Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still taking any recommendations on a higher level EDP team League 3 and above. Again Annapolis area.

EDP is slowly dying. I would look at the EDP website for teams that play in South Atlantic Division 1. Look at where they travel and their record. Go watch a game if you can. Also, go to the team's website and see if you can join a practice. If you can put together a highlight reel, that may be helpful for other clubs to know that he's at a different level than where the team plays. If not, make sure you point that out.

Yeah I think it's best for us to pursue ECNL at Maryland United. If It doesn't get ECNL demo figure out plan B. SAC send like house next choice.

Anonymous wrote:Still taking any recommendations on a higher level EDP team League 3 and above. Again Annapolis area.

EDP is slowly dying. I would look at the EDP website for teams that play in South Atlantic Division 1. Look at where they travel and their record. Go watch a game if you can. Also, go to the team's website and see if you can join a practice. If you can put together a highlight reel, that may be helpful for other clubs to know that he's at a different level than where the team plays. If not, make sure you point that out.

Still taking any recommendations on a higher level EDP team League 3 and above. Again Annapolis area.

Anonymous wrote:Great advice and I agree, speed of play starts changing about this age and it’s pretty rapid. Even on a poor ECNL team a player is having to make decisions so much faster than a top EDP team. And that’s where it can be hard but not impossible to get in the system later.
And yes take in to account your son and family’s interest and tolerance. Travel and cost is real it has to be a family commitment.

Soccer is his only interest. I appreciate your response it's very helpful. Certainly factoring in the entire family as a decision in this. He really feels the exposure he'll get is the main reason for joining. He has a couple buddies on the 2010 team. One of them plays up. Their record isn't great They haven't won a game but based on the number of kids in some of the talent I saw it's going to be a different squad next year. I'm still wrapping my brain around the financial in time commitment but I think I can make it work.

I was just wondering if EDP and a trainer would be better than ECNL but it sounds like you ECNL is a way to go

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live?

Edgewater, Annapolis area.

Anonymous wrote:If this is 2012 MDU ecnl team, they are 0-16-1 this season. -75 goal difference. Driving to Philly and NJ to get beat 8-0 might not be fun.

Yes I'm aware of their record. When will you joined our club now they were in the same situation and my son has elevated them but not to the point where they advance. He is also aware of their record. They did just tie a game last week lol. I will certainly address their plane record with the coaching team but from the number of kids at tryouts I think it'll be a totally different squad.

Great advice and I agree, speed of play starts changing about this age and it’s pretty rapid. Even on a poor ECNL team a player is having to make decisions so much faster than a top EDP team. And that’s where it can be hard but not impossible to get in the system later.
And yes take in to account your son and family’s interest and tolerance. Travel and cost is real it has to be a family commitment.

Listen- if soccer is going to be your son’s sport get him on an ECNL team earlier than later. It opens many doors in terms of exposure and then other clubs (other better ECNL or MLS Next) will look at him in the future more seriously because he is coming from an ECNL team vs EDP. There are more practices and you generally need a A level coaching license to coach at that level so your son is being taught the right technique. College is other really viable for soccer from these top leagues where you get exposure. Either way the competition will be much stronger in ECNL vs EDP. You will be playing the likes of pipeline which should only make your son better. The later you start the harder it is to make a team in ECNL and MLS. Once you hit about u-15 it’s rather difficult as teams are set and you have to be so much better than others to displace the current team. But if your son has many interests and soccer is a passing phase it’s probably not worth it- cost or time wise.
I would consider it a stepping stone/one year trial. If he gets really into it you can find a club closer to home ECNL or MLS and if he’s not into it then at least you gave it a shot.

I am not familiar with boys ECNL although i heard MLSNext is the top for boys. But I in general, don’t go with the league name. If you end up moving to a crappy team in ECNL, it is not going to help much except that it may look slightly better on your son if he tries to make a move to a better team in the future.

If this is 2012 MDU ecnl team, they are 0-16-1 this season. -75 goal difference. Driving to Philly and NJ to get beat 8-0 might not be fun.

Where do you live?

Son tried out tonight for Maryland United - U14. My son stood out and the coaches moved him to the higher level field within 5 minutes. At the end of the session they were asking his name and number. We tried out on a whim but I'm nervous he's going to make the team. Nervous because of All the unknowns financial travel commitment time commitment. We currently play for EDP team in a crappy division with a bunch kids who should still be rec. It's been a season and a half and we have not advanced. we're in League 6 competition not great either. My son is frustrated his level of play is much higher. We've also been working outside with a trainer for ball mastery and technical development.

My question is is it really worth everything that MDU is going to suck out of us to join ECNL if he's offered? I don't really want to make the commitment to MDU for anything less than ECNL. Alternatively could he find a really good EDP program with great coaching and I can continue to work with his personal trainer? Does that club exist in Anne Arundel or PG area. Baltimore is a little far for me. Considering SAC as a backup.

Sorry for the long post tryouts season is wearing me out already. Lol.