Anonymous
12/03/2025 06:55
Subject: What team to start young soccer player in?
Anonymous wrote:Have a 5 year old who is good at soccer. Currently plays up with 7-8 year olds in rec and want to get him more disciplined exposure. Do you just go with the closest team near you for pre-travel at this age?
FWIW - he is big and fast for his age. Currently 60 pounds and 4’2” already. Wears a size 2 big kid shoes. Able to hold his own with older kids playing so far.
So far no one really answered you. I know for a fact that Bethesda will accept 5 year olds into their boy's travel program, I asked about that last year. I also know that they had 5 year old girls in their U7/8 program. The kid will play in their U7 group. One nice thing is BSC only charges half price for the U8 and below groups, other clubs (Potomac for instance) charge full cost not matter what age. Anyway, if BSC is doable, check them out and see if it works for you.
Anonymous
11/27/2025 11:28
Subject: Re:What team to start young soccer player in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Parent of giant son back.
Seriously sir, calm down. Sports is also the social experience for your kid with his peers. It's about teamwork and coachability and self-control. Tell your giant son to buy a clue and not score all the goals.
Yes, at some point choose a more intense environment for your child to play a sport he really likes, but it's not at age 5 and again, calm down. If he's going to be as tall as you seem to think he is going to be, soccer is the wrong path anyway. Don't invest so heavily in that direction. Who cares what sport you played.
OP - understood. DS will be trying flag football and lacrosse in the fall as well as pre-travel soccer. He is very competitive and very athletically inclined so we want to see which sport makes the most sense for him. He will also be trying hockey. And already plays basketball. This is all per DS's requests. We have not pushed him into anything. He loves sports and likes playing.
At 5 our son also asked, "when do I get to play with only the good kids?" as he impatiently waited for others to catch up with him athletically
OP, I get it, and, the social part is just as important, if not more important. Be patient, let him play up a year in Rec, but still with kids from his school/neighborhood. There's plenty of time