| My family is moving to the DC area from the Midwest and I am looking for a strong team for my u16 daughter. She currently plays on the B team of a former GDA club. She has ambitions to play in college. We are considering Kensington, Falls Church and McLean/Great Falls. Any insights on specific teams and coaches would help us. We are open to ECNL, GA or other clubs. |
| Not sure about Kensington, Bethesda may work. For Falls Church/McClean, you have Arlington, McClean, St. James/FCV, BRYC that may all fit what you want with SYC and Alexandria possibly doable if she doesn't mind a drive to practice |
Quite a range of places to possibly end up living. Find your house first, then ask the question. There are lots of options regardless of where you end up moving to. |
|
Welcome!
McLean has a big ECNL roster. Arlington GA has a smaller roster, about 16. BRYC ECNL and Metro United GA are struggling a bit at U16. TSJ FCV (GA) has a strong U16 team, and I don’t think their roster is huge. You definitely have options, as there are many ECNL and GA (former DA) teams. |
Moving to where in the dmv? Depending where we could provide a couple of options. |
|
Either McLean ECNL or Arlington GAL for the best leagues. If not that level, SYC and Alexandria are the best options. I wouldn't recommend BRYC ECNL.
Don't go to LMVSC, we just left there and they are falling apart. If you're really stuck, Vienna is probably the best option. |
|
As you probably know, at U16 level it is going to depend on how strong your daughter is and what position she plays.
Will probably be hard to break in to top team of FCV, McLean, Bethesda or Arlington for 05s. They all have fairly strong top teams. BRYC and Metro United (metroutd.org) are probably your best bets to make a top team. Would recommend having your daughter get in touch with their technical directors. If that does not work out, the other teams listed above may take her on their second teams. |
| Buy your house first. |
| Stupid to post without location |
You're getting lots of replies like this because the DC area has such heavy traffic. For example, I live in Arlington and work 4 miles away in DC. Travel time is usually 20 minutes outside of rush hour. During rush hour, it is 30-45 minutes. A club that is 15 miles from your house can easily be a 45 -60 minute commute. |
Based on that area you mentioned... 1. FC Virginia - best U16 team in the DMV, average roster size DROP OFF 2. McLean - probably second best, but Bethesda is very good. Huge roster though 3. Bethesda - probably third, average roster size DROP OFF 4. Arlington - small roster HUGE DROP OFF 5. Loudoun - distance only here, average roster size 6. BRYC - definitely only distance, average roster size Depends on if you live or work in that area though. |
I’d agree with this. Although if your DD is coming from a second team, she will have a hard time making the first 3 rosters |
|
| I’d agree with most of the above but don’t believe there is a drop off between FCV, McLean, and Bethesda any longer. Players at FCV are slightly better at the top 5 player level but coaching is better at McLean and Bethesda and rosters were strengthened over that last year. There is also not a “huge” drop off from Arlington to the next tier down but Arlington is better overall than Loudoun and BRYC and better coached. |
| This is very helpful information. |