Anonymous wrote:Can I raise one other point? Where exactly do you live?

"Bethesda" practices are not always in Bethesda. I've seen Bethesda teams train in:

Bethesda
North Bethesda
Rockville
Germantown
Bretton Woods
Silver Spring

If you live in DC proper, you can see some rough commutes to some of these practice in rush hour. Our coach lived in Woodley Park and mentioned it sometimes took 50-60 minutes to get to Rockvillle in traffic. While it can be a good club at some of the top levels, is it worth 1.5-2.0 hours per practice in commuting time?

+1. As you get older - it’s - slightly - more predictable- but usually far.

Very helpful -- thank you!

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- is it typical to hear back within 24 hours of a tryout and then only have 24 hours to make a decision?

Normally they do not enforce the 24 hours rule (or whatever the rule is), as the open spot will not be filled quickly .

If you are not comfortable, just let them know you need more time.

This year BSC gave returning players a week to decide, but after a month, their newsletter still say "if you have not unaccepted, do not forget to accept it".

OP here -- is it typical to hear back within 24 hours of a tryout and then only have 24 hours to make a decision?

Can I raise one other point? Where exactly do you live?

"Bethesda" practices are not always in Bethesda. I've seen Bethesda teams train in:

Bethesda
North Bethesda
Rockville
Germantown
Bretton Woods
Silver Spring

If you live in DC proper, you can see some rough commutes to some of these practice in rush hour. Our coach lived in Woodley Park and mentioned it sometimes took 50-60 minutes to get to Rockvillle in traffic. While it can be a good club at some of the top levels, is it worth 1.5-2.0 hours per practice in commuting time?

PP -- this is so helpful. Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:So is it better to be on the top team at a smaller club or a 2nd/3rd level team at a bigger one?

Depends on age and interest. At younger age, find a good coach, ideally good parents so good environment , make it easy on yourself driving wise. Really big clubs things change a lot year to year which is unnecessary for kids and parents. Ie does a 9 year old really need to deal with being moved and away from friends.

Older ages, depends on your kids goals. There is a recent thread on this but ECNL 2 at bethesda has good coaches and good college support program that can help if a D3 or simply application boost. We have friends happy with that outcome. Not sure equivalent on boys side in MD. If it’s just for fun supporting high school sport, pick a smaller club or team where your kids is happiest. Only challenge with that is as high school progresses those team’s rosters can get thin.

There are many opinions on this so just my 2 cents as average soccer parent

So is it better to be on the top team at a smaller club or a 2nd/3rd level team at a bigger one?

Anonymous wrote:This is so disappointing -- so it's all rigged already? Why bother trying out then?

Yep if you are not at a big club on the first team they will not even look at you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And the fees are the same regardless if you're on the top BSC team or not, correct?

No. Varies by age, gender and league/ program.

Yes it varies, but not by big amount. The travel cost which is not included plays a major big than the club fee.

e.g, the club fee range from 2400 to 2800, but top teams may travel far away for big tournaments which you have to pay more for hotels/plane etc.

This is so disappointing -- so it's all rigged already? Why bother trying out then?

Anonymous wrote:And the fees are the same regardless if you're on the top BSC team or not, correct?

No. Varies by age, gender and league/ program.

And the fees are the same regardless if you're on the top BSC team or not, correct?