) is at a higher level vs the u10. She is not a poke and chase player.

The problem is if she plays at her age or around it, she holds back(no scissor move, no chipping, no quick give and goes in tight space, etc). The other kids don't do this, so she does not do it. If she goes up in level she is still one or two in terms of skill, but the physicality gets too much. She is caught between to world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what do you suggest for a u9 player who plays u10, but skill wise(touch, control, vision, etc) is at a higher level vs the u10. She is not a poke and chase player.

The problem is if she plays at her age or around it, she holds back(no scissor move, no chipping, no quick give and goes in tight space, etc). The other kids don't do this, so she does not do it. If she goes up in level she is still one or two in terms of skill, but the physicality gets too much. She is caught between to world.

I am at a loss as to why her individual technical ball skills are t used.

When my boys play with kids that can't pass and have no first touch--they use even more of their own ball skill.

I hear ya about serving up perfect crosses and give and his with players that aren't there--that may be more of a Club issue and their philosophy. You might want to check out other clubs.

[Anonymous]

I have two kids who are good, successful rec players. U11 girl and U13 boy playing in CYA rec league. Any recommendations for good summer soccer camps for them? Preferably out in our area... Chantilly/Centreville/Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what do you suggest for a u9 player who plays u10, but skill wise(touch, control, vision, etc) is at a higher level vs the u10. She is not a poke and chase player.

The problem is if she plays at her age or around it, she holds back(no scissor move, no chipping, no quick give and goes in tight space, etc). The other kids don't do this, so she does not do it. If she goes up in level she is still one or two in terms of skill, but the physicality gets too much. She is caught between to world.

Not the coach but if she has the technical ability that you say even at the higher age group, then have her use those technical skills to problem solve and beat those opponents. I say let her play up and not with her age group. Also you don't state if this is Rec or Travel. If Rec than she should be challenging herself on the Travel side where she may find players along her skill level. Nothing wrong with playing up if Travel.

[Anonymous]

Rank the youth leagues (boys) in the area - ncsl, bbsl, edp, ussda,ccl. Thx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rank the youth leagues (boys) in the area - ncsl, bbsl, edp, ussda,ccl. Thx

This can change or be more or less relevant based on the age of the player.

U9-U11
CCL<>BBSL
NCSL

U12>
USSDA
EDP
CCL<>BBSL
NCSL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rank the youth leagues (boys) in the area - ncsl, bbsl, edp, ussda,ccl. Thx

This can change or be more or less relevant based on the age of the player.

U9-U11
CCL<>BBSL
NCSL

U12>
USSDA
EDP
CCL<>BBSL
NCSL

Why do you say EDP is better than CCL or NCSL? Just wondering because I don't seem to see consistency of what clubs and teams participate in it. Seems very random but I may be wrong.

[Anonymous]

We live in Maryland and had our kids start with MSI and then the MSC Academy program. MSI was the classs team and then she made the MSC (travel team) Academy. We have been really unhappy with the MSI Soccer program. The quality of the coaches and the lack of support from the main office to deal with any issues that arise. Doug Schuesler is the MSI Soccer executive director and you would think he would come out if his glass ceiling office to observe his coaches and the programs. When we seek help for our team (review the curriculum, look at this coach, etc) we are ignored. MSI wonders why Schuesler has a bad nasty image and the program does not produce quality developed soccer players.
What other opportunities are out there for my daughter?

[Anonymous]

We live in Maryland and had our kids start with MSI and then the MSC Academy program. MSI was the classs team and then she made the MSC (travel team) Academy. We have been really unhappy with the MSI Soccer program. The quality of the coaches and the lack of support from the main office to deal with any issues that arise. Doug Schuesler is the MSI Soccer executive director and you would think he would come out if his glass ceiling office to observe his coaches and the programs. When we seek help for our team (review the curriculum, look at this coach, etc) we are ignored. MSI wonders why Schuesler has a bad nasty image and the program does not produce quality developed soccer players.
What other opportunities are out there for my daughter?

[Anonymous]

CCL use to be open to all clubs. Then they closed it out to the clubs with USSDA Full Academies U12 to U18. (Not that these academy teams would play, it would be another team in the club) Hence, it will never be a competitive league. Yes, EDP is more competitive.

Also another one that is even more competitive is Eastern Region League (Region 1) which (if you win) leads to the USYS National League. The qualifications to get into this league are high. (State Cup, Dallas Cup, etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rank the youth leagues (boys) in the area - ncsl, bbsl, edp, ussda,ccl. Thx

This can change or be more or less relevant based on the age of the player.

U9-U11
CCL<>BBSL
NCSL

U12>
USSDA
EDP
CCL<>BBSL
NCSL

Why do you say EDP is better than CCL or NCSL? Just wondering because I don't seem to see consistency of what clubs and teams participate in it. Seems very random but I may be wrong.

The highest divisions in EDP are represented by some of the best clubs in the region.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CCL use to be open to all clubs. Then they closed it out to the clubs with USSDA Full Academies U12 to U18. (Not that these academy teams would play, it would be another team in the club) Hence, it will never be a competitive league. Yes, EDP is more competitive.

Also another one that is even more competitive is Eastern Region League (Region 1) which (if you win) leads to the USYS National League. The qualifications to get into this league are high. (State Cup, Dallas Cup, etc)

What do you think of EDP's lack of teams from VA. Is it worth the travel to join them? Our coach/team is considering this league. What criteria do you think that we should have as a team in order to make the jump? Is there a "right" age group to do this or should it be as early as possible.