Message
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.
It would be good for Northern VA if BRAVE succeeded as a strong ECNL club.
However, taking a step back and looking at the overall situation, it looks like for BRAVE to be successful there will need to be a simple merger of BRYC and Vienna. Full stop.
With a complete merger, the best players could support a good ECNL team and there should still be enough players at the next level who can support strong ECNL-R teams.
Just my two-cents.
However, taking a step back and looking at the overall situation, it looks like for BRAVE to be successful there will need to be a simple merger of BRYC and Vienna. Full stop.
With a complete merger, the best players could support a good ECNL team and there should still be enough players at the next level who can support strong ECNL-R teams.
Just my two-cents.
.
Anonymous wrote:Can I get some more recent feedback on the Heights school? Considering it for my young elementary school, high energy, boy because of the outdoor learning and curriculum. How much of the day is actually spent outside? Are there any kids with learning disabilities or are they not equipped to handle that?
We have a son in the Lower School at The Heights and have been thrilled with the school thus far. I recommend that you check out some of the podcasts and articles from the Heights Forum (https://heightsforum.org) to get a better sense of the school's approach to teaching boys and young men. Also, this is the time of year for open houses etc. and I highly recommend that you check it out just to see whether you think it would be a good fit for your boy.
I will tell you that we have a VERY active younger boy (not yet old enough for The Heights, which only starts in 3rd grade) who is just one of those boys who really has a hard time SITTING STILL for long periods of time. We are planning (and hoping, and praying!) that he'll attend The Heights because they really do seem to give the boys plenty of opportunity to burn off excess energy. For example, I believe the Lower School has 3 recess periods (of varying length). Also, my son tells me that in gym class, they're doing physical conditioning, like learning how to do proper pushup and sit-ups and running sprints and stuff -- I was impressed! But the point being that gym is more than just "throw a ball around" or do a hula hoop game or something -- they are really working!
My son who is currently at The Heights found his love of reading there. For whatever reason, he was one of our kids who was never much interested in reading at home (and we have several other children who are avid readers) despite our attempts to gently push it. Perhaps it was the books they've been reading, or maybe the fact that he had burned off enough excess energy, or maybe it was just a coincidence, but my Heights boy is starting to read for fun on his own, and we love that!
Finally, I will add that in the Upper School, I've been told that given the relatively small size of the school, and the competitive sports league in which the school competes, all of the students are encouraged to tryout for and play multiple sports during the year. So I think that's another healthy way for a boy with lots of energy, or a boy who has difficulty sitting still etc., can help relax and focus on his reading and schoolwork.
Just my off the cuff thoughts. I don't think the school is able to support truly disabled kids with serious ADHD type issues, but if it's a spectrum kind of thing, it might be the ideal place for a boy who just needs a little more active approach to learning. In any case, it can't hurt to check it out. I hope that you find the right place for your boy wherever that may be.
westsidesoccer wrote:Others who sensibly opt for scholarship are not likely to be competitive with most kids who spend a lot more time on academics than on multiple practices, showcases, etc.
Meh. Most often the choice is between a teenager playing vidya games or screwing around on his iphone versus playing soccer; not reading the Iliad or learning advanced math versus playing soccer.
My kid loves soccer and is good at it. I laughed at the silly "Diary of a Soccer Dad" post because it was funny
Plenty of "academic" focused strivers who end up at hoity toity schools studying useless subjects have been my barista at Starbucks over the years. Don't laugh too hard your kid may be one of them.
rabbithole wrote:SoccerCzar wrote:Only one type of cleats...Firm Ground. You don't need anything special for turf. Use your grass cleats on turf fields.
https://youtu.be/Qkmcg7ET8j4
https://youtu.be/fe5J6rBb5uw
Unfortunately, AG boot variants of popular FG models are much harder to find in US than Europe despite the prevalence of turf fields.
Thanks for the video links. I managed to find a pair of hybrid Firm Ground (FG) / Artificial Grass (AG) which apparently go by Multi Ground (MG) ... it was very tough to find any pure AG boots in youth sizes, but the MG seem like a decent hybrid choice.
https://www.nike.com/t/jr-phantom-gt2-academy-mg-little-big-kids-multi-ground-soccer-cleats-R099Bg/DC0812-001
It's time for new soccer shoes for my son and while looking into options I am starting to wonder whether it's time to purchase two pairs: one for natural grass (which he occasionally still plays on) and one for artificial grass / turf. What do most kids use? He's getting older and as he's approaching teenage years I understand that using the correct shoe is more important.
I know that artificial grass / turf seems to vary, from more-realistic artificial grass to that very flat, rubber pellet sort of "turf" that's much less like grass and much flatter. Most of the "turf" shoes I see seem to be designed for that very fake/flat rubber pellet surface. What's good for artificial grass?
Do players use 3 different types of cleats? One for natural grass, one for artificial grass, and one for that fake rubber pellet style "turf"?
