Side question - if you got an offer from DCSC did it come through play metrics? Or a separate email?

OP. All great comments here and appreciate the thoughtful advice. So hard as a parent sometimes to know how to support them.

Anonymous wrote:PPA has not had tryouts yet and has not extended any offers to returning players, so are you confident that your DD will get an offer? PPA is consolidating teams at that age group. I would be worried for a kid who is already mostly on the bench on Orange or Yellow.

This is a good point — last year with the 2012s moving to U13, PPA collapsed to two teams. However, I think most (all?) of the orange team players got offers for blue and I’m sure with offers, PPA was maxing out roster sizes. Many of the blue and I’m guessing some of the green players did not return, so rosters probably ended up closer to the usual 18 rather than 20+. Caveat that 2012 is a weaker year than 2013 and there were only three teams to begin with (I think 2013 has at least four?).

OP - one of the PPs and some really sound advice here in the last posts. stay put or move but supplement. there are better options for your DC's situation.

PPA has not had tryouts yet and has not extended any offers to returning players, so are you confident that your DD will get an offer? PPA is consolidating teams at that age group. I would be worried for a kid who is already mostly on the bench on Orange or Yellow.

Does DD like the coach? Have you or she talked to them about her development? Does she like her current team? Is DCSC otherwise a good fit for her, do you know/like the potential coach, and does the proximity work for you? Some of the other clubs might be worth exploring, although not sure they will necessarily be better options competitively or developmentally than your PPA or DCSC options. More generally, if she is a 12U playing 9v9 this year, moving to 11v11 and larger pitches may provide more playing opportunities.

Anonymous wrote:If she isn’t feeling good on PPA, go in search of a fresh start. That being said she likely wont progress or develop much on a DCSC team. Maybe try some other clubs in MD (MSI, Potomac, McLean) or VA (Alexandria or Arlington) if you are OK with looking outside of DC.

MSI's tryouts start Monday, so she hasn't missed anything. You'll save a ton of $$, have consistent practices on turf fields, and her coaches will focus on her development.

Yeah, my kid plays for MSI

What made her decide/agree to try out at DCSC in the first place? If it was your decision and you pushed it, then just let her stay at PPA. But if there’s something else she’s looking for, maybe it’s time to make the jump.

Agree with extra training whether you go with PPA or DCSC. They are pretty equivalent in terms of growth and development from what I’ve seen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she isn’t feeling good on PPA, go in search of a fresh start. That being said she likely wont progress or develop much on a DCSC team. Maybe try some other clubs in MD (MSI, Potomac, McLean) or VA (Alexandria or Arlington) if you are OK with looking outside of DC.

Sorry to hear OP. If she wants to stay on PPA that is ok because that is what she wants. PP is right to look at MSI or Potomac which are ok. Second team at U13 in a bad club like DCSC is not going to helpe her at all. Might as well stay with existing club friends at that point.

I agree w this. Let her do what she wants but then ask her if she wants to do extra training etc to improve - or if she’s happy to just be with her friends as is.

Anonymous wrote:If she isn’t feeling good on PPA, go in search of a fresh start. That being said she likely wont progress or develop much on a DCSC team. Maybe try some other clubs in MD (MSI, Potomac, McLean) or VA (Alexandria or Arlington) if you are OK with looking outside of DC.

Sorry to hear OP. If she wants to stay on PPA that is ok because that is what she wants. PP is right to look at MSI or Potomac which are ok. Second team at U13 in a bad club like DCSC is not going to helpe her at all. Might as well stay with existing club friends at that point.

If she rides the bench, that probably tells you all you need to know about her prospects at PPA. Why would next year be different?

If she isn’t feeling good on PPA, go in search of a fresh start. That being said she likely wont progress or develop much on a DCSC team. Maybe try some other clubs in MD (MSI, Potomac, McLean) or VA (Alexandria or Arlington) if you are OK with looking outside of DC.

You need advice from total strangers to make this decision for your daughter? Maybe do her what SHE wants to do.

U13 girls - daughter riding the bench on PPA travel this past season. Offered red team from DC Soccer Club. She’s good technically and likes soccer, but “shrinks” during games due to confidence and size. Hasn’t hit her growth spurt yet like many of the girls. She also plays rec but is best kid on her rec team but regularly scores and loves playing with her friends there. She still wants to play travel soccer. She would prefer to stay with PPA but I fear she’ll ride the bench even more next year and she needs a fresh start at a new club. So would you choose DCSC Red or PPA Orange?