Anonymous
10/29/2024 15:50
Subject: Where to try out next spring
We've been happy with OBGC!
Anonymous
10/22/2024 11:05
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Check out OBGC. They have travel.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 10:00
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Anonymous wrote:No more travel teams at OBGC? They were so good and built those beautiful fields …
You are a loser.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 09:10
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Anonymous wrote:I never post anything on this website, but this is right in my wheelhouse!
The most important thing is to know clearly why you want to make the move. You said wanting to "move up to a higher level." Is that because your kid is clearly better than the other guys on his team? He's not getting challenged enough? Or is it because the relatively low level and crazy play in most of MSI Classic isn't his thing? Or is the appeal of being able to say he is "playing travel" for a "big club" part of the factor?
Once you know that, you need to keep in mind that you are looking for a new *team* specifically not a new club. The team he would make in any club will have a huge difference in his experience at this age level. For example look at Juventus. Their top U11 team plays in the top division of EDP. They play nice soccer (but their parents were the subject of another discussion here that you might want to check out). But their lower U12 team are struggling in SAM Select division 2. And they have a U11 team in the middle of MSI Classic, so you might have played them this season. So your kid's experience of playing there is going to depend on which team he makes within any club, more than the name of the club itself. And realistically, it's very unlikely that he makes the first team anywhere, at least until rosters expand for 11v11 at U13.
In terms of quality of play at that age, the top division of EDP is very good. People will gripe about clubs for various reasons, but the top U11 teams in EDP 1 (and the teams playing up a year) are legitimately high level. Once you get into EDP divisions 3 and below, that's mostly about the same as MSI Classic or SAM Select. Top teams in SAM Select are better than MSI Classic teams in general, but there are good teams and coaches everywhere.
Also, keep in mind that MSI Classic is a school-year league, while EDP and SAM are calendar-year. (SAM has a lot of cheating though! lol...) So if your guy is born in late 2013, he is an old MSI Classic U11 player, but is now a young U12 travel player.
I'd recommend going to a few tournaments this fall and watching teams. You can scout a lot of teams in a short amount of time that way and get a sense for what your kids' actual experience is like.
+100
Anonymous
10/22/2024 09:02
Subject: Where to try out next spring
DCXI also has a very good 2014 team. If you are near Silver Spring, they might also be worthy to check out.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 08:43
Subject: Where to try out next spring
No more travel teams at OBGC? They were so good and built those beautiful fields …
Anonymous
10/22/2024 08:12
Subject: Where to try out next spring
I never post anything on this website, but this is right in my wheelhouse!
The most important thing is to know clearly why you want to make the move. You said wanting to "move up to a higher level." Is that because your kid is clearly better than the other guys on his team? He's not getting challenged enough? Or is it because the relatively low level and crazy play in most of MSI Classic isn't his thing? Or is the appeal of being able to say he is "playing travel" for a "big club" part of the factor?
Once you know that, you need to keep in mind that you are looking for a new *team* specifically not a new club. The team he would make in any club will have a huge difference in his experience at this age level. For example look at Juventus. Their top U11 team plays in the top division of EDP. They play nice soccer (but their parents were the subject of another discussion here that you might want to check out). But their lower U12 team are struggling in SAM Select division 2. And they have a U11 team in the middle of MSI Classic, so you might have played them this season. So your kid's experience of playing there is going to depend on which team he makes within any club, more than the name of the club itself. And realistically, it's very unlikely that he makes the first team anywhere, at least until rosters expand for 11v11 at U13.
In terms of quality of play at that age, the top division of EDP is very good. People will gripe about clubs for various reasons, but the top U11 teams in EDP 1 (and the teams playing up a year) are legitimately high level. Once you get into EDP divisions 3 and below, that's mostly about the same as MSI Classic or SAM Select. Top teams in SAM Select are better than MSI Classic teams in general, but there are good teams and coaches everywhere.
Also, keep in mind that MSI Classic is a school-year league, while EDP and SAM are calendar-year. (SAM has a lot of cheating though! lol...) So if your guy is born in late 2013, he is an old MSI Classic U11 player, but is now a young U12 travel player.
I'd recommend going to a few tournaments this fall and watching teams. You can scout a lot of teams in a short amount of time that way and get a sense for what your kids' actual experience is like.
The most important thing is to know clearly why you want to make the move. You said wanting to "move up to a higher level." Is that because your kid is clearly better than the other guys on his team? He's not getting challenged enough? Or is it because the relatively low level and crazy play in most of MSI Classic isn't his thing? Or is the appeal of being able to say he is "playing travel" for a "big club" part of the factor?
Once you know that, you need to keep in mind that you are looking for a new *team* specifically not a new club. The team he would make in any club will have a huge difference in his experience at this age level. For example look at Juventus. Their top U11 team plays in the top division of EDP. They play nice soccer (but their parents were the subject of another discussion here that you might want to check out). But their lower U12 team are struggling in SAM Select division 2. And they have a U11 team in the middle of MSI Classic, so you might have played them this season. So your kid's experience of playing there is going to depend on which team he makes within any club, more than the name of the club itself. And realistically, it's very unlikely that he makes the first team anywhere, at least until rosters expand for 11v11 at U13.
