Bethesda Soccer Plans

Anonymous
KL is a good coach. He is an acquired taste for sure. The problem is that his teams play in a very tough conference where that are not likely to make the ECNL playoffs. PDA, Pipeline, Match Fit, MUFC and Penn Fusion likely have better teams than Bethesda at any age group. Also, McLean has a better track record and plays better soccer and most kids will drive the 15 extra minutes to have more player-friendly coaches.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To change gears, can anyone give context on if this is normal and opinions on it? For u7-11 girls, and I assume boys, there is no practice after next week until some time in January. That's at least 6-7 weeks. I assume u12 and up is not stopping but don't know.

However, they want you to pay for futsal clinics ($250 for 7 1-hour clinics, approx $35 per session, with several days offered; $250 for each day you choose) and the league ($130 per 7 games, 2 sessions). So, basically, you can pay $70 per week to essentially replace the practices we paid for in our club dues and should be getting, and then more for games. The club dues, info packet and BSC website say the season is August-June with no mention of this. But now they say they are stopping practice, oh wait not really, just pay us for practice. Parents on our team are not pleased.

Is this normal and acceptable? Who makes these decisions and are we off to think this isn't right?


I believe this is normal for other adjacent clubs as well (MSI travel and Potomac). Futsal/Indoor soccer has always been extra but it was optional. Is BSC mandating that players participate in futsal or just optional?

BSC has their own futsal league. In previous years, BSC strongly recommended it but it wasn’t required.


Optional. It's really the no practice, then being asked to pay for practice, more than the league that is rubbing people the wrong way. The league in isolation doesn't seem outrageous.

It was my understanding Potomac stopped for 2 weeks or so over the holidays, not this long, and that they often offered free supplemental winter programs. Don't know this year.


Potomac does not have practice the week of Thanksgiving and the last two weeks in December. Also Potomac practices for everyone will be outside this year.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To change gears, can anyone give context on if this is normal and opinions on it? For u7-11 girls, and I assume boys, there is no practice after next week until some time in January. That's at least 6-7 weeks. I assume u12 and up is not stopping but don't know.

However, they want you to pay for futsal clinics ($250 for 7 1-hour clinics, approx $35 per session, with several days offered; $250 for each day you choose) and the league ($130 per 7 games, 2 sessions). So, basically, you can pay $70 per week to essentially replace the practices we paid for in our club dues and should be getting, and then more for games. The club dues, info packet and BSC website say the season is August-June with no mention of this. But now they say they are stopping practice, oh wait not really, just pay us for practice. Parents on our team are not pleased.

Is this normal and acceptable? Who makes these decisions and are we off to think this isn't right?


I believe this is normal for other adjacent clubs as well (MSI travel and Potomac). Futsal/Indoor soccer has always been extra but it was optional. Is BSC mandating that players participate in futsal or just optional?

BSC has their own futsal league. In previous years, BSC strongly recommended it but it wasn’t required.


Optional. It's really the no practice, then being asked to pay for practice, more than the league that is rubbing people the wrong way. The league in isolation doesn't seem outrageous.

It was my understanding Potomac stopped for 2 weeks or so over the holidays, not this long, and that they often offered free supplemental winter programs. Don't know this year.


Potomac does not have practice the week of Thanksgiving and the last two weeks in December. Also Potomac practices for everyone will be outside this year.


Thanks. That's how I understood it to be. Bethesda has axed everything from 11/19 through January. We are outside too. I do not understand the long layoff, but then try to have you pay for futsal clinics weekday afternoons when you'd usually practice. Give current players at least a session free ...
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:KL is a good coach. He is an acquired taste for sure. The problem is that his teams play in a very tough conference where that are not likely to make the ECNL playoffs. PDA, Pipeline, Match Fit, MUFC and Penn Fusion likely have better teams than Bethesda at any age group. Also, McLean has a better track record and plays better soccer and most kids will drive the 15 extra minutes to have more player-friendly coaches.


Disagree about Pipeline and MUFC, but let's see how the ECNL season plays out for the older girls if/when their season starts. 07s are currently third after the fall games, and 08s are struggling, but let's see how both end up after the spring.

As for McLean, agreed that they have some good coaches and has had good track record. It's a solid club. But one of their ECNL coaches was fired this fall for fighting a parent. And I know at least 3 McLean girls from last year's ECNL teams that left for BSC.

Point being, each club has their own issues, and you can find people who will praise a club or tear it down all over DCUM. The unhappy people are just more likely to post. Keep it in mind when reading about any club.
Anonymous
And linking the conversation to fall fees for sessions and the above conversation regarding ecnl teams, etc.. I gurantee those kids on the top team are practicing. like a poster said above, even if the girls who left arent the top of the team they are a clear step above kids on the lower teams. if your kid plays for bsc and is not practicing during that time period fine, but know, while you complain about the session charges, you are subsidizing the top team for each age group.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:And linking the conversation to fall fees for sessions and the above conversation regarding ecnl teams, etc.. I gurantee those kids on the top team are practicing. like a poster said above, even if the girls who left arent the top of the team they are a clear step above kids on the lower teams. if your kid plays for bsc and is not practicing during that time period fine, but know, while you complain about the session charges, you are subsidizing the top team for each age group.


