I think others have nailed it. No tryouts last year - lots of kids moved around because clubs consolidated. Teams were stretched to find good players and maybe picked some who weren't great.
We have seen a bunch of kids show up for tryouts for our Baltimore club coming from places like Northern VA. That is a first considering Virginia has really great clubs and who would ever consider that drive for soccer. So - I don't know.

Because someone on this forum told us we should.

Moved into the area at the start of u16 for DS. Live super close to a Prince William Co. club and they were welcoming. Devolved into a caustic clique environment from players/parents plus lack of playing time regardless how well DC was practicing or playing. Seeing DS play against tougher competition and thrive in ODP and high level tryouts tipped the scales. He now has to drive a ways to the new club but that’s better than the local alternatives.

+1 Agree on all counts.
Do you think more kids will quit as a result?

My daughter joined new club in fall due to old team disbanding. It has been a lousy year on all counts. The masks, driving an eternity to games, it just has not been fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of defections from our club/team this year. Not covid related. Wondering what is going on.

No tryouts last year due to COVID, so you're seeing two years of movement combined into one.

I could see that but in some cases the kids were new to the club this year and then left already.

Left due to lack of development; cliques; and lack of playing time. The DCs who play full game at U11 and U12 definitely grow more. Possibly better players coming in but the bench kids languish.

Moved on due to cycle of instability/deterioration of the club which led to mass exodus of teammates. We didn't (really) want to leave, but it became very apparent that the club would be unable to sustain a viable team at our age group.

Did not fit the club. Club plays one way and kid is not that type of player. Each year it becomes more and more apparent. Very good player but practices and games are very frustrating. Time to leave.

DD's coach (since the end of U13) left

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of defections from our club/team this year. Not covid related. Wondering what is going on.

No tryouts last year due to COVID, so you're seeing two years of movement combined into one.

Yes. This. I know many that were planning to make a move/tryout elsewhere in 2020...and then Covid hit and everyone had to stay put.

Location. We have been driving kids to a club for 4 years that had really great development program and environment, but it is too far now that they have more of a time crunch with school.

Also, they have outgrown it and moved for a higher level of play.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of defections from our club/team this year. Not covid related. Wondering what is going on.

No tryouts last year due to COVID, so you're seeing two years of movement combined into one.

Very true... plus ECNL changes attract players to other clubs that may be closer to them.

Anonymous wrote:Lots of defections from our club/team this year. Not covid related. Wondering what is going on.

No tryouts last year due to COVID, so you're seeing two years of movement combined into one.

Lots of defections from our club/team this year. Not covid related. Wondering what is going on.