Anonymous
04/07/2025 05:45
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
Anonymous wrote:I just saw Bethesda released their coaching slate for the U13 boys and above next year. They’ll be playing MLSNext, MLS next 2, and NAL for their third tier. No EDP. Lower ages still play EDP.
What will it be like at Potomac- ECNL, ECNL RL, and EDP for the third tier?
I know people like to pretend like NAL is some huge step up, but after observing teams playing in it, and especially addition of teams, like Achilles and others, IMHO your U 15 and younger second or third tier player will be just as well served in NAL as in a top-tier of EDP. Is ECNL RL a step up? Which is better? Why are they watering it down like this?
I, too, am curious about this
Anonymous
04/03/2025 10:46
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
I just saw Bethesda released their coaching slate for the U13 boys and above next year. They’ll be playing MLSNext, MLS next 2, and NAL for their third tier. No EDP. Lower ages still play EDP.
What will it be like at Potomac- ECNL, ECNL RL, and EDP for the third tier?
I know people like to pretend like NAL is some huge step up, but after observing teams playing in it, and especially addition of teams, like Achilles and others, IMHO your U 15 and younger second or third tier player will be just as well served in NAL as in a top-tier of EDP. Is ECNL RL a step up? Which is better? Why are they watering it down like this?
What will it be like at Potomac- ECNL, ECNL RL, and EDP for the third tier?
I know people like to pretend like NAL is some huge step up, but after observing teams playing in it, and especially addition of teams, like Achilles and others, IMHO your U 15 and younger second or third tier player will be just as well served in NAL as in a top-tier of EDP. Is ECNL RL a step up? Which is better? Why are they watering it down like this?
Anonymous
04/02/2025 14:27
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
Anonymous wrote:We really like Potomac, but had been frustrated by so few kids moving up from the 2nd teams to the 1st.
Most of the kids getting added to the roster come from outside the program, not the RL teams, even at age groups where the RL team is excellent and the NL team is bad.
If you want to play for Potomac ECNL, I woldn't accept a spot on RL, and hope you'll move up.
Sounds like you're talking about the 2009s. Heard that there were a lot of unhappy RL parents over the lack of movment before this season.
Anonymous
04/01/2025 16:00
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
We really like Potomac, but had been frustrated by so few kids moving up from the 2nd teams to the 1st.
Most of the kids getting added to the roster come from outside the program, not the RL teams, even at age groups where the RL team is excellent and the NL team is bad.
If you want to play for Potomac ECNL, I woldn't accept a spot on RL, and hope you'll move up.
Most of the kids getting added to the roster come from outside the program, not the RL teams, even at age groups where the RL team is excellent and the NL team is bad.
If you want to play for Potomac ECNL, I woldn't accept a spot on RL, and hope you'll move up.
Anonymous
04/01/2025 12:27
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
How does their ecnl presence stack up against Bethesda and other local
Clubs? Do clubs that have MLS next place a precedence for it over ecnl?
We really like what we see at Potomac!! Good results, good growth, great coaching.
Clubs? Do clubs that have MLS next place a precedence for it over ecnl?
We really like what we see at Potomac!! Good results, good growth, great coaching.
Anonymous
03/31/2025 17:30
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
Anonymous wrote:Avoid this club if you Boy is under 6 foot. Hard pressed to make top team at upper high school.
Serious ballers - often with European pedigree - stuck on lower teams.
It's how everything is trending in this country. Almost like we've learned nothing from the last 30 years of ineptitude on the world stage.
Anonymous
03/30/2025 06:20
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
Anonymous wrote:Avoid this club if you Boy is under 6 foot. Hard pressed to make top team at upper high school.
Serious ballers - often with European pedigree - stuck on lower teams.
This is simply not true—— you only have to watch them play to see that most of the U19 team is under 6 ft. Not sure where you are getting your info?
Anonymous
03/29/2025 09:05
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
Avoid this club if you Boy is under 6 foot. Hard pressed to make top team at upper high school.
Serious ballers - often with European pedigree - stuck on lower teams.
Serious ballers - often with European pedigree - stuck on lower teams.
Anonymous
03/28/2025 07:41
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
In response to OP we have seen lots of players moving up within our age group and others over time. Potomac seem to mix developing their own players for moves and recruiting players in try-outs. The club technical director actually sent a very positive message out about this last week and they seem committed to getting balance of developing players and recruiting some to help improve. This year seems much more prepared and supportive at Potomac from where we are.
Anonymous
03/28/2025 07:34
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
DS is not on a top team, but my husband and I have been very happy with how things are going. I understand that others will have different expectations and experiences, but we have seen the things that matter to us. Progress, opportunities, good coaching, good leadership and a very happy DS 
Anonymous
03/28/2025 07:20
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
Anonymous wrote:We have been impressed with Potomac. DS was welcomed and settled well. Coaching is very good, quality seems high, people around the club are nice and there has been lots of good communication from the club. Definitely a great move for us so far.
Lol, great if you are on the top team. If you are on a revenue team, write your check and shut up
Anonymous
03/28/2025 06:46
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
We have had a great experience with one of the older Potomac ECNL teams. Coach is engaged and really cares about the players as athletes and as young men. Their roster is huge, but that seems to be part of for the course at the older high school ages, where kids miss for a myriad of reasons like college visits, SATs, etc. I’d definitely recommend it, even for the VA boys that want to also play high school soccer for a private in the Fall.
Fields have apparently been an issue this year, but an email was sent to out to families to address it, so the club seems to address and acknowledge concerns.
Fields have apparently been an issue this year, but an email was sent to out to families to address it, so the club seems to address and acknowledge concerns.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 22:27
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
We have been impressed with Potomac. DS was welcomed and settled well. Coaching is very good, quality seems high, people around the club are nice and there has been lots of good communication from the club. Definitely a great move for us so far.
Anonymous
03/27/2025 17:39
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
Dm me for details…..
No seriously its a bit of both like most ecnl clubs. If DS shows up and plants a flag there will be no concerns about who is incoming.
Especially with this shifting landscape….
No seriously its a bit of both like most ecnl clubs. If DS shows up and plants a flag there will be no concerns about who is incoming.
Especially with this shifting landscape….
Anonymous
03/27/2025 15:27
Subject: Potomac ECNL boys
I know Potomac is relatively new to ECNL. It also doesn't seem to get talked about much on this forum. For anyone who has experience, how has it been so far? Coaching, quality of play, organization of the club? Does it tend to move kids up from within or recruit from outside? Thank you.