Montgomery County, MD U-9/U-10 boys soccer -- what program is best?

[Anonymous]

Who knows what will happen in the fall but our son is dying to try out for travel soccer. We are trying to get a sense of the programs. I have heard very mixed reviews about Bethesda but that's the only program I hear much about in Montgomery County, MD. Are Potomac Soccer or Rush worth checking out? Or any others? Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

We switched from BSC to PPA, and we're so much happier.
He was only a mid-level player though...if your kid is really good, BSC and Achilles are probably the best places to be.

[Anonymous]

Ok good to know -- thank you so much!

[Anonymous]

U9/U10 HAHAHA. They should have fun period..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We switched from BSC to PPA, and we're so much happier.
He was only a mid-level player though...if your kid is really good, BSC and Achilles are probably the best places to be.

search achilles on dcum before you jump in there.. lots of not great reviews on them. We have not used PPA but they seem to be generally liked on here over all.

~from a parent who reads too many soccer boards.

[Anonymous]

Don't get caught up in the travel soccer insanity. BSC is not the right club until your kid is ready for the elite level. The best coaches are at the higher, most competitive levels at BSC. If your kid is not at that level, you are just driving all over the place and paying a huge sum for a lame soccer experience and average training. Having done this with three kids, I have seen it all.

At that age, find a really good MSI classic team. I would target Toca or Fusion. Those guys love the game and can teach your kid to play. In all fairness, they are better than any of the non-DA coaches at BSC. I don't care what license you have, no American can teach you more than anyone who played competitively in Argentina.

The guy at Achilles is pretty solid but I would hold off until your kid is older. At this age, you want to avoid burn out. I was speaking to the parent of one of DS's former teammates and we were blown away at how many kids we entered travel with at U9/u10 who no-longer play soccer. Less than half are and the remaining are stil on BSC's B and C team. Only a few are on the top team. Most of the players on all of BSC's top teams at the older ages came over after u13 and u14, which tells me that BSC and most big clubs to a sub-par job at training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't get caught up in the travel soccer insanity. BSC is not the right club until your kid is ready for the elite level. The best coaches are at the higher, most competitive levels at BSC. If your kid is not at that level, you are just driving all over the place and paying a huge sum for a lame soccer experience and average training. Having done this with three kids, I have seen it all.

At that age, find a really good MSI classic team. I would target Toca or Fusion. Those guys love the game and can teach your kid to play. In all fairness, they are better than any of the non-DA coaches at BSC. I don't care what license you have, no American can teach you more than anyone who played competitively in Argentina.

The guy at Achilles is pretty solid but I would hold off until your kid is older. At this age, you want to avoid burn out. I was speaking to the parent of one of DS's former teammates and we were blown away at how many kids we entered travel with at U9/u10 who no-longer play soccer. Less than half are and the remaining are stil on BSC's B and C team. Only a few are on the top team. Most of the players on all of BSC's top teams at the older ages came over after u13 and u14, which tells me that BSC and most big clubs to a sub-par job at training.

This is outstanding advice, especially the bolded.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a fan of Achilles. I would not recommend them unless you attend St. Johns or live within biking distance of the pitch. Read this board for more than a few stories about that program.

At U9, mid-level player, play with your friends and somewhere where it is easy to get to during rush hour. You'll have more fun and your kid will build up more love for the game. If his abilities exceed the coaching you are getting, than consider a new program after they reach puberty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't get caught up in the travel soccer insanity. BSC is not the right club until your kid is ready for the elite level. The best coaches are at the higher, most competitive levels at BSC. If your kid is not at that level, you are just driving all over the place and paying a huge sum for a lame soccer experience and average training. Having done this with three kids, I have seen it all.

At that age, find a really good MSI classic team. I would target Toca or Fusion. Those guys love the game and can teach your kid to play. In all fairness, they are better than any of the non-DA coaches at BSC. I don't care what license you have, no American can teach you more than anyone who played competitively in Argentina.

The guy at Achilles is pretty solid but I would hold off until your kid is older. At this age, you want to avoid burn out. I was speaking to the parent of one of DS's former teammates and we were blown away at how many kids we entered travel with at U9/u10 who no-longer play soccer. Less than half are and the remaining are stil on BSC's B and C team. Only a few are on the top team. Most of the players on all of BSC's top teams at the older ages came over after u13 and u14, which tells me that BSC and most big clubs to a sub-par job at training.

This is outstanding advice, especially the bolded.

