Anonymous wrote:Ivy League schools don't give scholarships of any kind, athletic, academic, or otherwise.

Semantics warrior over here. So this thread can actually be helpful, it is true Ivy's may not give out "scholarships" but they certainly give out merit aid, which like scholarships is free money that reduce the cost for an individual family to attend.

Check out City SC, Coach Alex and Jason are former professionals and DC natives giving back now to kids throughout DMV to learn the game in a fun and competitive environment. They practice and play their home games at Edgewood Rec. NE DC The coaches are accessible on instagram.https://www.instagram.com/citysportingclub/

Tryouts are this week as well, but they are always open to new families training and learning about the City experience.

OP great questions. We moved to this area a year ago, and navigating all the club options around here is exhausting. I would say all teams have their cliques and the most important thing you can do is try to train with these teams for 3-4 sessions if possible. The cliques are super annoying but do impact your child's perfomance if they are not settled socially on the club so you are spot on in investigating that aspect of fit. Because there are so many options around here I would also say don't be afraid to make a change if the fit is not there. We as parents are the consumer and as long as your kid can play you should be able to navigate where they play next and if making a change needs to happen, that's your perrogative. Not a coach or a technical director, or other parents even. Talk to the other parents too cliques often start with the adults.

novasoccer15324 wrote:

soccer_dc wrote:

novasoccer15324 wrote:The higher the socio-economic demographic is, the worse the boys teams get and the better the girls teams get.

The lower the socio-economic demographic is, the better the boys teams get and the worse the girls teams get.

This is why the girls are doing OK and the boys aren't.

That's an interesting take and seems at first glance to have some merit. What would you speculate as possible reasons for this difference?

Boys in families and neighborhoods of mid- to lower socioeconomic standing tend to come from multi-ethnic / multicultural households where soccer is part of their culture and accepted as a lifestyle or a way to spend a lot of free time... built-in peer group to play with constantly, family members, friends, neighbors, and community members who encourage it, local men's league games at the park all the time... as an example, there may be a low income housing set-aside area right next to a turf field, which is constantly filled with teens/kids playing constantly with adults who also live in the community. Thomas Jefferson Middle School (TJMS) in Arlington is a perfect example of this. These kids generally know their options as they get older and graduate high school, the path and the options are fairly straightforward and not that complicated. These kids do not need to spend time with extra academics, tutoring, test prep, and extensive college visits. Many will graduate, maybe go to community college or vocational school, or just start working as teens and continue in the same careers and just keep playing soccer in adult leagues on the weekends and enjoy life working for a small business in the local community or a family business of someone they know.

Boys in families of higher-mid or high income areas are busy being multi-sport athletes to hang out with their friends, watching their favorite NCAA college basketball teams, NFL, NBA, playing different sports in different seasons, summer internships, taking a language class, meeting with guidance counselors, taking SAT prep classes, checking off boxes of extracurricular activities, and checking off all the boxes needed to apply to competitive colleges in VA, DC, or elsewhere. Spending all summer playing Futbol on a turf field somewhere in Arlington is not something that adds to your college application unfortunately. So, how did you enrich yourself this summer? Uhhh... I played soccer the whole summer with random people.... that's not gonna happen. Unless its the rare player whose obsessive parent signed them up for every single HP Elite clinic ever offered and has an individual trainer for their kid 2-3x a week. I'm sure there are a few kids like that in the area.


So which kid do you think is going to end up a better soccer player, hmmmm

To answer your question, the lower income kid is the better soccer player obviously because they haven't been stifled by American coaches. Their creativity has not been coached out of them by positional one-touch soccer, and you're right it might not amount to what many parents want from pay to play club soccer, a college scholarship, but these kids are far and away better Futballers. Don't think that's the conclusion you are trying to draw and frankly your perspective is narrow and awfully priviliged. As someone who played pick-up at TJ growing up, earning an advanced degree, and now not "working for a small business in the local communty or a family business of someone they know." What you layed is the inherent problem with american soccer philosophy especially the men's game. It's changing now with fully funded MLS academies, which makes all the extracurriculas you are referencing obsolete if the kid is not planning on attending college. Being college prepared has no correlation to your soccer ability. Playing unstructured soccer i.e. pick-up is the foundation for truly creative, imaginitve and in my opinion an elite soccer player.