In terms of quality of play at that age, the top division of EDP is very good. People will gripe about clubs for various reasons, but the top U11 teams in EDP 1 (and the teams playing up a year) are legitimately high level. Once you get into EDP divisions 3 and below, that's mostly about the same as MSI Classic or SAM Select. Top teams in SAM Select are better than MSI Classic teams in general, but there are good teams and coaches everywhere.
Also, keep in mind that MSI Classic is a school-year league, while EDP and SAM are calendar-year. (SAM has a lot of cheating though! lol...) So if your guy is born in late 2013, he is an old MSI Classic U11 player, but is now a young U12 travel player.
I'd recommend going to a few tournaments this fall and watching teams. You can scout a lot of teams in a short amount of time that way and get a sense for what your kids' actual experience is like.
Anonymous
10/21/2024 21:09
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Anonymous wrote:If you look at the MSI Classic and SAM Select tryout pages:
https://msisoccer.org/classic-league-bu11-tryout-notices/
https://mdsoccerplex.org/sam-soccer/leagues/select-league-combine-tryouts/
Often times these clubs also have travel teams. Where they have their B team play in Classic and the A team play travel.
In addition to the clubs mentioned previously you might be able to check out:
https://www.juventusdcmetro.com/
https://www.lfcinternationalacademymd.com/dcmetrotryoutsboys
https://www.thelionssoccer.com/home
https://topranksoccer.com/
https://www.worldclasspremier.net/
I'm not necessarily recommending any of them but am just listing some you may be able to check out. We know some families that have tried out the first three programs listed above and have seen the last two teams around in other leagues.
The PP covered a lot of the lesser known small clubs that are a good option when transitioning from classic if you want to avoid a big club mentality. Always ask to join a practice before tryouts. That’s key to getting a feel for coaching style and team dynamics. The downside is that in most age groups the small clubs won’t have the depth of talent of a bigger club if your player is super strong. Finally, if you live in northern MoCo and want a big club alternative to Bethesda and Potomac, you might consider FC Frederick. It’s never spoken of here but they have a great program. Some of the practice fields can be far north Frederick so I’d only consider it if you are near the county line and have a very dedicated player and make the top team. Someone will surely come along and mention that most of these clubs aren’t ECNL. You don’t need to worry about that yet.
Anonymous
10/21/2024 17:37
Subject: Re:Where to try out next spring
This is OP.
Thank you!! All gave me ideas for where to start.
Thank you!! All gave me ideas for where to start.
Anonymous
10/21/2024 15:36
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Soccerplex is hosting the Bethesda tournament for u11 boys 2nd weekend in Nov. There should be a large number of teams there over that weekend with multiple skill levels. Spending a few hours there on Saturday would probably give you a good idea on what level and what teams you should be interested in.
Anonymous
10/21/2024 12:00
Subject: Where to try out next spring
If you look at the MSI Classic and SAM Select tryout pages:
https://msisoccer.org/classic-league-bu11-tryout-notices/
https://mdsoccerplex.org/sam-soccer/leagues/select-league-combine-tryouts/
Often times these clubs also have travel teams. Where they have their B team play in Classic and the A team play travel.
In addition to the clubs mentioned previously you might be able to check out:
https://www.juventusdcmetro.com/
https://www.lfcinternationalacademymd.com/dcmetrotryoutsboys
https://www.thelionssoccer.com/home
https://topranksoccer.com/
https://www.worldclasspremier.net/
I'm not necessarily recommending any of them but am just listing some you may be able to check out. We know some families that have tried out the first three programs listed above and have seen the last two teams around in other leagues.
https://msisoccer.org/classic-league-bu11-tryout-notices/
https://mdsoccerplex.org/sam-soccer/leagues/select-league-combine-tryouts/
Often times these clubs also have travel teams. Where they have their B team play in Classic and the A team play travel.
In addition to the clubs mentioned previously you might be able to check out:
https://www.juventusdcmetro.com/
https://www.lfcinternationalacademymd.com/dcmetrotryoutsboys
https://www.thelionssoccer.com/home
https://topranksoccer.com/
https://www.worldclasspremier.net/
I'm not necessarily recommending any of them but am just listing some you may be able to check out. We know some families that have tried out the first three programs listed above and have seen the last two teams around in other leagues.
Anonymous
10/21/2024 11:55
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Anonymous wrote:Currently DS is playing at MSI classic U11. Next spring, if he wants to move up to a higher level, where he should look for? What I see here is Bethesda or Potomac soccer, but anywhere in Montgomery County would work.
Go to the soccerplex and watch games. See how the kids play and think about how your kid would fit into a team. League information should be online. the most important thing is playing time.
Anonymous
10/21/2024 10:25
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Depends on what he wants in terms of intensity (and how much driving you like.) I'd try out for:
Achilles
PPA
Potomac
Bethesda
Maybe DCSC depending on how close to DC you are
MSI also has travel teams
When you get closer to the dates, come back and read on this forum all the stuff to look for when you try out.
Achilles
PPA
Potomac
Bethesda
Maybe DCSC depending on how close to DC you are
MSI also has travel teams
When you get closer to the dates, come back and read on this forum all the stuff to look for when you try out.
Anonymous
10/20/2024 19:48
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Achilles!
Anonymous
10/20/2024 12:05
Subject: Where to try out next spring
Currently DS is playing at MSI classic U11. Next spring, if he wants to move up to a higher level, where he should look for? What I see here is Bethesda or Potomac soccer, but anywhere in Montgomery County would work.