Yes.
We were on BSC's second team for a while, and the openings on the top team were almost always filled by kids from other clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't get caught up in the travel soccer insanity. BSC is not the right club until your kid is ready for the elite level. The best coaches are at the higher, most competitive levels at BSC. If your kid is not at that level, you are just driving all over the place and paying a huge sum for a lame soccer experience and average training. Having done this with three kids, I have seen it all.

At that age, find a really good MSI classic team. I would target Toca or Fusion. Those guys love the game and can teach your kid to play. In all fairness, they are better than any of the non-DA coaches at BSC. I don't care what license you have, no American can teach you more than anyone who played competitively in Argentina.

The guy at Achilles is pretty solid but I would hold off until your kid is older. At this age, you want to avoid burn out. I was speaking to the parent of one of DS's former teammates and we were blown away at how many kids we entered travel with at U9/u10 who no-longer play soccer. Less than half are and the remaining are stil on BSC's B and C team. Only a few are on the top team. Most of the players on all of BSC's top teams at the older ages came over after u13 and u14, which tells me that BSC and most big clubs to a sub-par job at training.

This is outstanding advice, especially the bolded.

Yes.
We were on BSC's second team for a while, and the openings on the top team were almost always filled by kids from other clubs.

+1 Some honest and great advice...can't argue that.

[Anonymous]

Agree at that age it should be about fun! When MSI posts tryouts for Classic, find a team that practices near where you live, where your child likes/respects the coach, likes the players, and seems like a fun group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't get caught up in the travel soccer insanity. BSC is not the right club until your kid is ready for the elite level. The best coaches are at the higher, most competitive levels at BSC. If your kid is not at that level, you are just driving all over the place and paying a huge sum for a lame soccer experience and average training. Having done this with three kids, I have seen it all.

At that age, find a really good MSI classic team. I would target Toca or Fusion. Those guys love the game and can teach your kid to play. In all fairness, they are better than any of the non-DA coaches at BSC. I don't care what license you have, no American can teach you more than anyone who played competitively in Argentina.

The guy at Achilles is pretty solid but I would hold off until your kid is older. At this age, you want to avoid burn out. I was speaking to the parent of one of DS's former teammates and we were blown away at how many kids we entered travel with at U9/u10 who no-longer play soccer. Less than half are and the remaining are stil on BSC's B and C team. Only a few are on the top team. Most of the players on all of BSC's top teams at the older ages came over after u13 and u14, which tells me that BSC and most big clubs to a sub-par job at training.

This is outstanding advice, especially the bolded.

Yes.
We were on BSC's second team for a while, and the openings on the top team were almost always filled by kids from other clubs.

For comparison, my son has played for BSC for several years. He was new to the area, missed the tryout date, and unknown by any of the coaches. He went to a few practice sessions after the tryouts and the second level coach picked him up. He played on the second team his first year. Based on his performance, he was moved to the first team the next year and has been there ever since. So YMMV as each family will have their own experience with the club. What I have observed is a majority of the team is from returning BSC families, so I would suggest if you are interested in the top level team you should get in early so you can establish a track record.

If you have no interest in the top team, then I think you stay close to home and try to find out where other kids from your area play (helps to know other kids on the team and to carpool to practices/games).

[Anonymous]

We’ve also had a good experience for our sons for most of the years we’ve been at BSC. Many of the complaints on here are justified to some extent—certainly the club will not be winning any awards for good communication any time soon—but it’s a good place to get a solid soccer foundation, and a very good place for upper tier older players looking to play in college. Depending where you are, check out OBGC as well.

[Anonymous]

Isn't Toca super far out? And MSI Classic -- the competition is nowhere near that of travel. Depends on what you're looking for but I wouldn't compare MSI Classic and PPA to BSC or even Potomac. Very different. Not sure about Achilles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't Toca super far out? And MSI Classic -- the competition is nowhere near that of travel. Depends on what you're looking for but I wouldn't compare MSI Classic and PPA to BSC or even Potomac. Very different. Not sure about Achilles.

Toca has a field in FreCo but practices in the Bethesda/Potomac area.

The point is not that MSI Classic is comparable to BSC. The point is whether or not BSC offers the right experience at u9/u10. My experience is that it is a waste of time and money. If you are focused on development and building excitement for the game, there are better options than BSC or Potomac. Find a good classic or strong travel coach who has played the game and can teach it to your kid while helping your kid develop a passion for the sport. At u13 or u14, make the move to a more elite platform like Bethesda. I have seen over a dozen kids follow that path. Typically the kids playing at Bethesda since u8/u9 have burned out or lost interest. Avoid the pressure to enter travel now. It is part of the marketing.