Anonymous wrote:

SDSoccerDad 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.

This is helpful thanks! What's with the bigger rosters? Is McLean the only club that does that? And when you say McLean is that the same thing as Virginia Union for the girls in ECNL right?

Yes, Union and McLean are the same.

As far as bigger rosters go I don’t know, it’s just what is always brought up. My guess is if people are that unhappy they’ll leave.

The rosters are likely nothing more than dual roster situations with the top B team players.

SDSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

SDSoccerDad 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.

This is helpful thanks! What's with the bigger rosters? Is McLean the only club that does that? And when you say McLean is that the same thing as Virginia Union for the girls in ECNL right?

Yes, Union and McLean are the same.

As far as bigger rosters go I don’t know, it’s just what is always brought up. My guess is if people are that unhappy they’ll leave.

The rosters are likely nothing more than dual roster situations with the top B team players.

Thank you! Any opionons on Bethesda? The discussions here seem very NOVAcentric, why? What am I missing about MD?

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.

Anonymous wrote:Where are you going to live? You have named clubs al over the place

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you going to live? You have named clubs al over the place

OP, traffic is a lot worse in DC than South Dakota, you might need to go with the closest club.

SDSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you going to live? You have named clubs al over the place

OP, traffic is a lot worse in DC than South Dakota, you might need to go with the closest club.

SD is San Diego, CA hahaa so traffic is a little different but equally bad. I'm willing to drive an hour so Loudoun and B'More are out

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.

SDSoccerDad wrote:

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

Anonymous wrote:

SDSoccerDad wrote:

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.

The bsc 2010 is probably the top team in the area even though they have lost several players the past few years. But their coaches are not for everyone. FCV 2010s I thought were good. Check out the games and see how much they travel. The va ecnl teams travel more than the Md teams. Why all the discussion about NOVA? Because most people on here live there. There are less md teams and parents on here.

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

Arlington just lost their TD so i would focus on Bethesda an McLean to start.

Anonymous wrote:

SDSoccerDad wrote:

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.

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.


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

Arlington just lost their TD so i would focus on Bethesda an McLean to start.

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.