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dcu13 wrote:Mdmom22 wrote:Here are more clubs...
Thanks for much for compiling this list. Really helpful. I knew of some of these clubs but not all.
I'm actually fine with a larger club, there just aren't any immediately near us. I think a larger club would offer more stability. If just a few coaches leave a smaller club it has a major (potentially fatal) impact.
We may take a look at MD United for 2024-25 if my son continues to show interest/dedication. It's a big commitment and he has a little sister who has decided she wants to get into horseback riding ($$$$$).
Anyway, thanks again!
Why would you go all the way to MD United? Achilles, Bethesda, Potomac and DC Soccer are all closer and you can probably find something better than driving 50 minutes one way for practice.
Anonymous wrote:With everyone away traveling every weekend, there scant time for communities to bond.
simurgh wrote:BunchlineDC wrote:Absolutely depends on the coach. BSC has a tried and true method, but being on their lowest levels will mean the bottom of a stiff pecking order.
PPA is less established but the experience will vary depending on the coach. They have a general policy of starting all new-to-the-club players on their lower teams, but the upside is that they are on the lookout for standouts as they year progresses- so the top coaches are actually paying some attention to the lower level teams. But it can also suck if you get a weak coach.
I have no SAC experience.
Also- go with what is convenient!
Thank you very much for the information! It’s very helpful!
I would also look at Potomac Soccer.
BunchlineDC wrote:realdmv wrote:MomInNWDC wrote:Has anyone here had experience with Achilles, Bethesda or PPA Premier? We are looking at these 3 for our late elementary aged son who is very passionate about soccer and wants to take it to the next level. We have heard good things about other clubs but we are in NW DC and need to look at the places that are closest to us.
I am curious generally about peoples’ recent experiences with these clubs. Do they pretty much accept every kid but then the placement can vary? Or do they flat our deny kids?
More specific questions I have in case anyone with recent experience may be to help - where are each clubs’ practices held generally? Games? We are U10 if this matters.
Our child is really driving us on this and all of the info. out there is a little overwhelming - so any specific info. or advice is much appreciated.
find a coach that you like and go with that. Also, consider Potomac Soccer. They just got ECNL.
Both boys and girls? Their girls teams aren't particularly strong. At least not the years I have seen.
boys only.
MomInNWDC wrote:Has anyone here had experience with Achilles, Bethesda or PPA Premier? We are looking at these 3 for our late elementary aged son who is very passionate about soccer and wants to take it to the next level. We have heard good things about other clubs but we are in NW DC and need to look at the places that are closest to us.
I am curious generally about peoples’ recent experiences with these clubs. Do they pretty much accept every kid but then the placement can vary? Or do they flat our deny kids?
More specific questions I have in case anyone with recent experience may be to help - where are each clubs’ practices held generally? Games? We are U10 if this matters.
Our child is really driving us on this and all of the info. out there is a little overwhelming - so any specific info. or advice is much appreciated.
find a coach that you like and go with that. Also, consider Potomac Soccer. They just got ECNL.
OrangeSlicez wrote:Which leads to the broader question USYS v US Club Soccer. What is the difference? The point of having two youth soccer associations sanctioned by USSF? I tried looking but couldn’t find anything helpful.
These are the insurance companies for the leagues/clubs. There's also USSSA, or something that is for GA. So if a team plays EDP, they use USYS, but some teams also play ECRL which uses US Club soccer. So they are carded twice with to different companies. Tournaments don't really care which insurance you use, but you can't have some kids on USYS and some on USCS.
bdad wrote:VPSL State Cup vs VYSA State Cup... can someone explain the difference?
only in virginia. one is for ecrl teams or us club soccer and one is for edp teams or usys
petunia123 wrote:What age? 09 girls have received initial offers, but I don't know anyone who has received a "decline" yet.
Will the 09 team have a lot of new players?
Somewhere_in_Maryland wrote:Do you have experience with these clubs for U10 boys? Any opinions on coaches, facilities, teams? Or do you recommend other clubs in the Baltimore area?
It really depends on the level of your kid. If your kid is one of the top players, i would go to pipeline if you can make the first team. SAC seems to keep the same coaches year after year. So if you like the coach you'll be fine, if not then you'll end up looking again. Coppermine may develop your kid more than the other clubs. They don't play in the greatest league, but again if you kid is not a top player, they should be fine with any of the clubs. I would find a coach you like and a team that plays the way you want your kid to play. The coach and kids on the team will have a bigger impact than the club.
There's also Celtic, which is in a good league, just not the best teams (they used to be before Pipeline came along).