I am clearly not hiding behind my username or anything jaja. U-13 and hell yes that's us didn't know informed consumerism was such a point of criticism? I guess I'm going to have to get used to unwarranted cynicism being back in the DMV. Trip was totally worth it btw, got a fist team offer from every club, and my DS got a chance to make a an informed decision about where and who she wanted to play ball with. Seems like a pretty cool opportunity and life lesson for a kid to experience in my book if your able to do it and if your kid is good enough to make it worthwhile. Wouldn't recommend to all but worked for our family. I love talking soccer thought this was a soccer blog... Why do you care what games I'm interested in? Cleary MD is your priority let people chat VA State Cup, stay in your lane and let people banter about what they want, thanks!

Heard SYC 2010 girls vs. LMVSC 2010 girls was epic? Controversial? Thoughts...

Mdmom22 wrote:

mdsoccerdad wrote:

SDSoccerDad wrote:

Last option, would be playing EDP with 2010 Boys with her first coach, someone's perspective I trust above all, and he believes if my DD is good enough the ECNL clubs will still be an option 2-3 years from now when it really matters what club you are at from a college id/recruiting stand point. At this age, working on technique daily and challenging yourself with the increased speed and physicality of the boys game will be more impactful for my DD. I really don't know...?

So what is the 2010 Girls soccer landscape shaking out like as the u-12 year is wrapping up?

Plenty of good EDP girls teams in this area as well.

And yeah- no crazy rush to get her on an ECNL team now. Also, be prepared for her to be a star right now and 2nd team material in a few years. not saying that will happen but too many think talent now means talent forever.

I would put her on an excellent EDP girls team first (at least top 2 EDP divisions) if playing with 2010 boys is at a lower level of play, that is (below the top 2 EDP divisions). There are a couple of girls that play in my boys EDP divisions who are as good or better than some of the boys and would be shoeins for ECNL teams (if they were interested). At less competitive boy levels, the increased speed and physicality isn't really much of a challenge for more skilled and smart soccer players. At least that has been our experience with one kid playing up, and that's what you'll read here on this board - playing up is not worth it unless you're playing up on a very good team. Or applied to your scenario, playing with boys would not be worth it unless it's on a very good team as well.

Any rule against playing on both teams Girls ECNL and Boys EDP? Too much soccer probably but are there any rules against this I wonder...

mdsoccerdad wrote:

SDSoccerDad wrote:

mdsoccerdad wrote:mass exodus occuring regardless.

there is no trust anymore. bethesda has lost that with too many families and its one person causing it

the boys side seems fine.

My 2010 girl is coming to the area this summer to begin her first (u-13) ECNL season. Bethesda is one of the final two clubs we're considering and has a lot to do with their infrastructure and monopoly to players in the DMV who want to play in MD. What am I getting wrong? Are issues like these systematic or a one time error? How much does it impact girls on the top teams at a club like Bethesda or Union? Thanks in advance!

has she practiced with the current u13 team? you are hoping she will make one of these teams?

I would highly suggest finding the teams current schedule and attending one of their games.

They dont really have a "monopoly" to players who want to play in the DMV- if you are referring to ECNL specifically, even that they dont have- MD united and Pipeline are ECNL MD options.

Didn't MD United girls lose like 13-0 to Bethesda 2010's in the Pre-ECNL league this fall? Older age levels look like Bethesda is better over all age groups combined. NJ teams def seem to be the strength of the North Atlantic though. Pipeline looks competitive but they are in Baltimore, so monopoly on DMV for MD seems pretty accurate to me, what do I know? Seriously, please let me know what I'm missing here.

mdsoccerdad wrote:mass exodus occuring regardless.

there is no trust anymore. bethesda has lost that with too many families and its one person causing it

the boys side seems fine.

