Why Bethesda South, just because they are associated with Bethesda? There are other good clubs in the NOVA area that also offer DA. What are they doing that makes the experience "improved"? No transparency on what they are doing other than tryouts to create teams. Every club can advertise "superior training".

CYA = home of coaches who no one else wants. One of the worst soccer environments around and getting worse. If you want an improved experience near Thoreau, I'd look at Bethesda South.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CCL for U15+ is the better league

I'm guessing the OP's son isn't above U15, since she's looking for teammates who go to Thoreau Middle School. Maybe, though.

But look -- the point about CCL, VPL, EDL and even the DA is whether all the extra travel is worth it. For a truly exceptional player at one of the teams that isn't getting blown out regularly, sure. For a "solid" travel player, especially one who is looking for a club at which he'll know some of his teammates from school, NCSL and ODSL are better options.

It's not all about chasing that quarter-share of a college scholarship. We aren't all in the 1%.

My son played against a VYS team yesterday, and I saw several VYS coaches in action. They were pretty good. I'm not a fan of the technical director, but I didn't look across the field and think, "There's no way I'd let my son play for this particular coach." (Some coaches from McLean, NVSC and Richmond Strikers? Yeah, my kid's not going anywhere near you, pal. Take some anger management classes and play Football Manager on your phone.)

But OP might be looking for a long-term club, so even if she is looking for her current middle schooler (who could be a u13-u14), giving info about the clubs at the older age groups isn't bad.

I'm still missing your point about "extra" travel. I have had kids in NCSL, ODSL, and CCL (and WAGS on the girls side), and I don't think CCL has significantly more travel than NCSL or ODSL. You might get a bad season where you have to go to Va Beach and Richmond twice, but it's not THAT bad. Idk, I think I'd rather drive to Roanoke for a good soccer match than Winchester for an average one. And my children aren't the 1% at all. I just think that the quality of CCL is worth it - and that it's really not that big of a difference, driving-wise, anyway. But, maybe I'm missing something

Totally agree with you on the McLean coaches comment, BTW. Hoo boy - some of them must be a joy to live with.

Anonymous wrote:CCL for U15+ is the better league

I'm guessing the OP's son isn't above U15, since she's looking for teammates who go to Thoreau Middle School. Maybe, though.

But look -- the point about CCL, VPL, EDL and even the DA is whether all the extra travel is worth it. For a truly exceptional player at one of the teams that isn't getting blown out regularly, sure. For a "solid" travel player, especially one who is looking for a club at which he'll know some of his teammates from school, NCSL and ODSL are better options.

It's not all about chasing that quarter-share of a college scholarship. We aren't all in the 1%.

My son played against a VYS team yesterday, and I saw several VYS coaches in action. They were pretty good. I'm not a fan of the technical director, but I didn't look across the field and think, "There's no way I'd let my son play for this particular coach." (Some coaches from McLean, NVSC and Richmond Strikers? Yeah, my kid's not going anywhere near you, pal. Take some anger management classes and play Football Manager on your phone.)

CCL for U15+ is the better league

Anonymous wrote:CCL isn't that bad, travel wise, I don't think. If you're that good, you'll be doing State Cup and Region 1 stuff which I think involves more travel than CCL play. Right?

So if you're really good in CCL or VPL, you'll be doing State Cup and Region 1 stuff AND traveling more for league play!

B and C teams rule.

Anonymous wrote:CCL isn't that bad, travel wise, I don't think. If you're that good, you'll be doing State Cup and Region 1 stuff which I think involves more travel than CCL play. Right?

Yes, correct.

CCL isn't that bad, travel wise, I don't think. If you're that good, you'll be doing State Cup and Region 1 stuff which I think involves more travel than CCL play. Right?

Huh? Didn't you say they were overmatched and had to travel a long way.... In the VPL?
But then said CCL if your kid is really good but wants to travel good distances?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find a CCL club

If you're a really good player who doesn't mind traveling long distances, sure.

Did you read the previous post about VPL

Read? I wrote it!

CYA is also in VPL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find a CCL club

If you're a really good player who doesn't mind traveling long distances, sure.

Did you read the previous post about VPL

Anonymous wrote:Find a CCL club

If you're a really good player who doesn't mind traveling long distances, sure.

Find a CCL club

Anonymous wrote:We are moving to Thoreau MS. My son will try out probably for the VYS probably bc all the fields are near our new house. But we are worried about the discontent. We've heard it from some parents and on this board. . Where would my kid find friends from his MS in a team??? CYA looks good. Their teams seem pretty competitive. Do they accept new team members on a team higher than their lower teams? My son is a solid travel player.

Any info on the club would be great.

CYA draws some Vienna kids, but more toward the Oakton side of town, where it's closer. The younger boys teams are directed by Jane Dawber, who used to coach in Vienna before the troubles came and is still pretty well regarded.

I'm no fan of the VYS technical director, but if you're on the B (Black) or C (White) teams, I don't see much point in going elsewhere. The A (Red) teams will be in more turmoil, in part because the older ones (including MS ages) are stuck playing in VPL, where they're often overmatched and have to travel a long way. (That'll change a little this spring with the new divisional approach, but they also won't have many games on the schedule just yet.)

If your son is a really serious player with ambitions of playing in college and so forth, you'll probably want to look at Braddock Road or Bethesda South.

So that's a long way of saying I'm not sure what CYA would offer you. Probably not many Thoreau kids, and probably not a better soccer experience. That said, they're a decent enough club, and it wouldn't hurt to try out and maybe see if other Thoreau kids turn up there.

Meanwhile -- any interest in playing for a House team in the spring?

We are moving to Thoreau MS. My son will try out probably for the VYS probably bc all the fields are near our new house. But we are worried about the discontent. We've heard it from some parents and on this board. . Where would my kid find friends from his MS in a team??? CYA looks good. Their teams seem pretty competitive. Do they accept new team members on a team higher than their lower teams? My son is a solid travel player.

Any info on the club would be great.