Anonymous wrote:None are worrying about Potomac vs. Bethesda.

Great summary, right to the point! Thank you.

The answer to the original question is that Potomac had no pathway for highest level player and coach (or “parent agent”) to play in a perceived top competitive league. usys pathway and state cup fell apart as credible competition years ago. they mismanaged boys academy early, under resourced girls side and did not get “in” early on either ECNL and MLSNext branding.

For decade+ the best players left at u11 and above when other teams expand to 9v9 and 11v11, post Potomac many of 08-12’s go to Bethesda and armour. Some crossed the river to McLean or drive way out to Maryland united. Similarly coaches rotated and moved due to pay and club politics.

For the boys 2013 is the first year before u11 that parents knew there was a path to ecnl and rl. For the girls 2014 was the first year if you count GA aspire that was a very late and a 4th tier option.

2014 girls and boys are the top teams in the club now and are making an attempt to compete again, will be interesting if the girls can get results to move up quickly to girls academy to keep the team together and fill out a full 18 roster keeping top players and coaches. Same on the boys side, will ECNL’s boys league survive the mlsnext badge expansion and talent dilution.

All that said, the coach, playing time, and team vibes matter more. Almost all of the kids in moco are done playing after club and high school. If your kid is having fun and getting better each season be happy.

Maybe 10-20 kids in the entire county will play (not just attend) at a higher level given the growing international influence at all levels of college and 5 years of eligibility ruling. Those kids are both naturally talented, insanely disciplined, and with trainers 1v1. The boys are heading to Philly or moving to out of state mls academies, girls are getting usynt looks, none are worrying about Potomac vs. Bethesda.

The answer to the original question is that Potomac had no pathway for highest level player and coach (or “parent agent”) to play in a perceived top competitive league. usys pathway and state cup fell apart as credible competition years ago. they mismanaged boys academy early, under resourced girls side and did not get “in” early on either ECNL and MLSNext branding.

For decade+ the best players left at u11 and above when other teams expand to 9v9 and 11v11, post Potomac many of 08-12’s go to Bethesda and armour. Some crossed the river to McLean or drive way out to Maryland united. Similarly coaches rotated and moved due to pay and club politics.

For the boys 2013 is the first year before u11 that parents knew there was a path to ecnl and rl. For the girls 2014 was the first year if you count GA aspire that was a very late and a 4th tier option.

2014 girls and boys are the top teams in the club now and are making an attempt to compete again, will be interesting if the girls can get results to move up quickly to girls academy to keep the team together and fill out a full 18 roster keeping top players and coaches. Same on the boys side, will ECNL’s boys league survive the mlsnext badge expansion and talent dilution.

All that said, the coach, playing time, and team vibes matter more. Almost all of the kids in moco are done playing after club and high school. If your kid is having fun and getting better each season be happy.

Maybe 10-20 kids in the entire county will play (not just attend) at a higher level given the growing international influence at all levels of college and 5 years of eligibility ruling. Those kids are both naturally talented, insanely disciplined, and with trainers 1v1. The boys are heading to Philly or moving to out of state mls academies, girls are getting usynt looks, none are worrying about Potomac vs. Bethesda.

Look at their 2013G team. That team is struggling this year. Last year that team won their Division, and a few tournaments. The girls playing on Potomacs current 2013G / GA Aspire team are not the same that were there last year. Where did those 2013G from last year all go ?

I have a 2014 kid at Potomac. What I have noticed is that its a game of musical chairs between kids in Bethesda and Potomac. Disgruntled kids that complain about playing minutes or the team they were placed will cross into the other team. We had around 3 players go to Bethesda from our top team and we received 3 of them. Go figure...

Anonymous wrote:When I hear the word "exposure" in any age group below u15, sales pitch alarm bells start going off as the purpose of clubs below u15 is to develop and provide a challenging and healthy environment...not provide 'exposure' as no college programs are looking for u10,u11,u12,u13 or u14 players. If "top clubs in the travel scene" recruit top players from other clubs over several years to make up their top team by u15...who did these top clubs develop at u10,u11,u12,u13,u14? What does that say about these top clubs' ability to develop below u15? I dont think it takes much to put a group of already developed players together from other clubs on to one team and say 'go play'. Now that leagues have been watered down with tier 2 in every "elite league" im holding less weight on a league and more on the clubs ability to develop a player over years.

Totally. Development under u15 is less about the league or club and more about time spent on the ball, technical development as an individual, love of the game, good environment and a long term growth mindset. Parents often ruin the child's environment and love of the game with aspirations for their child and the desire to tell others what club or league their child plays in. Having a group of these parents on a top name brand club creates a culture that makes under u15 soccer feel like a job for a Ulittle. A team of talented players can help develop a player but often the top clubs treat players as replaceable pieces for the brand/badge, detrimental to long term development. In my opinion if your child has been developing where they are, don't make a change unless that development stagnates. Hopefully the club advocates for their top players, plays them up for increased speed and physicality if the player needs a challenge. If your good enough by u15 you will have your pick of places to play.