Potomac Girls joining new "high tier" league?

[Anonymous]

Probably not going to be a popular answer but Potomac’s success depends on if they can graduate to the main Girls Academy league. I know there are many who decry the level of play Girls Academy but for Potomac it is a step up in competition which is good for them.

The big questions are:

1.) What’s the timeline for being ‘promoted’ to the higher level GA? Is there a timeline? GA as a name does have some recognition and for those tired of Bethesda and not wanting to drive out to Baltimore or Northern Virginia there should be more kids willing to give it a shot. But for the club to have long term success on the girls side they have to make GA.

2.) How does this impact field space? Montgomery County is in a weird spot. On the one hand, Bethesda will be opening up their own facility soon. Which should open up space. On the other hand, there are tons of smaller clubs opening up throughout the area making field availability even more difficult. Potomac will most likely want to use SoccerPlex for GA Aspire games. So what does that mean for lower tier teams?

3.) What’s does this mean for their boys program in the ECNL? Hate to do that but these leagues like to have clubs in a package deal.

Overall, Potomac and PPA joining GA Aspire is potentially good for the region. It doesn’t knock Bethesda off of their pedestal but it gives players who feel like they are stuck an alternative. Which is perhaps the best news.

[Anonymous]

The mistake here was Potomac and ppa not joining forces to make a super team group that could compete in ECNL on both genders.

[Anonymous]

They will add MLSN 2 soon enough and I agree this will eventually be GA because it has to be but maybe not until some more clubs are added to create a larger pipeline. A "2nd" team in MoCo will 100% be competitive in GA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably not going to be a popular answer but Potomac’s success depends on if they can graduate to the main Girls Academy league. I know there are many who decry the level of play Girls Academy but for Potomac it is a step up in competition which is good for them.

The big questions are:

1.) What’s the timeline for being ‘promoted’ to the higher level GA? Is there a timeline? GA as a name does have some recognition and for those tired of Bethesda and not wanting to drive out to Baltimore or Northern Virginia there should be more kids willing to give it a shot. But for the club to have long term success on the girls side they have to make GA.

2.) How does this impact field space? Montgomery County is in a weird spot. On the one hand, Bethesda will be opening up their own facility soon. Which should open up space. On the other hand, there are tons of smaller clubs opening up throughout the area making field availability even more difficult. Potomac will most likely want to use SoccerPlex for GA Aspire games. So what does that mean for lower tier teams?

3.) What’s does this mean for their boys program in the ECNL? Hate to do that but these leagues like to have clubs in a package deal.

Overall, Potomac and PPA joining GA Aspire is potentially good for the region. It doesn’t knock Bethesda off of their pedestal but it gives players who feel like they are stuck an alternative. Which is perhaps the best news.

An insightful analyses, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Two questions. (1) Can you share thoughts on PSA coach MR? Is he kind to kids and is he ggod at teaching soccer? (2) My daughter is at the U9 U10 level. Is there any place I can get objective info comparing teams? The NCSL website doesn't publish standings or season results for U9 and U10. So I can't actually see how PSA and others did in the Fall 2024 season. How can I see this? Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Transforming Maryland Youth Soccer
email: [e-mail]

A new organization for Maryland parents of current and/or former youth soccer players and coaches who are fed up with the win-at-all-costs, warm body for cold cash landscape in Maryland. We can and need to transform the club environment in Maryland. It is time to wage war against the educational malpractice that has failed to develop players (the scoreboard and trophy case are the wrong metrics to measure the competence of your child's coach/club/DOC/owner), the exorbitant salaries being paid to members of the Maryland club soccer mafia infrastructure and the ridiculous fees being charged.

Send me your stories and concerns. I will keep you posted on an upcoming community open house that will serve as a forum for parents and coaches to be heard, and an opportunity to develop Next Steps to make progress. The Beautiful Game and the next generation of Maryland youth players needs YOU! We can make an impact....join our group to help expose the unethical standards and behavior of clubs and to help create a model club that will offer an affordable "player development first" alternative to the Big Box offenders.

Please forward this message to others...

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two questions. (1) Can you share thoughts on PSA coach MR? Is he kind to kids and is he ggod at teaching soccer? (2) My daughter is at the U9 U10 level. Is there any place I can get objective info comparing teams? The NCSL website doesn't publish standings or season results for U9 and U10. So I can't actually see how PSA and others did in the Fall 2024 season. How can I see this? Any ideas?

MR for U9? - He is a fantastic coach. My DC had him at that age group and he will push the kids technically but is also very kind. Never yells. Lots of focus on player and team development. I've never heard a family or player complain about him. A big reason why DC continued on with Potomac the year after and we are very very glad we did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two questions. (1) Can you share thoughts on PSA coach MR? Is he kind to kids and is he ggod at teaching soccer? (2) My daughter is at the U9 U10 level. Is there any place I can get objective info comparing teams? The NCSL website doesn't publish standings or season results for U9 and U10. So I can't actually see how PSA and others did in the Fall 2024 season. How can I see this? Any ideas?

MR for U9? - He is a fantastic coach. My DC had him at that age group and he will push the kids technically but is also very kind. Never yells. Lots of focus on player and team development. I've never heard a family or player complain about him. A big reason why DC continued on with Potomac the year after and we are very very glad we did.

This


Not a better person at Potomac
10/10

[Anonymous]

PPA and Potomac are both joining GA Aspire.

Which club is better (overall) on the girls side?

Do you think having both of them in this league will create a regional rivalry between them? I hope so; that could be fun, and motivating for both the clubs and the players.