Top-Bins wrote:ibcd wrote:DC wants to play both travel soccer and a high school sport (cross country and track and field) at the same time. Do kids do this normally? Is this even feasible from a time commitment perspective from the standpoint of overlapping practices or games plus time required for rigorous academics, social life, etc?
Is there a way to play travel soccer for one semester and a high school sport for another semester between spring and fall? Or do most travel clubs not permit this?
Cross country, indoor track and outdoor track all have meets on the weekends. How would you juggle travel soccer with that ?
If they are talking about doing it in the winter, there may be a chance to do indoor track.
NosyParker wrote:realdmv wrote:NosyParker wrote:Tryout seems to have started for various clubs. Since I am in Maryland, I'll start a listing for clubs that are holding tryouts. Please free to add to the list. For the ones I have looked at, it seems only Bethesda Soccer is charging for tryouts.
Club Name Date(s) Location Tryout fee Website
Maryland Rush Various May dates depending on age group Annapolis, MD $0 https://www.marylandrush.com/maryland-rush-tryouts
Potomac Soccer Association Various May dates depending on age group Silver Spring, MD $0 https://potomacsoccer.org/travel-soccer/boys/
The Lions Soccer Various May dates depending on age group Rockville, MD $0 https://www.thelionssoccer.com/tryouts
Xeneizes MD Soccer Academy /
Liverpool International Academy May 4 and May 11 Rockville, MD $0 http://www.lfcinternationalacademymd.com/tryoutsdcmetro
Bethesda Soccer Club Various April &May dates depending on age group Bethesda, MD,
Rockville, MD $25 https://www.bethesdasoccer.org/tryouts/
Big news coming for one of those clubs.
Why don't you share the news now with us here?
https://www.ecnlboys.com/2023/04/ecnl-boys-announces-addition-of-potomac-soccer-association-to-ecnl-for-2023-24-season/
NosyParker wrote:Tryout seems to have started for various clubs. Since I am in Maryland, I'll start a listing for clubs that are holding tryouts. Please free to add to the list. For the ones I have looked at, it seems only Bethesda Soccer is charging for tryouts.
Club Name Date(s) Location Tryout fee Website
Maryland Rush Various May dates depending on age group Annapolis, MD $0 https://www.marylandrush.com/maryland-rush-tryouts
Potomac Soccer Association Various May dates depending on age group Silver Spring, MD $0 https://potomacsoccer.org/travel-soccer/boys/
The Lions Soccer Various May dates depending on age group Rockville, MD $0 https://www.thelionssoccer.com/tryouts
Xeneizes MD Soccer Academy /
Liverpool International Academy May 4 and May 11 Rockville, MD $0 http://www.lfcinternationalacademymd.com/tryoutsdcmetro
Bethesda Soccer Club Various April &May dates depending on age group Bethesda, MD,
Rockville, MD $25 https://www.bethesdasoccer.org/tryouts/
Big news coming for one of those clubs.
Transplant_1 wrote:What is the club getting out of it? My guess is one upside is keeping parents less aware of nearby good clubs / teams / coaches, so then less likely to jump ship?
One of my children in elementary school travels about an hour to games in far flung parts of MD and VA, despite plenty of nearby teams (Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda) that would provide decent competition. My main guess is to keep parents less aware of those nearby teams (but of course parents talk, so they are somewhat aware). And since the teams they are more aware of through games are extremely far away, they would never join.
Generally most people would agree and this was the case when we grew up in the DMV. There was the boys league - NCSL and the girls league - WAGS. Everyone played in those leagues. Since then i'd say Virginia clubs have created new leagues that exclude adjacent clubs, Club Champions League, and ECNL (headquarters are in Richmond). So if you want to blame anyone it's the Virginia clubs who started this mess. At least from my perspective.
I don't think anyone will benefit other than maybe you're kid will get scouted more than a kid in EDP.
TedLasso wrote:MLS Next isn't going to be replaced. This 'new' league has already been somewhat in practice already with a lot of NE boys teams. Essentially this league will house 2nd teams for clubs that exist in MLS Next.
It's ECRL for MLS next. Closed system that won't help anyone and is just a money maker. In case you're not aware, they tried this in EDP with club v club and it failed.
novalegendary16 wrote:Curious if anyone has any insight on being an ECNL trap player. What is the most effective way to handle being a trap player for development?
I have 2 trap players - 1 this year and 1 next year. This year their club did not use them at all. I worry this will happen to my other player. I wish I would have known that they wouldn't get much training or opportunities this spring. I would have handled it differently. I would appreciate any info or options or how to handle trap players who are not being used by their club.
Can we play in another league in the spring? Train with other teams?
Would love to know what others have done!
I can't figure out where you live. However, I often wonder what Maryland players who play club in Virginia do. This may be something that those parents can answer.