My 2010 girl is coming to the area this summer to begin her first (u-13) ECNL season. Bethesda is one of the final two clubs we're considering and has a lot to do with their infrastructure and monopoly to players in the DMV who want to play in MD. What am I getting wrong? Are issues like these systematic or a one time error? How much does it impact girls on the top teams at a club like Bethesda or Union? Thanks in advance!

Runnrmom wrote:There are lots of great options besides these 3 teams. I have found that some of the parents on some of these top teams are not very nice and the attitude of competition at all costs can make the girls not so nice either. Examples include yelling at players who are NOT THEIR GIRLS during games; allowing certain cliques to form; denigrating other players to coaches. I have seen all of this. My strong DD is happier playing up on a different club and gets far more in terms of playing time and development than on any of your named clubs, in a kinder (though still intense) environment. To each their own, of course, but thought I would throw it out there.

There are so many options! Its overwhelming once you decide not to just go to your closest driving distance club. Thank you for this helpful feedback and perspective my DS really likes another ECNL club in the area not mentioned that has really courted her and is saying all the right things about developing her as a player and not forcing her to fit into an open position that the team needs filled. There is a saying out in San Diego, that if you're good enough you will end up at SD Surf during the HS years either way. I'm starting to think that may end up being the case for some of these large factory type clubs that have a reputation for hoarding talent. The success is inevitable but is it the best option at this critical development stage for the player? I don't know but its an interesting discussion; I always go back to my DS to make the final decision once I've put all the options in front her. Good luck to all the players still settling on a club for the upcoming season!

Funforfamily wrote:Has anyone heard from rising u13 coach? Encl-N? havent got an email so wondering if DS didnt make team?

Are you talking Girls or Boys u-13? My DS got a BRAVE offer this week on the girls side.

soccer_dc wrote:This is a troll post, right? Traveling to scout clubs for a 12 year old? Just start with the one closest to where you’ll live

You haven't observed soccer outside of this cozy DMV bubble clearly, but thanks for your input on our spring break travel decisions. Any 2010 parents with insights/perspectives on how those three 2010 team's rosters are shaking out for the upcoming u-13 season as the OP asked would be appreciated.

Visited DC area with my DD during her spring break to check out 6 different area clubs. She's a high level player and got ECNL/GA team offers/interest from all 6, but the 3 I'd to hear more perspectives about are Arlington, VA Union, and Bethesda. Here is my take, what am I missing?

Arlington - Trained with 2010 age group which was the weakest of the three but the club was far and way the most communicative which matters to me since I don't live here yet. Its closest to our would be home in DC, the new Director from Ukrainian Nationals seems legit, and the opportunity to play up with 2009's is on the table as well.

VA Union - Trained with 2009's and some 2008's from ECNL player pool, felt like a factory, pretty impersonal but those girls could definitely play, I guess the player pathway track record speaks for itself. I've heard 2010's ECNL squad will be all SYC players except for 3 from McLean, and continued to be coached by EM from SYC. Is this a good thing, continuity and all; or will it be hard for outside players to break in? They will roster 20+ players which I'm not in favor of but if your DD is good enough than it may be worth the risk? To me it seems like too much for 12 year old girls but I guess its the price of competition.

Bethesda - The coach DG is intense but my DD played her best futbol over two trainings with his 2009 ECNL and the 2010 Pre-ECNL squads. MD clubs seem to be on a completely different schedule form the VA clubs, which is confusing. Don't believe they have a had tryouts so their roster seems to be in flux and they definitely need some more players as the squad is small. The only club where there was no offer from but Trained multiple times and my DD was invited to play in a Memorial Day tournament. This was the most united squad of the three and the girls welcomed my DD, knew her name from the get go, complimented her play and as a result this is where she wants to play. I have my reservations, but would like to hear more perspectives, what am I missing?