I know that artificial grass / turf seems to vary, from more-realistic artificial grass to that very flat, rubber pellet sort of "turf" that's much less like grass and much flatter. Most of the "turf" shoes I see seem to be designed for that very fake/flat rubber pellet surface. What's good for artificial grass?
Do players use 3 different types of cleats? One for natural grass, one for artificial grass, and one for that fake rubber pellet style "turf"?
Interesting to read that Wayne Rooney is still involved with DC United and now part of their DCU Youth program. Hopefully that's a sign of better things to come---DCU's youth involvement has been underwhelming thus far.
https://www.elitetournaments.com/tournament/obgc-capital-cup-0
Good luck to all teams participating in the OBGC Capital Cup Tournament this weekend!
Good luck to all teams participating in the OBGC Capital Cup Tournament this weekend!
This sounds like a terrible miscommunication by all involved at the club.
I think that Coach Cyan should have stepped up and help you make things right either by allowing your son to roster with Team Cyan for the tournament somehow, or perhaps finding another team (such as the one from whom the replacement was drawn, who might be down a player) so that your son could play on; or, frankly, Coach Cyan could have reached out to Coach Purple directly to sort this out.
People throw around the term "unacceptable" all the time, but here it really fits---this is unacceptable. You have a kid who is part of a club, obviously on the bubble between Team Cyan and Team Purple, he's following direction and practicing with whatever team the club tells him to, he's willing to play with whichever team the club assigns him, and then he gets screwed at the last minute and is denied a chance to play for either team (or any team!) over the Labor Day Tournament weekend? That is simply unacceptable.
I would call the director today, I'd be the biggest pain-in-the-butt until he made time to speak with me about this, and explain the situation; the unfairness of it all obvious on its face, I can't imagine he would defend any of it. He should work with Coach Cyan and Coach Purple (and maybe other coaches, if there's any other color team that needs a player this weekend) and do all he can to see if he can help fix this situation. Maybe he can't, due to tournament paperwork and legal mumbo jumbo with waivers etc. (although, presumably you signed the waivers for the tournament already?) but he should try.
And most importantly, the club director should have a talk with Coach Purple and Coach Cyan to sort out your child's position and prevent this from happening again.
(I understand why you wouldn't want to name the club now, but if you end up leaving next year please update this thread with the club name to help other children avoid this same treatment, and to send a message to the club that people will not pay to be treated like this.)
I think that Coach Cyan should have stepped up and help you make things right either by allowing your son to roster with Team Cyan for the tournament somehow, or perhaps finding another team (such as the one from whom the replacement was drawn, who might be down a player) so that your son could play on; or, frankly, Coach Cyan could have reached out to Coach Purple directly to sort this out.
People throw around the term "unacceptable" all the time, but here it really fits---this is unacceptable. You have a kid who is part of a club, obviously on the bubble between Team Cyan and Team Purple, he's following direction and practicing with whatever team the club tells him to, he's willing to play with whichever team the club assigns him, and then he gets screwed at the last minute and is denied a chance to play for either team (or any team!) over the Labor Day Tournament weekend? That is simply unacceptable.
I would call the director today, I'd be the biggest pain-in-the-butt until he made time to speak with me about this, and explain the situation; the unfairness of it all obvious on its face, I can't imagine he would defend any of it. He should work with Coach Cyan and Coach Purple (and maybe other coaches, if there's any other color team that needs a player this weekend) and do all he can to see if he can help fix this situation. Maybe he can't, due to tournament paperwork and legal mumbo jumbo with waivers etc. (although, presumably you signed the waivers for the tournament already?) but he should try.
And most importantly, the club director should have a talk with Coach Purple and Coach Cyan to sort out your child's position and prevent this from happening again.
(I understand why you wouldn't want to name the club now, but if you end up leaving next year please update this thread with the club name to help other children avoid this same treatment, and to send a message to the club that people will not pay to be treated like this.)
Nova2Euro wrote:Cruzado wrote:seacap11 wrote:We live in NW DC. My 13yo son (8th grade so probably plays 14U) has always played soccer and I have been told he is a very talented goalie. He has decided to make baseball his primary sport this year and is committed to a team that plays on Saturdays. He would like to still play soccer in some way even if it isn't at the classic level that he did at MSI.
Does anyone know of any teams that play Sundays? or during the week? Or is he just done with soccer if he can't do Saturdays?
Thanks so much.
I've had several kids of mine play travel soccer, and the games were always on Sunday (very few, if any, regular season games on Saturday).
Sorry, but this is a bad take.
Do a little homework and check the past schedules of the league your son wants to play in. For example, U14 NCSL boys schedule:
http://www.ncsl-soccer.com/_element_display/#%2F80738%2Fschedules%2FSpring2022%2F105323437.html%3Frnd%3D1658504132520
As you see, split between Saturdays and Sundays. There might be some house leagues out there that don't play on Saturday, but it won't be common at all.
My bad. Thus far in my experience, the vast majority of my boys' travel soccer games have been on Sundays.
Although, even looking at the schedule you posted (and I don't know if it's representative of travel soccer schedules generally, across different ages and leagues), only about 75% of the games are on Sunday.
