My son has been offered a bunch starting at U11.
Goes like this -
Your zone was one of the few selected to go to Brazil, Netherlands, I’m, etc for 10 days to showcase American talent, train with top coaches, and possibly earn a spot on their team/training sessions, etc.
- the fee is 4000-7000 and there is always a parental component if the parents want to go too.
- half is fun, half is practice
- one kid gets selected to do something “special”
- parents get to brag and maybe get a vaca out of it.
- kids are no better than when they left

We signed up for Brazil. It got scrapped due to covid. Otherwise, we have declined every other offer. I am not convinced that they are great travel or training experiences.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elite Talent Academy in Fairfax has connections in Portugal and has placed players there recently I believe.

What do you mean by “placed”?

Evaluation here locally and if good enough, sent over for a trial. If they do good enough/are good enough at trial, they get an offer from the club(s) over there. HOW good they are determines what squad they earn an offer for.


Participants have been from clubs other than Elite Talent.

Our kids did the MIC and Dondesti tournaments in Spain with Barca.

Barça has amazing opportunities and they are priced very cheaply at cost. Love it!!!!

Anonymous wrote:Elite Talent Academy in Fairfax has connections in Portugal and has placed players there recently I believe.

What do you mean by “placed”?

Accelerator school is planning some trips. You can contact the school and see if your child can try out for a spot. They train with an Academy in Spain.

I know of few kids playing in an Italian tournament and all the parents are looking at it as a fun opportunity and a vacation. They got the opportunity from a summer camp selection.

If you are interested in futsal, NPC sends a few kids to Belgium that are selected by the head coach for the program. If not interest in futsal, disregard.

Elite Talent Academy in Fairfax has connections in Portugal and has placed players there recently I believe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you looking for? There are lots of opportunities to play in Europe, Central, South America. There are teams that come together to play in tournaments. There are groups and individuals that go train with clubs.

Looking for both, but of the "you were selected to try out for this" instead of "anyone with $5k can apply for this"

the second part limits the pool. You may have to try out, but don't be surprised if everyone halfway decent makes it

MYS is taking some kids to England next year. Forming teams for those who can afford it - it's half vacation half playing. Cool opportunity. 10 days.

Anonymous wrote:What are you looking for? There are lots of opportunities to play in Europe, Central, South America. There are teams that come together to play in tournaments. There are groups and individuals that go train with clubs.

Looking for both, but of the "you were selected to try out for this" instead of "anyone with $5k can apply for this"

What are you looking for? There are lots of opportunities to play in Europe, Central, South America. There are teams that come together to play in tournaments. There are groups and individuals that go train with clubs.

Anonymous wrote:I have recently heard of a few kids mentioning playing internationally in Spain, Netherlands, etc. What authentic opportunities are available for kids to play? Are they going for summer training? Winter training? I'm referring to programs where kids are selected out of many.

I am not referring to the somewhat scams that people mention on here where they can pay alot of money to be "scouted" but actually almost anyone can go. I'm referring to true opportunities for the higher caliber player. Programs that are respected.

Does this exist? The kids that I saw were about U13.

Yes. ODP takes kids to various European countries. If you check the ODP page, you'll see past years trips complete with pictures from traveling players/coaches. The COVID year my DD was tapped to go play in Portugal, but naturally this was scrapped. They take the best that want to go (they ask who's interested before picking teams) and highlight American talent abroad.

I have recently heard of a few kids mentioning playing internationally in Spain, Netherlands, etc. What authentic opportunities are available for kids to play? Are they going for summer training? Winter training? I'm referring to programs where kids are selected out of many.

I am not referring to the somewhat scams that people mention on here where they can pay alot of money to be "scouted" but actually almost anyone can go. I'm referring to true opportunities for the higher caliber player. Programs that are respected.

Does this exist? The kids that I saw were about U13.