I do think if DC moves the academy they'll probably have to relocate their residential program from the Calverton School in Southern Maryland to some place out in Virginia.

Anonymous wrote:Arlington will go ECNL. No way they can build a older DA team. I am sure their best have already left or plan to leave.

Moving to Loudoun will be devastating to DC United. No one will go out there under any circumstances. They will only be able to pull from local talent. It may even cause them to cancel their Academy program altogether or risk being a laughing stock in DA circles.

Absolutely the tier 1 clubs will see an influx of new recruits.

You're not serious about DCU are you? DCU for years has had players from all around the region and several who moved from out-of-state to join the DA. Bethesda's DA has had players from Stafford VA and Fredericksburg. Baltimore Armour has had kids from Bethesda. Especially at the older age groups, kids will travel from all over to be part of a DA program.

The Boys ECNL will continue to grow. A lot of boys like playing high school.

Arlington will go ECNL. No way they can build a older DA team. I am sure their best have already left or plan to leave.

Moving to Loudoun will be devastating to DC United. No one will go out there under any circumstances. They will only be able to pull from local talent. It may even cause them to cancel their Academy program altogether or risk being a laughing stock in DA circles.

Absolutely the tier 1 clubs will see an influx of new recruits.

We were mixed with our parent experience at BSC. We met some rather horrible soccer parents at Bethesda but also some very nice ones. Also met a few who were superficially nice but a bit gossipy and backstabby to support their kids over others.

Did not feel Bethesda supported kids who had significant academic challenges though. Attitude is “soccer comes first” with some of the coaches.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would anyone consider switching to Arlington from DCU if Arlington gets full DA (lower bracket) for less travel?

I'm sure some would. Lots of kids have picked/stayed with Bethesda or Baltimore Armour over DCU in part for travel reasons. Those club's DA teams are often more competitive than DCU's and have better college commitments as well. If Arlington ends up with a full DA that is competitive, they'd have a good shot. But it would be hard because they'd most likely be in tier 2 rather than tier 1 under the new system.

To anyone who has academics/college as the ultimate goal, Bethesda's commitments are very impressive.

Yes, and most teams at Bethesda have a nice parent community as well. In general, there is a lot of movement between and among the various DAs as families try to balance different factors--travel, pro or college ambitions, coaching and playing time, team dynamics, etc. Will be interesting to see how the DCU move to Loudoun plays out, and the fact that there is now a USL team out there changes the dynamic. They play a lot of academy players on Loudoun United, so I'd expect to see more movement to DCU in the U18/U19 age group.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would anyone consider switching to Arlington from DCU if Arlington gets full DA (lower bracket) for less travel?

I'm sure some would. Lots of kids have picked/stayed with Bethesda or Baltimore Armour over DCU in part for travel reasons. Those club's DA teams are often more competitive than DCU's and have better college commitments as well. If Arlington ends up with a full DA that is competitive, they'd have a good shot. But it would be hard because they'd most likely be in tier 2 rather than tier 1 under the new system.

To anyone who has academics/college as the ultimate goal, Bethesda's commitments are very impressive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would anyone consider switching to Arlington from DCU if Arlington gets full DA (lower bracket) for less travel?

I'm sure some would. Lots of kids have picked/stayed with Bethesda or Baltimore Armour over DCU in part for travel reasons. Those club's DA teams are often more competitive than DCU's and have better college commitments as well. If Arlington ends up with a full DA that is competitive, they'd have a good shot. But it would be hard because they'd most likely be in tier 2 rather than tier 1 under the new system.

The travel to Leesburg during rush hour is going to be impossible for a lot of the southern MD kids. For some of them, Arlington would be closer than Bethesda or Armour.

Anonymous wrote:Would anyone consider switching to Arlington from DCU if Arlington gets full DA (lower bracket) for less travel?

I'm sure some would. Lots of kids have picked/stayed with Bethesda or Baltimore Armour over DCU in part for travel reasons. Those club's DA teams are often more competitive than DCU's and have better college commitments as well. If Arlington ends up with a full DA that is competitive, they'd have a good shot. But it would be hard because they'd most likely be in tier 2 rather than tier 1 under the new system.

Would anyone consider switching to Arlington from DCU if Arlington gets full DA (lower bracket) for less travel?

Anonymous wrote:I think you’ll will see clubs leave for other options nationally. Some clubs are now having to spend 5k to 8k more per player on travel than they already were. It is not sustainable.

?

What clubs are paying for travel? Parents/Players pay for travel.

I think Arlington will get full DA status this year given DCU / Loudon situation.

I think you’ll will see clubs leave for other options nationally. Some clubs are now having to spend 5k to 8k more per player on travel than they already were. It is not sustainable.

Anonymous wrote:Will any other local DAs leave DA for ECNL next year?

Will Arlington ever be granted full boys DA?

Will DC United DA move to Loudoun help the other local DAs retain players?

Will there be any movement up and down between tier 1 and tier 2 teams locally by club. Will the best players gravitate to the tier 1 clubs or will the extra travel be too much for some of the best players?

No.

Will any other local DAs leave DA for ECNL next year?

Will Arlington ever be granted full boys DA?

Will DC United DA move to Loudoun help the other local DAs retain players?

Will there be any movement up and down between tier 1 and tier 2 teams locally by club. Will the best players gravitate to the tier 1 clubs or will the extra travel be too much for some of the best players?