The bottom line seems to be that is someone has a strict NO SATURDAYS or NO SUNDAYS limitation, they aren't going to be able to play travel soccer in the DMV unless they accept that they'll miss some games. But as between the two, it seems that there are still way more games on Sunday than Saturday ... so I would still let my kid play and just let the coach know that you can't make the Saturday games.
akindc wrote:Cruzado wrote:l.
Honestly, given how young your kids are and the fact that soccer is just one sport among many that they enjoy playing, for me at this age I would focus on what practice locations/times will work best with your schedule.
Entirely true, but I imagine they'll have to commit to a team before they know when/where the practices will be.
Obviously, if you live in Potomac, I'd go with Potomac.
Between the other two, it's a toss up. PPA has rapidly grown and improved over the last few years, but they've become more like Bethesda as well, heavily recruiting from outside the program to improve their top teams instead of promoting from within.
I've had kids in both programs, and we've preferred the coaches and other parents in PPA, but it's really a tossup depending on what team you're on. You'll get good training at both.
Not at all - it's easy enough to call the club and ask where the team will be practicing. It might vary slightly year to year, but generally they can tell you WHERE the practices will be, and usually they can tell you WHEN as well.
seacap11 wrote:We live in NW DC. My 13yo son (8th grade so probably plays 14U) has always played soccer and I have been told he is a very talented goalie. He has decided to make baseball his primary sport this year and is committed to a team that plays on Saturdays. He would like to still play soccer in some way even if it isn't at the classic level that he did at MSI.
Does anyone know of any teams that play Sundays? or during the week? Or is he just done with soccer if he can't do Saturdays?
Thanks so much.
I've had several kids of mine play travel soccer, and the games were always on Sunday (very few, if any, regular season games on Saturday).
Bethesda is very well known as one of the best youth soccer clubs in the DMV; their top teams are always very strong.
I know less about PPA and Potomac, but I'm pretty sure one of my boys or another have played both of those teams in soccer and/or futsal over the years. I think they are both good clubs but I'll let others comment as to any material differences between the two of them. Certainly neither are at the level of Bethesda overall in terms of club strength, but the same can be said for most other clubs in the DMV as well.
Honestly, given how young your kids are and the fact that soccer is just one sport among many that they enjoy playing, for me at this age I would focus on what practice locations/times will work best with your schedule.
I know less about PPA and Potomac, but I'm pretty sure one of my boys or another have played both of those teams in soccer and/or futsal over the years. I think they are both good clubs but I'll let others comment as to any material differences between the two of them. Certainly neither are at the level of Bethesda overall in terms of club strength, but the same can be said for most other clubs in the DMV as well.
Honestly, given how young your kids are and the fact that soccer is just one sport among many that they enjoy playing, for me at this age I would focus on what practice locations/times will work best with your schedule.
I would encourage your daughter to play for her HS.
There doesn't seem to be a reason *not* to play for her HS team other than "she used to play on travel w/ some of those girls, and would hate it if she didn't make the varsity team with them." Encourage her to at least tryout for her HS team. If she makes the varsity team - great, problem solved!
If she doesn't make varsity, she can choose between playing JV or a backup option. (But even is she only makes the JV team, what's the life lesson here? She'll have senior year to play on varsity and the point isn't making teams for show, it's being placed on teams that are appropriate for her level.)
FWIW I have a high schooler who plays both for HS and in a house league (Vienna) during the alternate season. The house league isn't up to the same level, but it's good fun and exercise. If your daughter is a JV-level player but doesn't want to play JV for social mean-girl reasons, a house league could be just fine for her.
As others have said, there's also nothing like asking around and seeing if any second or third level travel teams are in need of another player and would be willing to give her a "tryout" at the first couple practices in August. It is a business, after all, and if they have an open spot and she's good enough for the team, I'm sure they could accommodate you as a paying customer.
I hope she finds a team she's happy with - that's really what it's all about for our kids.
There doesn't seem to be a reason *not* to play for her HS team other than "she used to play on travel w/ some of those girls, and would hate it if she didn't make the varsity team with them." Encourage her to at least tryout for her HS team. If she makes the varsity team - great, problem solved!
If she doesn't make varsity, she can choose between playing JV or a backup option. (But even is she only makes the JV team, what's the life lesson here? She'll have senior year to play on varsity and the point isn't making teams for show, it's being placed on teams that are appropriate for her level.)
FWIW I have a high schooler who plays both for HS and in a house league (Vienna) during the alternate season. The house league isn't up to the same level, but it's good fun and exercise. If your daughter is a JV-level player but doesn't want to play JV for social mean-girl reasons, a house league could be just fine for her.
As others have said, there's also nothing like asking around and seeing if any second or third level travel teams are in need of another player and would be willing to give her a "tryout" at the first couple practices in August. It is a business, after all, and if they have an open spot and she's good enough for the team, I'm sure they could accommodate you as a paying customer.
I hope she finds a team she's happy with - that's really what it's all about for our kids.