This is true at every club. The lower level teams subsidize the top teams.
Anonymous
Having to play: PDA, Pipeline, Match Fit, MUFC and Penn Fusion! That's one tough conference.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:KL is a good coach. He is an acquired taste for sure. The problem is that his teams play in a very tough conference where that are not likely to make the ECNL playoffs. PDA, Pipeline, Match Fit, MUFC and Penn Fusion likely have better teams than Bethesda at any age group. Also, McLean has a better track record and plays better soccer and most kids will drive the 15 extra minutes to have more player-friendly coaches.


Disagree about Pipeline and MUFC, but let's see how the ECNL season plays out for the older girls if/when their season starts. 07s are currently third after the fall games, and 08s are struggling, but let's see how both end up after the spring.

As for McLean, agreed that they have some good coaches and has had good track record. It's a solid club. But one of their ECNL coaches was fired this fall for fighting a parent. And I know at least 3 McLean girls from last year's ECNL teams that left for BSC.

Point being, each club has their own issues, and you can find people who will praise a club or tear it down all over DCUM. The unhappy people are just more likely to post. Keep it in mind when reading about any club.


Agree. People need to do their own HW and now follow the non-sense on this thread.

Re: McLean, the coach fired was not one of the top ECNL coaches at u15 and older. Those coaches are CW, NM and BL.

If your DD is a strong player at U16, it doesn't really matter where she plays as long as she in getting exposure. Today, the ECNL represents the league with the most consistent talent across teams and conferences. If your kids is u12 or u13, give more attention to where she develops because some clubs develop and others do not.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Having to play: PDA, Pipeline, Match Fit, MUFC and Penn Fusion! That's one tough conference.


To be the best, you have beat the best. To beat the best, you have to be in the position to play the best. Unfortunately, PDA sets such a high standard, most will just have to want to be 2nd best. It's a mixed bag between the rest. Bethesda U14s just beat MD United 3-0. Pipeline's first ECNL season and I am pretty confident that only the U13s will have a winning record. The U14s are 0 and 7...not sure if Pipeline will be part of the Conversation but the U12s seem to be promising for them as well.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A couple of 08 players went to mclean. 1 player that moved was a key player. 08 is suffering from a bare bones roster. The club is using white 08/07 players in the third tier 07 team because apparently there aren't enough players there, too. Low rosters not looking good for the club


Players left does not bode well for them. It’s one thing if key players sat out due to concerns with COVID but it’s another thing if they left to go to another team. Issues with the club and/or coach?


If DG and KL don't think someone is up to standard, they will just have a small roster. DG only likes 15 for 11v11 roster. I'll just some DG and KL might not be the ideal fit for some. They are not afraid to yell or call players out. If a kid can't handle that, and they want to play soccer at a D1 school, they might only make it half way through the first season. People are cruel and critical. You have to deal with it sometime. It's part of life. Better to break them in in the early teen years.


yet they have 24 players rostered on that 06 team.......and three of those players play every single minute of every game. their parents are big influences.
Would suck to have 6 kids not being able to be rostered to play every single game.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A couple of 08 players went to mclean. 1 player that moved was a key player. 08 is suffering from a bare bones roster. The club is using white 08/07 players in the third tier 07 team because apparently there aren't enough players there, too. Low rosters not looking good for the club


Players left does not bode well for them. It’s one thing if key players sat out due to concerns with COVID but it’s another thing if they left to go to another team. Issues with the club and/or coach?


If DG and KL don't think someone is up to standard, they will just have a small roster. DG only likes 15 for 11v11 roster. I'll just some DG and KL might not be the ideal fit for some. They are not afraid to yell or call players out. If a kid can't handle that, and they want to play soccer at a D1 school, they might only make it half way through the first season. People are cruel and critical. You have to deal with it sometime. It's part of life. Better to break them in in the early teen years.


yet they have 24 players rostered on that 06 team.......and three of those players play every single minute of every game. their parents are big influences.
Would suck to have 6 kids not being able to be rostered to play every single game.


That 06 team is unique. It was already a good team. Then basically the entire Rush 06 team joined. That Rush team was very good. ECNL and most tournaments only allow 18 plyers to dress for games. The girls in the lower half of the combined teams were told they had a couple options. Either move down to the White team or stay on the top team and work hard each week for a potential roster spot and playing time. Most chose the latter, which is why there are 24 players on that team.

