Anonymous
04/19/2024 00:33
Subject: Re:Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
OP here -- Thanks all for your feedback! MLSNext was not on my radar at all, so I appreciate the inputs there. I'm still learning about the leagues in the area; it's all very confusing! 
Anonymous
04/15/2024 15:16
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
Isn’t Arlington the top boys club in NoVa for ECNL? I thought Alexandria and Springfield were MLSN.
Anonymous
04/15/2024 14:50
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
Official tryouts for Arlington in those age groups start in May. Both those age groups practice on Friday nights at long bridge at the same time. If you are able to come for a weekend I would suggest contacting the age group director or red team coach ahead of formal tryouts and try to attend a practice. Both age groups you mentioned are starting to have full time goalies now.
Anonymous
04/15/2024 13:47
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
Whatever you do, do not go to VALOR if you want your kid to succeed.
I would recommend SYC and Arlington if you can make the drive.
Contact teams now and try and get on a super Y team.
I would recommend SYC and Arlington if you can make the drive.
Contact teams now and try and get on a super Y team.
Anonymous
04/15/2024 13:00
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
Or travel to Bethesda
Anonymous
04/15/2024 12:49
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
You specifically mentioned ECNL so my two-cents is that you should reach out to Arlington and let them know your son is interested in playing for them after you relocate to NoVA. They may be willing to give your son an informal tryout by joining some practices early in the fall season. Also, Arlington participates in the summer Super Y league (or whatever it's called these days) so that's another option for getting introduced to the club and letting the club take a look at him and decide where to place him for the fall season.
If you're not tied to ECNL, Alexandria is a strong club at that age group and participates in MLS Next. I don't think they have summer-league Super Y teams but they often run camps and training during the summer and you could have him join there for a "look-see."
If you're not tied to ECNL, Alexandria is a strong club at that age group and participates in MLS Next. I don't think they have summer-league Super Y teams but they often run camps and training during the summer and you could have him join there for a "look-see."
Anonymous
04/15/2024 06:01
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
Suggest contacting the coaches of teams you are interested in now. Syc and Alexandria have the MLS Next program, Arlington and Mclean have ECNL. Tryout periods have already started, but every team has room for an exceptional player.
Anonymous
04/15/2024 01:44
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
Top clubs for these ages in VA are syc and alexandria. Try and tryout at at least 4 clubs. If tryouts are not going on, tell them you are from out and ask to come to a practice or 2 instead.
Anonymous
04/14/2024 18:25
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
Anonymous wrote:Hi all,
My family will most likely be relocating to NoVA sometime in July or August. We won’t formally have a job offer in hand until just after the tryout window, but we’re considering making a trip out for tryouts if necessary. We’re looking for ECNL/pre-ECNL options or a local equivalent. We’re planning to have our 2013/2014 boys guest play with their current club for summer practices and tournaments before we move.
Questions:
1. What are summer practice and travel tournament schedules like in the region? We’re coming from a “good summer weather” metropolitan area and there are several summer tournaments and guest playing options. If we don’t move until August, will my boys miss key tournaments? I can’t imagine kids playing outdoors in the NoVA heat and humidity but I don’t want to assume that to be the case.
2. Based on our job locations and home search areas, Arlington and McLean are potential clubs. Any feedback on these clubs for this age range? Any feedback on other surrounding clubs? We’re looking for a competitive team with as much of a positive environment as possible. Our closest friends in our current hometown are soccer friends, so I’d love to find a club where we can forge new relationships.
3. At what age do local clubs use full time keepers? I’ve got one kid who is among the best keepers in our area but his field play is not A team caliber so he’s on a B team where he can continue to get close to 50% field play to work on ball skills.
4. Which clubs are specifically regarded for goalkeeper training?
Thank you!
You have already missed tryouts in this region for ECNL Virginia clubs- but your kids are U-11/12 so that is not ECNL (which starts U-13). Travel tryouts are happening now. You should have your local club reach out. Preseason starts mid August for U12 and younger and you would be expected to be at that preseason (usually 2nd week in August--90 mins a day--some clubs have more intenstive offsites at this time). Tournments in August are typically scheduled mid-late august in conjunction with preseason starting. The two clubs you would likely look at are Arlingon and FVU--both have ECNL when you kids get older. Could also look at VDA or NVA--but those would be much much further out from where you are and a bit of a pain to get to. Goal keepers are full time starting by U-12 on the top teams and certainly by the time you hit ECNL at U-13. Your goalie will not play any field time in ECNL games. If he is a top goalie, he will make the top team as a goalie...but usually there are two goalies so he may only play half the time. He can practice his field game at practices, but he will be on the team only for his goalie position.
As for social relationships, that's an unrealistic priority by the time you hit ECNL. Yes, for younger years, but ECNL is hyper competitive and whether or not you like the other parents really doesn't matter. It's a nice to have and a plus--but not the reason to join a club.
Anonymous
04/14/2024 17:51
Subject: Job Relocation — Boys U11/12 Travel Soccer Questions
Hi all,
My family will most likely be relocating to NoVA sometime in July or August. We won’t formally have a job offer in hand until just after the tryout window, but we’re considering making a trip out for tryouts if necessary. We’re looking for ECNL/pre-ECNL options or a local equivalent. We’re planning to have our 2013/2014 boys guest play with their current club for summer practices and tournaments before we move.
Questions:
1. What are summer practice and travel tournament schedules like in the region? We’re coming from a “good summer weather” metropolitan area and there are several summer tournaments and guest playing options. If we don’t move until August, will my boys miss key tournaments? I can’t imagine kids playing outdoors in the NoVA heat and humidity but I don’t want to assume that to be the case.
2. Based on our job locations and home search areas, Arlington and McLean are potential clubs. Any feedback on these clubs for this age range? Any feedback on other surrounding clubs? We’re looking for a competitive team with as much of a positive environment as possible. Our closest friends in our current hometown are soccer friends, so I’d love to find a club where we can forge new relationships.
3. At what age do local clubs use full time keepers? I’ve got one kid who is among the best keepers in our area but his field play is not A team caliber so he’s on a B team where he can continue to get close to 50% field play to work on ball skills.
4. Which clubs are specifically regarded for goalkeeper training?
Thank you!
My family will most likely be relocating to NoVA sometime in July or August. We won’t formally have a job offer in hand until just after the tryout window, but we’re considering making a trip out for tryouts if necessary. We’re looking for ECNL/pre-ECNL options or a local equivalent. We’re planning to have our 2013/2014 boys guest play with their current club for summer practices and tournaments before we move.
Questions:
1. What are summer practice and travel tournament schedules like in the region? We’re coming from a “good summer weather” metropolitan area and there are several summer tournaments and guest playing options. If we don’t move until August, will my boys miss key tournaments? I can’t imagine kids playing outdoors in the NoVA heat and humidity but I don’t want to assume that to be the case.
2. Based on our job locations and home search areas, Arlington and McLean are potential clubs. Any feedback on these clubs for this age range? Any feedback on other surrounding clubs? We’re looking for a competitive team with as much of a positive environment as possible. Our closest friends in our current hometown are soccer friends, so I’d love to find a club where we can forge new relationships.
3. At what age do local clubs use full time keepers? I’ve got one kid who is among the best keepers in our area but his field play is not A team caliber so he’s on a B team where he can continue to get close to 50% field play to work on ball skills.
4. Which clubs are specifically regarded for goalkeeper training?
Thank you!