soccer_dc wrote:

mdsoccerdad wrote:

soccer_dc wrote:

GloryHunter wrote:All the real tryouts are basically over. At least for the top teams.

This is true. Offers are already out for the top teams. Although there is always an extra spot or two if someone good enough shows up.

"top teams" from what clubs?

the maryland ECNL clubs havent even had tryouts yet

I have seen ID sessions posted throughout March and April from VA Union, VDA, FCV, Arlington.

One thing I never understood at the ECNL level how are kids from another ECNL team allowed to practice with another ECNL team during the season in these "ID" sessions before actual tryouts? I thought recruiting can't happen until May?

UnidentifiedFlyingOboe wrote:DS has been playing soccer since kindergarten. Right now he plays for a team that ranks in top 10 in Virginia (according to GotSoccer, for reference only, please do not argue with me). The team practice and play games year round, and win tournaments from time to time. He is a mediocre player on the team, but he seems to have a lot of playing time.

Coming Fall he is going to be in 9th grade. He wants to try other sports (crew, wrestling, XC), and I would like him to expand his interest a bit and try some after school clubs (music, art, etc.), but he feels he has to give up those opportunities to play with his soccer team. He is committed to his team, or maybe it just has become a habit.

Also he is not a top student, so I'd like him to prioritize academics over activities. After all, he needs good grades to get into a good college.

What would you do in my place? Continue or stop travel soccer? TIA

I would see what his goals are with soccer? Does he want to play in college (or beyond)?

If yes, then continue playing with his travel team and focus on getting good grades. Commitment to the travel team becomes greater as they get older so this will be a big part of his high school years.

If no, then I would have him play for his high school soccer team and try those different sports and clubs he has interest in and of course focus on grades.

Plus, he's gonna make new friends/friendships and time will be needed for that as well regardless of the path he takes.

Size5Balls wrote:

anonimouswon wrote:if your son is an American, it's highly unlikely they'll ever make it to MLS or greater. Sorry, but that's just the reality of it.

Fixed that for you. Ever see the starting 11 on an MLS team? Not many Americans.

This is starting to change though in the last handful of years as we see a lot of the USMNT are playing abroad. It'll take time, but I do see more American players filling spots in the future in MLS especially with the changes made in US youth soccer in the late 90's.

Some clubs have been holding "ID" sessions for their top teams prior to the actual tryouts.

Novaball wrote:How drastic is the difference in recruiting between MLSNext and ECNL? DS currently plays for an MLSNext club, but is not inclined to give up the chance to play for his high school.

MLSNext is mainly for players looking to go pro especially with MLS creating the MLSNext Pro league which provides a full path to MLS. This doesn't mean colleges don't recruit from MLS Next teams, they do, but traditionally Academy (now MLS Next) is where you want to be to play at the highest level.

ECNL Boys is mainly for players looking to play in college. I'd say the level of play overall in the league is a step down from MLS Next. If your son is playing at a very high level in ECNL, you should highly consider moving him to an MLS Next team. ECNL really isn't geared to provide a path to the pro-level. Again, it can happen ending up as a pro, but there is no clear path in the ECNL organization to going pro.

I wouldn't even consider EDP if your kid can play at the MLS Next or ECNL level.

Most of all you need to know what is your son's goals with soccer? Which will help determine which direction to go. Honestly, by U15 whether you're in MLS Next or ECNL, if your son isn't being recruited by an MLS Pro Club to play on their MLS Next U15 team it's highly unlikely they'll ever make it to MLS or greater. Sorry, but that's just the reality of it.

At showcases/tournaments, college coaches know talent whether the player is on a winning or losing team. That's why you see even B team players being recruited because a college coach may have a need for a certain type of player.

I've seen A team players who aren't the stars of the team get recruited to college over star players because they are technical, athletic, have a high soccer IQ and fit the teams style of play.

I've seen star players get passed over because they have no soccer IQ or know how to play team soccer.

Some of it is luck and timing too. A coach might be looking for a certain player and your kid might be what the team needs at that time. If your kid is interested in a particular college you should begin to attend those college summer soccer camps and do what you can to get on that college coach's radar.

Ultimately, college coaches can spot talent when they see it so if your kid is playing in showcases/tournaments college coaches are already looking at them.

Join one of the clubs Recreational teams. The play level varies, but you will encounter some rec teams that play at a B/C/D level. I have one kid playing rec in the SFL league. Has one practice a week and travels locally (less than 30 mins) in the NoVA area.

enjoytheride wrote:I have been thinking what do parents do if they just can't afford the 3k-5k plus financial commitment to play on a team in the GA or ECNL. Lets just say your son or daughter is good enough but you just can't afford it. is there another road that these kids can take to get seen by colleges? Fortunately, I am able to afford it but I know there has to be so many families who just can't. It is so different than basketball where the costs are very minimal. Can kids still get recruited straight from high school sports?

Most soccer clubs offer financial assistance.

From what I hear most recruiting is done through the soccer clubs these days and it's rare that HS coaches try and get their players recruited. That's my perspective and from what I've heard and been told in the NoVA area by parents who have been through the recruiting process. I'm sure there are some areas where there is recruiting from high school's directly so if someone has experienced this please share.

Cruzado wrote:My kid was offered a place on an older team (one year up) but on the lowest team of 3 teams in that age group.

My gut instinct is that this is not good for his development; that the technical skill of the players on the 3rd team (and their competition) will be lower even if the kids are a year older; that the gameplay will focus more on physicality/speed, and my kid's smaller size (even for his own age he's on the smaller side) will really hamper him.

On the other hand, I could see the argument that playing a year up against taller, faster, stronger kids might force him to come up with creative ways to use his technical skills to succeed.

I don't know though - my main concerns are the quality of gameplay and, where larger/stronger but less-skilled players are on the field, getting knocked around and potentially injured.

Any thoughts?

I think playing up is mainly to speed up development, but it really depends on the kid. If the kid is big enough and good enough to play up, then go for it. If the kid is small and is going to get pushed around by bigger players it may not be worth it unless the small kid is so quick and technical that s/he can play up. Regardless, smaller players playing up or in their age group must develop technical skills in order to be effective and impact the team.

Also, especially as kids get older into the U13 and up ages a lot of clubs favor bigger kids. They may not be as technical, but because they're bigger they aren't getting pushed around and can possess the ball, but it could also affect their technical development because they're relying on size. We see it all the time smaller players get pushed down by the bigger players. So just because your kid is on the MLSNext or ECNL team at ages u13+ doesn't exactly mean they're A team material. Most likely they're pretty good and are on the team because they're big and are able to compete at the highest level because they're big. What I love seeing is when the smaller kid hits puberty in the U16/17 age and is brought back up to the A team cause they're bigger, faster and a technical nightmare for other teams.

Someone mentioned it earlier and I think the best situation is to have the kid practice up and play age group. Also, your kid should only play up if they can be a starter on the older team. Otherwise, stick with the best team of your kid's age group.

jenmax4real wrote:My DD has decided she no longer wants to play soccer. I still have about 4 payments left to pay for the spring season; and I'm not sure how to handle this. Should I ask her to at least finish off the season? Let her quit? Or see if I can stop the remaining payment?

Unless there's a good reason she doesn't want to play have her stick it out as she made a commitment to the team. If she leaves it leaves the team down a player. Even if she didn't start she would still provide some valuable minutes as a sub. But if she really wants out, talk with the club and see if you can get out of the remaining payments.