Anonymous
Post 01/12/2025 14:44     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Agree that lower level of any larger club.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 15:18     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We are in a similar situation. My daughter’s other sport competitions don't begin until December. So we prioritize soccer in the fall when there are conflicts. The rest of the year we prioritize her other sport. No advice, but sympathy knowing not everyone wants their kids to specialize at a young age and rec is not a good alternative.


Coach here.

Out of curiosity why is rec not a good alternative?

There are a ton of great recreational programs out there that may better fit your schedule and needs. When it comes to travel you run the risk of your daughter not receiving a high amount of playing time and then many of the negative outcomes of youth soccer that come with it (kid hates the sport, costs of the sport versus the returns etc.)

I guess what I am saying is if you want to do travel is set expectations with both your coach and your player early. Don’t leave anyone blindsided because that is not fair to anyone

I never said I wasn't transparent. She was moved to a lower team even with the mention that she plays another sport. Actions like that to an 8 year old before any conflicts were even established makes me no longer want to be transparent up front. Where we live rec is terrible. I had her play up age groups and it didn't matter. Playing up she was the leading scorer on her team from midfield. Her team had several girls who did not want to be there. Parents thought it would help their kids get exercise they wouldn't run or even try. Her team had a special needs girl on there. Everyone regardless of effort had to play 50% of the game. Show up to 0 practices play 50 % of the game half way through the season they still didn't know the rules (off-sides etc). Stand there crying on the field because you don't want to be there play 50% of the game. Trust me if there were good rec options that would keep her improving so when she is older she can choose which sport she actually prefers I would do that. If showing up to 2 practices a week and every game isn't commitment enough I'm sorry.


Well said!

The copious travel programs in the area all gut the rec programs to the point playing rec is very entry level. My kid went back and played rec in 4th grade (to play with her classmate) and single handily won the championship for her team, to the tune of 6 goals per game. We still watch some rec games, it’s not exactly soccer at that level.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 12:17     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Another vote for an MSI Classic team
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 10:52     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We are in a similar situation. My daughter’s other sport competitions don't begin until December. So we prioritize soccer in the fall when there are conflicts. The rest of the year we prioritize her other sport. No advice, but sympathy knowing not everyone wants their kids to specialize at a young age and rec is not a good alternative.


Coach here.

Out of curiosity why is rec not a good alternative?

There are a ton of great recreational programs out there that may better fit your schedule and needs. When it comes to travel you run the risk of your daughter not receiving a high amount of playing time and then many of the negative outcomes of youth soccer that come with it (kid hates the sport, costs of the sport versus the returns etc.)

I guess what I am saying is if you want to do travel is set expectations with both your coach and your player early. Don’t leave anyone blindsided because that is not fair to anyone

I never said I wasn't transparent. She was moved to a lower team even with the mention that she plays another sport. Actions like that to an 8 year old before any conflicts were even established makes me no longer want to be transparent up front. Where we live rec is terrible. I had her play up age groups and it didn't matter. Playing up she was the leading scorer on her team from midfield. Her team had several girls who did not want to be there. Parents thought it would help their kids get exercise they wouldn't run or even try. Her team had a special needs girl on there. Everyone regardless of effort had to play 50% of the game. Show up to 0 practices play 50 % of the game half way through the season they still didn't know the rules (off-sides etc). Stand there crying on the field because you don't want to be there play 50% of the game. Trust me if there were good rec options that would keep her improving so when she is older she can choose which sport she actually prefers I would do that. If showing up to 2 practices a week and every game isn't commitment enough I'm sorry.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 10:25     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Anonymous wrote:We are in a similar situation. My daughter’s other sport competitions don't begin until December. So we prioritize soccer in the fall when there are conflicts. The rest of the year we prioritize her other sport. No advice, but sympathy knowing not everyone wants their kids to specialize at a young age and rec is not a good alternative.


Coach here.

Out of curiosity why is rec not a good alternative?

