State cup 10 years ago, now a HS state championship.

Blutarski wrote:Having been through it, I don't think there is anything we did in club soccer that matched winning a state HS championship. And obviously it wasn't the quality of the soccer, it was the quality of the experience of doing it with her friends, for her school. For kids playing ECNL, state championships aren't even in play, but I would put the HS championship above a champions league win in ECNL as well.

Asked my DD this question and ECNL championship was beyond a doubt #1. HS is just something to do between end of ECNL season and ECNL playoffs. Yep, they play with friends, but again, it's about 1 level above playing in the park with friends, but you get refs. Playing in front of 80+ college coaches/scouts at every ECNL showcase/playoff game is much more exciting. Winning vs another highly 'ranked' club, also way more rewarding. Most of our excellent club girls don't play high school because unfortunately their HS is so bad, they'll end up being the runaway star and likely hurt themselves. HS is very "FUN", but competative, not even close. If DII-DI college is your bet, ECNL will provide you with a much better path than just HS.

To the question though: HS over state cup (which is not ECNL). It could be said if you have all your friends on the club team, then state cup would do the trick, but HS is just fun fun fun.

Having been through it, I don't think there is anything we did in club soccer that matched winning a state HS championship. And obviously it wasn't the quality of the soccer, it was the quality of the experience of doing it with her friends, for her school. For kids playing ECNL, state championships aren't even in play, but I would put the HS championship above a champions league win in ECNL as well.

I would rather have DC win a state championship. He's not likely to play in college and it would be the peak of his soccer career.

This is not likely though at a smaller school!

soccerplayer1 wrote:Let her choose for herself! HS is more fun, but if college soccer is super important to her, then club is more important. However, at the HS level, state cups don't really matter for college, so try to get her on an ECNL team if college soccer is her goal. If you can balance both HS and club, then try to do it!

For upper tier players, it would be HS; but only for those going to a HS where they are actually in contention to win a state championship and that is very limited.

If you dc is playing for a HS team that doesnt have the chance; stick with your club schedule and avoid the extra workload!

I vote for whichever my child prefers

Size5Balls wrote:

Ihatedumbsoccerparents wrote: club soccer is just for training and college recruiting to me.

That is like saying Wayne Rooney trained in the Prem for Man U, just for the real payoff of playing in MLS for DC United.

I do like your point of view but disagree with your analogy. For girls soccer a D1 scholarship would be the best benefit from training with Man U. Your analogy would only be correct if college was not better than both club and high school soccer which it is...so training for college is the same payoff as playing for Man U...the way I look at things 😉

I do agree that bonds and memories can be made on a club team, but it seems the more competitive the club team gets the less of a team feel there is.. maybe it’s just her club, but her high school team seems way more prideful and joyful of the team whereas club soccer kinda seems like my kids job 😳...I know that sounds bad, I promise she loves her club team more it just has a different vibe

Ihatedumbsoccerparents wrote: club soccer is just for training and college recruiting to me.

That is like saying Wayne Rooney trained in the Prem for Man U, just for the real payoff of playing in MLS for DC United.

Ihatedumbsoccerparents wrote:I want my DD to win a high school state championship for the memories, club soccer is just for training and college recruiting to me..there is a different feel watching my DD play for her high school than it is when I watch a club game....albeit club games are always more skilled...but something about having fans and hearing kids cheer for each other....I vote high school soccer - MD

Great question and while I think your premise discounts the memories that can be made at the club level, I don't think there's a "right" answer here. 50/50 for me.

I want my DD to win a high school state championship for the memories, club soccer is just for training and college recruiting to me..there is a different feel watching my DD play for her high school than it is when I watch a club game....albeit club games are always more skilled...but something about having fans and hearing kids cheer for each other....I vote high school soccer - MD