Lost in US Soccer - can you advise?

[Anonymous]

We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

The only credible programs would be Arlington or DC United. So depends on where you live (I'm not going to look up where you live)

[Anonymous]

Potomac Soccer in Maryland, which is travel, has very nice people working for them. Try calling them and asking for a recommendation for what you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You live near me in Bethesda! We are with BSC (Bethesda soccer club) and the practices are convenient for us. The cost can range from $2400-2900 for the year. There are SIX teams for that U10 age group ranging from awesome to okay (rec level).

https://www.bethesdasoccer.org/

If you are not interested in that level or cost, check out MSI Classic which is a medium league for MSI between recreation and travel. It is very well run, one of the largest groups in Montgomery county and affordable. There are professional coached which are a little money than parent coached which is around $200 per semester. Below is the link to U10 boys and I'm sure one of the coaches will need more players even though I think official tryouts may be over- they are always looking to add someone. I would email them all but ask where they practice- most say bethesda and potomac . Rockville can be very close as upper georgetown rd is considered rockville. The ones that say Gaithersburg or north potomoc will likely be too far from you.

https://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=505429

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You aren’t going to get anything compatible without travel. You might want to try msi select which isn’t quite travel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You live near me in Bethesda! We are with BSC (Bethesda soccer club) and the practices are convenient for us. The cost can range from $2400-2900 for the year. There are SIX teams for that U10 age group ranging from awesome to okay (rec level).

https://www.bethesdasoccer.org/

If you are not interested in that level or cost, check out MSI Classic which is a medium league for MSI between recreation and travel. It is very well run, one of the largest groups in Montgomery county and affordable. There are professional coached which are a little money than parent coached which is around $200 per semester. Below is the link to U10 boys and I'm sure one of the coaches will need more players even though I think official tryouts may be over- they are always looking to add someone. I would email them all but ask where they practice- most say bethesda and potomac . Rockville can be very close as upper georgetown rd is considered rockville. The ones that say Gaithersburg or north potomoc will likely be too far from you.

https://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=505429

I should add that if your son turns 10 this year, then change the above link to U11.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You live near me in Bethesda! We are with BSC (Bethesda soccer club) and the practices are convenient for us. The cost can range from $2400-2900 for the year. There are SIX teams for that U10 age group ranging from awesome to okay (rec level).

https://www.bethesdasoccer.org/

If you are not interested in that level or cost, check out MSI Classic which is a medium league for MSI between recreation and travel. It is very well run, one of the largest groups in Montgomery county and affordable. There are professional coached which are a little money than parent coached which is around $200 per semester. Below is the link to U10 boys and I'm sure one of the coaches will need more players even though I think official tryouts may be over- they are always looking to add someone. I would email them all but ask where they practice- most say bethesda and potomac . Rockville can be very close as upper georgetown rd is considered rockville. The ones that say Gaithersburg or north potomoc will likely be too far from you.

https://www.msisoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=505429

I should add that if your son turns 10 this year, then change the above link to U11.

I second the vote for MSI classic. Sounds like its just what you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You could also look at Player Progressive Academy in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You could also look at Player Progressive Academy in DC.

Also look at DCYFC. They have a day camp going now and you can pay by the day. So you can check them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You could also look at Player Progressive Academy in DC.

Depending on the team, PPA does do practices in lower moco that may work for you. This is also a good midlevel option between rec and travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You could also look at Player Progressive Academy in DC.

Depending on the team, PPA does do practices in lower moco that may work for you. This is also a good midlevel option between rec and travel.

Do you mean their development program? It is essentially Rec, but with real coaches. Their premier program is travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You could also look at Player Progressive Academy in DC.

Depending on the team, PPA does do practices in lower moco that may work for you. This is also a good midlevel option between rec and travel.

Do you mean their development program? It is essentially Rec, but with real coaches. Their premier program is travel.

I'm referring to the level of the kids playing.

Some of the rec kids have real coaches and are therefore better than regular rec with parent coaches ( so a little higher play than rec- mid level)

Some of the travel teams ( depending on the team) are called travel but compared to other local travel clubs- their level of play is lower. So also midlevel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You could also look at Player Progressive Academy in DC.

Depending on the team, PPA does do practices in lower moco that may work for you. This is also a good midlevel option between rec and travel.

Do you mean their development program? It is essentially Rec, but with real coaches. Their premier program is travel.

I'm referring to the level of the kids playing.

Some of the rec kids have real coaches and are therefore better than regular rec with parent coaches ( so a little higher play than rec- mid level)

Some of the travel teams ( depending on the team) are called travel but compared to other local travel clubs- their level of play is lower. So also midlevel.

There are no parent coaches in PPA Development - only professionals. And the travel program is no different than other travel programs around. Some top teams, some lower level. 2009s top teams, for example, just won MD state cup. And there are some age groups with 4+ teams deep, so there's a wide variety of levels there. But that's no different than any other club. Anyhow, I'm not trying to boost PPA, just want OP to know what you are recommending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You could also look at Player Progressive Academy in DC.

Depending on the team, PPA does do practices in lower moco that may work for you. This is also a good midlevel option between rec and travel.

Do you mean their development program? It is essentially Rec, but with real coaches. Their premier program is travel.

I'm referring to the level of the kids playing.

Some of the rec kids have real coaches and are therefore better than regular rec with parent coaches ( so a little higher play than rec- mid level)

Some of the travel teams ( depending on the team) are called travel but compared to other local travel clubs- their level of play is lower. So also midlevel.

Don't beat me up for this statement, this was true for our rec team going to PPA but not the case for every paid coach versus parent coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have just moved to the DC area from Europe, and have an avid 9 year old soccer player at home. I would like to enroll him into soccer practice, but browsing the different options has gotten me completely confused. Can you help me find a club where:
- he can practice twice a week
- he can both improve his skills and play games, while having fun (we are not interested in competitive/travel programs)
- we don't need to commute too far from our neighborhood (NIH/Suburban hospital)
- enrolments are still open for individual players

Thanks a lot!!

You could also look at Player Progressive Academy in DC.

Depending on the team, PPA does do practices in lower moco that may work for you. This is also a good midlevel option between rec and travel.

Do you mean their development program? It is essentially Rec, but with real coaches. Their premier program is travel.

I'm referring to the level of the kids playing.

Some of the rec kids have real coaches and are therefore better than regular rec with parent coaches ( so a little higher play than rec- mid level)

Some of the travel teams ( depending on the team) are called travel but compared to other local travel clubs- their level of play is lower. So also midlevel.

Don't beat me up for this statement, this was true for our rec team going to PPA but not the case for every paid coach versus parent coach.

That's fair, there are some great parent coaches who know what they're doing. However they are the overwhelming minority especially as kids get older need to develop more specific skills. Also, as the kids get older, actually listening to the parent coach can become a challenge...