There are a ton of great recreational programs out there that may better fit your schedule and needs. When it comes to travel you run the risk of your daughter not receiving a high amount of playing time and then many of the negative outcomes of youth soccer that come with it (kid hates the sport, costs of the sport versus the returns etc.)

I guess what I am saying is if you want to do travel is set expectations with both your coach and your player early. Don’t leave anyone blindsided because that is not fair to anyone
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2025 10:18     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
PPA
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 22:35     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Try an MSI classic team. When DS wanted to play a 2nd travel sport at the start of MS, his soccer club said no. He was willing to move to the 3rd team but the TD still said no. At the time, he couldn’t find a travel team at all. We compromised with an MSI classic team. The coach was happy to have DS and ok that he missed half the practices and a few games. However, I do think there was some resentment from team families that he wasn’t commited which I really did understand.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 22:09     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
You get flexibility in any travel team lower team. My DS is on a second/third team of a fairly large club in VA and misses a third of the games and a third of the practices. We cleared it with the coach that we have other priorities.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 21:40     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
MSI Classic might be a good option, though the level of competition will be variable. But you know you won’t have to travel further than MontCo for a game and teams are likely to be more forgiving regarding missed practices and games.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 12:32     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Maybe MSI? Something you can do season by season. And cosign, if your kid is over 11 or 12, don't do this to the team if it is a "real" travel team.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 12:29     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DC has been on a travel team for a couple of years. Unfortunately, she will need to spend more time on her primary sport next year. Are there any teams or programs in the MD/DC area that are suited for kids who play soccer as a secondary sport? We are looking for a team or program that practices 1-2 times per week, has 1-2 games each week, and doesn’t have a strict attendance requirement. She has done recreational soccer before but didn’t enjoy the level of competition. Thanks!


You sound like the ideal parent of any soccer club. Why not stay at the same club and have her moved to a lower team?

If DCUM is correct, the lower teams are there to fund the club and there is no expectations.

If your DC wants to be on a top team, attendance is strict or they don't play.


As you get older, that's basically any team lower than the first team. Seriously, by mid-late HS. It's frustrating. Just RSVP and nobody will be angry--that way they can fill spots in time with players w/in the club. It's the 'no response', no shows that are a PIA---particularly when you are going to travel or try to register for a tournament.

Be upfront right away. My kid plays on a second team of a big club in HS for a similar reason and we are sure to rsvp right away to everything---practices, future tournaments, games, etc.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 12:14     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
We are in a similar situation. My daughters other sport competitions don't begin until December. So we prioritize soccer in the fall when there are conflicts. The rest of the year we prioritize her other sport. No advice, but sympathy knowing not everyone wants their kids to specialize at a young age and rec is not a good alternative.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 10:57     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Anonymous wrote:DC has been on a travel team for a couple of years. Unfortunately, she will need to spend more time on her primary sport next year. Are there any teams or programs in the MD/DC area that are suited for kids who play soccer as a secondary sport? We are looking for a team or program that practices 1-2 times per week, has 1-2 games each week, and doesn’t have a strict attendance requirement. She has done recreational soccer before but didn’t enjoy the level of competition. Thanks!


You sound like the ideal parent of any soccer club. Why not stay at the same club and have her moved to a lower team?

If DCUM is correct, the lower teams are there to fund the club and there is no expectations.

If your DC wants to be on a top team, attendance is strict or they don't play.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 10:42     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
Maybe a cheaper travel program with bigger rosters wouldn’t be as sensitive about missed games and practices?
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2025 10:04     Subject: Travel Team for Kids Who Play Soccer as a Secondary Sport
DC has been on a travel team for a couple of years. Unfortunately, she will need to spend more time on her primary sport next year. Are there any teams or programs in the MD/DC area that are suited for kids who play soccer as a secondary sport? We are looking for a team or program that practices 1-2 times per week, has 1-2 games each week, and doesn’t have a strict attendance requirement. She has done recreational soccer before but didn’t enjoy the level of competition. Thanks!