Last option, would be playing EDP with 2010 Boys with her first coach, someone's perspective I trust above all, and he believes if my DD is good enough the ECNL clubs will still be an option 2-3 years from now when it really matters what club you are at from a college id/recruiting stand point. At this age, working on technique daily and challenging yourself with the increased speed and physicality of the boys game will be more impactful for my DD. I really don't know...?

So what is the 2010 Girls soccer landscape shaking out like as the u-12 year is wrapping up?

Anonymous wrote:Sorry my reply got buried in a quote thread. Here is what I wrote:


Honestly, how good is your DD? BSC is one of the best teams in the country (https://youthsoccerrankings.us/team.html?teamId=3697091). Could she make that team? If so, she would find her teammates (and opponents in high level tournaments) better than what she would find at McLean (https://youthsoccerrankings.us/team.html?teamId=3677459). And in May 2021, that BSC team beat that McLean team 4-0.

I recognize that development and personal experience is not necessarily commensurate with wins and losses. And that BSC parents will champion their club, and McLean parents will champion theirs. But if the question is which is a better team, it doesn’t seem close.

Anyway, like a previous poster said, reach out to those clubs and coaches and go to a practice or two for each. And maybe observe the practice of the next age group to see about that Coach.

This was my perspective as well, but rankings aren't always reliable at these younger ages. Based on rankings my daughter's team which was Top 15 in CalSouth would be number one in Virginia (#4 in MD), only SYC is even in the top 100 for VA. I think she's good enough for BSC, but only time will tell right? We saw them play at Supercopa in Dallas last year, we both got knocked out in the playoff rounds by the same club Dallas Texans - they beast us in the quarterfinals, and BSC in the semi-finals. Already contacted coaches for several clubs to test landscape first hand. They seem to like the idea of looking at talent they haven't seen from outside the region. This has all been enlightening and insightful!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So much hate for FCV? I don't need to know why and didn't ask. Specifically ECNL clubs what was the post was about - What do the 2010's look like in this area? Bethesda seems like the obvious choice but I'm genuinely curious what others think. Arlington logistically probably does make the most sense but I know nothing about the girls programs in this area.

You specifically mentioned FCV, so there is that. FCV is also GA and not ECNL, so there is also that.

Arlington, like Loudoun, chooses a more athletic brand of soccer.

Bethesda youth coaches are big time screamers but play a decent style of soccer.

McLean, big rosters, play a nice brand of soccer that yields success in later ages.

I would add arlington and loudoun are about speed, conditioning and physicality. The practices are more about fitness/strength training. Midfielders are more fullbacks not excepted to build, pass or control the ball. Are expected to run, win balls and break up play. Players play one position, one formation, play is very linear and some what scripted. Ball work is to be done outside of practice. Both have large pools so second teams usually are fairly strong. Some second team player would play at other clubs first team but stay with the hope of moving up. Technical girls really do not fit in and get frustrated.

McLean and BSC will rotate positions, formation(lMcLean has 5 formations?), practices are about skills, passing, spacing and speed of play. McLean has a large roster with a core team(almost like an academy). BSC coaches are not for a lot of kids and parents are difficult(oddly this is consistent across the age groups?). Second teams usually are not strong because of lack of depth. If you are a good player go to another club’s first team before taking second team non ECNL. These club are not really as concerned with wins at below u13. Girls with out technical skill get discouraged.

Have not seen the GA teams. Metro is doable from DC.

Any of these teams will let you attend practice but make sure you go to a few different clubs and pick the one that fits your DD style of play. Also lots of mean girl behavior on these team - specially the new girl/s. So talk to your dd before hand and know it happens.

This is wonderful info and advice thank you very much!! Anyone else with positive and reflective feedback/comparisons about Arlington, McLean, and Bethesda 2010 girls teams for a DC family new to the DMV soccer seen? My kid could play at the highest level for u-12 in SoCal, so from what I've seen and heard I'm pretty sure she will be competitive and play on one of these ECNL teams in the DMV, thus looking for honest insights