Anonymous wrote:I heard that one of the reasons gold and silver are in same division is because of shared coaches. Gold & silver typically share a coach and white & gold typically share a coach. The story I was told was that NCSL would not deconflict schedules for teams in different divisions but that they would for teams in the same division.

That's a boldfaced lie. A year ago my son played this scenario and they were in different divisions. How would this work with coaching different age groups as well? That's not even remotely believable

I heard that one of the reasons gold and silver are in same division is because of shared coaches. Gold & silver typically share a coach and white & gold typically share a coach. The story I was told was that NCSL would not deconflict schedules for teams in different divisions but that they would for teams in the same division.

There seems to be confusion on u9/10 'divisions'. They are doubled up, which is why there are so many in each 'division'. Most 1st and 2nd teams are in the same 'divison' but if you look at who they play it's pretty cut and dry that all the first teams play each other and all the second teams play each other for the most part. Same with the next division structure down being the third and fourth teams and so on with smaller clubs sprinkled in. Also, the order and letter attached is not accurate as well, on purpose, to try and make it look like it's all random. There is nothing random about it and big clubs get to pick their placements until u12/13 when scores get posted and clubs can't overinflate their teams' placements. U-9/10 is not important with who you play just what team you're on for future placements as movement within a club is not easy most of the time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, HUGE gap between Green/White and Gold/Silver.

Are the silver and gold teams equivalent to rec or better than that?

Are you asking whether the FOURTH level travel team is better than a random rec team? The answer is, depends who is on the rec team. Probably pretty similar.

They may be similar in that the score might be close if they played each other. But the player exerience between Rec and Travel is quite different. Travel players are more committed, more practices, enter into tournaments. Doesn't meant they are better soccer players but you are paying for and getting a different experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, HUGE gap between Green/White and Gold/Silver.

Are the silver and gold teams equivalent to rec or better than that?

Are you asking whether the FOURTH level travel team is better than a random rec team? The answer is, depends who is on the rec team. Probably pretty similar.

Usually Silver and Gold are filled up with Rec level players who are ready and committed to doing a lot more soccer. Also, the Coach, can be a rec coach who is continuing on their soccer coaching path as well. But, without a doubt, those former rec players become significantly better after a year of travel soccer. It won't be apparent until l the following tryout period, where the rec players show up for tryouts and the skill gaps are huge. (Everything I mentioned here is not exclusive to McLean...most clubs transition rec players and coaches into travel with the bottom teams.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, HUGE gap between Green/White and Gold/Silver.

Are the silver and gold teams equivalent to rec or better than that?

Are you asking whether the FOURTH level travel team is better than a random rec team? The answer is, depends who is on the rec team. Probably pretty similar.