Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

I'm not really objecting - just though the poster's comment was somewhat odd. In the same breath he said his son was good enough to play for a team and also that he had never seen that team play. I didn't even say he was wrong - in fact I explicitly allowed that he might be correct.

He's 10. It will all change in the next 5-6 years. The stars at U11 often aren't anything by U15.

Is he big for his age? That will get him a lot of attention in and of itself.

I mean--he isn't even playing 11 v 11 yet.
I was actually wondering the same thing when I read. OP sounded confident without seeing the team play.

I'm the OP. I understand the comments and wasn't trying to overly imply anything. I honestly don't know, but my son has played very well against teams that have done well against that Bethesda team and the others so while that is a bit of a stretch it's a close enough barometer for me. I was trying to avoid being a jackass and say how good my kid is, but thought saying something like top 5 on an EDP I team was good enough at U11. The real fact is he is undoubtedly top 2 in any game I have ever seen except for an off game here or there and would be surprised if a coach didn't pick him up. Can he definitely make any of these teams? I really don't know and only time will tell. I was simply asking what people thought of those organizations and figured I had to address his skill set in the initial post or I would get the comments of "your kid isn't good enough for any of those teams".

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful comments. Definitely a ton of really good information to consider so I appreciate your time to respond.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

I'm not really objecting - just though the poster's comment was somewhat odd. In the same breath he said his son was good enough to play for a team and also that he had never seen that team play. I didn't even say he was wrong - in fact I explicitly allowed that he might be correct.

I was actually wondering the same thing when I read. OP sounded confident without seeing the team play.

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda Academy is the strongest. Only if you are on the very top team is it worth it---unless it's the closest Club.

Traffic in this area is outrageous (just wait until Covid peters out and more and more are on the road). Rush hour can start as early as 3pm and go until 7pm. Pick a Club that is convenient.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

I'm not really objecting - just though the poster's comment was somewhat odd. In the same breath he said his son was good enough to play for a team and also that he had never seen that team play. I didn't even say he was wrong - in fact I explicitly allowed that he might be correct.

Anonymous wrote:

Do not waste your time driving all over the place. My suggest would be either one of the 3 clubs...Bethesda, Lions Soccer, SAC/BA. All 3 have the ability to help the continued development of your child.

I agree. Those are good clubs with good teams. Frankly, I find it ridiculous that some people are willing to drive 45 minutes each way three times a week to take a kid to soccer practice farther from home. I have a job and another kid, and no way am I doing that.

Do not waste your time driving all over the place. My suggest would be either one of the 3 clubs...Bethesda, Lions Soccer, SAC/BA. All 3 have the ability to help the continued development of your child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

My U11 son has played against that Bethesda team and they are the real deal for that age. It will be fun to watch what happens with that team if they continue to develop and stay together. The coach was very good as well. I know you said Pipeline was a little further, but we have always been impressed with them as well. They appear to have a good thing going up there and now that they have ECNL I think that will help them keep kids together better. Some of the Pipeline kids would go over to Baltimore Armour when they had DA and a partnership with SAC. Not sure what happens now that the partnership is over, but Armour puts out some very solid teams/kids at the older ages. Their latest recruiting class was insane, but could be a holdover of being the only old DA nearby. I've honestly never been very impressed with SAC at the younger ages. Their U11 team is good from what I know so you should be fine, but it's more hit or miss. SAC is also a massive organization. Not saying that is necessarily a bad thing, but they seem to have less focus at the younger ages and really start to care once the kids hit the Armour ages. Just my impression and from what I have heard from parents I know with kids there. I think they just started accumulated talent because they were the only DA in the area so talent just flocked there naturally. Time will tell if that continues.

My recommendation if your kid is good enough and has the drive to succeed would be to take a look at Bethesda first and get a sense of the coaches and how your son stacks up there. If it doesn't seem like a good fit go take a look at Pipeline, go do the drive during practice time though, and see how you like it there. The drive alone may turn you off or may not. We have a couple friends at the older and younger ages and they love it there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

So ridiculous to post this crap. What is your basis for objecting? Why do you care? BTW, this team looks good, but it loses to some teams only a year older and things change a ton for all these kids over the next 3-4 years. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the new galacticos. You think this is the first time Bethesda has had a U11 team like this? It’s practically every year. Yet they bring new people on. Which is why they tend to continue to succeed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Given that you haven't seen them play, what is the basis for your belief that your son is good enough to play on the Bethesda team? You may well be correct, but if your reasoning is based on "consistently top 5 on the field in games he has played so far", that would depend very much on where he has been playing so far.

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.

Anonymous wrote:This is all great input! Thank you everyone for your understanding and thoughtful comments. I knew about that Bethesda team and they seem to have a really good thing going developing the boy's side. I've looked into the U11 top team and yes, they are very good from what I can tell without watching them play. I'm glad someone confirmed they actually play the game well to win instead of punt and kick.

I hadn't really considered the idea of a second team, but that's a good point as well on the Bethesda side. I think my son could play with the U11 top team, but is he good enough to remove a kid on a very good team who has been there on the current roster based on a couple of sessions? Probably not, but working up from the second team is an interesting idea. Especially if it is a strong second team.