Are his friends the same level?

I'd stick with the friends --- if he feels held back or isn't happy with the coaching, team, environment, he'll figure it out.

Well if the coaching is equally as good AND he gets to play with friends, I’d say go with the friends. As long as the friends or at least most of them are committed too. You don’t want to end up with not enough players at games. Good coaching (technical) is what’s most important at this age, not the team level. Keeping it fun bc he’s with friends will also help prevent him from quitting. At the very least, try it for a year and see what happens.

My personal decision would be to go with the team with friends because it's easier for me. But DS seems legitimately undecided.

Honestly, I feel if you are asking the board then you can go either way. if you can go either way, leave it up the kid.

Will the smaller club with friends make your life easier with carpooling?

If he loves the game and is committed, he should go to a higher level team. He can see his school friends outside the soccer field.

Coaching being more or less equal, any advice? For a boy who enjoys the game and is committed but does not have a goal of playing soccer in college. He is torn.