My kid’s teams have played in this tourney every year since I can remember. I hate this tournament. It is always the first really cold weekend of the year. It’s at the end of a long season. The fields often stink (Muldoon or Polo grounds), albeit last year they played at Germantown Sportsplex which was nice. Plus my kid’s team usually makes it to the finals because they are always bracketed too low as our coaches are cowards, so we have extra games against so-so competition. All in all, a sucky weekend. I think I may stay home with my other kid this year and let my spouse go. At least one of the two days.

Last year most of the top teams switched to Nations Capital Cup because of the debacle in 2018. McLean, Arlington, Loudoun all did that one. Not sure which tournaments these teams are doing this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it me or is the Bethesda Premier Cup slipping in terms of competitiveness? In the girls showcase age groups, there are only one or two of the top teams attending. Outside of Bethesda and MUFC, I don't see any of the stronger ECNL or GA teams. I know that given the pandemic and past issues, some clubs from other regions are not traveling but I am surprised that we don't see more elite local teams like FCV, Baltimore Celtic Union, Sporting, Pipeline, Arlington, or McLean.

It is a "premier" cup that plays games on grass fields in Nov. with no inclement/ frost contingencies built in. Last year was a debacle (20/ 25 min halves for 11v11) and previous years have been also bad.
My club decided to go to another tournament.

Look it up. The rain caused an issue a few years ago. Last year frost was the issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it me or is the Bethesda Premier Cup slipping in terms of competitiveness? In the girls showcase age groups, there are only one or two of the top teams attending. Outside of Bethesda and MUFC, I don't see any of the stronger ECNL or GA teams. I know that given the pandemic and past issues, some clubs from other regions are not traveling but I am surprised that we don't see more elite local teams like FCV, Baltimore Celtic Union, Sporting, Pipeline, Arlington, or McLean.

It is a "premier" cup that plays games on grass fields in Nov. with no inclement/ frost contingencies built in. Last year was a debacle (20/ 25 min halves for 11v11) and previous years have been also bad.
My club decided to go to another tournament.

That was two years ago.

Clearly its an asterik year. Some teams dont want to travel.

And this tourney, based in MOCO, still has tight restrictions.

Wags had a big drop off as well from last year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it me or is the Bethesda Premier Cup slipping in terms of competitiveness? In the girls showcase age groups, there are only one or two of the top teams attending. Outside of Bethesda and MUFC, I don't see any of the stronger ECNL or GA teams. I know that given the pandemic and past issues, some clubs from other regions are not traveling but I am surprised that we don't see more elite local teams like FCV, Baltimore Celtic Union, Sporting, Pipeline, Arlington, or McLean.

It is a "premier" cup that plays games on grass fields in Nov. with no inclement/ frost contingencies built in. Last year was a debacle (20/ 25 min halves for 11v11) and previous years have been also bad.
My club decided to go to another tournament.

There were zero grass fields at last years tourney- they handled those complaints last year.

I guess we will have to wait until JefCup to see the best local talent.

Anonymous wrote:Is it me or is the Bethesda Premier Cup slipping in terms of competitiveness? In the girls showcase age groups, there are only one or two of the top teams attending. Outside of Bethesda and MUFC, I don't see any of the stronger ECNL or GA teams. I know that given the pandemic and past issues, some clubs from other regions are not traveling but I am surprised that we don't see more elite local teams like FCV, Baltimore Celtic Union, Sporting, Pipeline, Arlington, or McLean.

It is a "premier" cup that plays games on grass fields in Nov. with no inclement/ frost contingencies built in. Last year was a debacle (20/ 25 min halves for 11v11) and previous years have been also bad.
My club decided to go to another tournament.

Anonymous wrote:Wow the u13 and u14 are playing in Carsin's Run in Aberdeen, Maryland.

This alone would limit participation especially for VA teams. It’s a very far drive even for Bethesda teams. Then again, Muldoon’s Farm is very far too.

Wow the u13 and u14 are playing in Carsin's Run in Aberdeen, Maryland.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Except that WAGS was much stronger.

Not compared to past years.

Bethesda took a hit in regards to reputation a couple of years ago when they played a bulk of games at Muldoon during terrible rainy weather, which is a thing that happens in the fall. They refused refunds and they have failed to win back several clubs to their tournaments even though they have prioritized securing turf fields.

But this year is likely more about Covid than anything else. Teams are just not willing to travel overnight like in the past right now so these larger tournaments are more local than before.

The thing is there are many clubs in the DMV that Bethesda Cup would be a day drive with no over night stay. On the girls side many of the NoVa clubs(and Stoddert) do not enter the tournament. It’s been that way for the past 2-3 years.

Anonymous wrote:Except that WAGS was much stronger.

Not compared to past years.

Bethesda took a hit in regards to reputation a couple of years ago when they played a bulk of games at Muldoon during terrible rainy weather, which is a thing that happens in the fall. They refused refunds and they have failed to win back several clubs to their tournaments even though they have prioritized securing turf fields.

But this year is likely more about Covid than anything else. Teams are just not willing to travel overnight like in the past right now so these larger tournaments are more local than before.

Except that WAGS was much stronger.

Anonymous wrote:Is it me or is the Bethesda Premier Cup slipping in terms of competitiveness? In the girls showcase age groups, there are only one or two of the top teams attending. Outside of Bethesda and MUFC, I don't see any of the stronger ECNL or GA teams. I know that given the pandemic and past issues, some clubs from other regions are not traveling but I am surprised that we don't see more elite local teams like FCV, Baltimore Celtic Union, Sporting, Pipeline, Arlington, or McLean.

A little bit yes and a lot of ITS A PANDEMIC YEAR!!

Is it me or is the Bethesda Premier Cup slipping in terms of competitiveness? In the girls showcase age groups, there are only one or two of the top teams attending. Outside of Bethesda and MUFC, I don't see any of the stronger ECNL or GA teams. I know that given the pandemic and past issues, some clubs from other regions are not traveling but I am surprised that we don't see more elite local teams like FCV, Baltimore Celtic Union, Sporting, Pipeline, Arlington, or McLean.