In addition to MSI (rec or classic) I recommend checking out Juventus DC Metro. They have good coaching (professional) and teams that either play in the MSI classic league or travel. The travel teams are pretty low-key for travel. Our experience was that they understand the need for balance with family, school and sports. It’s really very supportive. We ended up leaving because our son wanted a more intense environment but if you want to try travel, it’s a nice place to start. And again, they have the classic option if travel isn’t what you’re looking for.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find a local rec team and avoid competitive soccer as long as you can.

this
My kid is 11 and still does rec. she loves it.

And really, at the end of the day, isn't that all that matters? Lots of people get caught up in this club vs that team vs this coach, etc. but if your kid is happy, none of that other stuff matters. Chasing something "better" doesn't always work out the way you hope it will.

Anonymous wrote:Find a local rec team and avoid competitive soccer as long as you can.

this
My kid is 11 and still does rec. she loves it.

Highly recommend MSI rec or classic!

Thank you for taking time to answer my question. This was very informative.

I wouldn’t jump straight to travel soccer if she’s never played soccer before (plus she’s only 10 — even for an existing player, I’d hesitate to make the jump to travel at that age). Athletic is great, but there is some need to understand the game. If you want a step above rec but not quite travel, MSI has a program they call “Classic” — think of it as rec plus. It’s an in house league, so all games will be in Montgomery County, practice is usually 2x week, and teams can be volunteer run or run by a club like Brit Am, Juventus, or MD Fusion. Level of play will vary, but on a whole should be a step above rec. She will have to try out for a team — teams looking for players are listed on the MSI website and teams can roster new players through halfway into the season so there is still time to join a team for spring.

Anonymous wrote:Ask your neighbors what club their kids play for, and get out of this platform which is so toxic that you'll never believe that there is a great soccer community out there where parents like the coach and the club and the kids have fun. Reading this is a few miserable people who literally spend their lives complaining about clubs, coaches, and teams day after day. Sign your daughter up at the closest club to you, make some new friends, and enjoy the games!

And here is one contributing to what he’s railing against, classic DCUM. Just don’t respond next time. Asking neighbors is good advice I’ll second that and now hit send before disparaging someone or something. You can do it too. Try.

Travel soccer is a family commitment, if you guys are an all-in type of family and are looking for a full-time experience 3 practices a week with games an hour away on the weekends, with winter training options, then travel soccer is for you guys. Travel soccer tryouts are in April and May at most clubs. At a bigger club, like Bethesda, your daughter would likely be offered a spot on their bottom team (for newer players). Then you would likely start practicing in August for the fall season. $2200 for the year, plus $200 for uniforms roughly. Otherwise, try Rec for the spring and fall. 1-2 practices per week, mostly local games. Free or low cost uniform. But ask her what she wants, then ask her to ask if she wants to join one of her friend's teams at school? -Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Find a local rec team and avoid competitive soccer as long as you can.

Does it have to be competitive? What is the difference?

The kid is sporty, runs very fast. She has played tennis for 4 years but doesn't really like it. She is very social and would like to be on a team.

MSI rec spring registration is still open

https://msisoccer.org/announcements/2024-spring-recreation-league-registration-is-now-open/

They try to form rec teams around neighborhoods, but it is dependent on there being slots open on the existing teams. I also know of one family that was able to attend a couple of different team practices and selected the coach/team they liked the most — I assume they arranged that through MSI.

Ask your neighbors what club their kids play for, and get out of this platform which is so toxic that you'll never believe that there is a great soccer community out there where parents like the coach and the club and the kids have fun. Reading this is a few miserable people who literally spend their lives complaining about clubs, coaches, and teams day after day. Sign your daughter up at the closest club to you, make some new friends, and enjoy the games!

Find a local rec team and avoid competitive soccer as long as you can.

Get out while you can. Just read the other threads for what your life will look like for the next 8 years.

10 yo girl is interested in soccer. We just moved to Rockville (North Bethesda). Where do we go from here?