It will be challenging to make the top team at McLean if you’ve already missed the first tryout and the coach doesn’t know you. But there are 3 teams, so it’s possible she’ll make a lower team. McLean tends to be pretty loyal compared to other clubs imo.

I have heard the 09 ECNL coach has somewhat a conflict of interest, bringing in players that pay him privately for Futsal and private training. Those are the girls who likely will get first look for roster spots unless your DD is a star. Just be weary. A lot of other clubs in NOVA to look at. Where McLean is ahead of others is what they do for your child in the long run. Loudoun 09s will begin to fail as they get older because they are not developed for a possession game. Arlington is a wild card. FCV is similar to McLean but the 09 is struggling and the younger ages seem to be following. I would not recommend going over the bridge to Bethesda either. I am hearing they are having major management and coaching problems, causing the players to leave.

Find the coach your DD likes most at a stable club and go there.

How are the their 08s? How's the coaching and overall team dynamic (parents included)?

Not PP, but typically early 11v11 teams roster 18 players, particularly for ECNL. At U18, 20+ rosters are the norm. Smaller rosters like you were quoted may be relative to younger age groups playing 7v7 or 9v9.

realdmv wrote:

SoccerMom1 wrote:My daughter is new to trying out for the McLean 2009 teams. Has anyone heard how competitive McLean is this year and if there will be spots for non-returning players? I did not go to the first night of tryouts, and hard to get information from my DD on how many girls, etc. She is coming from another area club and is on top team but not ECNL.

You can look at their ECNL record. They are on par with the other area NOVA teams except for Loudoun. Trying to break into that crowd may be tough; however, they do usually carry 18+ girls. In high school it may be more like 25. So if you're not in the top 12-13, playing time may be a lacking.

When you say they carry 18+ girls, is that per team? I was told each team was 10-12 roster spots and 3-4 teams per age group.

SoccerMom1 wrote:My daughter is new to trying out for the McLean 2009 teams. Has anyone heard how competitive McLean is this year and if there will be spots for non-returning players? I did not go to the first night of tryouts, and hard to get information from my DD on how many girls, etc. She is coming from another area club and is on top team but not ECNL.

You can look at their ECNL record. They are on par with the other area NOVA teams except for Loudoun. Trying to break into that crowd may be tough; however, they do usually carry 18+ girls. In high school it may be more like 25. So if you're not in the top 12-13, playing time may be a lacking.

My daughter is new to trying out for the McLean 2009 teams. Has anyone heard how competitive McLean is this year and if there will be spots for non-returning players? I did not go to the first night of tryouts, and hard to get information from my DD on how many girls, etc. She is coming from another area club and is on top team but not ECNL.