Expectations are high for that team. Any girl that plays the entire game or heavy minutes deserves it. Of course parents whose DD formerly played heavy minutes for either BSC or Rush last year are disappointed if their DD is not playing as much this year or not even making the roster. Who wouldn't be? But that's just the unfortunate reality when two good teams merge together.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A couple of 08 players went to mclean. 1 player that moved was a key player. 08 is suffering from a bare bones roster. The club is using white 08/07 players in the third tier 07 team because apparently there aren't enough players there, too. Low rosters not looking good for the club


Players left does not bode well for them. It’s one thing if key players sat out due to concerns with COVID but it’s another thing if they left to go to another team. Issues with the club and/or coach?


If DG and KL don't think someone is up to standard, they will just have a small roster. DG only likes 15 for 11v11 roster. I'll just some DG and KL might not be the ideal fit for some. They are not afraid to yell or call players out. If a kid can't handle that, and they want to play soccer at a D1 school, they might only make it half way through the first season. People are cruel and critical. You have to deal with it sometime. It's part of life. Better to break them in in the early teen years.


yet they have 24 players rostered on that 06 team.......and three of those players play every single minute of every game. their parents are big influences.
Would suck to have 6 kids not being able to be rostered to play every single game.


blame the parents and kids who knowingly signed up for it
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A couple of 08 players went to mclean. 1 player that moved was a key player. 08 is suffering from a bare bones roster. The club is using white 08/07 players in the third tier 07 team because apparently there aren't enough players there, too. Low rosters not looking good for the club


Players left does not bode well for them. It’s one thing if key players sat out due to concerns with COVID but it’s another thing if they left to go to another team. Issues with the club and/or coach?


If DG and KL don't think someone is up to standard, they will just have a small roster. DG only likes 15 for 11v11 roster. I'll just some DG and KL might not be the ideal fit for some. They are not afraid to yell or call players out. If a kid can't handle that, and they want to play soccer at a D1 school, they might only make it half way through the first season. People are cruel and critical. You have to deal with it sometime. It's part of life. Better to break them in in the early teen years.


yet they have 24 players rostered on that 06 team.......and three of those players play every single minute of every game. their parents are big influences.
Would suck to have 6 kids not being able to be rostered to play every single game.


That 06 team is unique. It was already a good team. Then basically the entire Rush 06 team joined. That Rush team was very good. ECNL and most tournaments only allow 18 plyers to dress for games. The girls in the lower half of the combined teams were told they had a couple options. Either move down to the White team or stay on the top team and work hard each week for a potential roster spot and playing time. Most chose the latter, which is why there are 24 players on that team.

Expectations are high for that team. Any girl that plays the entire game or heavy minutes deserves it. Of course parents whose DD formerly played heavy minutes for either BSC or Rush last year are disappointed if their DD is not playing as much this year or not even making the roster. Who wouldn't be? But that's just the unfortunate reality when two good teams merge together.


It’s actually the biggest & fastest that plays most of the games. So if your DD is in the bench, feed her lots of growth hormones.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A couple of 08 players went to mclean. 1 player that moved was a key player. 08 is suffering from a bare bones roster. The club is using white 08/07 players in the third tier 07 team because apparently there aren't enough players there, too. Low rosters not looking good for the club


Players left does not bode well for them. It’s one thing if key players sat out due to concerns with COVID but it’s another thing if they left to go to another team. Issues with the club and/or coach?


If DG and KL don't think someone is up to standard, they will just have a small roster. DG only likes 15 for 11v11 roster. I'll just some DG and KL might not be the ideal fit for some. They are not afraid to yell or call players out. If a kid can't handle that, and they want to play soccer at a D1 school, they might only make it half way through the first season. People are cruel and critical. You have to deal with it sometime. It's part of life. Better to break them in in the early teen years.


yet they have 24 players rostered on that 06 team.......and three of those players play every single minute of every game. their parents are big influences.
Would suck to have 6 kids not being able to be rostered to play every single game.


blame the parents and kids who knowingly signed up for it


Have a parent pick a fight with the coach and get him fired like the McLean coach. Just joking.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:To change gears, can anyone give context on if this is normal and opinions on it? For u7-11 girls, and I assume boys, there is no practice after next week until some time in January. That's at least 6-7 weeks. I assume u12 and up is not stopping but don't know.

However, they want you to pay for futsal clinics ($250 for 7 1-hour clinics, approx $35 per session, with several days offered; $250 for each day you choose) and the league ($130 per 7 games, 2 sessions). So, basically, you can pay $70 per week to essentially replace the practices we paid for in our club dues and should be getting, and then more for games. The club dues, info packet and BSC website say the season is August-June with no mention of this. But now they say they are stopping practice, oh wait not really, just pay us for practice. Parents on our team are not pleased.

Is this normal and acceptable? Who makes these decisions and are we off to think this isn't right?


Last year we practiced through this time, except for maybe a couple days off for holidays. I was also surprised practice is being stopped during December.

And last year there was futsal (separate fee) but there were no separate futsal "clinics". It definitely seems unfair to remove an included service and then charge for a similar service at the same times.

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