Depends how talented your child is. If they have high potential and a have high desire to achieve a lot, and you have the desire to support their dreams, then staying close to your house is not the right answer. You go where the best opportunities are and 8 is the right time to start.

If they are average and just want to play for fun...congrats! You get to save a lot of time and money.

Anonymous wrote:I am new to the soccer team world and not finding metrics to understand (1) whether 8 is too young for travel given intensity of schedule (my kid is very motivated to do it tho…) and (2) which teams are best for training without breaking kids’ passion/spirit. PPA? DC Way? DCXI? Help!

When we lived in DC we were with DC Way and had a great experience. Most practices are held on or around Capitol Hill, though.

Anonymous wrote:I am new to the soccer team world and not finding metrics to understand (1) whether 8 is too young for travel given intensity of schedule (my kid is very motivated to do it tho…) and (2) which teams are best for training without breaking kids’ passion/spirit. PPA? DC Way? DCXI? Help!

8 is perfect to start, but to be honest 7 year olds are going to tryouts this year to play u9 next fall to get a leg up. At U9, it is a lot. But I always told my players and parents if your kid doesn't want to go to a practice, its totally ok to skip a few practices at U9 to keep the kids fresh. Also, you will find that the clubs primarily do a lot of "team training" vs "individual training" at U9 even. So, if you want your kid to develop some better ball mastery skills, ball control, moves and intensity, ect...start taking them to weekly clinics. Look for ball-mastery ect. This clinics will develop lots of moves on the ball, which will help your kid tremendously in travel soccer. -Good Luck!

DCSC is starting travel for U8 next season
Compete new pathway that focuses on development and local communities

I’d strongly advise against DC Way. Had a terrible experience with them.

Anonymous wrote:I am new to the soccer team world and not finding metrics to understand (1) whether 8 is too young for travel given intensity of schedule (my kid is very motivated to do it tho…) and (2) which teams are best for training without breaking kids’ passion/spirit. PPA? DC Way? DCXI? Help!

1) DC XI - NW/NE (Central)
2) PPA - NW - Palisades
3) DCFYC - NW/NE (Central)
4) WCU - Capitol Hill/NE
5) DCSC - NW
6) DC Way - NE


Listed in order of what your experience will be at 8 years old in turning of learning to love the game, being accepting at the level they are playing and being given opportunities to develop further it they are serious.

My suggestion would be to reach out to the clubs, attend practices/tryouts and see what the best fit feels like.

My child plays for one these clubs and we plays pickup with kids from everyone of these clubs at various times during the year. You really can't go wrong either way. Your child is either going to accept growing into the competition or not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whatever is closest to your house

Absolutely correct.

If your kid loves to play, find a way to get more touches in, look for a futsal program etc. The club will teach them how to play soccer but all the skills development will really be on your kid. First touch, passing and receiving, shooting - these are all things they can by themselves or with a wall or with you.

My daughter is HS now, ECNL. Agree with the above if I could go back in time to do it all over again. When they're little, the expensive big clubs offer nothing in addition to the closest place to play with friends. Work on individual skills, which don't require an expensive travel team. If your child is still really into soccer come middle school years, they'll be a better individual player, having practiced on wall, etc vs the many hours spent traveling and being at team practices.

PPA is great when they're young. Need to move on around 4th or 5th grade if you see the spark in your kid.

Anonymous wrote:Whatever is closest to your house

+100 with many local games. No traveling to Richmond!

\NW DC look at: PPA/DCSC/DCYFC

Anonymous wrote:Whatever is closest to your house

Absolutely correct.

If your kid loves to play, find a way to get more touches in, look for a futsal program etc. The club will teach them how to play soccer but all the skills development will really be on your kid. First touch, passing and receiving, shooting - these are all things they can by themselves or with a wall or with you.

Whatever is closest to your house

I am new to the soccer team world and not finding metrics to understand (1) whether 8 is too young for travel given intensity of schedule (my kid is very motivated to do it tho…) and (2) which teams are best for training without breaking kids’ passion/spirit. PPA? DC Way? DCXI? Help!