Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, we moved here in November. Didnt realize it was that obvious, haha. I had assumed we had plenty of time to figure things out, but seems like tryouts start so much earlier here.

Thanks for the info on different clubs, seems like I have a lot more research to do!

Welcome to the DMV! I have current U12 that will be in MLS Next year. Here is my suggestion:

1) Go through the IG of the clubs and find the coaching assignments from last year. They used to be announced Feb - April in prior years.

2) Email the current coach for U12 and ask to join in a practice for the squad. Tell him you just moved into the area and are learning about the new clubs. If you have not already, generate a 3-5 minute highlight video of your kid to get them a reason to pay attention to you.

3) Everybody will be different but based on my location and what I want from a club at this stage in development, this would be my list for VA Clubs:

a) Arlington (ECNL)
b) VDA (ECNL)
c) NVA (MLS Next)
d) Alexandria (MLS Next)
e) SYC (MLS Next)

This is not indicative of what I think about the leagues. My kid is with a MLS Next I club in MD and this is my list based on my experiences with the coaches and my research on what different clubs value in their development process. I am focused on a technical foundation and soccer IQ so my list is based on that. If prefer a physical, direct style, reverse the list and go from there. Either choice is fine.

If you are interested in ECNL-RL or MLS Next II, you will have to state that and have someone give you the breakdown of that. There are so many RL and MLS Next II clubs it is too difficult to keep up. There are ballers on each of those teams as well but I am simply just not that familiar with them. Good luck and I hope you land in the best spot for your son.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, we moved here in November. Didnt realize it was that obvious, haha. I had assumed we had plenty of time to figure things out, but seems like tryouts start so much earlier here.

Thanks for the info on different clubs, seems like I have a lot more research to do!

Since you are new, know that there are very strong ECNL clubs for U13 boys in the DMV. I'm told that's not the case elsewhere so perhaps don't limit your research to MLS Next alone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New one being added pending application result.

VDA?

My fault. I was the first one to say VDA when it's NVA. It's very confusing. Homegrown is first tier aka academy is second tier, yes?

Is it a situation where you can move up and down tiers?

OP here. Yes, we moved here in November. Didnt realize it was that obvious, haha. I had assumed we had plenty of time to figure things out, but seems like tryouts start so much earlier here.

Thanks for the info on different clubs, seems like I have a lot more research to do!

Anonymous wrote:New one being added pending application result.

VDA?

Anonymous wrote:VDA is MLSN now.

State your source.....

It's ECNL and their website confirms this.

New one being added pending application result.

VDA is MLSN now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you may be new to the area because you’re asking about something that presumably you would have looked into before now. But you should know that ID sessions are not real things. They are designed to give clubs cover and say that they held open tryouts before they give offers to the kids whom they already know will get offers. At best they are a last check on a club’s process to make sure they didn’t miss an obvious talent. But talent will have reached out to the coach or TD separate from the ID session to get a look.

Sad but true. That said, I think there are more than just three MLS Next teams in NoVa. I assume OP is talking Alex, VDA and SYC? But you've got Loudoun and McLean, too. I may be missing a few.

VDA is not part of MLS Next

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you may be new to the area because you’re asking about something that presumably you would have looked into before now. But you should know that ID sessions are not real things. They are designed to give clubs cover and say that they held open tryouts before they give offers to the kids whom they already know will get offers. At best they are a last check on a club’s process to make sure they didn’t miss an obvious talent. But talent will have reached out to the coach or TD separate from the ID session to get a look.

Sad but true. That said, I think there are more than just three MLS Next teams in NoVa. I assume OP is talking Alex, VDA and SYC? But you've got Loudoun and McLean, too. I may be missing a few.

It’s also confusing with the two tiers of MLS and some clubs (looking at you TSJ and VRSC) clearly marketing themselves as top tier when they aren’t. I’m sure I’ll miss a couple but:

Tier 1: NVA, VDA, Alex, SYC
Tier 2: Loudoun, VRSC, Mclean, TSJ + VDA, Alex and SYCs 2nd teams (Loudoun is NVAs 2nd team)

VDA isn’t MLS, it’s ECNL

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you may be new to the area because you’re asking about something that presumably you would have looked into before now. But you should know that ID sessions are not real things. They are designed to give clubs cover and say that they held open tryouts before they give offers to the kids whom they already know will get offers. At best they are a last check on a club’s process to make sure they didn’t miss an obvious talent. But talent will have reached out to the coach or TD separate from the ID session to get a look.

Sad but true. That said, I think there are more than just three MLS Next teams in NoVa. I assume OP is talking Alex, VDA and SYC? But you've got Loudoun and McLean, too. I may be missing a few.

It’s also confusing with the two tiers of MLS and some clubs (looking at you TSJ and VRSC) clearly marketing themselves as top tier when they aren’t. I’m sure I’ll miss a couple but:

Tier 1: NVA, VDA, Alex, SYC
Tier 2: Loudoun, VRSC, Mclean, TSJ + VDA, Alex and SYCs 2nd teams (Loudoun is NVAs 2nd team)

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you may be new to the area because you’re asking about something that presumably you would have looked into before now. But you should know that ID sessions are not real things. They are designed to give clubs cover and say that they held open tryouts before they give offers to the kids whom they already know will get offers. At best they are a last check on a club’s process to make sure they didn’t miss an obvious talent. But talent will have reached out to the coach or TD separate from the ID session to get a look.

If they are new to the area then maybe they don't fall into this dynamic. In my experience there is always a player or two that can break through and make a top MLS Next team.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you may be new to the area because you’re asking about something that presumably you would have looked into before now. But you should know that ID sessions are not real things. They are designed to give clubs cover and say that they held open tryouts before they give offers to the kids whom they already know will get offers. At best they are a last check on a club’s process to make sure they didn’t miss an obvious talent. But talent will have reached out to the coach or TD separate from the ID session to get a look.

Sad but true. That said, I think there are more than just three MLS Next teams in NoVa. I assume OP is talking Alex, VDA and SYC? But you've got Loudoun and McLean, too. I may be missing a few.

Sounds like you may be new to the area because you’re asking about something that presumably you would have looked into before now. But you should know that ID sessions are not real things. They are designed to give clubs cover and say that they held open tryouts before they give offers to the kids whom they already know will get offers. At best they are a last check on a club’s process to make sure they didn’t miss an obvious talent. But talent will have reached out to the coach or TD separate from the ID session to get a look.

DS will be a u13 next year and is hoping to play Mls Next. We registered for the ID days at the 3 VA clubs that have it, but haven't been able to make it to any trainings thanks to the weather. Can anyone provide insight on the big differences between the programs?