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Take the Potomac offer, but neither one is going to get her to an ECNL team any time soon. BSC is a stronger club, but being on the 4th team will not be fun and she'll get ignored. Also BSC is not known to move kids up easily - they'd prefer to take new kids from outside the club. Go with Potomac and hopefully, she'll make the top team in a year. She can play EDP there and have a great time.
I would take the travel spot on the team you like the best. You can also call Arlington and Alexandria and ask if they would take a look at him now. If he's a good player, they may find a spot for him on one of their 1294 teams for the age group.
betshsu wrote:BunchlineDC wrote:Depends on the year and the gender.
2012 girls
The 2012s this year haven't been as strong as some others, but it can change a lot in one season at this age with girls. I'd take a blue offer and try it. MSI classic is fine, but she will learn more at PPA on a blue team.
Cruzado wrote:Lasso911 wrote:We just relocated from the EU, not familiar with soccer in the US. Which club would be the strongest for 2015 boys/U9 next fall? I have heard McLane/Arlington/SYC and bethesda. I am not sure who the coaches are but any background is helpful.
Welcome to the USA!
I also suggest taking a close look at the distance between your house (and your son's school) and any potential new soccer club. Afternoon/evening traffic around the DC metro area can be absolutely terrible--a 20 minute drive can turn into a 60 minute drive very easily--and you need to factor that in.
Setting aside distance/traffic ... in my opinion, the strongest of the major boys clubs in the area are Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda and SYC. There are a few other smaller clubs that also field very good boys teams, and many other "good" clubs that aren't quite at the same level as the first four I mentioned.
PP is correct on all fronts. Of the "big" clubs they mentioned, I think Arlington has the best culture, but they are all strong clubs. There are also smaller clubs which can be a fantastic experience as well. But pick the club that you can actually get to in rush hour, or all of this is moot.
There are bunch. But at that age, decide your priorities.
First, where do you live? You don't want to set yourself up to sit in traffic 3X a week if you don't have to.
Second, what are you looking to get out of the experience? Best technical training? Best overall soccer experience? Most cutthroat? Least cutthroat?
Third, where are most of the neighborhood kids/friends playing? This is key if you will need or want to carpool and make friends.
There are big clubs with big names and reputations and smaller clubs with different benefits and drawbacks. You need to figure out what you want and then look for the club and team to fit.
First, where do you live? You don't want to set yourself up to sit in traffic 3X a week if you don't have to.
Second, what are you looking to get out of the experience? Best technical training? Best overall soccer experience? Most cutthroat? Least cutthroat?
Third, where are most of the neighborhood kids/friends playing? This is key if you will need or want to carpool and make friends.
There are big clubs with big names and reputations and smaller clubs with different benefits and drawbacks. You need to figure out what you want and then look for the club and team to fit.
clt-dad wrote:In NC at u13 ENCL-R we played 24 league games over the year, 8 in the fall, 16 in the Spring.
Plus a showcase, tournaments etc. It was frankly overwhelming at times.
North Atlantic (MD-NJ) is the same.
VA is a weird bird where they have multiple, VA-only leagues (including a parallel state cup.) Seems like less driving...but a whole lot less soccer.
soccermomsrule wrote:U13 (2010) ECNL RL is the same... 5 league games in the spring even though these kids are too young for high school and showcases.
ECNL needs to combine the NOVA brackets into one.
Depends on the year and the gender.
CampChairCoffee wrote:BunchlineDC wrote:CampChairCoffee wrote:BunchlineDC wrote:CampChairCoffee wrote:I dunno, but my kid was pretty bummed when they realized how many more games their NCSL sibling got to play.
Even if it’s to accommodate HS, not sure why that should limit the younger ages. For the money you spend, it would be nice for the kids to… play games.
@campchaircoffee - What age group is your kid in? If u14 and lower, this shouldn't be the case. I can certainly understand being frustrated in that scenario. Have you reached out to the club?
2011, and they only had 6 games this spring, plus state cup. The club set up a couple scrimmages, which is okay, but we do this because my kid loves to play. A lot. So fewer games was disappointing.
To be clear, have not seen anything scheduled beyond this month. But the league also hasn’t posted any results for spring, which seems lame (and which NCSL has also managed to do). Would be helpful to see when kids are considering moves….
ECNL doesn't start until U13 (2010 this year). Are you sure they are in ECNL-R? Or are they playing up this year?
Yes, talking about pre-ECNL. Have been a bit underwhelmed.
Well, certainly worth getting a sense of what you are or are not getting next year, for sure. Or change clubs.
CampChairCoffee wrote:BunchlineDC wrote:CampChairCoffee wrote:I dunno, but my kid was pretty bummed when they realized how many more games their NCSL sibling got to play.
Even if it’s to accommodate HS, not sure why that should limit the younger ages. For the money you spend, it would be nice for the kids to… play games.
@campchaircoffee - What age group is your kid in? If u14 and lower, this shouldn't be the case. I can certainly understand being frustrated in that scenario. Have you reached out to the club?
2011, and they only had 6 games this spring, plus state cup. The club set up a couple scrimmages, which is okay, but we do this because my kid loves to play. A lot. So fewer games was disappointing.
To be clear, have not seen anything scheduled beyond this month. But the league also hasn’t posted any results for spring, which seems lame (and which NCSL has also managed to do). Would be helpful to see when kids are considering moves….
ECNL doesn't start until U13 (2010 this year). Are you sure they are in ECNL-R? Or are they playing up this year?
BunchlineDC wrote:CampChairCoffee wrote:I dunno, but my kid was pretty bummed when they realized how many more games their NCSL sibling got to play.
Even if it’s to accommodate HS, not sure why that should limit the younger ages. For the money you spend, it would be nice for the kids to… play games.
@campchaircoffee - What age group is your kid in? If u14 and lower, this shouldn't be the case. I can certainly understand being frustrated in that scenario. Have you reached out to the club?
Also, sorry, where are you already seeing next year's schedule?
CampChairCoffee wrote:I dunno, but my kid was pretty bummed when they realized how many more games their NCSL sibling got to play.
Even if it’s to accommodate HS, not sure why that should limit the younger ages. For the money you spend, it would be nice for the kids to… play games.
@campchaircoffee - What age group is your kid in? If u14 and lower, this shouldn't be the case. I can certainly understand being frustrated in that scenario. Have you reached out to the club?
I am not a VA soccer parent, but I'd certainly get info about who is coaching and base it off of that (plus commute.)
Assuming you are looking at the 09 age group? Yes, this is why. Most of the better clubs plan around their players HS schedules (the era of banning HS play is passe). So more games and training during the off-season. Additionally, they should also be increasing the number of tournaments/showcases with the decreased league play.
Every team within the club is different, OP. Generally, age groups start by offering spots and confirming places for their top team and then work down. But sometimes not. Just call or email the age group lead at Arlington.